Name: X-ray Liquid Flow
Brand: Hummingbird Scientific

Observe dynamic liquid-phase processes using in-situ X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy under static or continuous liquid flow, with integrated MEMS heating, electrical biasing, and optional dual-inlet solution mixing

Enclosed Microfluidic Flow Cell for In-Situ Synchrotron X-ray Microscopy

The X-ray Liquid Flow Sample Holder enables in-situ X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy of dynamic processes in controlled liquid environments. An enclosed microfluidic flow cell with X-ray transparent silicon nitride (SiN) windows isolates the liquid-phase sample from the microscope environment while supporting static or continuous flow. A precision-engineered, screw-free loading and compression-sealing mechanism ensures reproducible liquid-cell assembly and self-alignment of the imaging windows. The holder supports microfabricated chips for MEMS heating, electrical biasing, and liquid electrochemistry, with an optional dual-inlet flow configuration for in-situ reagent mixing.

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Built for Advanced Liquid-Phase X-ray Microscopy

Designed for researchers in materials science, chemistry, energy storage, catalysis, environmental science, and life sciences, the platform enables in-situ investigation of particle self-assembly, biomineralization, crystallization, corrosion, nanoparticle–MOF interactions, temperature-dependent reactions, electrochemistry, battery materials, and solid–liquid or liquid–liquid interfacial processes using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), (scanning) transmission X-ray microscopy ((S)TXM), and other techniques.

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Reveal the Mechanisms Behind Material Behavior

Continuous liquid flow, rapid solution exchange, and optional dual-inlet mixing enable in-situ investigation of reactions from their earliest stages. The holder is optimized for versatilty in a wide array of high-resolution X-ray synchrotron beamline endstation configurations wherein multiple unique detectors including scattered and transmission are oriented around the sample stage inside of a high-vacuum chamber. Combined with MEMS heating, electrical biasing, and liquid electrochemistry chips, the holder allows correlation of structural, chemical, and functional evolution using X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy to reveal the mechanisms governing material transformation, interfacial reactions, and device behavior under realistic liquid conditions.

Hummingbird Advantages:

Features screw-free liquid-cell assembly with self-aligning windows for fast, reproducible sample loading.
Removable sample tip tip and fully user-replaceable tubing for easy cleaning and functional upgrades.
Maintain stable, reproducible liquid-phase experiments during extended X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy experiments.
Correlate structural, chemical, and functional evolution with temperature, electrical biasing, or electrochemical measurements using compatible MEMS chips.
Use the same liquid-flow tip across Hummingbird Scientific X-ray microscopy, TEM, and SEM platforms for consistent workflows and straightforward correlative studies.
Support diverse applications including particle self-assembly, biomineralization, corrosion, catalysis, electrochemistry, battery materials, and nanoparticle–MOF research.

Technical Specs

1400 series X-ray

Number of Inlets

1 or 2 depending on model, single outlet

Biasing Contacts

4 on-chip

Tubing Type

User-replaceable microfluidic tubing

Delivery System

Variable speed pressure or flow-controlled liquid delivery system

Tip Type

Removable tip

Flow Type

Continuous flow or static liquid

Beamline Compatibility

Custom integration possible for all endstation chambers, optimized for high-resolution XAS, STXM, and ptychography beamlines where high vacuum chambers are required

How it Works

The X-ray Liquid Flow Sample Holder uses an enclosed microfluidic liquid cell to maintain a controlled liquid environment inside the X-ray microscope or beamline. The liquid cell is formed by two silicon microchips with X-ray transparent silicon nitride (SiN) windows that encapsulate a thin liquid layer while allowing X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy of dynamic processes in liquid environments.

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A precision-engineered, screw-free chip loading and compression-sealing mechanism ensures reproducible liquid cell assembly and self-alignment of the imaging windows for consistent experimental performance. The holder is compatible with specialized microfabricated chips for MEMS heating, electrical biasing, and liquid electrochemistry, enabling multiple in-situ techniques on the same liquid-flow platform.

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Liquid is delivered to the holder tip through replaceable flexible microfluidic tubing. The standard configuration supports both static and continuous liquid flow, while an optional dual-inlet configuration enables two independent solutions to mix immediately before the imaging region. Continuous flow refreshes the liquid environment throughout the experiment, enabling reagent exchange, removal of reaction by-products, and real-time observation of dynamic liquid-phase processes.

Key Features and Capabilities

Built for Diverse Research Applications

Battery Materials

Directly visualize battery cycling, ion transport, dendrite formation, interface evolution, and structural changes.

Charge-Discharge Cycling

Bio/Soft Materials

Visualize biological and soft matter systems dynamics, including growth, interactions, and degradation.

Biomineralization

Self-Assembly Processes

Metal-Organic Framework Dynamics

Soft Matter Dynamics

Biomolecular Interactions

Catalysis

Directly observe the mechanisms that drive catalyst activity, selectivity, and degradation.

Heterogeneous Catalysis

Structure-Performance Relationship

Catalyst Structural Transformations

Catalyst Chemical Transformations

Catalyst Redox

Electrochemistry

Study electrodeposition, electrocatalysis, corrosion mechanisms, and electrochemical interface evolution.

