Name: TEM Gas Heating
Brand: Hummingbird Scientific

Recreate realistic reaction environments inside your TEM with precise gas delivery, closed-loop heating above 1000 °C, and atomic-resolution imaging

The Hummingbird Scientific TEM Gas Heating Sample Holder enables in-situ TEM and STEM imaging of gas–solid reactions under precisely controlled gaseous environments. Designed for researchers in catalysis, materials science, chemistry, energy storage, environmental science, and nanotechnology, it combines controlled gas atmospheres with high-temperature MEMS heating to investigate dynamic processes including catalyst activation, nanoparticle growth, corrosion, redox reactions, phase transformations, thin-film deposition, and other temperature-dependent material transformations. By directly correlating reaction conditions with real-time atomic-resolution imaging and analytical characterization, researchers can reveal the mechanisms governing material performance, stability, and degradation under realistic operating environments.

Hummingbird Advantages:

Gas flow up to 2 bar with a dedicated purge line, optional multi-channel gas delivery, and real-time exhaust gas analysis.
Closed-loop MEMS heating from room temperature to above 1000 °C with integrated temperature sensing.
Full compatibility with TEM, STEM, EDS, and EELS during in-situ gas experiments.
Screw-free gas-cell assembly with self-aligning windows for fast, reproducible sample loading.
Maintain a clean gas environment with a fully bakeable all-metal sample rod and gas delivery tubing.
Compatible with TEM, SEM, and X-ray microscopy workflows using cross-platform microfabricated chips.

Technical Specs

1300 series – 1+1 Channel Gas Delivery

1300 Series – Multi-Channel Gas Delivery

Pressure Range at Sample

1 to 2 bar

10⁻⁶ mbar up to 2 bar

Holder Gas Inlets/Outlets

1 inlet and 1 outlet on the holder

Gas Controller Configuration

1 experimental gas and 1 inert purge gas

2–8 experimental gases, up to 1 vapor, and 1 inert purge gas

Purge Capability

Yes

Gas Analysis Capability

No

Yes

Tubing System

All metal

Heating Temperature

>1000 °C

Biasing Contacts

4 contacts

Holder Cleaning

Bakeable to 160 °C

EELS / EDS Compatible

Yes

Available For:

How it Works

The TEM Gas Heating Sample Holder integrates a sealed environmental cell, all-metal gas delivery tubing, multifunctional microfabricated chips, electrical biasing connections, and dedicated control hardware into a versatile platform for in-situ gas-phase TEM and STEM experiments. The environmental cell is formed by two microfabricated silicon chips with electron-transparent silicon nitride (SiN) windows. A sample is loaded onto one of the chips before the two chips are sealed together, creating a controlled gas environment around the specimen that remains isolated from the microscope vacuum.

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A precision-engineered, screw-free loading and sealing mechanism enables fast, reproducible sample loading and automatic alignment of the SiN windows. Controlled gas flow is delivered through the sealed environmental cell at pressures up to 2 bar using Hummingbird Scientific's gas delivery systems, with optional multi-channel delivery supporting controlled mixing of up to eight gases, a dedicated purge line, and real-time output gas analysis. Optimized holder geometry and a low thermal mass MEMS microheater provide stable imaging during high-temperature experiments with closed-loop heating above 1000 °C and integrated 4-point on-chip temperature sensing.

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Compatible microfabricated chips for MEMS heating and electrical biasing enable thermal and electrical stimuli to be applied during controlled gas-phase experiments, allowing researchers to observe gas–solid reactions, phase transformations, and degradation processes in real time at atomic resolution.

Study dynamic gas–solid reactions with in-situ gas-phase TEM using closed-loop MEMS heating beyond 1000 °C, gas flow up to 2 bar, and optional multi-channel delivery with mixing of up to eight gases.

Key Features and Capabilities

Built for Diverse Research Applications

High resolution TEM image of catalyst in gaseous environment

Catalysis

Directly observe the mechanisms that drive catalyst activity, selectivity, and degradation.

Heterogeneous Catalysis

Structure-Performance Relationship

Catalyst Structural Transformations

Catalyst Chemical Transformations

Catalyst Redox

Atomic resolution image of 2D material flakes

Low Dimensional Materials

Study growth, electrochemistry, and structural evolution in 2D materials, nanowires, and quantum dots.

2D Materials Growth

Ion Intercalation

Defect Evolution

Phase Transformations

Surface Chemistry

Growth of nanocrystals in liquid environments

Synthesis

Uncover nucleation and crystal growth mechanisms, quantify growth kinetics, and optimize synthesis conditions.

Nucleation & Growth

Crystal Growth Kinetics

Morphology Control

Reaction Pathway Analysis

Growth Process Optimization

Featured Research

HAADF-STEM images of the hybrid supporting oxide a) and the resultant Pt-containing catalysts b–d). e) In-situ tracking of Ce⁴⁺ concentration and temperature for the in situ XAS and STXM CO oxidation (1 vol.% CO +4 vol.% O₂ + 95 vol.% Ar) experiment. f) Enhanced specific mass activity of PCT during repeated and prolonged CO oxidation reaction. The MA of Pt was increased by 3.3 times from PCT-1 to PCT-10 h. The MA of PT catalyst without Ce addition was increased by 9.6 times upon adding 2 wt.% of Ce (from PT to PCT-1).

