The Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group receives “Nanoscale Horizons” Outstanding Review Award for a paper on machine learning

by Virginia Greco

The award recognises the exceptionally high-quality of the review, which thoroughly discusses the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence to electron microscopy, authored by Marc Botifoll, Ivan Pinto-Huguet, and group leader ICREA Prof. Jordi Arbiol and published by the journal in 2022.

Doctoral students Marc Botifoll and Ivan Pinto-Huguet and group leader ICREA Prof. Jordi Arbiol, from the ICN2 Advanced Electron Nanoscopy Group, have been awarded an outstanding review prize 2022 from the “Nanoscale Horizon” journal. The awarded article – titled “Machine learning in electron microscopy for advanced nanocharacterization: current developments, available tools and future outlook”— evaluates the state-of-the-art of machine learning applied to electron microscopy (and to materials and nano- sciences), from traditional to the newest higher-dimensionality imaging techniques.

The review discusses how machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) have helped to revolutionize electron microscopy (EM) in recent years. It explains that ML and AI have provided resources for automation, exploration, and development, and that they can be used in a variety of fields, including high-energy physics, astronomy, Earth sciences, and finance. The review also evaluates the state-of-the-art of machine learning applied to EM and provides a practical guide for material scientists (and microscopists) on how to take advantage of these tools for their research. Finally, the challenges of using ML and AI in electron microscopy and correlated fields are analysed, as well as the great potential for future development.

The “Nanoscale Horizons Awards” are annual prizes awarded by the journal to recognise the exceptionally high quality of some of the published studies, as well as the authors behind them. Each year, the Editorial and Advisory Board members look back at the best articles published during the previous calendar year, based on a variety of metrics including article downloads, Altmetric score, and citations, and select the best ones for the innovative character of the science presented and its potential future impact. Nanoscale Horizons is a leading journal by the Royal Society of Chemistry for the publication of exceptionally high-quality, innovative nanoscience and nanotechnology.

Reference article:

Marc Botifoll, Ivan Pinto-Huguet, Jordi Arbiol, Machine learning in electron microscopy for advanced nanocharacterization: current developments, available tools and future outlook. Nanoscale Horizons, 2022,7, 1427-1477. DOI: 10.1039/D2NH00377E