<div>In 2025, two outstanding young female researchers, Drs. Filipa Oliveira and Stella Gonsales, both originally from outside the Czech Republic, received prestigious JUNIOR STAR grants from the Czech Science Foundation (GAČR). JUNIOR STAR enables early career researchers to establish their own independent research groups and significantly advance their scientific careers. Their projects reflect cutting-edge research in materials science and sustainable chemistry, highlighting the international reach and welcoming research environment at UCT Prague.Dr. Stella Gonsales is also a&nbsp;laureate of the Dagmar Procházková Fund, which supports promising scientific projects in sustainable and advanced organic chemistry. Another recipient of this grant is Dr.&nbsp;Anna Valunchene, whose research complements UCT Prague’s&nbsp;sustainability goals. This dual funding underlines Stella’s&nbsp;remarkable achievements and the wide scope of innovative research at UCT Prague.Both Filipa and Stella are actively looking for motivated students and researchers to join their teams, offering a&nbsp;unique opportunity to work at the forefront of science in a&nbsp;vibrant and supportive environment.</div><div><h3>Interview with Filipa Oliveira: Pioneering tubular MXenes for supercapacitor energy storage</h3><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_2_da6e538579.jpeg" alt="VŠCHT Prague: JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science: Filipa Oliveira" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_2_da6e538579.jpeg 235w," sizes="100vw" width="1500" height="999"><h5>Congratulations on receiving the JUNIOR STAR grant. What does this achievement mean for you and how will it influence your next steps?</h5>Thank you. It’s&nbsp;a huge achievement to receive this prestigious grant. It gives me the opportunity to establish my own research group here at UCT Prague. The JUNIOR STAR program supports talented young scientists in building their teams and accessing resources. This means I&nbsp;now have the support to focus fully on my research about tubular MXenes and their application in supercapacitors.<h5>Why are tubular MXenes so innovative for energy storage?</h5>MXenes are a family of 2D materials with a layered, accordion-like structure and known for their excellent electrical conductivity. Our innovation is to produce them with a tubular morphology, combining the high conductivity and redox activity in superior ion-transport tubular architectures. Their open, hollow structure increases surface area, ion diffusion and charge transport. This could translate to faster, more efficient supercapacitors, critical for sustainable energy technologies.<h5>How did your scientific interest lead you to this field?</h5>Global challenges around green energy made me focus on materials that can improve energy storage. MXenes stood out because changes in the composition and structure can significantly change their properties. I&nbsp;was curious about how tuning different metallic elements in a&nbsp;tubular morphology can impact how MXenes perform and how to optimize them for practical applications.<h5>What challenges have you encountered?</h5>One major challenge is their stability: MXenes oxidize quickly which deteriorates performance. Another challenge is understanding how synthesis conditions of both MXenes and their precursors (MAX phases) must be adapted to create and preserve tubular morphologies since their synthesis mechanisms differ from conventional MXenes. Additionally, effectively communicating the project in the funding proposal to show to reviewers why I&nbsp;should obtain this funding was also a&nbsp;challenge, but thanks to mentorship and collaboration, I&nbsp;overcame these hurdles.<h5>What motivates you most about working at UCT Prague?</h5>The support from colleagues and the excellent technical infrastructure make it a&nbsp;great place to work. Also, being a&nbsp;former member of Professor Sofer’s&nbsp;leading group in 2D&nbsp;materials is inspiring and led me to this achievement.<h5>How do&nbsp;you see your professional development going in the future?</h5>The grant will help me build my own team, acquire equipment, and develop collaborations. My long-term vision is to contribute significantly to sustainable energy solutions and scientific progress both locally and internationally.<h5>You are looking for new team members. What kind of students or scientists do&nbsp;you need?</h5>We are currently welcoming enthusiastic master's&nbsp;students, PhD candidates, and postdocs who are passionate about materials science and eager to explore new frontiers in MXenes and energy storage. If you love curiosity-driven research and want to be part of a&nbsp;growing international team, we encourage you to join us.<h3>Interview with Stella Gonsales: Catalysis as a&nbsp;key to polymer recycling</h3><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_3_3d0ded6274.jpeg" alt="VŠCHT Prague: JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science: Stella Gonsales" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_VSCHT_Praha_V_prestizni_soutezi_GACR_uspely_dve_zahranicni_vedkyne_z_VSCHT_3_3d0ded6274.jpeg 233w," sizes="100vw" width="1499" height="1000"><h5>Congratulations on your JUNIOR STAR grant and also being awarded the Dagmar Procházková Fund. What does receiving both mean to you and how will they shape your work?</h5>Thank you. Both grants are hugely important. The JUNIOR STAR grant allows me to expand my group and resources for research into catalytic recycling of polymers, while the Dagmar Procházková Fund supports complementary projects such as synthesizing new biodegradable polymers. Together, they help tackle the plastic waste problem from multiple scientific angles.<h5>Could you explain your research in layperson’s&nbsp;terms?</h5>Most plastics have strong carbon-carbon bonds. We insert more cleavable double bonds into polymers that can be broken down by catalytic reactions called olefin metathesis, making recycling on a&nbsp;molecular level more feasible.<h5>What makes the JUNIOR STAR grant particularly important for your research and career development?</h5>The JUNIOR STAR grant is a&nbsp;prestigious and highly competitive funding opportunity aimed at excellent early-career scientists within eight years of completing a&nbsp;Ph.D. It provides up to 25&nbsp;million CZK over five years, allowing recipients to establish independent research groups and pursue innovative scientific topics. This grant is crucial for building a&nbsp;solid foundation, acquiring necessary equipment, and recruiting talented team members, enabling the pursuit of ambitious projects that can significantly contribute to both the Czech scientific community and global challenges.<h5>What collaborations support your research?</h5>The collaboration between UCT Prague and the Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (IOCB) of the Czech Academy of Sciences primarily provides financial and technical support. The cooperation helps with funding, access to advanced equipment, and operational resources needed for running research projects.<h5>What advice would you give young scientists aiming to succeed?</h5>I&nbsp;encourage thinking outside the box and combining diverse knowledge you acquire during your career to address complex problems that are exciting and relevant to you.<h5>Your laboratory bears the name of Otto Wichterle and was ceremonially opened in the presence of Professor Kamil Wichterle. How does Wichterle’s&nbsp;legacy inspire you personally?</h5>Wichterle’<s>’</s>s&nbsp;innovative spirit motivates me to push creative boundaries and pursue novel solutions in sustainable chemistry.<h5>What are your visions for the future?</h5>I&nbsp;aim to build a&nbsp;research group that advances sustainable polymer recycling, contributing to environmental responsibility and the circular economy.<h5>You are recruiting people for your team. What skills do&nbsp;they need to have?</h5>We are looking for talented Ph.D. students and postdocs experienced in air-sensitive catalysis techniques. If you want to contribute to transformative research in sustainable chemistry and join a&nbsp;dynamic team, this is a&nbsp;great opportunity.</div>

