Electron Microscope Unit (EMU)

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Electron Microscope Unit
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Who we are

The Electron Microscope Unit provides world-class electron microscopy capabilities to support research, teaching, and problem-solving across academia and industry. Our state-of-the-art facilities and expertise enable advanced exploration in both physical and biological sciences.

Our unit houses a comprehensive suite of electron microscopes and specialized sample preparation facilities, supporting high-resolution structural imaging, chemical composition spectroscopy, and nanoscale mapping for materials analysis. In biological sciences, we offer analysis of specimens ranging from whole tissues to nanometric macromolecules, enabling research in structural biology and biomedical fields.

With a team of 17 academic and technical experts, we provide specialized services, training, and collaborative opportunities to advance your research and analytical needs.

We invite you to explore our facilities and connect with us for training, research collaborations, or technical support.

Funding partners:

Capabilities

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Transmission Electron Microscopy
TEM enables atomic-scale analysis of material structures, composition, and electronic properties. It provides high-resolution imaging and spectroscopy for studying material interfaces, defects, and nanostructures across a broad range material and life science specimens. Our TEM facilities support a range of techniques, including imaging, diffraction, elemental mapping, and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS), to provide comprehensive characterization of materials at the nanoscale.
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Scanning Electron Microscopy
SEM enables detailed analysis of surface topography and composition mapping at the nanoscale for a wide variety of materials. Our SEM facilities support advanced techniques, including high-resolution imaging, electron backscattering diffraction (EBSD), and secondary X-ray mapping. These capabilities allow for in-depth characterization of surface features, material composition, and crystallographic orientation properties in diverse applications.
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Focus Ion Beam -SEM (FIB-SEM)
FIB-SEM combines both focused beams of gallium or plasma ion sources and electron sources for precise micromachining, site-specific sample preparation, and imaging. It is a versatile platform that can be used for TEM lamella preparation, nanopatterning and 3D nanostructure analysis at both room and cryogenic temperatures suited for materials and life sciences.
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Cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM)
Cryo-EM enables high-resolution 3D imaging of biological macromolecules and cellular structures at cryogenic temperatures in their native state. This technique, supported by advanced image processing, provides detailed insights into molecular and cellular architectures.
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Atomic Force Microscopy
Atomic force microscopy (AFM) uses a microscale probes to produce 3D images of surfaces at sub-nanometer scales. It measures attractive and repulsive forces between the probe and sample.
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Sample preparation
We offer a range of instruments and expertise in material and life sciences sample preparation, from conventional methods to advanced cryogenic and in-situ techniques.

Instruments

Our people

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Fees

The new user registration fee is $300 per new user. The new user fee entitles the user to training in microscope use, specimen preparation and scientific/technical support from EMU staff. This will be applied at the first billing cycle after registration. All instrument use will be charged hourly with no additional charges for training and support.

Charges for the various techniques and for consumables are listed below. If you have any questions, please contact us.

How to access

EMU offers training, service, and collaboration for students, researchers, and industry professionals. To begin using our facilities, please complete the enquiry form, opens in a new window for general inquiries, training requests, or collaboration opportunities. If you experience any issues with the form or need further assistance, don’t hesitate to contact us at EMUAdmin@unsw.edu.au. We look forward to helping you access our advanced electron microscopy capabilities. 

Industry solutions

We are able to tailor solutions to your specific need and can provide fee for service or hands on training for independent access to our microscopes and sample preparation equipment.

Our microscopes provide imaging and compositional analysis from the millimeter down to atomic scale, with applications in many fields including advanced manufacturing, medical devices, defense, chemistry, engineering and geology.

Contact Dr Simon Hager, opens in a new window to discuss how we can help you and to obtain a quote.

Contact us

Electron Microscope Unit

Basement
June Griffith Building (F10)
UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052

Email: EMUAdmin@unsw.edu.au

Get in touch about your project

We offer a range of services that can be tailored to your needs. Please send us an enquiry to get started.