PhysOrg.com. Using a method called magnetic resonance force microscopy (MRFM), IBM scientists have achieved a breakthrough in nanoscale magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) by directly detecting the faint magnetic signal from a single electron buried inside a solid sample.

This achievement is a major milestone toward creating a microscope that can make three-dimensional images of molecules with atomic resolution. Success in this quest should have major impact on the study of materials—ranging from proteins and pharmaceuticals to integrated circuits and industrial catalysts—for which a detailed understanding of the atomic structure is essential. Knowing the exact location of specific atoms within tiny nanoelectronic structures, for example, would enhance designers’ insight into their manufacture and performance.

IBM has been at the forefront of developing microscopes for nanoscale imaging and science. Read the IBM press release for a summary of technical detail. Animation to accompany the explanation here.

This should definitely help with enabling the nanotech development needed in energy and transportation. Incredible work with far-reaching ramifications.