Seeing even what we would rather overlook

Imagine a microscope so powerful it can “see” molecules a billion times more precisely than traditional tools. That’s what Photo-induced Force Microscopy (PiFM) does, offering new insights into Earth and environmental sciences. But such sensitivity also means it easily picks up unwanted traces from gloves, skin, or lab materials. Our study identifies these hidden contaminants and shows how to avoid them, ensuring discoveries rest on solid ground.