How do structure and dynamics shape the behavior of biological and soft materials?

Hummingbird Scientific's in-situ sample holders enable real-time imaging of biological and soft materials in their native environments, revealing dynamic structural transformations and nanoscale interactions as they occur. Perform multi-modal correlative TEM, SEM, and  X-ray experiments with continuous liquid flow and optional mixing. Every Hummingbird holder is developed for performance, reproducibility, and ease of use. Scroll down to explore the types of experiments with biological and soft materials made possible by these holders.

Which type of experiment best matches your research?

The right experimental setup depends on the question you need to answer. Use the guide below to find published examples, experimental possibilities, and the holder solutions to support them.

Biomaterial induced corrosion

Visualize biomaterial-induced corrosion processes and nanoscale structural evolution in real time under liquid environments.

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Biomolecule-templated growth

Capture biomolecule-templated mineral growth and self-assembly while directly observing nanoscale structural evolution.

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Biomineralization processes

Visualize nucleation, growth, and phase evolution during biomineralization under liquid-phase conditions.

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Characterization of biosensors

Observe biomolecule interactions and interfacial dynamics on biosensor surfaces in liquid environments.

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Metal-organic frameworks (MoFs) dynamics

Investigate the structural dynamics and phase behavior of metal-organic frameworks during in situ heating.

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Cells and proteins in liquids

Investigate the structure, dynamics, and functional behavior of biological systems in liquid environments.

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Microgel formation and growth

Study the growth, organization, and structural dynamics of microgels and hybrid soft materials in liquid environments.

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Micelle formation and dynamics

Observe micelle formation, nanoparticle encapsulation, and self-assembly dynamics in liquid environments.

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Crystal orientation mapping

Investigate crystal orientation and structural organization of biominerals using correlative three-dimensional characterization.

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Browse publications

The publications below feature recent bio and soft materials research enabled by Hummingbird Scientific products. Visit our publication library to explore additional studies on biomaterials, proteins, cells, polymers, hydrogels, liquid-phase processes, and dynamic structural and chemical transformations in biological and soft matter systems. These publications can help researchers compare experimental approaches, workflows, and product configurations for their own bio and soft materials research.
Multicomponent 2D quasicrystals as robust photocatalysts for antibiotic degradation: Mechanistic insights via in situ TEM and atomistic simulations

Zahoor Manzoor, Shamik Chowdhury, Guilherme da Silva Lopes Fabris, Bruno Ipaves, Douglas S. Galvão, Chandra Sekhar Tiwary

Journal of Hazardous Materials

2026
In situ transmission electron microscopy observations of CaCO3 crystallization onto polysaccharide-coated nanoparticles

Brenna M. Knight, Biao Jin, Yuna Bae, James J. De Yoreo, Patricia M. Dove

CrystEngComm

2026
Nanoscopic Imaging of Biogenic Feedstock-Induced Corrosion in Model Petroleum Infrastructure

Zhiheng Lyu, Samyukta Shrivastav, Jiahui Li, Chang Qian, Lehan Yao, Nachi Shah, Maryam Eslami, Chang Liu, Sheila Ismail, John Shabaker, Eric Doskocil, Daniel V. Krogstad, Jessica A. Krogstad, Qian Chen

ACS Nano

2025
Formation, chemical evolution and solidification of the dense liquid phase of calcium (bi)carbonate

Biao Jin, Ying Chen, Harley Pyles, Marcel D. Baer, Benjamin A. Legg, Zheming Wang, Nancy M. Washton, Karl T. Mueller, David Baker, Gregory K. Schenter, Christopher J. Mundy, James J. De Yoreo

Nature Materials

2025

Research Spotlight

Biomineral growth and dissolution under liquid environments

Understanding how biominerals form through shape-preserving transformations—from transient amorphous precursors to crystalline phases—unlocks new routes to engineer complex architectures beyond traditional crystallographic limits. The Hummingbird Scientific liquid flow sample holder enables direct, real-time visualization of these processes across diverse liquid environments, revealing the nanoscale mechanisms that drive structure formation.

