Investment enables microscope facility to expand research and industry work

The Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre is now operating from a transformed base at Plymouth Science Park
Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre moves to new base at Plymouth Science Park
A University of Plymouth facility that offers research and business the opportunity to examine samples and structures in microscopic detail has moved to state-of-the-art new premises.
The Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) has been working from a base on the University’s city centre campus for around three decades. Following a £2.5million investment, it has now moved into larger and more modern premises at the heart of Plymouth Science Park (PSP).
Spread over three floors, the new facility has dedicated bays for each of its cutting-edge instruments in addition to multiple sample preparation laboratories, breakout spaces for discussions, workshops and presentations.
It means PEMC will be able to expand its functions and capabilities, supporting increased quantities of research activities in subjects including geology, marine sciences, engineering, plant biology, medicine, dentistry and much more.
It will also be able to build on its work with companies from the South West – in sectors ranging from food and fibreoptics to aerospace, pharmaceuticals, maritime and advanced manufacturing – and a number of the world’s most prominent technology enterprises.

This move provides us with a much larger facility in which we can use our technology to its maximum potential. That will significantly benefit academics from the University and elsewhere, and hopefully enhance the quality of their scientific research. From our new location in Plymouth Science Park, we are also a lot closer to companies who we already work with on a regular basis, and could potentially work with in the future. We can now offer them a much better service and make a more significant contribution to innovation and industry both across the South West and globally.

Alex StrachanDr Alex Strachan
Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre Facilities Manager

PEMC provides world-leading capability that allows us to image the smallest cells and material structures that cannot be seen by a conventional microscope, and critically analyse their composition. It gives our researchers, students, and partners the transformational potential to better understand today’s pressing environmental, biological, material, and medical challenges.

Christopher FogwillProfessor Christopher Fogwill
Executive Dean of Science and Engineering

The new PEMC facility was developed by the University in partnership with Mercury Construction SW Ltd and the team at Plymouth Science Park.
It was officially launched at an open event attended by existing and potential clients, in addition to civic and business leaders from Plymouth and beyond.

Plymouth Science Park companies are part of a community of enterprising businesses which are at the forefront of many fields. It’s an incredibly exciting and visionary place to be. We are more than just a landlord, we connect businesses to talent, potential collaborators, non-executives and investors to help grow our economy. We are delighted to welcome, and honoured to include, the Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre in this community.

Dave Hockton
Interim CEO, Plymouth Science Park 
Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre moves to new base at Plymouth Science Park
Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre moves to new base at Plymouth Science Park
Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre moves to new base at Plymouth Science Park
Electron microscopy is an analytical tool that utilises a beam of electrons to create high resolution images at high magnifications, enabling the detailed investigation of elemental composition and crystallographic structures.
Such magnification has in the past allowed scientists to identify the detailed physical properties of everything from microplastics to meteorites.
At an industry level, it has enabled companies to develop and deliver new products and technologies, but also to reveal engineering and other technical issues which they have then been able to correct.
The new PEMC has nine different instruments, supplied by world-leading technology companies including JEOL, Oxford Instruments and ZEISS, that can produce images of samples at up to 1.2milion times their actual size.
A dedicated technical team will also be on hand to provide expert guidance from sample preparation through to analysis and data processing.
 

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