afspm: A framework for manufacturer-agnostic automation in scanning probe microscopy

• Nicholas J. Sullivan,
• Julio J. Valdés,
• Kirk H. Bevan and
• Peter Grutter

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 653–667, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.45

• above a surface of interest while measuring one or more properties. This process allows for atomic-level imaging of properties, spectroscopic analysis, and even manipulation of a sample toward atomic-scale manufacturing [1]. However, a number of factors limit higher throughput of these techniques. First

• kHz resonant frequency). These experiments were run under ambient conditions in an AM-AFM mode. Prior to engaging with the sample, we performed an auto-tuning operation to optimize the cantilever frequency and manually optimized the z-height feedback parameters for reasonable imaging quality. In the

Towards targeted drugs and next generation of nanomedicines

• Anna Salvati,
• Silvia Giordani and
• Wolfgang J. Parak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 598–601, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.41

• target, hence improving drug efficacy while minimizing unwanted side effects. At the same time, some nanomaterials can provide new therapeutic modalities themselves and could also be used for diagnosis and imaging. Multiple drugs and therapies can be combined within the same carrier particle to

Probing tribological evolution in atomically thin MoS₂ at different scales

• Xingzhong Zeng and
• Miao Zhang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 586–597, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.40

• ) complicates direct thickness identification of 1L MoS2; thus, phase imaging (Figure 1b) was used to distinguish MoS2 from the substrate (based on the contrast from differences in tip–sample interaction). Cross-sectional profiles (Figure 1a inset) show two distinct thicknesses of 0.7 and 1.8 nm. The

Impacts of annealing on structural and photophysical properties of zinc phthalocyanine adsorbed on graphene

• Gautier Creutzer,
• Quentin Fernez,
• Nataliya Kalashnyk,
• Zohreh Safarzadeh,
• Lydia Sosa Vargas,
• Céline Fiorini-Debuisschert,
• Nicolas Fabre and
• Fabrice Charra

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 576–585, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.39

• exhibit a pattern similar to that of the majority shown in Figure 3e. This change in ZnPc imaging is consistent with the interpretation in terms of planar-square to shuttlecock structure mentioned before. Actually, as the Pc conjugated core is brought-in deeper into the matrix (i.e., closer to the

• an inverted optical microscope (IX71, Olympus) equipped with an objective lens (Nikon, 60×, 0.8 N.A.). The detection chain was made of an imaging spectrometer (Kymera 193i, Andor) equipped with a blazed grating (SR2-GRT-0150-0500, Andor) and a CMOS camera (Zyla 5.5, Andor). An automated slit was

Laser–material interactions in liquids for the synthesis of nanomaterials: current status and perspectives

• Carlos Doñate Buendia,
• Bilal Gökce and
• Leonid V. Zhigilei

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 571–575, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.38

• Carlos Donate Buendia Bilal Gokce Leonid V. Zhigilei GROC·UJI, Institute of New Imaging Technologies, University Jaume I, Av. de Vicent Sos Baynat, s/n, 12071 Castellón, Spain Chair of Materials Science and Additive Manufacturing, School of Mechanical Engineering and Safety Engineering, University

Upcycling agroindustrial waste into graphene oxide supports for gold nanoparticles: toward sustainable nanomaterials

• Juan Marcos Castro-Tapia,
• Selene Acosta,
• Hiram Joazet Ojeda-Galván,
• Elsie Evelyn Araujo-Palomo,
• Edgar Giovanni Villabona-Leal and
• Mildred Quintana

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 489–504, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.32

• degrees and distinct distributions of oxygen-containing functional groups, as evidenced by UV–vis, Raman, FTIR, and XPS. TEM imaging further highlighted pronounced morphological differences among the Agro-GO samples, ranging from compact, defect-rich aggregates to partially layered domains. These

Defects and defect-mediated engineering of two-dimensional materials: challenges and open questions