JUNIOR STAR Grants at UCT Prague: Two talented women from abroad driving innovation in science

The clean laboratories of the CEITEC Nano research infrastructure at CEITEC Brno University of Technology house a four-meter-tall TITAN transmission electron microscope for researching materials at the atomic level. This scientific device underwent two significant upgrades this year, entailing the addition of two state-of-the-art technologies: an electromagnetic lens aberration corrector for scanning transmission electron microscopy and an electron energy loss spectrometer equipped with cameras featuring today's most sensitive sensors. Thanks to these upgrades, TITAN has become a state-of-the-art device that can only be found in a few of the world's most advanced laboratories in this configuration.The TITAN Themis microscope was manufactured in 2015 by FEI (now Thermo Fisher Scientific) and has been in use at CEITEC BUT since 2016. At the time of its acquisition, it was one of the most powerful commercially available electron microscopes; however, it lacked a corrector for optical defects in the lenses that form the narrow electron beam scanning the sample. This meant limited resolution and a lower ability to analyze the chemical composition and physical properties of materials at the atomic level."The latest generation S-CORR aberration corrector allows the electron beam to be focused to a size up to twice smaller than an atom, while also providing a higher electron current. This has led to a significant increase in the resolution and analytical capabilities of the microscope," explains Jan Michalička, guarantor of the TITAN microscope. "Thanks to the new corrector, our microscope achieves the world's highest standard in resolution, specifically less than 50 picometers at an acceleration voltage of 300 keV." For better understanding, he adds a comparison: "Imagine the ratio of the size of a golf ball to that of planet Earth. That is exactly the ratio of an atom measuring 100 pm to a golf ball." Thanks to this resolution, scientists are not only able to image individual atoms, but also to determine their chemical nature through further analysis. This is of fundamental importance, for example, for the development of new catalysts for a more environmentally friendly chemical industry.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8ebd8d7245.jpg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Differences in resolution before and after the installation of the aberration corrector." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8ebd8d7245.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="904">The new corrector also allows the microscope to achieve high resolution even with low-energy electrons. This is crucial for studying highly sensitive materials such as graphene and other two-dimensional structures, which would be damaged by a stronger electron beam. "Electrons interact strongly with the sample and can damage it at the atomic level, for example, by changing its structure and chemical composition. With the new corrector, we can achieve atomic resolution even at the lowest acceleration voltage of 60 keV, allowing us to study even very sensitive materials in a virtually unchanged state," says Jan Michalička.<h4>The additional installation of a corrector at the CEITEC laboratory is unique worldwide</h4>Correctors of optical defects in electromagnetic lenses are an exceptional technology that has completely changed the world of electron microscopy. For a long time, they were considered technically impossible, and the absence of correctors essentially prevented research into the structure and properties of materials at the atomic level. It was not until the 1990s that a group of four scientists – Harald Rose, Max Haider, Knut Urban, and Ondřej Křivánek – succeeded in implementing this technology, for which they received the prestigious Kavli Prize in 2020. “Correctors basically consist of a pair of complex lenses, each containing a series of magnetic multipoles. In the case of the correctors invented by the first three scientists mentioned above, defects are removed by two hexapole lenses. Our new corrector is based on the same concept,” adds Jan Michalička.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_2_c7e74d8554.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Delivered aberration corrector prior to installation, with the TITAN microscope in the background." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_2_c7e74d8554.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133">The additional installation of a corrector is unique in itself nowadays. Similarly complex technologies are usually installed during the manufacture of microscopes in the factory, in this case in the Netherlands. However, in Brno, the microscope was successfully upgraded with a corrector under the limited conditions of the laboratory. The installation of the corrector took about four months and required the dismantling of a large part of the microscope. "With this installation, we basically went back to the time when the four scientists mentioned above placed their prototype corrector on an older microscope, thus improving its performance," says Jan Michalička with a smile, adding that the most difficult part was the precise adjustment of the corrector and the entire optics of the microscope in order to achieve top parameters. "Even though most things are now controlled by computers, there are only a few people in the world who can install and tune a corrector to the highest level of accuracy. We are therefore extremely pleased to have had such experts at our disposal here."