The IAC 2024 research report is now available

This report showcases the published work of IAC researchers and emphasizes their recent scientific accomplishments. In addition to hundreds of articles from recent years, IAC contributors have added more than 500 research publications across a wide range of peer-reviewed journals. Their work has been featured in esteemed publications such as Nature, Science, Cell, Nature Communications, Nature Physics, Science Advances, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Physical Review Letters, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Advanced Materials.

3^rd Princeton-Nature Conference on Frontiers in Electron Microscopy for Physical and Life Sciences Held Successfully at Princeton

The 3^rd Princeton-Nature conference, entitled "Frontiers in Electron Microscopy for the Physical and Life Sciences," successfully took place at Princeton from October 16 to 18, 2024. Hosted by the Imaging and Analysis Center in collaboration with the scientific publisher Nature, the event featured over 20 invited talks, 45 flash presentations, and engaging panel discussions on cutting-edge methods and technologies. More than 180 delegates from around the globe participated in the conference.

National Science Foundation Recognizes IAC as a World Leader in Advanced Imaging and Material Analysis

The Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC) provides cutting-edge instrumentation and expertise for the characterization of hard and soft materials, including biological specimens. The center is crucial in advancing research and education at Princeton University and beyond. The IAC is closely associated with the Princeton Center for Complex Materials [a Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, a prominent research hub funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF)]. In a recent NSF review, the committee highly praised the IAC, stating that "it is among the best in the world for advanced imaging and analysis of materials."

Princeton Engineering School Celebrates Exceptional Teaching for MSE 505 Class Following Outstanding Student Evaluations

Dean Andrea Goldsmith and Dean Antoine Kahn are very impressed by the outstanding student evaluations that Professor Yao received for his Spring 2024 course MSE 505. Princeton University places a high value on teaching. Indeed, the school takes pride in this accomplishment and realizes that excellent teaching of such caliber requires superior dedication, skills, and effort. They join the students in applauding Professor Yao.

IAC was awarded the University’s transformative research equipment Initiative for a new state-of-the-art Versa 630 three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) X-ray microscopy (XRM) instrument

IAC’s capacity to analyze materials — ranging from 3-D-printed metal parts to precious vertebrate fossils, from strange crystals created during the testing of the first atomic bomb to battery research, life sciences, and more — will expand substantially by replacing the existing Zeiss Versa 520 with a state-of-the-art Versa 630 -dimensional computed tomography (CT) X-ray microscopy (XRM) instrument. The new XRM, one of the most advanced instruments at any institution globally, will analyze materials from the centimeter to submicron scale, enabling more rapid acquisition of higher-quality data. The system will be housed in Princeton’s Imaging and Analysis Center, which is expected to be used by more than 35 university research groups and external users.

IAC upgraded its two Krios TEM with a new imaging filter and direct-electron detector

Supported by the University’s transformative research equipment funds, these updates to our two cryogenic transmission electron microscopes (cryo-TEM) enable researchers to capture images of biological processes in their crowded cellular milieu. First, a new direct-electron detector will be added to offer better sensitivity and triple the imaging speed. A new energy filter will reduce the thicker samples' noise, leading to higher-quality data. The upgraded cryo-TEMs will be used across Molecular Biology, Chemistry, and Chemical and Biological Engineering departments.

A new in-situ fluorescence microscope will be added to our state-of-the-art Cryo FIB/SEM in the IAC

IAC has acquired a new iFLM Correlative System, an integrated fluorescence light microscope, and a value-added component for our Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB. This enhancement enables cell biologists to streamline their sample preparation process for cellular cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET). The iFLM Correlative System allows fluorescently labeled areas localized in the frozen sample from within the Cryo-FIB chamber, enabling users to select specific cellular regions for FIB milling and facilitating monitoring and validation by helping to ensure the correct target sites are being prepared.

IAC to Install a New Nexsa G2 X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy System to Advance Materials Science Research and Education

With the support of our faculty, a new Nexsa G2 X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) system will be added to the IAC to support our research and education in materials science. XPS is a highly surface-sensitive, quantitative chemical analysis technique that can solve many materials problems.