• Arkady V. Krasheninnikov,
• Matthias Batzill,
• Anouar-Akacha Delenda,
• Marija Drndić,
• Chris Ewels,
• Katharina J. Franke,
• Mahdi Ghorbani-Asl,
• Alexander Holleitner,
• Ado Jorio,
• Ute Kaiser,
• Daria Kieczka,
• Hannu-Pekka Komsa,
• Jani Kotakoski,
• Manuel Längle,
• David Lamprecht,
• Yun Liu,
• Steven G. Louie,
• Janina Maultzsch,
• Thomas Michely,
• Katherine Milton,
• Anna Niggas,
• Hanako Okuno,
• Joshua A. Robinson,
• Marika Schleberger,
• Bruno Schuler,
• Alexander Shluger,
• Kazu Suenaga,
• Kristian S. Thygesen,
• Richard A. Wilhelm,
• E. Harriet Åhlgren and
• Carla Bittencourt

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 454–488, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.31

• for the atoms in the investigated material, or under specific imaging conditions using STM, as described in section “Where are the limits for controlled defect engineering in terms of spatial precision, single type or size (e.g., hole size), and scalability?”. As a non-invasive technique, Raman

• unambiguous identification of the emitters’ microscopic nature. Scanning tunneling microscopy luminescence (STML) offers a compelling solution. By combining atomically resolved imaging and spectroscopy by means of scanning tunneling microscopy/scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STM/STS) with localized

• /quantification using STM/STS? STS and orbital imaging provides unique fingerprints of point defects in TMDs including common impurities found in synthetically grown TMDs, such as oxygen substitutions (OX) [51][120] and carbon–hydrogen complexes () [121][122] at chalcogen sites, molybednum (MoM) [120], chromium

Biomimetic nanoparticles in cancer photodynamic therapy: a review of targeted delivery systems and therapeutic outcomes

• Valentina I. Gorbacheva,
• Alexey S. Grabovoy,
• Polina S. Marukhina,
• Anastasiia O. Syrocheva and
• Ekaterina P. Kolesova

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 396–422, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.27

• that combine imaging and therapy, and the challenges that remain for translating these technologies into clinical practice. By merging principles of biomimicry with nanotechnology, BNPs offer a promising new approach to more precise and effective cancer treatments tailored to individual patients

• theranostic applications [39] by facilitating tumor visualization through various imaging techniques [40], including fluorescence imaging [41], computed tomography [42], and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [43]. The development of nanobiotechnology in PDT opens new horizons for creating more effective and

• also widely used to enhance BNP functionality [73][74][75]. Non-covalent methods, such as lipid insertion, allow for the integration of targeting ligands, peptides, or imaging agents into the membrane without disrupting protein activity. Covalent modifications, including the attachment of antibodies or

Polycatecholamine nanocoatings on stainless steel: the effect on attachment of human fibroblasts and platelets

• Paulina Trzaskowska,
• Ewa Rybak,
• Maciej Trzaskowski,
• Kamil Kopeć,
• Jakub Krzemiński,
• Rafał Podgórski,
• Hatice Genc,
• Mehtap Civelek and
• Iwona Cicha

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 365–380, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.25

• prepared in triplicate (n = 9 measurements). The materials obtained with extreme coating times underwent for further tests, that is, PDA 10 min, PDA 24 h, PTYR 30 min, PTYR 24 h. Thickness of the coatings Microscopic imaging was performed using a Hitachi SU8230 ultrahigh-resolution field-emission scanning

• electron microscope (Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Japan) at an accelerating voltage of 5.0 kV. To measure the thickness of PDA and PTYR coatings, the coated materials were scratched with a scalpel to create a cavity. For imaging, the sample was positioned vertically, and the microscope stage tilt

• coatings’ surfaces were sputter-coated with a 10 nm layer of AuPd and visualized with an ultrahigh-resolution field-emission scanning electron microscope Hitachi SU8230 (Hitachi High-Technologies Corporation, Japan, magnification 5 000×). The imaging was done before washing and then after 1, 7, 14, and 28

Interconnection morphology effects on the radio frequency response of carbon nanotube sponges

• Manuela Scarselli,
• Javad Rezvani,
• Zeno Zuccari,
• Mattia Scagliotti and
• Simone Tocci

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 343–351, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.23

