CEMAS is one of the largest concentrations of electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instruments in any North American institution. This includes two aberration corrected scanning transmission electron microscopes (S/TEM). One instrument is optimized for high spatial resolution imaging and analysis with the capability to provide sub-angstrom resolution, while the second instrument is designed for investigation of soft materials and biomaterials with the ultimate in chemical analysis capabilities as well as high resolution imaging performance.

CEMAS is housed in a custom-designed environment located on West Campus. This facility provides a world-class environment for five transmission electron microscopes (TEM), three scanning electron microscopes (SEM) and two dual-beam focused ion beam (FIB) instruments. Sample preparation laboratories for life sciences, physical sciences and engineering are provided with full technical support. The provision of comprehensive computer facilities for data processing and image simulation allows academic and industrial users to carry out their entire microscopy and analysis program at CEMAS. A support team of technical, research, administrative and academic staff based at CEMAS provides comprehensive support to all users through a variety of mechanisms from contract research to collaborative projects.

The imaging and analytical facilities are complimented by extensive sample preparation facilities. As well as FIB prep for TEM, there are tools for cutting, grinding, trepanning and ion milling samples. For SEM preparation there are carbon and gold sputter coaters, which can also be used for replica techniques. The preparation equipment covers a wide range of techniques to handle the large variety of samples that are brought into the facility. It is planned to develop procedures for cryo-preparation of samples for soft material and biomaterial applications.

We have ambitious plans to expand the facility to include new instrumentation for which we are currently seeking funds, and to extend our capabilities further into soft and biological materials. We have designed the new environment with this in mind, and potentially have space to accommodate up to four aberration corrected instruments.