3D mapping the nanoscale architecture of functional materials

At the Swiss Light Source SLS, researchers have unveiled an innovative X-ray technique that revolutionizes our ability to explore the 3D orientation of material building blocks at the nanoscale. Applied to polycrystalline catalysts, this method enables precise visualization of crystal grains, grain boundaries, and defects—all critical elements that influence catalyst performance. Also, this innovation reveals essential insights into the structure of a wide range of functional materials, including those pivotal for information technology, energy storage, and biomedical applications.