Impermeable Graphenic Wrapping of Bacteria

^{Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) of hygroscopic, permeable, and electron-absorbing biological cells has been an important challenge due to the volumetric-shrinkage, electrostatic charging, and structural degradation of cells under high vacuum and fixed electron beam. In this talk we would demonstrate that the bacterial cells can be encased within a graphenic chamber to preserve their dimensional and topological characteristics under high vacuum (10-5 Torr) and beam current (150 A/cm2). The strongly-repelling p-clouds in the interstitial sites of graphene’s lattice reduces the graphene-encased-cell’s permeability from 7.6 - 20 nm/s to 0 nm/s. The C-C bond flexibility enables conformal, hermetic encasement of cells. Additionally, graphene’s high Young’s modulus retains cell’s structural integrity under TEM conditions, while its high electrical and thermal conductivity significantly abates electrostatic-charging. This graphenic encasement approach will facilitate real-time TEM imaging of fluidic samples and potentially biochemical activity.}