Mastodawn

🎉 Good news everyone !

The #CIME @EPFL electron microscopy image contest now requires participants to submit their work under a #CreativeCommons license. 🔬

https://www.epfl.ch/research/facilities/cime/index-html/image-gallery/image-of-the-moment/

Result: These images can now circulate freely including here on the #fediverse!

So I’ll take the opportunity to share a few here. ✨

#ElectronMicroscopy #OpenScience #MicroscopyMonday #SEM #TEM

Image of the moment

The winner of March/April 2026 contest period is: “The bad bug hiding in the bush” by Dea Müller (Bacterial Mechanobiology Laboratory, Persat Lab). Congratulations! See all 2026 competitors gallery. Do you want to participate? Read contest rules and submit your image(s) here. See all 2025 competitors gallery. See all 2024 competitors gallery

EPFL

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Albert Cardona May 7

@innuendo @jernej__s @ZachWeinersmith

Our eFIB-SEM (as per Xu et al. 2017 https://elifesciences.org/articles/25916 ) runs 24/7 for up to 8 weeks, when it runs out of source. And it's essential that it does so, uninterrupted, since it's imaging at nanometre resolution, milling 2 nm slices at a time with an ion beam and then repeatedly imaging the block face. The process is unsurprisingly very sensitive; was hard enough to overcome the reheat cycle of the instrument itself (every 60 hours or so) by detecting it, de-engaging the beams and then seamlessly re-engaging with the block face.

A brief video of the kind of data we acquire:
https://youtu.be/p4MH4-I-P5I

The MS Windows computer deciding to reboot on its own is unacceptable.

#ElectronMicroscopy #Zeiss #FIBSEM #VolumeEM #vEM #Drosophila

Enhanced FIB-SEM systems for large-volume 3D imaging

Complete neuronal circuits can be reconstructed, and whole eukaryotic cells imaged, at less than 10 nm isotropic resolution.

eLife

NewsletterTF May 2

Atomic Insights into Antiferromagnets: A New Imaging Frontier

Scientists used a new imaging method to see atomic-scale magnetic structures in antiferromagnets, important for future fast electronic devices.

#Antiferromagnetism, #Spintronics, #MaterialsScience, #ElectronMicroscopy, #Nanotechnology

https://newsletter.tf/new-imaging-technique-shows-atomic-spin-structures/

NewsletterTF May 2

A new imaging technique can now see the tiny magnetic structures inside antiferromagnets, which is much better than before. This could help make electronics faster.

#Antiferromagnetism, #Spintronics, #MaterialsScience, #ElectronMicroscopy, #Nanotechnology
https://newsletter.tf/new-imaging-technique-shows-atomic-spin-structures/

New Imaging Technique Shows Atomic Spin Structures in Antiferromagnets

Scientists used a new imaging method to see atomic-scale magnetic structures in antiferromagnets, important for future fast electronic devices.

NewsletterTF

Albert Cardona Apr 22

"A simplified High-Pressure Freezing Workflow in Autogrids", Weber et al. 2026
https://www.biorxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.04.18.719352v1

#HighPressureFreezing #HPF #ElectronMicroscopy

PsychoticSheep Mar 26

Another photo from my training that I found, this time not from organic chemistry but from inorganic chemistry! Working with the scanning electron microscope.

A scanning electron microscope (SEM) uses a focused electron beam instead of light to image surfaces at the nanometer scale.

Three types:

SEM: The electron beam scans the surface while detectors capture topography and material contrast.

TEM: Electrons transmit through thin samples, revealing atomic scale details inside the material.

STEM: A combination of both, enabling imaging and chemical analysis at the atomic level.

Measurements include microstructure, phase composition, grain size, crack patterns, often combined with mechanical or magnetic properties.

The task was to create a compact table for five samples including microstructure (optical microscope + SEM), hardness, crack resistance parameter, magnetic saturation (Tm³/kg), and coercive field (kA/m), a pure data summary without comments.

#SEM #ScanningElectronMicroscope #MaterialsScience #InorganicChemistry #Microstructure #ElectronMicroscopy #LabLife #Research #TEM #STEM #MaterialCharacterization #HardnessTesting #MagneticProperties #ScienceTraining

Albert Cardona Mar 24

Postdoc position: Career Returner Fellowship

"The LMB is proud to launch a three-year fully funded fellowship for scientists who have had a career break of 12 months or more."

"At the LMB, we understand that stepping away from research – even briefly – can affect career progression. That is why we have created a dedicated postdoctoral fellowship to support researchers who have taken a career break of 12 months or more, for any reason, for example parental leave, health reasons, caregiving, a career change or other personal circumstances."

https://mrclmb.ac.uk/careers-and-people/postdocs/career-returner-fellowship/

Happy to discuss applications to our lab in #Drosophila #connectomics, #ElectronMicroscopy or #ComputerVision applied to #BioimageInformatics.

#MRCLMB #PhDJobs #neuroscience

Career Returner Fellowship | MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology

Career Returner Fellowship The LMB is proud to launch a three-year fully funded fellowship for scientists who have had a career break of 12 months or more. ...

