Weizmann Institute of Science: New imaging method ‘could be harnessed to provide a complementary point of view to existing methods’

A study by scientists from Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, presents the creation of a method for imaging individual electrons that “could revolutionize the development of pharmaceuticals and the characterization of quantum materials.”

The study, presented in Physical Review Applied, showcases the efforts of Amit Finkler of the Weizmann Institute of Science’s Chemical and Biological Physics Department, PhD student Dan Yudilevich and collaborators from the University of Stuttgart, Germany, according to Weizmann Wonder Wander. In its initial stages the work’s goal is a “more precise MRI equivalent that can work on small samples -- right down to the individual molecule.”

“The method, now in its initial stages, might one day be applicable to imaging various kinds of molecules, which could revolutionize the development of pharmaceuticals and the characterization of quantum materials,” the website said.

The team focused on addressing the limitations of current magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques, which require large sample sizes to function effectively, leading to averaged outputs that may lose crucial details at a smaller scale.

“This new method could be harnessed to provide a complementary point of view to existing methods, in an effort to better understand the holy molecular trinity of structure, function and dynamics,” Finkler told Weizmann Wonder Wander.

The researchers’ method was conducted around a rotating magnetic field positioned near a nitrogen-vacancy center -- "an atom-sized defect in a special synthetic diamond” that acts as a quantum sensor. Due to its atomic size, this sensor is sensitive to nearby changes, making it capable of distinguishing the presence of a single electron or more, “making it especially suited to measuring the location of an individual electron with incredible accuracy.”

Rainer Stöhr, a collaborator from the University of Stuttgart, highlighted the significance of their work, saying, “The potential of this method is enormous. By precisely imaging individual electrons, we can gain new insights into the structure, function and dynamics of molecules -- a holy trinity of understanding in molecular research.”

One of the most promising applications of this breakthrough technique lies in pharmaceutical development. Traditional imaging methods often lack the precision necessary for investigating molecules at the atomic level, hindering early-stage drug development. However, with this new method, researchers envision a future where pharmaceutical scientists can study molecules in detail, potentially leading to the discovery of novel therapeutics.

“We are excited about the prospect of using this technique to unlock new possibilities in molecular research,” Yudilevich said, according to Weizmann Wonder Wander. “The ability to explore the nanoscale intricacies of molecules could open doors to scientific breakthroughs we never thought possible.”

The team's efforts have laid the foundation for precise nanoimaging, which could revolutionize multiple fields of study, including quantum materials characterization. By providing complementary information to existing imaging methods, this revolutionary technique offers a comprehensive view of molecular behavior, enabling researchers to uncover hidden mechanisms and phenomena that were previously elusive.

The Weizmann Institute of Science continues to spearhead research at the forefront of scientific discovery, and Finkler and his team's latest achievement marks a pivotal moment in the quest for precision imaging. Collaborations with researchers from the University of Stuttgart, Germany, have yielded promising results, propelling the scientific community toward a future where molecules are ready for their close-up. This groundbreaking development paves the way for a new era of molecular exploration and could hold the key to addressing previously insurmountable challenges in various scientific fields.