Apr 27 2004
A scanning electron microscope (SEM), that will allow researchers at University of New Mexico, UNM and at other state universities to study nanomaterials at unprecedented resolution, will be dedicated Monday, April 26 at the University of New Mexico School of Engineering.
According to Abhaya Datye, director of the Center for Micro-Engineered Materials and UNM professor of chemical and nuclear engineering, the Hitachi S-5200 is the highest resolution scanning electron microscope available today. Datye says that UNM is the first U.S. university to have the $800,000 microscope, which is able to view materials at a dimension of 0.5 nanometers. A nanometer is a millionth of a millimeter. The UNM laboratory where the microscope is housed is part of a nanotechnology initiative to enhance the infrastructure in New Mexico.
The new instrument allows scientists and researchers to look at the surface of complex materials to understand their structure. It also enables users to design novel materials on a nanoscale and to tailor their properties for superior performance.
As each SEM image or spectrum is acquired, an off-site user can download data in real time to their personal computer at the full resolution, allowing researchers at other universities access to the facility as if it were located at their own campus. The SEM laboratory also allows UNM researchers to collaborate with others worldwide by using a web-based interface.
Purchase of the microscope was made possible through a National Science Foundation Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR) project grant. Additional funding came from the National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network, a prestigious collaboration of top academic technology programs to which UNM was admitted last November. The State of New Mexico and UNM provided matching funds.
Total funding of $1.4 million has been allocated over three years to UNM and five other New Mexico universities. The goal of EPSCoR is to increase the competitiveness of New Mexico researchers within targeted science and technology fields through sustainable infrastructure improvements. UNM is the lead organization managing the statewide program, which includes New Mexico State University, New Mexico Tech, New Mexico Highlands University, Eastern New Mexico University and San Juan College.
A dedication of the scanning electron microscope will be Monday, April 26, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., in the SEM laboratory located in the basement of the Farris Engineering Building. Images of nanoscale materials will be projected, allowing viewers to see nanoscale images.
For more information on nanomaterials, click here or visit AZoNano, the A to Z of Nanotechnology.