Applying shot boundary detection for automated crystal growth analysis during in situ transmission electron microscope experiments

Abstract

In situ scanning transmission electron microscopy is being developed for numerous applications in the study of nucleation and growth under electrochemical driving forces. For this type of experiment, one of the key parameters is to identify when nucleation initiates. Typically, the process of identifying the moment that crystals begin to form is a manual process requiring the user to perform an observation and respond accordingly (adjust focus, magnification, translate the stage, etc.). However, as the speed of the cameras being used to perform these observations increases, the ability of a user to “catch” the important initial stage of nucleation decreases (there is more information that is available in the first few milliseconds of the process). Here, we show that video shot boundary detection can automatically detect frames where a change in the image occurs. We show that this method can be applied to quickly and accurately identify points of change during crystal growth. This technique allows for automated segmentation of a digital stream for further analysis and the assignment of arbitrary time stamps for the initiation of processes that are independent of the user’s ability to observe and react.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40679-016-0034-x) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Advances in Electrochemical Liquid-Phase Transmission Electron Microscopy for Visualizing Rechargeable Battery Reactions

“…Liquid cells provide the observation that lead dendrites are formed through the fast protrusion of lead branches and tip splitting and that the concentration of lead ions in the electrolyte significantly influences the morphology of dendritic formation. Beside Pb, Li metal decomposition is of great interest because of its high theoretical capacity of 3860 mAh g –1 via the reaction Li + + e – → Li, which has been observed and quantified an a nanoscale using operando ELP-TEM (Figure b). , ELP-TEM intuitively confirms the presence of “dead Li” detached from the electrode, which results from the irreversible dissolution of lithium during the first discharge, the residual lithium at the electrode/electrolyte interface, the increased surface roughness and electroactive surface area of the electrode, and the preferential growth of lithium in subsequent cycles. − Sodium (Na) metal is an attractive anode material for rechargeable Na metal batteries, but its dendritic growth can cause safety issues . Actually, the electrodeposition of Na metal at the nanoscale is dependent on electrode roughness.…”

Gradual transition detection in shot boundary using gradual curve point

“…GT techniques are generally complex methods to build a general model to detect the type and location of these transitions due to various types of editing techniques and various lengths of GTs (Moeglein et al, 2017). Dissolve transition means the last few frames of the disappearing shot temporally overlap with the first few frames of the appearing shot.…”