The video captures the dynamic growth and dissolution of amorphous CaCO₃ in the presence of sodium polyacrylate (PAA), revealing real-time cycles of formation, dissolution, and re-nucleation. These observations uncover distinct transformation pathways governed by additive interactions. Notably, crystalline CaCO₃ emerges during the dissolution of ACC, highlighting a coupled dissolution–recrystallization mechanism that directs phase evolution.

Hummingbird advantages

  • Stable imaging under continuous liquid flow enabling uninterrupted observation of dynamic processes.
  • Nanoscale visualization revealing transformation pathways and phase evolution in real time.

Reference: Zhaoming Liu, et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. (2021) DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1914813117

Video Copyright © 2020 National Academy of Sciences

Why Hummingbird Scientific for

Bio/Soft Materials

research? 

Hummingbird Scientific supports in situ bio/soft materials research with flexible microscopy platforms, customizable sample chips, direct scientist support, internal TEM lab expertise, and in-house engineering and manufacturing capabilities.

Broader options for in situ bio/soft materials experiments

Bio/soft materials research spans biomineralization, biomolecule interactions, protein self-assembly, hydrogels, polymers, biosensors, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), hydrated biological specimens, and other dynamic soft matter systems. Hummingbird supports these workflows with TEM, SEM, and X-ray microscopy platforms for continuous liquid flow, optional liquid mixing, heating, electrical biasing, and optical illumination. This gives researchers more ways to match the experimental platform to the biological system, sample environment, and characterization objectives.

More chip choices for experimental flexibility

Microfabricated chip design plays a critical role in bio/soft materials experiments by defining the liquid environment, sample thickness, fluid handling, and analytical performance. Through our dedicated microfabrication division, Hummingbird develops standard and custom chips for liquid flow, liquid mixing, heating, electrical biasing, spacer thicknesses, window geometries, microfluidic layouts, and specialized sample architectures. This enables researchers to tailor the experimental platform to their biological or soft material system while maintaining compatibility across TEM, SEM, and synchrotron X-ray microscopy.

More chip choices for experimental flexibility

Bio/soft materials researchers work directly with scientists and technical staff who understand the practical challenges of imaging hydrated, beam-sensitive, and dynamic specimens. Hummingbird's internal TEM Lab allows our team to evaluate microscope-facing performance during development, including sample handling, liquid flow, imaging stability, environmental control, and workflow usability under real experimental conditions.

Engineering, production, and custom capability

Hummingbird's in-house capabilities connect engineering, microfabrication, manufacturing, assembly, calibration, and testing within one development process. For bio/soft materials research, that means standard products can be supported by custom chips and holder configurations, and application-specific workflow changes when the experiment requires something more specific.

Biomaterial induced corrosion

Visualize biomaterial-induced corrosion processes and nanoscale structural evolution in real time under liquid environments.

Read More

Biomolecule-templated growth

Capture biomolecule-templated mineral growth and self-assembly while directly observing nanoscale structural evolution.

Read More

Biomineralization processes

Visualize nucleation, growth, and phase evolution during biomineralization under liquid-phase conditions.

Read More

Characterization of biosensors

Observe biomolecule interactions and interfacial dynamics on biosensor surfaces in liquid environments.

Read More

Metal-organic frameworks (MoFs) dynamics

Investigate the structural dynamics and phase behavior of metal-organic frameworks during in situ heating.

Read More

Cells and proteins in liquids

Investigate the structure, dynamics, and functional behavior of biological systems in liquid environments.

Read More

Microgel formation and growth

Study the growth, organization, and structural dynamics of microgels and hybrid soft materials in liquid environments.

Read More

Micelle formation and dynamics

Observe micelle formation, nanoparticle encapsulation, and self-assembly dynamics in liquid environments.

Read More

Crystal orientation mapping

Investigate crystal orientation and structural organization of biominerals using correlative three-dimensional characterization.

Read More

Frequently asked questions

Which Hummingbird Scientific sample holder is best for my bio/soft materials experiment?
Which analytical techniques can be used to characterize biological and soft materials with Hummingbird Scientific sample holders?
Which materials and sample formats are compatible with Hummingbird Scientific sample holders for bio/soft materials research?
Can Hummingbird Scientific sample holders be customized for my bio/soft materials experiment?

Ready to discuss your experiment?

Our applications scientists can help identify the right products, experimental workflows, and published examples for your research.