Graphene assists in imaging of small organic molecules

A University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign research team, led by Pinshane Huang, used graphene to accelerate imaging techniques to visualize structures of small molecules clearly — a process once perceived as impossible. Their discovery could have vast potential in improving many fields – from plastics to pharmaceuticals.

The team’s efforts show the molecule’s atomic structure, allowing researchers to understand how it reacts, learn its chemical processes and see how to synthesize its chemical compounds.