In comparison, the ESI-technique adopts a different approach. Passing the energy filter of the Zeiss 912 Omega TEM, all electrons are spatially separated according to their energy. Electrons of a specific energy loss can thus be selected for imaging and information on the distribution of the corresponding element can be obtained. Hence, chemical analyses can be carried out at a high spatial resolution in the order of a few nanometers. Meanwhile, electron microscopy has helped to describe many material characteristics.
Grain boundaries have also for a along time been known to affect the properties of materials.
In nanostructured materials the effect of grain boundaries thus becomes a significant factor and as such plays an important role in improving or imparting novel properties, such as corrosion resistance, improved mechanical properties, excellent soft-magnetic properties, etc. Unfortunately, the material is thermodynamically unstable and may lose its special properties in the transformation into a normal polycrystal with coarser grain size and fewer interfaces. Hence, microstructural stability is of immense interest in widespread technological applications. In addition, better knowledge of tailoring material properties can be achieved.