<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_4_b2cf95fb5c.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Installation of the aberration corrector – removal of the condenser." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_4_b2cf95fb5c.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133"><h4>New spectrometer will enable scientists to see more</h4>The second and equally important upgrade to the TITAN microscope is the installation of the latest generation GIF Continuum HR electron energy loss spectrometer by Gatan. This is an approximately two-meter-long device installed horizontally under the microscope, whose main component is a magnetic prism that separates the electron beam according to their energy losses. The spectra of these losses provide enormous information about the sample, principally at the atomic level, as they are characteristic of the given state of the atoms, such as the valence arrangement of their electron shell. In combination with the new corrector, the spectra can be used to analyze the chemical bonds, arrangement in the crystal lattice, or the entire range of physical properties of atomic nanostructures down to the level of individual atoms.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8_fdab871ef5.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Installation of the spectrometer beneath the microscope, magnetic prism." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_8_fdab871ef5.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133">An essential part of the spectrometer are the state-of-the-art K3 and Stela cameras, which can directly detect and count individual electrons. At the same time, these cameras are extremely fast and their sensors capture data without noise. "These features of our cameras are key to measuring sensitive or dynamically changing samples and allow us to obtain information that was previously invisible to electron microscopes," says Jan Michalička.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_9_d8b87903f2.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Installed high-performance spectrometer cameras." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_9_d8b87903f2.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133">Last but not least, the spectrometer will open up completely new possibilities for measuring the magnetic properties of atomic structures. The new spectrometer will also be used for such experiments within the project TERAFIT, which financed this upgrade, and which focuses on research into materials for ultra-high capacity, speed, and energy efficiency in information technology. "The device is fully prepared for advanced experiments and the use of modern software tools, including artificial intelligence," adds Vojtěch Uhlíř, head of the Nanomagnetism and Spintronics research group at CEITEC BUT and one of the TERAFIT project investigators, highlighting the advantages of the spectrometer.Together with the corrector, the spectrometer represents a breakthrough in the analysis of material properties, and according to Jan Michalička, CEITEC now has one of the most powerful microscopes available. “In modern materials science, for example, in the development of magnetic memories, quantum materials, or 2D structures, it is necessary to see not only atoms, but also their behaviour in real time, including magnetic states. And it is this spectrometer that pushes the boundaries of what we can see and analyze.” Michal Urbánek, head of the CEITEC Nano laboratories and coordinator of the large research infrastructure <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.czechnanolab.cz/">CzechNanoLab</a>, agrees with him, adding that the device can now contribute to scientific knowledge on a global scale. “Thanks to its integration into the large CzechNanoLab research infrastructure, this state-of-the-art microscope is accessible not only to scientists from CEITEC, but also to other institutions in the Czech Republic and abroad.”<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_10_7a2b57cc6d.jpeg" alt="CEITEC/CEITEC BUT archive: Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories: Final configuration of the TITAN microscope after installation of the aberration corrector and spectrometer." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_CEITEC_Upgrade_transmisniho_elektronoveho_mikroskopu_TITAN_zaradil_CEITEC_mezi_elitni_laboratore_10_7a2b57cc6d.jpeg 117w," sizes="100vw" width="1600" height="2133"><blockquote>Do you want to know more? Read the <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.ceitec.eu/upgrade-of-titan-transmission-electron-microscope-ranks-ceitec-among-elite-laboratories-expert-version/t11696?secret=40ab0267-ec7e-11f0-8f5d-2ed9ab825d4b">expert version</a> of this article.</blockquote>