• were performed in an ultrahigh-vacuum chamber (base pressure below 10−10 bar) equipped with a semi-imaging analyser MAC 2 (Riber Instruments) operating in the constant pass energy mode (with a total energy resolution of 1.1 eV). Non-monochromatic Al Kα radiation (1486.6 eV) was used (8 kV, 8 mA). The

Beam shaping techniques for pulsed laser ablation in liquids: Unlocking tunable control of nanoparticle synthesis in liquids

• Sergio Molina-Prados,
• Nadezhda M. Bulgakova,
• Alexander V. Bulgakov,
• Jesus Lancis,
• Gladys Mínguez Vega and
• Carlos Doñate-Buendia

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 309–342, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.22

• Sergio Molina-Prados Nadezhda M. Bulgakova Alexander V. Bulgakov Jesus Lancis Gladys Minguez Vega Carlos Donate-Buendia GROC-UJI, Institute of New Imaging Technologies, Universitat Jaume I, Castellon, Spain FZU - Institute of Physics of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic

• neutron capture therapy [62][63], viral [64][65] and microbial growth inhibition [42][66], antibacterial agents [67][68], anticancer treatments [67][69], magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent [70], photothermal therapy [71][72], cell imaging [73], proton therapy enhancement [74][75], fluorescence [76

• combination, as shown in Figure 3. As a general strategy for imaging and material processing, beam shaping technologies represent a research field covered in numerous reviews [98][99]. In the subsequent sections, this review offers a more detailed discussion of beam-shaping methodologies for nanoparticle

Calculation of the dynamic stiffness of a cantilever under torsional oscillation

• Keita Nishida,
• Yuuki Yasui and
• Yoshiaki Sugimoto

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 303–308, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.21

• the lateral interactions [7][12][13][14]. The torsional oscillation modes of AFM cantilevers are sensitive to in-plane interaction [15][16][17]. This method enabled highly accurate imaging of the in-plane crystalline orientation by utilizing friction information [14]. Quartz tuning fork AFM is useful

Advancing nanolithography: a comprehensive review of materials for local anodic oxidation with AFM

• Matteo Lorenzoni

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 275–291, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.19

• materials used in LAO experiments are highly doped Si or metals including W, Pt, Au, and Ir. Si-based tips are cheap but lack mechanical durability, frequently suffering from deformation or damage during imaging and patterning. Metal-coated tips all offer excellent electrical conductivity and improved

Comparative study on 3D morphologies of delignified, single tracheids and fibers of five wood species

• Helen Gorges,
• Felicitas von Usslar,
• Cordt Zollfrank,
• Silja Flenner,
• Imke Greving,
• Martin Müller,
• Clemens F. Schaber,
• Chuchu Li and
• Stanislav N. Gorb

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 239–250, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.16

• largely absent from scientific literature. Although previous studies have examined wood anatomy using various imaging techniques, such as X-ray micro-computed tomography in addition to scanning and transmission electron microscopy [22][23][24][25][26][27], high-resolution 3D reconstructions of single

• , Pdet = 6.5 µm pixel size, 2048 × 2048 pixel, 16 bit image depth) with a 10 µm Gadox scintillator was used as the detector. For high-contrast and low-dose imaging, holotomography was applied as the phase contrast technique. Here, a gold Fresnel zone plate with a diameter of 300 µm was used [30]. By

• arrangements of single fibers and tracheids with unprecedented 3D details in spatial distribution compared to traditional methods such as SEM, which, however, show more details of the pit structures [40][41][42]. Unlike those conventional imaging methods, nano-CT 3D models provide a comprehensive view of pit

Gold nanoparticle-decorated reduced graphene oxide as a highly effective catalyst for the selective α,β-dehydrogenation of N-alkyl-4-piperidones

• Brenda Flore Kenyim,
• Mihir Tzalis,
• Marilyn Kaul,
• Robert Oestreich,
• Aysenur Limon,
• Chancellin Pecheu Nkepdep and
• Christoph Janiak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 218–238, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.15

