A suite of three world-class electron microscopes, including one of the highest
resolution microscopes in the world, now calls Monash University home, helping scientists push the frontiers in materials science to solve complex worldwide challenges including more efficient renewables.
The cutting-edge instruments, worth more than a combined $20 million, were unveiled
today by Dr Carina Garland MP, Member for Chisholm, at the Monash Centre for
Electron Microscopy (MCEM) at the university’s Clayton campus.
Related article: Future Made in Australia Act to drive competitive renewables
The microscopes were custom-built by Thermo Fisher Scientific, and two are globally
unique and enable unparalleled capabilities.
The technology underpins the development of vital materials needed for high-speed
computer chips, better batteries, more efficient solar panels, biodegradable plastics, communication devices, lighter, stronger metals for energy-efficient aircraft alloys, and green technologies, such as cleaner mineral extraction.
“Almost everything we use in our daily lives—from toothpaste and cars, to mobile
phones—is made from materials engineered with the help of electron microscopes,”
said Science Director of MCEM and Australian Laureate Professor in the School of
Physics and Astronomy, Professor Joanne Etheridge.
“This new suite of electron microscopes is even more powerful, revealing features that could not be seen before. This is vital for accelerating the development of new and better materials to advance technologies that underpin every aspect of life and society, from energy to health, transport, computing and communications.”
The new instruments have already revealed how next generation, high-efficiency solar
cell materials degrade at the atomic scale in order to develop solutions that last much longer, and the origin of the ultra-high-strength properties of a new titanium alloy designed for additive manufacturing.
Related article: CSIRO achieves record efficiency for printed solar cells
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research Infrastructure), Professor Jacek Jasieniak, said MCEM
was a leading research facility, renowned worldwide.
“These are revolutionary instruments and a powerful new addition to our world-class
Monash research platforms. We look forward to the new scientific discoveries they will enable,” Professor Jasieniak said.
