Catalysis involves the acceleration of chemical reactions by catalysts, which are substances that lower the activation energy needed for reactions to proceed. Understanding the atomic structure of catalysts is crucial for designing more efficient and selective catalysts. Cryo-EM enables researchers to observe the morphology, composition, and interaction of catalysts at the molecular level, providing insights that are not possible with traditional methods like X-ray crystallography or nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy.