Cyclic Voltammetry (CV)

Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV)

Chronoamperometry (CA)

Chronopotentiometry (CP)

Electrochemical Impedance (EIS)

Featured Research

Chemical mapping of LiFePO₄ cathode nanoparticles during in-situ heating by soft X-ray spectromicroscopy

Conventional (a) and (b) and ptychographic (c) and (d) spectromicroscopy of Li_xFePO₄ microplatelets. Point spectra from conventional scanning (dashed lines) and ptychographic modes(dotted lines with circles) are shown in (e). f-g) Heating experiment showing the redistribution of chemical components when the sample is heated from f) room temperature to g) 300°C.

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Chemical mapping of LiFePO₄ cathode nanoparticles during in-situ heating by soft X-ray spectromicroscopy

The Hummingbird Scientific X-ray Liquid Flow sample holder enabled in-situ soft X-ray spectromicroscopy of Li_XFePO₄ battery cathode nanoplatelets under liquid-environment conditions during heating from room temperature to 300 °C. Combining high-resolution X-ray ptychography with scanning X-ray microscopy, researchers generated chemical maps that distinguished LiFePO₄ and FePO₄ phases within individual particles before and after thermal treatment. The holder’s liquid-cell architecture and integrated heating capability allowed direct correlation of nanoscale morphology with chemical composition, revealing spatially heterogeneous phase transformations that would be difficult to detect using bulk measurements. The work highlights the power of operando X-ray imaging for tracking temperature-driven chemical evolution in complex nanomaterials.

Reference: David A. Shapiro, et al. Science Advances (2020). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abc4904

Abstract

High Impact Publications

Explore research publications featuring the Hummingbird Scientific X-ray Liquid Flow Sample Holder and discover how researchers are applying in-situ X-ray microscopy and spectroscopy to investigate dynamic processes in controlled liquid environments.

Strain-associated nanoscale fluctuating lithium transport within single-crystalline LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2 cathode particles

Danwon Lee, Chihyun Nam, Juwon Kim, Sooseong Hwang, Bonho Koo, Hyejeong Hyun, Jinkyu Chung, Sungjae Seo, Munsoo Song, Jaejung Song, Myeongjun Kim, Daan Hein Alsem, Norman J. Salmon, Suyong Lee, Yeonchoo Cho, Namdong Kim, David A. Shapiro, Jongwoo Lim

Nature Communications

2025

Abstract

In-Situ Liquid-Electrochemical X-Ray and Electron Microscopy for Multi-Modal Energy Materials Characterization

Calvin Parkin, Tyler Mefford, Jongwoo Lim, Aram Yoon, Rui Serra-Maia, Pawan Kumar, See Wee Chee, William C. Chueh, Daan Hein Alsem, Norman Salmon, Eric A. Stach

ECS Meeting Abstracts

2024

Abstract

An ultrahigh-resolution soft x-ray microscope for quantitative analysis of chemically heterogeneous nanomaterials

David A. Shapiro, Sergey Babin, Richard S. Celestre, Weilun Chao, Raymond P. Conley, Peter Denes, Bjoern Enders, Pablo Enfedaque, Susan James, John M. Joseph, Harinarayan Krishnan, Stefano Marchesini, Krishna Muriki, Kasra Nowrouzi, Sharon R. Oh, Howard Padmore, Tony Warwick, Lee Yang, Valeriy V. Yashchuk, Young-Sang Yu, Jiangtao Zhao

Science Advances

2020

Abstract

Environmentally Friendly Zr-Based Conversion Nanocoatings for Corrosion Inhibition of Metal Surfaces Evaluated by Multimodal X-ray Analysis

Xiaoyang Liu, Donald Vonk, Hua Jiang, Kim Kisslinger, Xiao Tong, Mingyuan Ge, Evgeny Nazaretski, Bruce Ravel, Kate Foster, Stanislas Petrash, Yu-chen Karen Chen-Wiegart

ACS Applied Nano Materials

2019

Abstract

Software

Spend less time managing equipment and more time generating results. Hummingbird Connect integrates with microscope and laboratory software platforms to simplify experiment setup, streamline workflows, and keep your data organized from acquisition through analysis.

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To help you get the most from your liquid-cell holder, Hummingbird Control Software provides intuitive and precise control of closed loop liquid heating. Together, these software solutions enable faster setup, improved reproducibility, and more efficient liquid-phase and electrochemical X-ray experiments.

Liquid Heating Control

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Hummingbird Connect™Hummingbird Control™ Software

Built on Engineering Excellence

Hummingbird Scientific designs, machines, assembles, tests, and services its products in-house. Our integrated engineering, machining, microfabrication, software development, and applications teams enable rapid prototyping and iteration, custom modifications, and direct technical support throughout the life of the instrument. This vertically integrated approach allows researchers to adapt experimental platforms to unique scientific requirements while maintaining the performance and reliability required for advanced in-situ microscopy experiments.

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The X-ray Liquid Flow Sample Holder is a direct result of these capabilities, delivering a fully integrated platform that combines the sample holder, fluidics, control hardware, and experimental workflow. Designed to overcome the challenges of performing liquid-cell X-ray experiments in high-vacuum beamline environments, it enables realistic liquid-phase studies with greater confidence. The result is faster setup, lower experimental risk, and more productive use of valuable synchrotron beamtime.

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Need something unique? Our engineers can customize existing products or develop entirely new solutions to support specialized experiments and emerging research challenges.

Engineering Process Custom Solutions