News

Home \ News

3D, atom-by-atom maps of disordered materials

Researchers at the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA published a step-by-step framework for determining the three-dimensional positions and elemental identities of atoms in amorphous materials. These solids, such as glass, lack the repeating atomic patterns seen in a crystal. The team analyzed realistically simulated electron-microscope data and tested how each step affected accuracy. The team used algorithms to analyze rigorously simulated imaging data of nanoparticles — so small they’re measured in billionths of a meter. For amorphous silica, the primary component of glass, they demonstrated 100% accuracy in mapping the three-dimensional positions of the constituent silicon and oxygen atoms, with precision about seven trillionths of a meter under favorable imaging conditions.

Congratulations to Chris Regan for Receiving a 2024 APS Topical Group on Instrument and Measurement Science Fellowship

Prof. Chris Regan received a 2024 APS GIMS Fellowship in recognition “for advancements in the capabilities of in situ transmission electron microscopy, liquid-cell microscopy, and nanometer-scale thermometry, with applications ranging from improvements in computer memories to batteries. This work has an impact on both basic research and industrial applications.”

Fellowship in the American Physical Society is a great honor. In accordance with the APS Constitution, “there shall be elected to Fellowship only such Members who have contributed to the advancement of physics by independent, original research or who have rendered some other special service to the cause of the sciences. Congratulations, Chris!

Congratulations to Andrew Minor for Being Elected as a 2025 Microscopy Society of America (MSA) Fellow

Prof. Andy Minor has been elected as a 2025 MSA Fellow. The designation “MSA Fellow” is intended to recognize those who have been conferred the Society’s Distinguished Scientist Awards, as well as senior distinguished members of the Society who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the field of microscopy and microanalysis through a combination of scientific achievement and service to the scientific community and the Society itself. MSA Fellows duly elected by recommendation of the Fellows Committee. Congratulations, Andy!

Congratulations to Jianwei (John) Miao for Receiving the 2026 APS Joseph F. Keithley Award For Advances in Measurement Science

Prof. Jianwei (John) Miao has been selected to receive the 2026 Joseph F. Keithley Award For Advances in Measurement Science from the American Physical Society (APS). This award recognizes physicists who have been instrumental in the development of measurement techniques or equipment that have impact on the physics community by providing better measurements. Congratulations, John!

Congratulations to Naomi Ginsberg for Receiving the W. Albert Noyes, Jr. Distinguished Lecturer Honor from the University of Rochester

Prof. Naomi Ginsberg received the W. Albert Noyes, Jr. Distinguished Lecturer honor from the University of Rochester. This lectureship honors Professor Noyes, former chairman of the department, dean of the Graduate School and dean of the College of Arts and Science. Naomi’s talk was titled, “Visualizing and Controlling How Emerging Energy Materials Form, Transform, and Transport Energy at the Nanoscale.”

Congratulations to Franklin Dollar for Receiving a 2025 AISES Technical Excellence Award

Prof. Franklin Dollar received the 2025 AISES Technical Excellence Award. The Technical Excellence awardee has made a significant contribution to science, engineering, or technology by having designed, developed, managed, or assisted in the development of a product, service, system, or intellectual property.

AISES professional honorees go beyond personal achievements, extending their commitment to excellence to co-workers, family, community youth, and Tribal and First Nations. Their narratives, intricately woven with resilience, hard work, dedication, and discovery, form the core of AISES stories.

AISES Professional Awardees are perpetual learners and visionaries, driven by a fervor for fostering high-quality collective thinking. As builders, they craft platforms that empower their organizations and communities. Whether embracing formal science later in life or creatively infusing Indigenous values into their work, these trailblazers produce innovation and inspiration. Congratulations, Franklin!

Congratulations to Kwabena Bediako for Receiving a 2025 CIFAR Fellowship

Prof. Kwabena Bediako has received a 2025 CIFAR Fellowship! The Canadian Institute for Advanced Research (CIFAR) is a globally influential research organization proudly based in Canada. We mobilize the world’s most brilliant people across disciplines and at all career stages to advance transformative knowledge and solve humanity’s biggest problems, together. We are supported by the governments of Canada, Alberta and Québec, as well as Canadian and international foundations, individuals, corporations and partner organizations. Congratulations, Kwabena!

Go to Top