"Electron Beams: Revolutionary Healing and Atom-by-Atom Creation"

Researchers at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities have discovered that electron beams can heal microscopic fractures in crystals, contrary to previous assumptions that they would cause further damage. The beams were found to fill in nanofractures by causing atoms to move towards each other and form a bridge, effectively healing the fracture. This unexpected finding opens up the possibility of using electron beams to engineer novel nanostructures atom-by-atom, a breakthrough in materials science. The researchers now aim to refine and improve the technique for future applications.