Upgrade of TITAN transmission electron microscope ranks CEITEC among elite laboratories

Scientists at IOCB Prague are uncovering new details of gene transcription. They have identified a previously unknown molecular mechanism by which the transcription of genetic information from deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) into ribonucleic acid (RNA) can be initiated. The researchers focused on a specific class of molecules known as alarmones, which are found in cells across a wide range of organisms and whose levels often increase under conditions of cellular stress. The results were published in the prestigious scientific journal Nature Chemical Biology.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Hana Cahová, head of the Chemical Biology of Nucleic Acids research group." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_bc2bfffa6c.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"><div>Molecules of ribonucleic acid can carry a variety of chemical modifications at one end, known as caps. In eukaryotic organisms, including human cells, the best-known cap plays an important role in RNA stability and in regulating its subsequent fate. In recent years, however, it has become clear that alternative, non-canonical RNA caps also exist, although their formation and the mechanisms by which they are attached to RNA remain only partially understood. These include alarmone caps, formed by dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules, that protect cellular RNA at moments when the cell is under threat.In their study, <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cahova.group.uochb.cz/en">Dr. Hana Cahová</a> and colleagues examined bacterial RNA polymerase and investigated how this enzyme can initiate transcription using dinucleoside polyphosphates (NpNs) instead of the standard RNA building blocks. For the first time, the scientists described, at the atomic level, how RNA bearing an alarmone cap can be generated directly at the initiation of gene transcription. They also observed that NpNs bind through a different type of base pairing than is typically observed.The work was significantly shaped by Valentina Serianni from Hana Cahová’s team, who demonstrated the ability of dinucleoside polyphosphates to initiate gene transcription, and by Jana Škerlová, who focused on the structural analysis of RNA polymerase. Using cryogenic electron microscopy data, she showed how dinucleoside polyphosphate molecules bind within the active site of RNA polymerase – that is, the core of the enzyme where genetic information is transcribed. Together, their findings help to elucidate the processes that accompany the transcription of genetic information from DNA to RNA.Hana Cahová adds: “We’re describing something that truly occurs in cells and that we’re now able to observe directly at the level of individual molecules. This allows us to answer fundamental questions about cellular processes, such as how cells adapt to stress. RNA plays a central role in this, as it carries the cascade of information underlying any cellular response – for example, to threatening conditions caused by nutrient deprivation or temperature shock.”<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague/Tomáš Belloň: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: Dr. Tomáš Kouba, head of the Cryogenic Electron Microscopy core facility." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_2_0fe88ff9e9.jpg 234w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1335"><div>Cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) was central to the project. This part of the work was led by Dr. Tomáš Kouba, one of the authors of the study. “Cryogenic electron microscopy allows us to freeze biological molecules in a state very close to their natural form and then determine their three-dimensional structure. This makes it possible to look directly into the active centers of enzymes and observe their function down to the atomic level,” he explains.Last year, IOCB Prague opened a new <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://cryoem.group.uochb.cz/en">cryo-EM center</a> that is unique within the Czech research environment. State-of-the-art cryogenic electron microscopes are housed in a specially designed building and enable the study of biological processes with exceptional structural precision.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg" alt="IOCB Prague: Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription: This work shows how NpnNs initiate bacterial transcription. Cryo-EM reveals how nucleobases pair with the template: one in canonical and one in reverse Watson–Crick mode, providing a structural basis for their function as non-canonical RNA caps." srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_UOCHB_Vyzkum_z_UOCHB_odhaluje_dosud_nepoznany_zpusob_prepisu_geneticke_informace_3_4d881e7a58.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="2000" height="1077"><blockquote><h4>The Original article</h4><h4><a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41589-025-02134-5">Molecular insight into 5′ RNA capping with NpnNs by bacterial RNA polymerase</a></h4>Valentina M. Serianni, Jana Škerlová, Anna Knopp Dubánková, Anton Škríba, Hana Šváchová, Tereza Vučková, Anatolij Filimoněnko, Milan Fábry, Pavlína Řezáčová, Tomáš Kouba &amp; Hana Cahova&nbsp;Nat. Chem. Biol. 21 (2026)<a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5">https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-025-02134-5</a><h6>licensed under <a target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer" href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC-BY 4.0</a></h6></blockquote><h4>Abstract</h4>RNA capped with dinucleoside polyphosphates has been discovered in bacteria and eukaryotes only recently. The likely mechanism of this specific capping involves direct incorporation of dinucleoside polyphosphates by RNA polymerase as noncanonical initiating nucleotides. However, how these compounds bind into the active site of RNA polymerase during transcription initiation is unknown. Here, we explored transcription initiation in vitro, using a series of DNA templates in combination with dinucleoside polyphosphates and model RNA polymerase from Thermus thermophilus. We observed that the transcription start site can vary on the basis of the compatibility of the specific template and dinucleoside polyphosphate. Cryo-electron microscopy structures of transcription initiation complexes with dinucleoside polyphosphates revealed that both nucleobase moieties can pair with the DNA template. The first encoded nucleotide pairs in a canonical Watson–Crick manner, whereas the second nucleobase pairs noncanonically in a reverse Watson–Crick manner. Our work provides a structural explanation of how dinucleoside polyphosphates initiate RNA transcription.</div></div>