Princeton University website cover story highlights that IAC and other microscopy efforts are making a giant impact in the realm of the minuscule

The Imaging and Analysis Center (IAC) at the Princeton Materials Institute provides advanced instrumentation and expertise for characterizing hard and soft materials, including biological specimens. This center is essential for advancing research, education, and innovation at Princeton University and beyond. The IAC’s impressive technological capabilities are supported by federal research grants, donor contributions, and the University endowment, enabling the acquisition of top-tier equipment for cutting-edge to support the University’s mission to advance learning through scholarship, research, and teaching of unsurpassed quality. The IAC is a resource hub offering state-of-the-art instrumentation and expertise to all Princeton and outside researchers.

IAC researchers contributed to the discovery of an exotic quantum interference effect in a topological insulator device

This work, published in a recent issue of Nature Physics, highlights over 15 years of work at Princeton. Scientists developed a bismuth bromide (ɑ-Bi₄Br₄) topological insulator just a few nanometers thick to explore quantum coherence. They observed long-range quantum coherence effects from Aharonov-Bohm interference, opening new possibilities for topological quantum physics and engineering. This could also advance spin-based electronics for improved energy efficiency and new avenues in quantum information science.

The IAC 2023 research report is now available

The report highlights the published work of IAC researchers and underscores their recent scientific achievements. In addition to hundreds of articles from the past few years, IAC users have contributed over 400 research publications to a diverse array of peer-reviewed journals. Their work has been featured in prestigious publications, including Nature, Science, Cell, Nature Communications, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Physical Review Letters, Journal of the American Chemical Society, and Advanced Materials, among others.

Like facial recognition for atoms, image distinguishes elements by electron orbitals

IAC researchers reached a significant milestone by using high-resolution atomic force microscopy to capture the first images of electron orbital signatures of single iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co) atoms within phthalocyanines. This groundbreaking work, detailed in Nature Communications, was featured in the editors' highlights and recognized as one of the 50 best papers in the field. It has attracted significant attention, with mentions in 15 media outlets, over 13,000 downloads from the Nature website, and more than 26,000 impressions on LinkedIn. The research was also highlighted on Princeton University's website and in publications like the Princeton Weekly Bulletin and ACEE news, underscoring its impact on the scientific community.

IAC 2022 research report is now available

The IAC 2022 annual research report features the published work of IAC researchers and highlights their recent scientific achievements. Together with articles reported in the reports of the last three years, IAC users have published over 430 research papers in a full range of peer-reviewed journals. These articles include many published in Nature, Science, Cell, Nature Communications, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Physical Review Letters, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Advanced Materials, etc.

The 2^nd Princeton-Nature Conference on electron microscopy held at Princeton

IAC has acquired a new Talos L120C TEM to replace its two aged TEMs

Thanks to the support from the office of the Dean for Research and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, IAC has acquired a new Talos L120C TEM to replace its two aged TEMs (CM100 TEM and CM200 FEG-TEM) to support an array of cutting-edge transmission electron microscopes, including Titan Themis 300, Titan Krios G3, Titan Krios G4, and Talos F200X. Talos L120C TEM will be installed in June 2023.

IAC hosted a 2022 Correlative Surface Analysis Workshop

IAC hosted a Correlative Surface Analysis Workshop, partner with Thermo Fisher Scientific, at Princeton from August 29 – 30, 2022. Topics covered include the introduction of correlated Imaging for surface analysis, advances in XPS capabilities, advances in integrated SEM-EDS, and the Study of loss channels in tantalum microwave superconducting devices.

A new Small Angle X-ray Scattering system has been installed in the IAC

Thanks for the support from the Princeton Center for Complex Materials [Princeton's Materials Research Science and Engineering Center, a prominent research hub funded by the National Science Foundation, IAC has acquired and installed a Xenocs Xeuss 3.0 Small Angle X-ray Scattering system (SAXS), which is now being utilized to study complex soft materials in both solid and liquid forms.

IAC 2021 research report is now available

The IAC’s annual research report features the published work of IAC researchers and highlights their recent scientific achievements. Together, along with articles reported in the 2019 and 2020 report, IAC users have published over 320 research papers in a full range of peer reviewed journals. These articles include many which were published in Nature, Science, Cell, Nature Communications, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, Physical Review Letters, Journal of the American Chemical Society, Advanced Materials, etc.

IAC researchers have recorded breaking a single chemical bond between a carbon atom and an iron atom on different molecules.

TUsing advanced microscopy techniques, IAC researchers have captured the breaking of a single chemical bond between a carbon atom and an iron atom across different molecules. Through q-Plus atomic force microscopy, they detailed this bond-breaking process, providing critical insights into reaction mechanisms at the atomic level. This work, published in Nature Communications, is vital for developing metal-based catalyst systems, which could enhance future carbon capture technologies. Featured on the Nature Editors’ Highlights page, it garnered around 6,000 reads on LinkedIn and over 8,000 downloads from the Nature website. It was recognized as the most-read article in Analytica-world news in Nanoscience.

Two major new instruments are on the way to the IAC

The IAC has achieved significant sponsorship from industry for the acquisition of a new Krios G4 Cryo-TEM and an Aquilos 2 Cryo-FIB. These tools, valued at ~$10M, will complement the IAC’s existing Cryo-EM tools and will streamline the IAC’s ability to cryogenically freeze biological specimens, mill cross-sections, and ultimately imagine the interior structure of cells. Working with colleagues in the Department of Molecular Biology and support from the Dean for Research and SEAS, we will make these new instruments available for use in the spring of 2022.

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences showcases IAC

The School of Engineering and Applied Sciences showcases IAC during undergraduate and graduate student recruitment. A state-of-the-art facility with world-class expertise for the characterization of both hard and soft materials. Watch our video introduction to the IAC. (2021)

IAC 2020 research report is now available

This report highlights over 100 research works published this year by our internal users from more than 10 departments and centers including, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Molecular Biology, Electrical Engineering, Physics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Materials Institute, Integrative Genomics, Architecture, etc.

IAC Director, Nan Yao, Named a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Yao and five other Princeton faculty members are among 489 AAAS members elected worldwide as fellows this year, honoring their efforts toward advancing science applications that are deemed scientifically or socially distinguished. The public announcement came in the AAAS News & Notes section of the journal Science on Nov. 27, 2020.

IAC Scientists Co-authored a Nature Paper on the Discovery of a Quantum-limit Chern Magnet

Structural analysis done in the IAC contributed to the discovery of a new quantum-limit Chern magnet TbMn₆Sn₆, opening up a new avenue for structural determination and studying topological quantum phenomena in the rare earth element family with a variety of magnetic structures (Nature 583 533, 2020).

The IAC Presents a TGA-GC/MS Webinar in Collaboration with PerkinElmer

Dr. Daniel Gregory delivered a special TGA-GC/MS webinar in collaboration with PerkinElmer on August 20, 2020. The IAC’s thermalgravimetric analyzer (TGA) can be used to heat a sample and record mass loss as a function of temperature, while gas chromatography (GC) and mass spectrometry (MS) can be utilized to separate and analyze the evolving gas species for compositional analysis. The webinar is available for on-demand viewing.

The IAC has Re-opened on June 22, 2020 for Princeton University Researchers (Graduate Students and Postdocs)

The IAC is pleased to reopen for previously trained Princeton-based researchers while following the University’s social distancing policies. This includes Princeton-based graduate students and postdocs with prior IAC instrument training and experience. IAC users must follow the IAC's new social distancing policies while utilizing IAC equipment. At this time the IAC remains inaccessible to outside researchers; however, the IAC's staff is available to perform advanced research for our corporate clients and outside institutions via the IAC's assisted use program. Additionally, the IAC is actively seeking solutions to train new users virtually and will contact all users with relevant updates. We would like to thank you for your patience during this time.

IAC Students Successfully Complete MSE505 Virtually – An Eventful Conclusion to the Semester!

The IAC is happy to safely conclude the spring 2020 material science and engineering course: MSE505, on May 22, 2020. This important graduate-level course introduces student researchers to a diverse spectrum of material characterization tools and provides students with hands-on experience in the operation of advanced scientific instrumentation. This semester was particularly challenging due to the University’s recent closure, yet together we pushed through and safely concluded the course virtually. We would like to congratulate 34 students enrolled in this class. We wish you well in your careers!

Dr. Nan Yao named to the Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching

Dean H. Vincent Poor congratulated IAC director Nan Yao on March 24, 2020 for his inclusion in the "Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching". "I am very impressed by the outstanding student evaluations that you received for your Fall 2019 course MSE 302. As you know, Princeton University places a high value on teaching. Certainly teaching of this quality reflects well on SEAS, and I take pride in your accomplishment. I realize that excellent teaching of this caliber requires superior dedication and effort. The students clearly applaud you, and I join them," Dean Poor said. This is the tenth time that Nan has received teaching award at Princeton. Congratulations!

The IAC Temporarily Closes due to Regional Spread of COVID-19

The IAC has temporarily closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic on March 23, 2020. At this time, the IAC is unable to safely allow researchers to utilize equipment in the IAC. The IAC is closely monitoring the situation and is developing new sanitation and social distancing policies, which will enable our researchers to return to the IAC as soon as possible. We will update our users as the situation progresses. We thank you for your patience. Please stay well!

The IAC Implements New Social Distancing Policies in Response to COVID-19

Due to localized spread of COVID-19 in the greater New Jersey area, on March 10, 2020, the IAC has implemented new social distancing policies to limit the potential spread of this new virus. All IAC users must read and follow these new policies while conducting research in the IAC. These policies include limiting researchers to one person per lab at a time, maintaining a six feet distance between users while in the IAC, and wearing gloves while operating IAC equipment. Additionally, the IAC has begun increased daily sanitation practices to ensure safe operation of the facility. We will continue to monitor the situation and will update our users as the situation progresses. Thank you for your consideration and please stay well.

The IAC Acquires a New Goniometer for Surface Tension and Contact Angle Measurements!

On January 15, 2020, the IAC is pleased to announce that it has acquired and installed a Rame Hart goniometer. This tool allows researchers to study the interaction between liquid droplets and surfaces. By imaging liquid droplets as they make contact with a surface, researchers are able to calculate the surface tension of the liquid, study the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the substrate (i.e. the tendency for a liquid to wet or de-wet the surface), and determine the surface energy of the liquid. Please contact IAC staff if you would like to learn more about this important instrument.

Dr. Denis V. Potapenko joins the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist

PRISM IAC welcomes Dr. Denis V. Potapenko who joined the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist on November 15, 2019. Besides working at Princeton University, Dr. Potapenko worked previously at Columbia University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and Rutgers University. Denis is an expert in surface science and materials characterization.

The North Atlantic Microscopy Society (NAMS) Symposium attracted over 150 participants for a day-long conference at Princeton, November 2019.

Organized by the North Atlantic Microscopy Society, the "Exploration through Microscopy" symposium included plenary talks on: mass spectrometry imaging, dynamics through light microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy. It was supplemented with industrial tech bite talks highlighting state-of-the-art products along with academic lightning talks and panel discussions on: mass spectrometry imaging, big data, super resolution light microscopy and cryo-electron microscopy. Participants also had the opportunity to tour Princeton’s own cutting-edge microscopy facilities run by PRISM.

IAC 2019 research report is now available

This report highlights over 100 research works published this year by our internal users from more than 10 departments and centers including, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chemistry, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Molecular Biology, Electrical Engineering, Geosciences, Physics, Civil and Environmental Engineering, History, Materials Institute, Integrative Genomics, Neuroscinecce, Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory, etc.

IAC hosts a Princeton-Thermo Fisher Scientific Micro Electron Diffraction (microED) Workshop

IAC hosted a Princeton-Thermo Fisher Scientific Micro-Electron Diffraction Application Workshop on October 10, 2019 (24 attendees). Princeton students and industrial scientists from BMS, ExxonMobil, Merck, etc. attended this day-long workshop that included a practical seminar, demonstrations on microED sample preparation, data collection and a full walkthrough of microED data processing.

IAC Hosts Anton Paar’s Mobile Laboratory Bus

On March 15^th, 2018, the IAC hosted Anton Paar's mobile lab bus. This mobile laboratory on wheels, came equipped with over a dozen metrology and analytical tools. The mobile lab bus parked outside the IAC and offered Princeton-based researchers a hands-on opportunity to learn about various characterization techniques. These techniques included rheometers, refractometers, viscometers, and particle size instruments. Over 25 students, staff, and postdocs attended the event and used the opportunity to analyze materials currently under development by Princeton researchers.

The first Princeton-Nature Conference attracted 180 participants from around the world who gathered for a three-day conference at Princeton in July, 2018.

Organized by the PRISM Imaging and Analysis Center and the scientific publisher, Nature, the conference, "Frontiers in Electron Microscopy for the Physical and Life Sciences" included more than 30 technical talks and panel discussions on emerging methods and the latest technologies. The 180 participants also had the opportunity to tour Princeton’s own cutting-edge microscopy facilities run by PRISM. The conference received significant sponsorship from industry and academia, with lead support from Thermo Fisher Scientific and ExxonMobil.

IAC hosts a Princeton-Oxford Advanced Energy Dispersive Spectrosmetry Workshop

IAC hosted a Princeton-Oxford Instrument Workshop on November 15, 2017 (26 attendees). Princeton students and industrial scientists from the region attended this two-day workshop that included practical demonstrations on IAC’s Quanta 200 Environmental SEM.

Dr. Yao-Wen Yeh joins the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist

PRISM IAC welcomes Dr. Yao-Wen Yeh who joined the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist on July 1, 2017. Before joining the IAC, Dr. Yeh was a Ph.D. candidate in electrical engineering and Materials Science at Princeton University. Dr. Yeh is an expert in materials characterization.

IAC hosts a Princeton-Bruker Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy Workshop

IAC hosted a Princeton-Bruker Advanced Atomic Force Microscopy Workshop on May 10, 2017 (33 attendees). Advanced data collection and analysis was showcased by the vendor on the newest atomic force microscope at the IAC, the Bruker Dimension ICON3.

PRISM-IAC welcomes over 50 ExxonMobil Scientists

PRISM-IAC welcomed over 50 ExxonMobil Scientists on May 3, 2017. Showcasing the research capabilities available to the industrial scientists at Princeton University was a step in strengthening and expanding a blossoming academic-industrial partnership with ExxonMobil Corporation.

IAC hosts Keyence VK-X Laser Scanning Microscopy Workshop

IAC hosted a Keyence VK-X Laser Scanning Microscopy Workshop on May 2, 2017 (7 attendees).

Dr. Daniel Gregory joins the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist

PRISM IAC welcomes Dr. Daniel Gregory who joined the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist on May 1, 2017. Before joining the IAC, Dr. Gregory was a Ph.D. candidate in chemical engineering at Lehigh University. Dr. Gregory is an expert in chemical synthesis and characterization of catalytic materials.

MSE 505 class visits ExxonMobil Company

MSE 505 class integrated with IAC practical labs conducted a site visit to the research headquarter of ExxonMobil Company on April 20, 2017. 34 students excitedly witnessed how the techniques and instruments learned in class are actually used in real world industrial research and development.

IAC visits Bristol-Myers Squibb Company

IAC coordinated a visit to Bristol-Myers Squibb Company by Princeton materials students, graduate students and postdocs on November 8, 2016 12 attendees observed how materials characterization informs pharmaceutical research and development. Industry-academic relationships such as these can lead to career opportunities for Princeton University students and postdocs.

IAC hosts a Princeton-Anton Paar Advanced Rheology Workshop

IAC hosted a Princeton-Anton Paar Advanced Rheology Workshop on September 20, 2016 (49 attendees). Princeton students and industrial scientists from the region attended the workshop that included practical demonstrations on IAC’s new Anton Paar MCR702 Rheometer.

PCCM-IAC welcomes over 30 Trumpf Photonics scientists

PCCM-IAC welcomed over 30 Trumpf Photonics scientists on August 11, 2016. A sign of customer satisfaction, some current users of IAC wanted to share with their colleagues the varied materials characterization capabilities available to them through the core facility.