Hacker News Mar 18

Electron microscopy shows 'mouse bite' defects in semiconductors

https://news.cornell.edu/stories/2026/03/electron-microscopy-shows-mouse-bite-defects-semiconductors

#HackerNews #ElectronMicroscopy #mouseBite #Defects #Semiconductors #TechNews #ResearchInnovation

Electron microscopy shows ‘mouse bite’ defects in semiconductors | Cornell Chronicle

A Cornell-led collaboration used high-resolution 3D imaging to detect, for the first time, the atomic-scale defects in computer chips that can sabotage their performance.

Cornell Chronicle

Albert Cardona Feb 24

Nuno da Costa at the Allen Institute for Brain Research is hiring:

"We are seeking an exceptional individual to develop innovative sectioning techniques for a large scale Electron Microscopy pipeline."

https://alleninstitute.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=3611032&req_loc=1193277&cust_sort1=29268&csrc=37190

#PhDJobs #neuroscience #vEM #ElectronMicroscopy

Scientist I Connectomics, Careers At Allen Institute

Scientist I Connectomics Allen Institute for Brain Science The mission of the Allen Institute is to understand the principles that govern life and to advance health Our creative and multi dimensional teams focus on answering some of the biggest questions in bioscience We accelerate foundational research catalyze bold ideas develop tools and models and openly share our science to make a broad transformational impact on the world The mission of the Allen Institute for Brain Science is to accelerate the understanding of how the human brain works in health and disease Using a big science approach we generate useful public resources drive technological and analytical advances and discover fundamental brain properties Built on the foundational knowledge of brain cell types the mission of the Allen Institute for Brain Science is to conduct a series of large scale projects designed to create CAP Complete Accurate Permanent datasets and experimental tools; gain fundamental knowledge in the development evolution connectivity and function of brain cell types; move towards a better understanding of mammalian brain function in healthy and diseased conditions; and disseminate the data knowledge and tools broadly with the community to accelerate research across the neuroscience field We are seeking an exceptional individual to develop innovative sectioning techniques for a large scale Electron Microscopy pipeline The scientist will join a team responsible for scaling and automating the cutting of whole mouse brain samples prepared for Electron Microscopy This will involve developing and optimizing robotic components to carefully control a nanometer scale mechanical process over centimeter scale ultrathin sections across thousands of iterations The goal of the research is to create technologies that allow the complete mapping of synaptic connectivity of individual neurons across the entire mouse brain something that has never been done before The scientist will be an essential member of the Connectomics department studying cell types and will also have opportunities for data analysis in later phases of the project The team already includes several Electron Microscopy experts and therefore welcomes applicants that are new to electron microscopy but have a strong interest in automation and in the overall goals of the project Examples of our previous work related to this position can be found on httpswwwnaturecomcollectionsbdigiaicbdhttpswwwnaturecomarticless41467 020 18659 3httpselifesciencesorgarticles76534httpswwwcellcomcellpdfS0092 86742200134 9pdfhttpswwwpnasorgdoi101073pnas2202580119At the Allen Institute we believe that science is for everyone and should be open to everyone We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment We are an equal opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions Essential Functions Collaborate with others to further scale cutting whole mouse brain samples for electron microscopyAutomate ultramicrotome cutting serial sections for volumetric Electron MicroscopyRobotic manipulation for section delivery with high precision and minimal section lossPublishpresent findings in peer reviewed journalsscientific conferencesNote Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions This description reflects managements assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned Required Education and Experience PhD in Neuroscience Computer Science Engineering or equivalent combination of degree and experienceStrong background in automation or roboticsStrong programming skills please share GitHub repository as part of job applicationExperience with software engineering best practices eg version control and code reviewsPreferred Education and Experience Experience in ConnectomicsStrong publication recordAbility to work independently and within a collaborative multi disciplinary environment to meet aggressive timelinesExceptional oral and written communication and organizational skillsAbility to guide teams and coordinate activities within and across institutions including coachingmentoring junior membersWork Environment Laboratory environment often entering labs where experiments take place Laboratory environment possible chemical biological or other hazardous substances exposureThis may include wearing personnel protective equipment PPEWorking at a desk with computer analyzing dataPhysical Demands Fine motor movements in fingershands to operate computers and other office equipment; repetitive motion with lab equipmentPosition TypeExpected Hours of Work This role is currently required to work onsite We are a Washington State employer and the primary work location for all Allen Institute employees is 615 Westlake Ave N; any remote work must be performed in Washington StateTravel Occasional travel to collaborator sites Occasional attendance and participation in national and international conferences may be required Additional Comments Please note this opportunity offers relocation assistancePlease note this opportunity may offer visa sponsorshipAnnualized Salary Range 86150 106650 Final salary depends on the required education for the role experience level of skills relevant to the role and work location where applicable Benefits Employees and their families are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide These benefits include medical dental vision and basic life insurance Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institutes 401k plan Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institutes Benefits Guide Details on the Allen Institutes benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide httpsalleninstituteorgcareersbenefits It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity EEO to all persons regardless of age color national origin citizenship status physical or mental disability race religion creed gender sex sexual orientation gender identity andor expression genetic information marital status status with regard to public assistance veteran status or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local law In addition the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities