The UK’s first FEI TITAN microscope unveiled at Imperial College London

New facility launched for world-leading nanotechnology research -<em> News Release</em>

Imperial College London news release

For immediate release
19 October 2006

The UK's first FEI Titan 300-80 S/TEM microscope was unveiled at Imperial College London yesterday. The ultra-high performance nano-analytical transmission electron microscope allows scientists to look at materials on the atomic scale and enables spectroscopy to be carried out with unprecedented energy resolution allowing atoms to be identified and their local environment investigated.

The GBP 2.4 million EPSRC-funded FEI monochromated Titan 80-300 will provide a world-class nano- characterisation facility for the London Centre for Nanotechnology (LCN), an interdisciplinary collaboration between Imperial College London and UCL (University College London). It will be used to support ground-breaking LCN research in a variety of areas including: the study of the nanoscale changes in human bones which lead to osteoporosis; the investigation of the link between iron nanoparticles in the brain and degenerative diseases like Parkinson's; and the development of nanostructured semiconductor materials for low-cost, high-performance optical communications system components.

The microscope's unique capabilities mean that researchers at Imperial, UCL and other UK research institutions will be able to "see" the detail of atoms' local environment close to interfaces, structures, boundaries and defects in a wide range of materials. This will lead to a greater understanding of the chemical, biological, structural, electronic or magnetic properties in a number of materials and structures.

Imperial's Dr David McComb  from the Department of Materials explains: "Finally we have a true nano-analytical facility in a single instrument – we can see the atom, we can identify the atom and we can determine how it is coordinated to the atoms around it – this will enable us to make major advances in establishing the relationship between structure and properties in systems such as biomedical materials, materials for renewable energy and electronic materials. This reinforces the position of the LCN and Imperial College London as a world-leading centre for nanomaterials research."

Dr Rob Fastenau, Vice President of FEI added: "This is a big investment in the science of the small. The power of the Titan is its ability to combine world-leading imaging and spectral analysis at the atomic level. But its true value depends upon how it is applied to investigate and solve real scientific challenges. Imperial's rich history of research excellence means it has a huge opportunity to drive new research forward with the acquisition of this highly advanced instrument."

Both Dr McComb and Dr Rob Fastenau were speakers at yesterday's launch event, along with Professor Alan Craven from the University of Glasgow, the University of California-Davis' Professor Nigel Browning, and Imperial's Professor Tim Jones, co-director of the London Centre for Nanotechnology.

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For more information please contact:
Danielle Reeves, Imperial College London press office
Tel: +44 (0)20 7594 2198
Mob: +44 (0)7803 886248
Email: Danielle.reeves@imperial.ac.uk

Notes to editors:

1. The London Centre for Nanotechnology is a joint enterprise between UCL (University College London) and Imperial College London. In bringing together world-class infrastructure and leading nanotechnology research activities, the Centre aims to attain the critical mass to compete with the best facilities abroad. Furthermore by acting as a bridge between the biomedical, physical, chemical and engineering sciences the Centre will cross the 'chip-to-cell interface' - an essential step if the UK is to remain internationally competitive in biotechnology.

2. Consistently rated in the top three UK university institutions, Imperial College London is a world leading science-based university whose reputation for excellence in teaching and research attracts students (11,500) and staff (6,000) of the highest international quality. Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and management and delivers practical solutions that enhance the quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture. Website: www.imperial.ac.uk

3. FEI is a global leader in providing innovative instruments for nanoscale imaging, analysis and prototyping. FEI focuses on delivering solutions that provide groundbreaking results and accelerate research, development and manufacturing cycles for its customers in Semiconductor and Datastorage, Academic and Industrial R&D, and Life Sciences markets. With R&D centers in North America, Europe, and India, and sales and service operations in more than 50 countries around the world, FEI's Tools for Nanotech are bringing the nanoscale within the grasp of leading researchers and manufacturers. More information can be found online at: www.fei.com .