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The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has unveiled a new £3.7 million super powerful Nion Hermes scanning transmission electron microscope, which has the capability to determine the location of single atoms.
It is hoped that this microscope will allow scientists to carry out further research in fields such as healthcare power generation and advanced materials.
The new £3.7 million super microscope was unveiled on 19th February 2015 at the EPSRC SuperSTEM facility at the Daresbury laboratory complex near Warrington, which is part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). This new Nion Hermes scanning transmission electron microscope is one of the three most powerful microscopes in the world.
The Nion Hermes microscope is capable of not just enabling objects to be imaged at extraordinary resolution of a million times smaller than a human hair but also enables the analysis of materials.
This microscope will facilitate the clear identification of atoms as well as help to observe the bond strength between them. This will allow a better insight into their bulk electronic properties and their performance characteristics on usage.
The UK is a world leader in the development and application of STEM (Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope) techniques, and this new super-powerful microscope will ensure we remain world-class.
Greg Clark - Minister for Universities, Science and Cities
Greg Clark went on to say: “From developing new materials for space travel to creating a better, cheaper treatment for anaemia, this new super-powerful microscope lets UK scientists examine how materials behave at a level a million times smaller than a human hair. This exciting research will help lead to breakthroughs that will benefit not only our health but the environment too.”
This EPSRC investment in state-of-the-art equipment is an investment in UK science and engineering. It will give scientists access to a tool that can delve into the heart of materials, discoveries made using this microscope will aid research and lead to innovations that benefit society and our economy.
The EPSRC SuperSTEM facility at Daresbury has already delivered us new knowledge and applications and this new equipment will continue that pedigree.
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC's Chief Executive