An international group of scientists, which also includes a researcher from India, has successfully created the world’s fastest wide-field microscope. This groundbreaking device is built on an advanced technology known as Compressed Ultrafast Planar Polarisation Anisotropy Imaging (CUP2AI). What makes it truly unique is that it is currently the only single-shot, two-dimensional imaging tool capable of mapping structures at the molecular scale. The innovative microscope can record real-time, wide-field measurements of molecular sizes in both liquids and gases, all without causing any physical disturbance to the samples, marking a major breakthrough in non-invasive scientific imaging.
Unlike traditional microscopes, which are restricted by their narrow fields of view and relatively slow image capture capabilities, CUP2AI can image extremely large areas covering several square centimeters. This is many times larger than what ordinary microscopes can observe at once. What makes it even more extraordinary is its incredible imaging speed, as it is capable of recording up to 125 billion frames per second, making it one of the fastest imaging systems ever developed.
This major scientific breakthrough was the result of a collaborative effort between research teams from NASA–Caltech in the United States and FAU Erlangen in Germany, marking a significant milestone in the world of advanced imaging technology. The innovation is expected to bring transformative changes across several crucial fields, including drug discovery, medical research, chemical analysis, and environmental science. A key contributor to this achievement is Dr. Yogeshwar Nath Mishra, who serves as an Assistant Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Jodhpur. His expertise and involvement played a pivotal role in the successful development of this revolutionary microscope.
The remarkable advancement has been made possible through the integration of three powerful components: an ultrafast laser capable of capturing events at extremely high speeds, a highly sensitive streak camera used to record rapid light changes, and sophisticated computational algorithms that process and enhance the captured data. Together, these technologies allow scientists to observe molecular activity with unprecedented precision and clarity.
The newly developed system, known as CUP2AI, functions by detecting tiny variations in light that occur due to the minute movements of molecules. By analyzing these subtle light changes, the system is able to capture single, two-dimensional images with extraordinarily high resolution. These images are far sharper and more detailed than those produced by conventional optical microscopes, enabling researchers to observe processes that were previously impossible to visualize clearly.
One of the most groundbreaking features of CUP2AI is that, unlike traditional electron microscopes, it does not require a vacuum environment to function. Instead, it operates efficiently in normal atmospheric conditions. This allows scientists to examine samples in their natural liquid or gaseous states, preserving their original form and behavior. As a result, there is no need for complex and time-consuming sample preparation methods such as vacuum sealing or chemical staining. This makes the technology not only more practical and accessible but also far more accurate in observing real-world molecular behavior.
