A Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) is a powerful tool used to visualize surfaces at the atomic level. It operates by scanning a sharp metal tip very close to a conductive surface. When the tip is near enough, electrons "tunnel" between the tip and the surface, allowing the microscope to create detailed images of the surface's atomic structure. STMs can also manipulate individual atoms, making them valuable in fields like nanotechnology and materials science. They provide insights into the properties of materials and help researchers develop new technologies, such as semiconductors and quantum computing devices.