Research from IOCB Prague reveals a previously unknown mechanism of genetic transcription

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Since its establishment in 2011, CEITEC has quickly developed into a cutting-edge infrastructure for research which performs highly alongside the best institutes in Europe. Among the main priorities of CEITEC are the promotion of a motivating and dynamic international scientific environment, the provision of state-of-the-art research infrastructure, and the policy of open communication and equal opportunities.

CEITEC

The University of Chemistry and Technology, Prague is a natural centre of first-rate study and research in the area of chemistry in Czechia and is one of the country's largest educational and research institutions focused on technical chemistry, chemical and biochemical technologies, material and chemical engineering, food chemistry, and environmental studies.

UCT Prague

The Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IOCB Prague) is a leading scientific institution in the Czech Republic, recognized internationally. Its primary mission is basic research in the fields of chemical biology and medicinal chemistry, organic and material oriented chemistry, chemistry of natural compounds, biochemistry and molecular biology, physical chemistry, theoretical chemistry, and analytical chemistry. 

Institute of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry of the Czech Academy of Sciences

Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System

Thermo Scientific™ Nexsa™ G2 delivers high-resolution XPS with optional UPS, ISS, REELS, and unique Raman integration for correlative surface spectroscopy.

<h4>Unique correlative spectroscopy</h4>The Thermo Scientific™ Nexsa™ G2 Surface Analysis System is a fully automated, multi-technique instrument. It features a new, micro-focus X-ray source, delivering both high sensitivity and high spatial resolution XPS. In addition, the system offers options for other surface analysis techniques: UPS, ISS and REELS. Uniquely, there is also the option to integrate a Raman spectrometer, aligned to the XPS analysis position, for true, correlative spectroscopy. With these features, the Nexsa G2 XPS System unlocks the potential for new insights in semiconductors, 2D materials, thin films, batteries, polymers and many other applications.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_11_0cc1ab57d2.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_11_0cc1ab57d2.jpg 174w," sizes="100vw" width="986" height="881"><ul><li>High performance XPS</li><li>Rapid SnapMap XPS imaging</li><li>Depth profiling</li><li>Optional multi-technique integration<ul><li>Raman</li><li>ISS</li><li>UPS</li><li>REELS</li></ul></li><li>MAGCIS ion source for expanded depth profiling capabilities</li><li>Large sample handling</li><li>Avantage Software for instrument control, data processing, and reporting</li><li>Optional transfer capabilities for air-sensitive samples</li><li>Optional sample heating capability</li><li>SEM data correlation Thermo Scientific Maps TM Software</li></ul><h3>Nexsa G2 Surface Analysis System features</h3>High-performance X-ray source A new, optimized X-ray monochromator design makes it possible to select an analysis area from 10 µm to 400 µm in 5 µm steps, ensuring data is collected from the feature of interest while maximizing the signal.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_6_2ad98d565b.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_6_2ad98d565b.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Optimized electron optics The high-efficiency electron lens, hemispherical analyzer, and detector allow for superb detectability and rapid data acquisition.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_5_bf3ca91a30.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_5_bf3ca91a30.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS sample viewing Bring sample features into focus with the Nexsa G2 Surface Analysis.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_1_c2f5b1665d.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_1_c2f5b1665d.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS insulator analysis The patented dual beam flood source couples low-energy ion beams with very low energy electrons (less than 1 eV) to prevent sample charging during analysis, which eliminates the need, in most cases, for charge referencing.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_8_30732ff276.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_8_30732ff276.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS depth profiling Go beyond the surface with the EX06 ion source. Automated source optimization and gas handling ensure excellent performance and experimental reproducibility.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_7_dadbf53b24.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_7_dadbf53b24.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Optional XPS sample holders Expand your possibilities with available specialist sample holders for angle-resolved XPS, sample bias measurements, or inert transfer from a glove box.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_4_15d30eb387.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_4_15d30eb387.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Avantage Software Instrument control, data processing, and reporting are all controlled from Thermo Scientific Avantage Software. Avantage Software includes Knowledge View, a comprehensive source of tutorials and reference material that guide users through analysis.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_3_d7321554fd.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_3_d7321554fd.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Correlative XPS imaging and surface analysis workflow Correlate XPS data with SEM images through the correlative imaging and surface analysis workflow using Thermo Scientific Maps Software.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_2_a0ba3d232c.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Nexsa G2 XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_2_a0ba3d232c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576"><h4>The full spectrum of surface analysis</h4><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_9_4250fce7c4.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific - The full spectrum of surface analysis" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_9_4250fce7c4.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1054" height="632">

Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System

Thermo Scientific™ K-Alpha™ XPS combines high-performance hardware with intuitive workflows, ideal for both research and routine multi-user surface analysis.

<h4>Designed for productivity</h4>The Thermo Scientific K-Alpha™ XPS System bridges the requirements for both research and routine XPS analysis. The high-performance system hardware makes the K-Alpha XPS System ideally suited to creating world-class data in a busy R&amp;D environment. Intuitive workflows make it possible to put the K-Alpha XPS System into a multi-user, shared facility, allowing operators of all skill levels to add surface analysis to their materials analysis portfolio.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_K_Alpha_XPS_System_2_979618dd54.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System " srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_K_Alpha_XPS_System_2_979618dd54.jpg 208w," sizes="100vw" width="1086" height="815"><ul><li>High-performance, fully featured XPS system</li><li>Unique sample viewing with capability to facilitate rapid feature identification</li><li>Chemical state imaging</li><li>Large sample handling</li><li>Variable micro-focus X-ray source to match analysis area to feature</li><li>Ion source for depth profiling</li><li>Low energy flood source for insulator analysis</li><li>Built-in standards for self-calibration</li></ul><h3>K-Alpha XPS System features</h3>High-performance X-ray source The X-ray monochromator allows selection of analysis areas from 50 µm to 400 µm in 5 µm steps, fitting it to the feature of interest to maximize the signal.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_K_Alpha_XPS_System_160ceb9fbc.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_K_Alpha_XPS_System_160ceb9fbc.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Optimized electron optics The high-efficiency electron lens, hemispherical analyzer, and detector allow for superb detectability and rapid data acquisition.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_5_bf3ca91a30.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_5_bf3ca91a30.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS sample viewing Bring sample features into focus with the K-Alpha XPS System's patented optical viewing system and XPS SnapMap, which helps you pinpoint areas of interest quickly.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_1_c2f5b1665d.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_1_c2f5b1665d.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS insulator analysis The patented dual beam flood source couples low-energy ion beams with very low energy electrons (less than 1 eV) to prevent sample charging during analysis, which eliminates the need, in most cases, for charge referencing.&nbsp;<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_8_30732ff276.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_8_30732ff276.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS depth profiling Go beyond the surface with the EX06 ion source. Automated source optimization and gas handling ensure excellent performance and experimental reproducibility.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_7_dadbf53b24.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_7_dadbf53b24.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Optional XPS sample holders Expand your possibilities with available specialist sample holders for angle-resolved XPS, sample bias measurements, or inert transfer from a glove box.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_4_15d30eb387.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_4_15d30eb387.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Avantage Software Intuitive operation guided by Avantage Software makes the K-Alpha XPS System ideal for both multi-user shared facilities and XPS experts who place a premium on efficient operation and high-throughput analysis.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_3_d7321554fd.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific K-Alpha XPS System" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_3_d7321554fd.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576"><h4>The full spectrum of surface analysis</h4><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_9_4250fce7c4.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific - The full spectrum of surface analysis" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_9_4250fce7c4.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1054" height="632">

Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe

The Thermo Scientific ESCALAB™ QXi XPS Microprobe is a flexible, multi-technique platform with seamless Avantage software integration for advanced surface analysis.