John Schreiber, Paul Shao, Don Schoorman and Dan McNesby have won Princeton University's prestigious Tiger Award

IAC technical staff John Schreiber, Paul Shao, Don Schoorman and Dan McNesby have won Princeton University's prestigious Tiger Award for their extraordinary efforts and contributions that made it possible to move the IAC to its new home in the Andlinger building smoothly, safely, and economically. The new facility is now fully operational just in time for the new school year of 2016-17! Congratulations!

Dr. Nan Yao named to the Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching

Dean Emily Carter praised IAC director Nan Yao on July 22, 2016 for his inclusion in the Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching, which is among the great group of dedicated and skilled educators in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. This list will be published in the Daily Princetonian in the Fall and on the Princeton Engineering webpage. Dr. Yao has received eight times the Excellence in Teaching Award from the Princeton Engineering Council and the Princeton School of Engineering & Applied Science.

Dr. Nan Yao is named as author of top 100 most read Nature Scientific Reports articles in 2015

IAC director Dr. Nan Yao is named as author of top 100 most read Nature Scientific Reports articles in 2015 (out of >11,000 papers).

IAC has conducted a site visit to the research headquarters of ExxonMobil Company for MSE505 class

MSE 505 class held in the IAC has conducted a site visit to the research headquarter of ExxonMobil Company. 35 of our students were delighted to see all of the techniques and instruments they learned about in the class actually being used in the real industrial world for research and development.

Dr. Nan Yao wins 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award

IAC director Dr. Nan Yao won 2015 Excellence in Teaching Award from the Princeton Engineering Council. MSE505 is the only graduate level course that received the SEAS teaching award this year.

New natural quasicrystal with decagonal symmetry identified

Collaborating with Professor Paul Steinhardt and other scientists around the world, a new natural quasicrystal (Al₇₁Ni₂₄Fe₅) with decagonal symmetry (the second natural quasicrystal that has ever been identified; this finding was highlighted by Global News, ScienceDaily, NSF news, etc. 2015).

IAC wins grant for the acquisition of a 3D X-ray microscope system

IAC has won a major NSF research instrumentation grant for the acquisition of a 3D X-ray microscope system (PI: Prof. Craig Arnold), August 1, 2015.

IAC researchers working with an international team have discovered a new mineral named Steinhardtite

IAC researchers working with an international team have discovered a new mineral named Steinhardtite which was announced from the International Mineralogical Association Steinhardt Letter. This work is described in a forthcoming paper in the American Mineralogist entitled "Steinhardtite, a new body-centered-cubic allotropic form of aluminum from the Khatyrka CV3 carbonaceous chondrite." (2015)

John Schreiber joins the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist

PRISM IAC welcomes John Schreiber who joined the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist on March 10, 2014. Before joining Princeton John Schreiber was an instrumentation engineer of FEI Company for over twenty years. John is an expert in electron microscopes.

Dr. Nan Yao included in the Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching

Dean Vincent Poor and Dean Claire Gmachl applauded IAC director Nan Yao on October 22, 2013 for his inclusion in the Princeton Engineering Commendation List for Outstanding Teaching, which is among the great group of dedicated and skilled educators in the School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Dr. Paul Shao joins the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist

PRISM IAC welcomes Dr. Paul Shao who joined the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist on September 1, 2013. Before joining Princeton Dr. Shao was a Post-Doctoral Researcher in the Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL), Lausanne, Switzerland. Dr. Shao is an expert in biological electron microscopy.

IAC faculty and researchers receive best poster award at MRE 2013.

PRISM IAC faculty and researchers receive best poster award at MRE 2013. IAC director Nan Yao and his collaborators: Shiyou Xu, Yao-Wen Yeh, Gerald Poirier, Michael C. McAlpine, and Richard A. Register were awarded 1st Place in the Poster Competition at the International Congress on Materials and Renewable Energy (MRE 2013), July, 2013, Athens, Greece. Their winning research project is entitled "Self-powered Nanogenerators using Piezoelectric PMN-PT Nanocomposites".

MSE 505 field trip to ExxonMobil with IAC Director Nan Yao

MSE 505 S2013 class has visited ExxonMobil Company in Annandale, New Jersey. The class is enrolled 34 students from five science and engineering departments. It was fascinating for our materials students to see the impressive facilities and advanced equipment in use at the ExxonMobil research and development center, April, 26, 2013.

