We have for the first time observed colloidal Pt nanocrystal growth in an atomic resolution using transmission electron microscope. To protect evaporation of liquid in high-vacuum transmission electron microscope, we have developed a graphene liquid cell, bilayer graphene encapsulating liquid. (Science 336, 61-64 (2012))
This technique has been employed to demonstrate 3D imaging of individual Pt nanocrystal (Science 349, 290-295 (2015)) and nucleation and growth processes of water soluble minerals. (ACS Nano 10, 88−92 (2016))
We are planning to study more advanced structures such as bimetal alloys, core-shell structures or tri-pod structures.