<h4>Performance and versatility</h4>The Thermo Scientific ESCALAB™ QXi XPS Microprobe is the latest development in our renowned ESCALAB product line. The ESCALAB QXi XP Microprobe is designed as an expandable, multi-technique platform with unparalleled flexibility and configurability. System control, data acquisition, processing and reporting are seamlessly integrated by the powerful Thermo Scientific Avantage Data System for surface analysis.<ul><li>High-resolution, quantitative XPS imaging for smallest feature analysis</li><li>High-performance spectroscopy</li><li>Ion source for depth profiling</li><li>Optional automated sample exchange capability</li><li>Flood source for insulator analysis</li><li>Ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) as standard</li><li>Reflected electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) as standard</li><li>Optional additional techniques:<ul><li>Ultra-violet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS)</li><li>Auger electron spectroscopy (AES)</li><li>Microanalysis (EDS)</li><li>Inverse photoemission spectroscopy (IPES)</li></ul></li><li>Optional MAGCIS dual mode ion source</li><li>Full range of sample preparation options:<ul><li>Sample heating and cooling</li><li>Fracture stage</li><li>Inert transfer</li></ul></li></ul><h3>ESCALAB QXi XPS microprobe features</h3>Monochromated XPS analysis and HAXPES The twin-crystal, micro-focusing monochromator has a 500 mm Rowland circle, uses an Al anode (or a dual Al and Ag anode with the dual monochromator option for automated switching from XPS to HAXPES), and allows you to select any sample spot size ranging from 200 µm to 900 µm.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_9_0d0e98b8c2.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_9_0d0e98b8c2.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Spectroscopy imaging The lens and analyzer system on the ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe incorporates the Deflector Lens, enabling fast parallel imaging. Two detector systems: one optimized for spectroscopy and one for parallel imaging, consisting of a pair of channel plates and a continuous position-sensitive detector.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_10_927e6a3bfb.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_10_927e6a3bfb.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Charge neutralisation in XPS analysis An electron source, co-axial with the analyzer input lens, is used for charge compensation when analyzing non-conducting samples with the monochromatic X-ray source, while a second flood source produces both low-energy ions to assist in providing effective charge compensation and low-energy electrons when the magnetic lens is not in use.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_8_0e101d66b1.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_8_0e101d66b1.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS ion gun The ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe has two options for rapid, high-resolution depth profiling: the standard EX06 ion gun, which is optimized for monatomic ion sputtering and ion scattering spectroscopy, and the optional monatomic and gas cluster ion source, the Thermo Scientific MAGCIS Dual Beam Ion Source, which is capable of monatomic ion profiling, cluster ion profiling, and ion scattering spectroscopy.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_1_9bd51609c7.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_1_9bd51609c7.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Avantage Software All analytical functions are controlled from Thermo Scientific Avantage Software, meaning that the entire analysis process can be performed remotely, if required. Avantage Software includes Knowledge View, a comprehensive source of tutorials and reference material that guide users through analysis.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_2_3b0968d8c6.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_2_3b0968d8c6.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS sample handling and alignment All axes of movement on the sample stage are controlled by Avantage Software. With the auto-exchange system, samples can be exchanged from the preparation chamber to the load-lock automatically for a continuous sample flow. A high-resolution digital video camera is fitted to the instrument and is accurately aligned with the analysis position. XPS parallel imaging can also be used to locate features for analysis.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_3_592c7c58d0.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_3_592c7c58d0.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Multi-technique capabilities The ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe includes ISS and REELS, which complement XPS, as standard. Additional analytical options, including UPS, AES, HAXPES, Raman, and IPES, can be added to provide a tailored solution to meet your experimental needs.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_4_79a3dbd662.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_4_79a3dbd662.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS instrument alignment and calibration A calibration sample block, which has samples of copper, silver, and gold, is supplied for assessing sensitivity, setting the linearity of the analyzer energy scale, calibrating the ion source, aligning the X-ray monochromator, and determining the transmission function of the analyzer.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_5_bb5b4ff7aa.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_5_bb5b4ff7aa.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Vacuum system The analysis chamber is constructed from 5 mm-thick mu-metal to maximize the efficiency of the magnetic shielding, and the chamber is pumped using both a turbomolecular pump and a titanium sublimation pump, allowing the analysis chamber to achieve a vacuum better than 5 × 10⁻¹⁰ mbar.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_6_44b53211d6.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_6_44b53211d6.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS sample preparation chambers The standard Preploc chamber, which is a combined sample entry lock and preparation chamber, has ports that accommodate a variety of sample preparation devices, such as heating and cooling probes, ion guns, high-pressure gas cells, sample parking, and gas admission.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_7_ff59084cff.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_ESCALAB_Q_Xi_XPS_Microprobe_7_ff59084cff.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Beyond XPS, the ESCALAB QXi XPS Microprobe is a true multi-technique system, with ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS) and reflected electron energy loss spectroscopy (REELS) included as standard. Additional options such as HAXPES, AES, UPS, Raman, and IPES allow you to tailor the platform to your research needs. With versatile sample preparation capabilities and seamless integration with other vacuum hardware, the ESCALAB QXi is the surface analysis instrument designed to meet the most demanding research requirements.<h4>The full spectrum of surface analysis</h4><img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_9_4250fce7c4.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific - The full spectrum of surface analysis" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Nexsa_G2_XPS_System_9_4250fce7c4.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1054" height="632">

Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System

Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System combines ion-beam techniques with femtosecond laser ablation for accurate XPS depth profiling of thin films, coatings, and complex multilayer materials.

The Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System is a high-performance X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) platform designed for accurate depth profiling of thin films, coatings, and complex multilayer materials. By combining traditional ion-beam techniques with femtosecond laser ablation (fs-LA), the system delivers efficient and chemically representative depth profiles from the surface down to deeply buried regions within the sample. Hypulse supports advanced materials research, process development, and failure analysis across a wide range of applications.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_2_5834bc6da0.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System " srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_2_5834bc6da0.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="650" height="338"><h3>Key benefits</h3>Achieve more accurate analysis By integrating monatomic ion beam etching, cluster ion beam etching, and fs-LA depth profiling, the Hypulse System enables reliable analysis of a broader range of materials compared to conventional ion-beam-only approaches.Enhance productivity Fs-LA depth profiling allows multiple depth profiles to be acquired in the time typically required to process a single sample using ion beam profiling, significantly improving analytical throughput.Gain deeper insight into materials The system enables practical depth profiling beyond 10 µm into the sample. Buried layers and transition regions that are difficult and time-consuming to access using ion beam techniques can be reached more efficiently using fs-laser ablation.Optimize analysis for different material types Laser parameters can be tuned to the specific material, eliminating the need to choose between cluster and monatomic ions and simplifying the profiling of complex and composite samples.<h3>System features</h3>Integrated fs-laser ablation system The Hypulse System incorporates a fully integrated 1,030 nm femtosecond laser with high-quality optical components. Laser attenuation and control are managed through Thermo Scientific Advantage Software. As a Class 1 laser system, no special laser safety requirements are needed in the laboratory.MAGCIS ion source A Thermo Scientific MAGCIS Dual Beam Ion Source for XPS instruments is included as standard. Automatic source optimization and controlled gas handling ensure high performance and excellent experimental reproducibility.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_1_74f35f9481.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System (1).jpg" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_1_74f35f9481.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">High-performance surface analysis In addition to XPS, the system supports complementary surface-sensitive techniques such as REELS and ISS, providing enhanced chemical and structural information.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_6_fc0bd9c61c.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System (6).jpg" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_6_fc0bd9c61c.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">XPS analysis of insulating materials The patented dual-beam flood source combines low-energy ion beams with very low-energy electrons (&lt;1 eV) to prevent sample charging. This eliminates the need for charge referencing and enables reliable analysis of insulating samples.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_3_c6019a92eb.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System (3).jpg" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_3_c6019a92eb.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Optional XPS sample holders Specialist sample holders are available for angle-resolved XPS, sample bias measurements, sample heating, and inert transfer from a glove box.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_5_6e5ccfdbed.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System (5).jpg" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_5_6e5ccfdbed.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Advantage Software Instrument control, data processing, and reporting are fully integrated within Advantage Software. The platform includes Knowledge View, offering comprehensive tutorials and reference materials to support efficient data interpretation.<img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_4_ce38c429e6.jpg" alt="Thermo Scientific Hypulse Surface Analysis System (4).jpg" srcset="https://storage.googleapis.com/labrulez-bucket-strapi-h3hsga3/thumbnail_Thermo_Scientific_Hypulse_Surface_Analysis_System_4_ce38c429e6.jpg 245w," sizes="100vw" width="1024" height="576">Correlative XPS imaging and surface analysis workflow XPS data can be correlated with SEM images using the correlative imaging and surface analysis (CISA) workflow via Thermo Scientific Maps Software.<h3>Hypulse Surface Analysis System specifications</h3><ul><li>Analyzer type: 180º, double-focusing, hemispherical analyzer with 128-channel detector</li><li>X-ray source: Monochromated, micro-focused, low-power Al K-alpha X-ray source</li><li>X-ray spot size: 10 to 400 µm (adjustable in 5 µm steps)</li><li>Laser ablation system:<ul><li>Fully integrated 1,030 nm pulsed fs-laser source</li><li>Tunable pulse energy up to 1 mJ</li><li>Computer-controlled attenuation to ensure optimum ablation conditions</li><li>Beam imaging module for system calibration and alignment</li></ul></li><li>Ion depth profiling: MAGCIS dual-mode ion source</li><li>Additional included analytical methods:<ul><li>Bi-polar analyzer power supply and helium gas input for ion source for ISS (ion scattering spectroscopy)</li><li>High-voltage upgrade to electron flood source for REELS (reflection electron energy loss spectroscopy)</li></ul></li><li>Maximum sample area: 60 x 60 mm</li><li>Maximum sample thickness: 20 mm</li><li>Vacuum system: Two turbo molecular pumps with automated titanium sublimation pump and backing pump</li><li>Optional accessories:<ul><li>UV photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS)</li><li>Sample tilt module</li><li>NX sample heating module</li><li>Sample bias module</li><li>Vacuum transfer module</li></ul></li></ul>

Products from category XPS - page 1

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