Titan Krios: The insanely powerful $4m 3D microscope that could unravel cancer's secrets (STA BREAKING NEWS and ARCHIVES)

by Theresa , Tuesday, February 03, 2015, 06:18

Scientists at Monash University in Australia have installed a powerful new microscope that is able to show atoms and molecules in super high definition 3D images, and could help to unravel the secrets of cancer and other diseases.

The FEI Titan Krios cryo-electron microscope, worth $4m (£2.6m, AUD$5m), is 3m tall and weighs about a tonne. It works by firing a stream of high-energy electrons through a thin sample frozen in a pool of liquid ethane at 200 degrees Celsius below zero.

Some of the electrons fired through the sample deflect, creating 2D images, and the microscope collects multiple 2D images and then automatically pieces them together to create stunning 3D shapes.

FULL STORY