Nano World: High-tech Microscopes from the Brno Region

Instruments developed by local companies are driving advances across science and industry – from the development of new drugs, batteries, and semiconductors chips to forensic analysis and the study of lunar soil. They have found their place in prestigious universities, space institutions and global companies – even though their names often remain undisclosed due to signed contracts and NDAs.

One in three electron microscopes worldwide is made in the Czech Republic. And whether they’re established global giants or young spin-offs, their microscopes rank among the best worldwide and are shaping both science and industry.

Tissue

Thermo Fisher microscopes are opening new frontiers in modern drug development. They enable the creation and control of nanoparticles for targeted drug delivery, so that in the future the patient receives only the drug that exactly matches their type of disease. The instruments analyze biological samples – viruses, bacteria, or tissues – previously frozen at the temperature of liquid nitrogen (-196 °C). Thanks to these microscopes, scientists can investigate the mechanisms of disease or cancer spread, analyze the structure of organic cells in detail, and test the effectiveness of new anti-cancer therapies.

New materials

Thermo Fisher microscopes are an indispensable tool in materials research – from lightweight, high-strength glass, bicycles, or self-cleaning paints on walls and car bodies. They play a key role in the development of new generations of batteries, where they reveal the processes inside the cells and contribute to extending their lifetimes and improving safety. In semiconductors, they enable quality control and the development of next-generation chips whose structures have nanometer precision. Using Thermo Fisher microscopes, manufacturers can meet the increasing requirements of modern electronics – today’s smartphones, for example, would not have been built without them.

Polymers

Last year the Brno branch of Thermo Fisher Scientific, one of the largest in Europe and the world, sent 1,404 electron microscopes to laboratories around the world, from top universities to industrial research centers.
These instruments, costing anywhere from a few million Czech crowns to several million dollars, allow scientists to look into the fine structure of hydrogels, polymers, biological samples, 2D materials, and high-strength steel. This allows them to push the boundaries of knowledge in chemistry, biology, and medicine. And because they are part of the Czech BioImaging infrastructure, they bring their capabilities not only to academics, but also to industry experts – opening the door to anyone seeking to turn the invisible into discovery.

The origin of life

Research using microscopes by another major manufacturer, Tescan, extends far beyond the confines of conventional laboratories. They make it possible to study samples of lunar soil, the remains of prehistoric people thousands of years old, or to preserve world-famous works of art. They also assist forensic experts in uncover cold cases that can make a difference in solving crimes. They help scientists find answers to questions about the Universe and life on Earth.

NASA

Tescan has its instruments in labs around the globe – from China to the USA. They can be found in prestigious institutions such as NASA, Northwest University in Hong Kong, the National Gallery of Art in Washington, and universities such as Harvard, the University of British Columbia, the University of Leeds, and the University of Sydney. For instance, Tescan microscopes are used to observe coffee bubbles. This crucial for developing new drugs. The same technology also finds its way into everyday life, helping brewers better monitor the beer foam and perfumers monitor the yeast activity that gives bread its aroma.

Semiconductors

More than half of Thermo Fisher microscopes go to the semiconductor industry, where they help develop new chips with nanometer precision and detect even the smallest defects. They help companies bring more powerful, efficient electronics to market faster. They play an equally vital role in researching new generations of batteries – revealing cracks, dendrites, and degradation processes inside cells. The result are batteries with longer life, shorter charging times, and greater safety, which supports the development of modern energy.

Dwarfs

The LVEM series microscopes from Brno-based Delong Instruments are dwarfs among giants – and that’s exactly what sets them apart. Their compactness and resistance construction can be used even in laboratories aboard the space. A typical example is the LVEM 5 – the world’s smallest transmission electron microscope. It can be installed in places with only 80 centimeters of space.

In addition, their durable design allows them to be used in places with high-risk pathogens as well as in classrooms or offices where students work with them. Dozens of these devices are sold every year and account for approximately 10% of the company’s turnover, with up to 40 for percent of which is close to CZK 500 million (€20.4 million).

3D topography

NenoVision, which was founded as the first spin-off company of CEITEC (Central European Institute of Technology and the Central European Institute of Technology, has quickly established itself as a global leader in researching surfaces, nanostructures, and devices, and batteries. Their LiteScope product is a unique atomic force microscope accessory that allows analysis of 3D topography, mechanical, electrical, magnetic or magnetic properties of samples at the nanoscale. Approximately 10 of these devices are sold annually with a combined annual CZK 25 million (€1.02 million) each, and demand continues to grow.

NenoVision technology is used by top reference partners, for example in the development of methods for defect analysis in semiconductor chips (Arizona State University), in new battery generations (Karlsruhe Institute of Technology), or in research on catalytic reactions directly in an electron microscope (Technical University of Munich).