• , the successful AuNP deposition on the carbon materials was validated through TEM imaging of Au-Cit/AC (Figure 5a), Au-Cit/rGO (Figure 5b), and Au-Cit/CB (Figure 5c). Upon deposition, the average AuNP particle sizes slightly grew to 13 nm within a range of 10–16 nm determined by TEM images and the

• , explaining the observed 100% selectivity. Because the Au-SiW9/rGO composite exhibited the most promising activity among the tested catalysts, its structural robustness was examined through leaching experiments and TEM imaging after successive reaction cycles. To confirm the solid-state (heterogeneous) nature

Time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry imaging of contaminant species in chemical vapour deposited graphene on copper

• Barry Brennan,
• Vlad-Petru Veigang-Radulescu,
• Philipp Braeuninger-Weimer,
• Stephan Hofmann and
• Andrew J. Pollard

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 200–213, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.13

• resolving power, and imaging capability of ToF-SIMS allow us to explore variations in the chemical species present on the graphene surface, as well as in three dimensions under the graphene. In this way, we can observe the impact that variations in the chemical composition of the copper foil have on the

• characterisation techniques with the ability to distinguish different chemical species present, combined with surface sensitivity and suitably high spatial resolution. We here focus on time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) imaging of Cu-catalysed graphene CVD samples. ToF-SIMS offers high

• . For 3D imaging, each depth profile was acquired by cyclically analysing a 150 µm × 150 µm area (with a pixel density of 128 × 128) from the centre of a 400 µm × 400 µm sputtered region during depth profiling, to mitigate crater edge effects on the generated spectra. 10 keV Cs+ ions with an ion current

From shield to spear: Charge-reversible nanocarriers in overcoming cancer therapy barriers

• Madhuri Yeduvaka,
• Pooja Mittal,
• Ameer Boyalakuntla,
• Usman Bee Shaik,
• Himanshu Sharma,
• Thakur Gurjeet Singh,
• Siva Nageswara Rao Gajula and
• Lakshmi Vineela Nalla

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 159–175, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.10

• -reversal system (CDs-Pt (IV)@PEG-PAH/DMA) for imaging-guided drug delivery, which enhanced cancer therapeutic effects [85]. 4 Preclinical and clinical insights of charge-reversible nanocarriers Preclinical studies have revealed that CRNs significantly improve antitumour performance by enhancing tumour

Influence of surface characteristics on the in vitro stability and cell uptake of nanoliposomes for brain delivery

• Dushko Shalabalija,
• Ljubica Mihailova,
• Nikola Geskovski,
• Andreas Zimmer,
• Otmar Geiss,
• Sabrina Gioria,
• Diletta Scaccabarozzi and
• Marija Glavas Dodov

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 139–158, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.9

Development and in vitro evaluation of liposomes and immunoliposomes containing 5-fluorouracil and R-phycoerythrin as a potential phototheranostic system for colorectal cancer

• Raissa Rodrigues Camelo,
• Vivianne Cortez Sombra Vandesmet,
• Octavio Vital Baccallini,
• José de Brito Vieira Neto,
• Thais da Silva Moreira,
• Luzia Kalyne Almeida Moreira Leal,
• Claudia Pessoa,
• Daniel Giuliano Cerri,
• Maria Vitória Lopes Badra Bentley,
• Josimar O. Eloy,
• Ivanildo José da Silva Júnior and
• Raquel Petrilli

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 97–121, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.7

• tumor cells, enhancing the internalization of the system and promoting greater cytotoxic activity compared to conventional therapies [10]. By combining selective cytotoxicity with the potential to label cancer tissue using an imaging probe, EGFR-targeted immunoliposomes represent an integrated approach

Reduced graphene oxide paper electrode for lithium-ion cells – towards optimized thermal reduction

• Agata Pawłowska,
• Magdalena Baran,
• Stefan Marynowicz,
• Aleksandra Izabela Banasiak,
• Adrian Racki,
• Adrian Chlanda,
• Tymoteusz Ciuk,
• Marta Wolczko and
• Andrzej Budziak

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 24–37, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.3

