Researchers have developed a new super powerful electron microscope that can identify the position of single atoms, and will help advance materials, healthcare and power generation research. The £3.7 million Nion Hermes Scanning Transmission Electron Microscope will be sited at the EPSRC Super STEM facility at the Daresbury laboratory complex, part of the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). This new technology will enable unprecedented resolution and insights on materials. Researchers can now identify atoms and observe the strength of the bonds between them.
Minister for Universities, Science and Cities, Greg Clark, commented, "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. From developing new materials for space travel to creating a better, cheaper treatment for anemia, 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."
Professor Philip Nelson, EPSRC's Chief Executive reported, "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."
Image credit: Raphael Biscaldi