New EU Project 'ONEM' Is Developing A Unique Hybrid Imaging Method

The ONEM project will develop a new non-invasive microscopy technique for mapping dynamic processes at interfaces, the so-called optical near-field electron microscopy. Under the direction of physicist Thomas Juffmann from the University of Vienna, ONEM - which has a budget of 3.7 million euros - is one of only two applications that were successful in the "Measuring the Unmeasurable" topic of the European Innovation Council's tender. Now the kick-off for the project took place.

The project is carried out by research groups from the University of Leiden, the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences and the University of Vienna. "Mapping the dynamics at interfaces is of great importance for many areas in science and technology. ONEM has set out to build a microscope that can map these dynamics on the nanoscale without damaging the sample," says Thomas Juffmann. "It will expand the experimental possibilities of biologists and materials scientists and provide new insights into processes such as corrosion, battery charging or the aggregation of proteins in lipid bilayers," he continues.

The ONEM project aims to establish a worldwide unique imaging technology in Europe: optical near-field electron microscopy. The new method will be complementary to the high resolution microscopy techniques currently in use.

"We envision a technique that combines the non-invasiveness of examinations by light with the spatial resolution of electron optics," explains Sense Jan van der Molen from the University of Leiden. "The technique can be realized through the combination of low-energy electron microscopy, ultra-thin high-efficiency photocathodes and liquid cell technology," he adds.

The team will build the first ONEM prototype and demonstrate the new technology in principle evidence studies in plasmonics, electrochemistry and molecular biology. "We would like to observe the dynamics of proteins within lipid bilayers. If ONEM allows us to do this at high resolution and over longer periods of time, it would open doors for many studies in molecular cell biology. One could, for example, the formation of functional supramolecular ones Track protein complexes that are important in disease pathology, "says Mariana Amaro of the J. Heyrovský Institute of Physical Chemistry.

In order to enable the rapid commercialization of optical near-field electron microscopy, ONEM will work closely with industrial partners (SPECS GmbH, RMD Inc.). The collaboration has now started with a kick-off event and has taken the first steps towards realizing this new concept for nondestructive imaging in the nano range.

FET-Open and FET Proactive are now part of the Enhanced European Innovation Council (EIC) Pilot (especially the Pathfinder), the new home for deep-tech research and innovation in Horizon 2020 , the EU funding program for research and Innovation.