MSE 505 S2012 class visited DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware

The MSE 505 S2012 class, based in the IAC, has visited DuPont Company in Wilmington, Delaware. The class is enrolled 36 students. It was fascinating for them to see the impressive facilities and advanced equipment in use at the DuPont research center, April, 19, 2012.

Liberty Science High School Students' work is published in Material Letters.

Daway Chou-Ren and Thomas Hartke working in the PRISM imaging and Analysis Center in the summer of 2011, as part of the Liberty Science Partnership program who have received numerous award and recently have been publish for their work on Thermally Grown Oxides. Their work was also presented in the Intel Science Competition where they received the Army Achievement Award, and the ASM Materials Education Award. They were also semifinalist in the Siemens National Science Competition, March 23, 2012.

Dr. Nan Yao, has been elected a 2012 Fellow of the Microscopy Society of America (MSA)

The IAC director, Nan Yao, has been elected a 2012 Fellow of the Microscopy Society of America (MSA) for his contributions to the development and application of advanced microscopy techniques, March 20, 2012.

Dr. Yao’s contribution to the discovery of Natural Quasicrystals...

The School of Engineering and Applied Science highlighted Dr. Yao’s contribution to the discovery of Natural Quasicrystals (EQN news, Jan. 18, 2012)

Quasicrystal is extraterrestrial in origin

Princeton and IAC researchers find the natural quasicrystal was most likely formed during the early days of the solar system, roughly 4.5 billion years ago, making the mineral perhaps older than the Earth itself, January 12, 2012.

"Electrified Crystals" wins award in Princeton University Art of Science Competition

The image work entitled "Electrified Crystals" wins award in Princeton University Art of Science Competition, November 29, 2011.

IAC plays a key role in the discovery of natural quasicrystals.

This work was mentioned in 2011 Chemistry Nobel press release, October 5, 2011.

IAC instrumentation impresses Dutch (astro)physics undergraduates

Dutch (astro)physics undergraduates of the Radboud University Nijmegen were impressed with the powerful instruments in the IAC during their recent visit to the US., February 2011. Article

Imaging and Analysis Center scientists assists with the discovery of 650-million-year-old sponge-like creatures

The Imaging and Analysis Center scientists helped the discovery of 650-million-year-old sponge-like creatures which pushes back fossil record by at least 70 million years, August 19, 2010

Imaging and Analysis Center has installed a Bruker D8 Discover XRD and a FEI Quanta 200 FEG Environmental SEM

The Imaging and Analysis Center has installed a Bruker D8 Discover, high-resolution x-ray diffractometer and a FEI Quanta 200 field-emission-gun environmental-SEM. Both instruments are in full operation, Fall, 2009. IAC News Letter f2009

Imaging and Analysis Center scientists provides conclusive evidence in the discovery of the natural quasicrystal

The Imaging and Analysis Center scientists provided conclusive evidence in the discovery of the natural quasicrystal, June 5, 2009

Imaging and analysis center becomes a new member of the NSF MRSEC-organized Materials Research Facilities Network

PRISM's imaging and analysis center becomes a new member of the NSF MRSEC-organized Materials Research Facilities Network, and is the only MRFN site in the mid-Atlantic region. January 26, 2009

IAC wins a major NSF research instrumentation grant for the acquisition of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope

PRISM's Imaging and Analysis Center won a major NSF research instrumentation grant for the acquisition of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) (PI: Prof. George Scherer), August 2, 2008

Gerald R. Poirier joins the IAC as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist

IAC is very pleased to have Gerald R. Poirier joined the center as an Imaging and Analysis Specialist. Gerald has extensive experience in the area of microscopy and had worked in the University of Delaware for over twenty years before joining Princeton July 15, 2008.

Dr. Nan Yao honored for teaching excellence

Princeton students honor the IAC director for excellence in teaching. Excellence in Teaching Award, Princeton Engineering Council, December 13, 2007.

IAC and Dr. Nan Yao are featured on the University's homepage

The article "Big Picture Begins with the Smallest Details" and a related story by Steve Shultz were published in the February 2001 edition of the Princeton Weekly Bulletin.