Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit

Housed within the School of the Environment and Life Sciences, the Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit provides expertise and support in advanced materials characterisation to students and researchers from across the 91�պ�AV, as well as regional industry.

Our laboratories contain state-of-the-art instrumentation, with dedicated technical and academic support. The laboratory includes wide-ranging capabilities for micro- to nano-scale characterisation of materials by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and focused ion beam (FIB)-SEM. We specialise in microstructural analysis by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) and scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), as well as microchemical analysis by energy dispersive X-ray microscopy (SEM-EDS) and laser ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS).

<91�պ�AV>Explore our Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit

<91�պ�AV class="heading heading--main" > Access Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) sample holders

Discover our sample holders, available for SEM analysis.

<91�պ�AV class="heading heading--main" > Benefit from efficient correlative microscopy

Our chambers enter a high-performance motorized stage that allows for efficient correlative microscopy and a wide range of analyses.

<91�պ�AV class="heading heading--main" > Capture high-resolution images

One of our five SEMs offers high resolution imaging and microanalysis capabilities.

<91�պ�AV class="heading heading--main" > Analyse nanoscale chemical and structural properties

Our Zeiss EVO 10MA SEMs is optimised for micro- to nano-scale chemical and structural analyses.

<91�պ�AV class="heading heading--main" > Obtain high-performance measurements over large areas

Our two-volume sample cell allows for high-performance measurements over very large areas.

Equipment and amenities

Our Tescan Amber FIB-SEM was installed in 2024, bringing ultra-high resolution (UHR) imaging and precise Ga+ FIB milling capabilities to EMMU. The system offers outstanding SEM imaging capabilities at 1-30 keV, scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) imaging, and the FIB can be utilised for micro-sectioning, TEM/STEM liftouts, atom probe sample preparation and more. The system is also equipped with Oxford Symmetry S2 EBSD and Ultim Max EDS detectors for nanostructural and chemical characterization.

We have four scanning electron microscopes (SEM) equipped with a wide-range of detector types for analysis of a wide-range of materials under high- and low-vacuum conditions. These include systems with field-emission gun, LaB6 and tungsten electron sources, and detector systems for secondary electron (SE), backscattered electron (BSE), cathodoluminescence (CL), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) spectroscopy and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The instruments are supported by dedicated sample preparation and coating equipment.

We specialize in micro- to nano-scale structural analysis of natural and manufactured materials by EBSD, using an Oxford Instruments Symmetry S2 detector and Aztec software.

The Mass Spectrometry and Laser Ablation Laboratory hosts state-of-the-art equipment to measure trace elements and isotope ratios in a wide range of natural and industrial materials. These include a NERC funded UV-femtosecond LA-LIBS system and 193 nm nanosecond excimer laser ablation system, either of which can be coupled to an Agilent 8900 ICP-MS/MS and/or Nu Plasma MC-ICP-MS.

We have a range of light microscopes that can be used in support of Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit activities. These include stereo, transmitted polarizing light and reflected light microscopes.

<91�պ�AV>Research

Our facilities support many research groups and provide training and consultancy opportunities for academic and industrial collaborators in the areas of:

Biological Sciences
Earth and Environmental Sciences
Mechanical Engineering
Pharmacy, Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences
Geography
Planetary Science
Forensic Science

Contact us

For more information, please contact Prof. James Darling, Director of the Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit:

Email: james.darling@port.ac.uk

You can also discover how to access EMMU facilities and gain guidance on user training by exploring our facilities further below:

<91�պ�AV class="grid__heading grid__heading--main" > Related facilities

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