The rapid evolution of materials science, nanotechnology, and life sciences is driving unprecedented demand for advanced analytical instrumentation capable of operating at the nanoscale. In recent decades, materials have become increasingly complex, featuring smaller dimensions, multi-functional properties and intricate internal architectures. Similarly, biological research has embraced nanoscale investigations to explore cellular processes, molecular interactions and the behaviour of nanoparticles in biological environments.
This evolving context gives rise to several major challenges for characterization and analysis techniques:
The aim of the Advanced Instrumentation for Nano-Analytics group is threefold:
Innovate at the frontier of instrumentation
The group designs, prototypes and validates new generations of analytical systems based on charged particle beams (electrons and ions), often pushing the boundaries of what is technically achievable. These systems are purpose-built to deliver unprecedented spatial resolution, sensitivity and data reproducibility.
Enable correlative and multi-modal workflows
Beyond hardware development, the group focuses on integrating diverse characterization methods into coherent, user-friendly workflows. The goal is to correlate structure, chemistry and functional properties at the nanoscale to provide insights that would otherwise be unattainable.
Bridge fundamental research and application
Developments are applied across diverse fields – materials science, life sciences, environmental sciences and space research – while ensuring a smooth technology transfer to industry partners. The strong collaborations of the group with leading instrument manufacturers guarantee that our innovations rapidly reach real-world laboratories and operational environments.
The group is characterized by:
Understanding the interactions between energetic ions and matter is essential for optimizing nano-analytical instruments. The group conducts comprehensive fundamental studies, combining experimental investigations (e.g., sputtering yields, secondary ionization probabilities) and simulations (Monte Carlo, Molecular Dynamics (MD), Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations), of which the
key outcomes include:
Development of high-performance SIMS add-on systems
The Advanced Instrumentation for Nano-Analytics group develops compact Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS) add-on systems, which can be mounted on to various instruments, including helium ion microscopes (HIM), focused ion beam instruments (FIB), dual beam instruments (FIB-SEM), transmission electron microscopes (TEM) and ion implanters.
These SIMS systems incorporate all ion optical components necessary for them to be easily mounted on to existing instruments as add-on systems. The extraction and transfer optics maximize secondary ion extraction efficiency (>60%) without negatively impacting the focusing of the primary ion beam. The group’s mass spectrometers are based upon a compact magnetic sector double-focusing mass spectrometer, which offers the highest possible transmission, high mass resolution (M/ΔM up to 5000), full elemental mass range (H-U) and parallel detection of all masses using a full-size focal plane detector (FPD).
Several SIMS add-on systems have been developed and installed on various FIB platforms for high-sensitivity, highest lateral resolution (down to ultimate SIMS spatial resolution) and high-speed nanoscale 2D and 3D chemical imaging, i.e. HIM-SIMS, FIB-SEM-SIMS, npSCOPE, SIMS:ZERO, IonMaster).
Mass spectrometers for space and field applications
The group designs compact, lightweight mass spectrometers suitable for deployment in field-portable devices or integration into CubeSats. Applications include hydrological monitoring, environmental analysis and extraterrestrial resource prospecting.
Correlative Methodologies and Workflows
The Advanced Instrumentation for Nano-Analytics group is a leader in the development of correlative workflows that enables the seamless integration of high-resolution imaging (Electron Microscopy) with high-sensitivity chemical analysis (SIMS).
This approach allows:
The correlative methodologies of the group have proven instrumental in fields like:
Modern nano-analytical techniques generate huge datasets requiring robust data treatment and analysis pipelines. As such, the group develops:
The goal is to democratize complex techniques like SIMS, making them more accessible to a broader range of researchers by minimizing the need for specialized expertise.
The group benefits from state-of-the-art equipment, including:
Commercialization of SIMS add-on system
The add-on SIMS system, a direct outcome of our R&D, is now commercially available and deployed worldwide. The AINA group developed the world’s first integrated Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry system for the Zeiss ORION Helium Ion Microscope, achieving record-breaking 10 nm SIMS spatial resolution. Our magSIMS technology was subsequently adapted to a wide range of Focused Ion Beam (FIB) platforms, including those from Thermo Fisher Scientific (e.g., SCIOS, HELIOS and AQUILOS), Zeiss, and more recently, the Raith VELION (branded as IONMASTER). This expansion has enabled high-sensitivity elemental and isotopic analysis across various FIB and DualBeam systems, supporting applications in photovoltaics, battery, nanotoxicology and advanced materials research.
npSCOPE
The development of the npSCOPE platform has enabled groundbreaking studies in nanotoxicology, offering unprecedented imaging and analysis capabilities for biological samples under cryo conditions.
Our group members have authored numerous high-impact review papers and book chapters, including publications in Reports on Progress in Physics, Annual Review of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Physics Reviews.
We collaborate actively with industry leaders including Zeiss, Thermo Fisher Scientific, Raith and ZeroK NanoTech.
Our partnerships span across top universities and research institutes in Europe and North America.
Oral exposure to bio-based versus conventional nanoplastics: unravelling health hazards in humans using hand-in-hand in vitro gut models and multiscale analytics
Oral exposure and gut-targeted toxicity of PFOA and its precursor 8:2 FTOH under chronic stress: when high resolution chemical imaging bridges food toxicology
Elucidating the 3D chemical and physical architecture of soil microstructures by combining spectromicroscopic techniques and developing of novel computational approaches
Time-of-flight scanning transmission ion microscopy with high energy resolution in the low keV range
Andersen D., Pureti R., Wirtz T., Eswara S.
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Pyroelectric power generator for autonomous systems
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