In-situ characterization of Pt nanoparticle disintegration during CO oxidation on hybrid oxide supports

The Hummingbird Scientific TEM Gas Heating sample holder was used to directly observe the structural evolution of Pt nanoparticles supported on CeOₓ–TiO₂ hybrid oxides during carbon monoxide oxidation. In-situ STEM imaging under flowing reaction gas conditions revealed the dynamic disintegration of Pt nanoparticles into single atoms and sub-nanometer clusters at elevated temperature, while complementary X-ray spectroscopy and microscopy tracked changes in the support oxidation state. The holder enabled correlation of catalyst morphology with catalytic performance, showing that oxygen-driven restructuring of Pt at the oxide interface led to a threefold increase in mass-specific activity during CO oxidation. These results apply in-situ gas-heating TEM to reveal catalyst activation pathways that are inaccessible through ex-situ characterization.

Reference: Eunji Kang, et al. Small (2025). DOI: 10.1002/smll.202506990

Abstract

Video Spotlight

Video showing ferrihydrite nanoparticle fragmentation and restructuring during a phase transformation into magnetite in a heated gaseous environment.

In-situ high-temperature ferrihydrite reduction in H₂ gas

Although ferrihydrites do not typically catalyze reactions in gaseous environments, multiple transient Fe-based heterogeneous catalysts such as magnetite can be produced by activation of ferrihydrite nanoparticles via hydrogen reduction, with a strong dependence on applied conditions. The TEM Gas Heating holder enables direct connection of applied pressure, temperature, and beam conditions to transient nanocatalyst formation dynamics.

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The video shows ferrihydrite nanoparticle reduction to fragmented magnetite in 1.1 bar of hydrogen gas flown into the TEM gas cell. The imaging stability across the temperature range enabled real-time grain restructuring and phase changes of particles from amorphous to a crystalline structure to be captured as the particle was reduced when heated to 360°C in the presence of H₂.

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Hummingbird Advantage
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Resolution at temperature and pressure nearly match vacuum imaging performance

Drift at temperature matches room temperature TEM drift spec – no need for drift correction software

Reference: Hummingbird Scientific internal data in collaboration with Jaco Olivier, Matthew Coombes, and Jan Neethling from Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, South Africa

High Impact Publications

Trusted by researchers worldwide, the Hummingbird Scientific TEM Gas Heating sample holder has contributed to 40+ peer-reviewed publications from leading universities, national laboratories, and research institutions worldwide in Nature, Small, ACS Nano, Advanced Materials, and other leading journals.

Revealing the mechanisms of non-thermal plasma-enabled iron oxide reduction through nanoscale operando TEM

Jae Hyun Nam, K. Andre Mkhoyan, Daan Hein Alsem, Peter J. Bruggeman

Nature Communications

2025

Abstract

Pt Nanoparticle Disintegration at Oxide Interfaces Enhances CO Oxidation Catalysis

Eunji Kang, Jieun Yun, Hyuk Choi, Mi Yoo, Ju Hyeok Lee, Hongjin Park, Jin-Seok Choi, Kug-Seung Lee, David A. Shapiro, Alex Ditter, Bob Jin Kwon, Chunjoong Kim, Young-Sang Yu, Hyun You Kim

Small

2025

Abstract

Nanometer-scale resolution in an ultra-high pressure environmental TEM holder

George G. Hollyer, Dmitri N. Zakharov, Daan Hein Alsem, Calvin Parkin, Eric A. Stach

MRS Communications

2025

Abstract

Characterization of iron-based alloy catalysts for atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition of carbon nanofibers via in situ transmission electron microscopy

Andrew C. Meng, Peifu Cheng, Piran R. Kidambi, Nikhilendra Singh, Yuyang Song, Eric A. Stach

Journal of Vacuum Science \& Technology B

2025

Abstract

Browse All Publications

Software

Spend less time managing equipment and more time generating results. Hummingbird Connect™ integrates with microscope and laboratory software platforms to simplify experiment setup, streamline workflows, and keep your data organized from acquisition through analysis.

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To help you get the most from your gas-cell holder, Hummingbird Control™ Software provides intuitive and precise control of closed loop gas heating. Together, these software solutions enable faster setup, improved reproducibility, and more efficient gas-phase TEM experiments.

Multichannel Gas Delivery Control

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Single Channel Gas Delivery Control

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Gas Heating Control

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Hummingbird Connect™Hummingbird Control™ Software

Built on Engineering Excellence

Hummingbird Scientific designs, machines, assembles, tests, and services its products in-house. Our integrated engineering, machining, microfabrication, software development, and applications teams enable rapid prototyping and iteration, custom modifications, and direct technical support throughout the life of the instrument. This vertically integrated approach allows researchers to adapt experimental platforms to unique scientific requirements while maintaining the performance and reliability required for advanced in-situ microscopy experiments.

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The TEM Gas Heating Sample Holder is a direct result of these capabilities, integrating controlled gas delivery, MEMS heating, and experimental workflows into a single platform for reproducible in-situ gas-phase TEM experiments.

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Need something unique? Our engineers can customize existing products or develop entirely new solutions to support specialized experiments and emerging research challenges.

Engineering Process Custom Solutions