Super-resolution Microscopes Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Technology (STED Microscopy, STORM), By Application (Life Science, Nanotechnology), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2022 - 2030

Report Overview

The global super-resolution microscopes market size was valued at USD 3.1 billion in 2021 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.01% from 2022 to 2030. Increasing applications in the life science industry, technological advancements, and the growing focus on nanotechnology are expected to drive the market during the forecast period. Super-resolution microscopes overcome the limitation of confocal as well as fluorescence microscopy as they provide increased X-Y resolution beyond 200 - 250 nm. Super-resolution microscopy is expected to give new insights into ongoing research in medical science and nanotechnology by offering resolutions up to 10-20 nm. These advanced microscopes are used by researchers in medical procedures and diagnoses. For instance, micro-endoscopy is used with the help of multiphoton or other advanced imaging techniques for the long-term application of these tools in novel medical treatment.

Super-resolution microscopes allow the visualization of the cellular sample with a resolution similar to that of an optical fluorescence microscope and diffraction-limited resolution. It is possible to uniquely visualize the desired molecular species in three dimensions, cellular environment, and the live cells.The use of super-resolution microscopy in biological sciences is growing. Currently, nanoimaging and non-diffraction-limited optical methods are altering our understanding of biological phenomena. Advanced super-resolution microscopes allow for molecular analysis. The most recent application of microscopes is a cellular examination at the nanoscale level. STED, the most recent super-resolution microscopy technology, is more compatible with living biological samples, making it valuable in life sciences. SIM has 3D imaging as well as live-cell imaging.

COVID-19 super-resolution microscopes market impact: 8.61% growth from 2020 to 2021

The super-resolution microscopes are procured by research labs, national and international institutes, research centers, government-funded labs, and academic labs. The usage of these microscopes is high among the national and international institutes where research on high-risk pathogen is conducted. These microscopes are also purchased by public institutions funded by the government. The demand for super-resolution microscopes is high due to their unique feature of providing ultra-low resolution and other scientific benefits that are not provided by other microscopes.

Technology Insights

The Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) microscopy segment accounted for the largest revenue share of over 20.0% in 2021 due to its ability to deliver diffraction-unlimited images, with no need for further computational processing. The application of fast-beam scanners has established STED microscopy as one of the quickest super-resolution imaging techniques available as it does not require data processing after the acquisition. STED-FCS (Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy) has applications in single-molecule studies on membranes, where it gives data for lipid membrane diffusion. Triplet Relaxation (T-REX) STED microscopy, used to reduce photobleaching, is used for imaging individual neurofilament substructures.

The STORM technology segment is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This can be attributed to the technological advancements, collaborations between various industry players, and research funded by government organizations.STROM microscopes can be used in conjunction with AX/AR confocal microscopes. Nikon Corporation announced the debut of the AX and AX R confocal microscopes in May 2021. These new microscopes have a newly rebuilt scan head with 8K*8K resolution, ultra-fast resonant scanning, and the biggest 25mm field of view in the world.

FPALM (Fluorescence Photoactivation Localization Microscopy) is used in conjunction with other technologies to improve resolution. PALMIRA (PALM + Independently Running Acquisition) multiplies the data acquisition rate by 100. The application of FPALM in Photoactivatable Green Fluorescent Protein (PA-GFP) has solved numerous biological difficulties that conventional microscopes with poor resolution could not resolve. FPALM's fluorophores labeling allows for motion quantification as well as fixed and live-cell imaging of membranes, cytoskeleton, and cytosolic proteins.

Application Insights

The life science segment held the largest revenue share of over 4o.0% in 2021. This can be attributed to the increasing applications of super-resolution microscopy in the field of research & development and diagnostics. For instance, in the field of neuroscience, the use of fluorescence imaging techniques and specialized probes has provided insights into the cellular structures of neurons. Such data is being used for investigations of neurodegenerative and autoimmune disorders. The growing applicability of super-resolution microscopes in diagnostics is anticipated to fuel the market growth.

The nanotechnology segment is expected to expand at the highest CAGR during the forecast period owing to the increasing application in the visualization of the interaction of nanomaterials with biological entities at high resolution. In addition, the governments of various countries are supporting nanotechnology research and key players are coming up with nanotechnology-based products, which, in turn, is driving the market. For instance, the U.S. government announced 1.7 billion in funding in 2021 for nanotechnology research.

The use of super-resolution microscopy in material science is new, but it is developing quickly. The development of nanomaterials is a hybrid of material science and nanotechnology. Furthermore, super-resolution microscopy is often used to study the spatial distribution of lipid bilayers and other materials. The Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) has a custom-built STORM/PALM for single-molecule detection and localization with super-resolution. The study team is looking for a viable approach to extend the biological application of live-cell imaging by merging a super-resolution microscope with single-molecule-based methods.

Regional Insights

North America held the largest revenue share of over 30.0% in 2021 and will retain its leading position throughout the forecast period. Advanced healthcare facilities, high investment in R&D for understanding the mechanism of various diseases, and extensive drug development activities in the region are projected to fuel the market growth.

Extensive medical research is carried out in the region for studying various disease mechanisms and various pathways that need to be resolved beyond the limit of conventional microscopy. For such cases, super-resolution microscopy plays an important role in the inspection. Leading players in the market like Danaher (parent company for Leica Microsystem) and Applied Precision (GE Healthcare) are headquartered in the U.S., with the manufacturing site present at different locations.

Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. This is attributed to the increasing adoption of such microscopy across industries, such as academic life science, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and nanotechnology. However, the market in Europe is greater as compared to the market in Asia Pacific, mainly due to the presence of a large number of high-end systems in the region.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Collaboration is one of the ongoing trends in this market. For instance, the collaborations of JEOL with Nikon and Carl Zeiss with Seiko in the past years have enhanced the super-resolution microscopes-related product competitiveness, with increased sales, and have also established new markets. Collaborations generally have taken place in the production phase and are expected to increase in the fields, such as development and engineering. Technological knowledge in mechatronics, software, analog electronics, and physics is fundamental to the viability of most companies. Some prominent players in the global super-resolution microscopes market include:

• ZEISS

• Applied Precision (GE Healthcare)

• Nikon Corporation

• Olympus Corporation

• Leica Microsystems (Danaher Corporation)

• Bruker Corporation

• Hitachi High Technologies

Super-resolution Microscopes Market Report Scope

Segments Covered in the Report

This report forecasts revenue growth at the global, regional, and country levels and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends and opportunities in each of the sub-segments from 2017 to 2030. For the purpose of this study, Grand View Research has segmented the global super-resolution microscopes market report on the basis of technology, application, and region:

• Technology Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Stimulated Emission Depletion (STED) Microscopy

  • Structured-Illumination Microscopy (SIM)

  • Stochastic Optical Reconstruction Microscopy (STORM)

  • Fluorescence Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (FPALM)

  • Photoactivated Localization Microscopy (PALM)

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • Nanotechnology

  • Life Science

  • Material Science

  • Semi-conductor

  • Other Applications

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2017 - 2030)

  • North America

    • U.S.

    • Canada

  • Europe

    • U.K.

    • Germany

    • France

    • Italy

    • Spain

  • Asia Pacific

    • Japan

    • China

  • Latin America

    • Brazil

    • Mexico

  • Middle East & Africa (MEA)

    • South Africa