Leica Microsystems’ super-resolution system Leica TCS SP8 STED 3X is among the winners of the R&D 100 Award in 2014.
This prize, which is frequently referred to as the “Oscar of Invention”, is awarded annually by R&D Magazine, a publication focusing on latest research and developments globally, spanning industry, academia, and government-sponsored research.
The award recognizes the latest generation of Leica Microsystems’ super-resolution microscopes as one of the 100 most significant high-technology products introduced in the past year.
After the Leica SR GSD, which was among the winners of R&D 100 Award in 2012, the Leica TSC SP8 STED 3X is the second super-resolution system of Leica Microsystems’ to be credited with the R&D Award.
“The R&D 100 Award is a compliment to our whole team. It shows that we have taken the right path in improving our STED microscope with 3D and multicolor capabilities as well as making it more convenient to use than ever,” states Dr. Bernd Saegmueller, Director Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy, Leica Microsystems.
The Leica TCS SP8 STED 3X super-resolution microscope was launched in December 2013. It is based on STimulated Emission Depletion (STED) technology. Pioneering the field of super-resolution imaging for ten years, Leica Microsystems has now succeded in increasing resolution to smaller than 30 nm. In addition, the system extends its super-resolution capability from the lateral to the axial direction and offers true three-dimensional super-resolution.
The super-resolved information is extracted directly and instantaneously, without subsequent computation. This allows researchers to observe experiments with live-cells in super-resolution. The obtained resolution can be tuned in the lateral and axial directions depending on the users’ requirements. Tunable excitation components in combination with three depletion lasers offer multicolor super-resolution in all dimensions.
The award will be presented at the 2014 R&D 100’s Banquet and Award Presentation at the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas November 7, 2014.