• and thickness were determined with scanning electron microscopy imaging. This paper also reveals electrical and electrochemical properties of the material. The conductivity of the material obtained at 800 °C reached ≈70 S/cm, and the discharge capacity reached ≈160 mAh/g at 100 mA/g current density

• . SEM imaging The morphological properties of the rGO paper were described based on SEM imaging (Phenom ProX). The thicknesses of the obtained sheets were determined from SEM images of the samples’ cross sections as an averaged value calculated over 50 length readings. TGA TGA Q5000 equipment was

Quantitative estimation of nanoparticle/substrate adhesion by atomic force microscopy

• Aydan Çiçek,
• Markus Kratzer,
• Christian Teichert and
• Christian Mitterer

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2026, 17, 1–14, doi:10.3762/bjnano.17.1

• deposited at a bias voltage of 10 V with a scan angle of 90° and a z-scale of 14 nm. The red, green, and white circles highlight three NP manipulation examples: (a) the initial scan for imaging Cu NPs, (b) the second scan where the NPs start to be pushed, and (c) the third scan showing the removal of NPs

Internal 3D temperature mapping in biological systems using ratiometric light-sheet imaging and lipid-coated upconversion nanothermometers

• Dannareli Barron-Ortiz,
• Enric Pérez-Parets,
• Rubén D. Cadena-Nava,
• Emilio J. Gualda,
• Jacob Licea-Rodríguez,
• Juan Hernández-Cordero,
• Pablo Loza-Álvarez and
• Israel Rocha-Mendoza

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2306–2316, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.159

• estimate temperature through ratiometric imaging of two thermally coupled fluorescence bands. This work demonstrates the feasibility of volumetric temperature mapping in internal biological systems using light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and lipid-coated UCNPs as nanothermometry markers. This approach

• enables real-time thermal mapping with both high spatial and temporal resolution at the cellular and subcellular levels. To validate the method, we performed 3D temperature imaging on fixed Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) after UCNP ingestion. The proposed technique represents a cutting-edge method

• for accurate 3D analysis of temperature-driven biological processes. It holds significant potential for applications in living organisms, offering a non-invasive tool to monitor intracellular and organ-specific temperature dynamics. Keywords: C. elegans; 3D imaging; fluorescent intensity ratio; light

Improving magnetic properties of Mn- and Zn-doped core–shell iron oxide nanoparticles by tuning their size

• Dounia Louaguef,
• Ghouti Medjahdi,
• Sébastien Diliberto,
• Klaus M. Seemann,
• Thomas Gries,
• Joelle Bizeau,
• Damien Mertz,
• Eric Gaffet and
• Halima Alem

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2285–2295, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.157

• unique magnetic properties, small size, and biocompatibility, which enable them to be used in a wide range of biomedical applications. These applications include magnetic resonance imaging, magnetic separation, targeted drug delivery, and hyperthermia [1][2]. Magnetic hyperthermia has been extensively

Visualizing nanostructures in supramolecular hydrogels: a correlative study using confocal and cryogenic scanning electron microscopy

• Shaun M. Smith,
• Ferdinando Malagreca,
• Jacqueline Hicks,
• Giuseppe Mantovani,
• David B. Amabilino,
• Christopher Parmenter and
• Lluïsa Pérez-García

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2274–2284, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.156

• visualization of the native fibrous network. These results demonstrate the complementary nature of CLSM and cryo-SEM and highlight the value of cryo-SEM as a very useful tool for imaging soft nanomaterials with low fluorescence or limited optical contrast. Keywords: anion binding; colloid; fluorophore

• forms of microscopy have naturally been undertaken, as comprehensive characterization of such systems requires the application of multiple imaging methods. Within the realm of hydrogels, it is typical to see comparative fluorescence and electron microscopy imaging being used to characterize a given

• material. The application of confocal microscopy, stimulated emission depletion (STED) microscopy, and conventional transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to a supramolecular peptide material has been shown to allow for sub-diffraction resolution imaging of fibre morphology in situ without covalent

Chiral plasmonic nanostructures fabricated with circularly polarized light

• Tian Qiao and
• Ming Lee Tang

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2025, 16, 2245–2264, doi:10.3762/bjnano.16.154