New facility to analyse a nano-world

Research

A new South Australian research facility launched at the University of Adelaide will help researchers around Australia view, analyse and modify structures as small as one-millionth of the diameter of a human hair.

Science and Information Economy Minister the Hon. Paul Caica recently launched the South Australian Regional Facility for Microscopy and Microanalysis (SARF) as part of a national network of microscopy and microanalysis research infrastructure and expertise.

SARF's first new flagship instrument, an Ultra High Resolution Dual Beam Instrument, has been installed in the University's Adelaide Microscopy. The $3.5 million super high-powered electron microscope is the only one of its kind installed in the Southern Hemisphere and gives researchers the ability to look at the tiniest parts making up the structure of materials - at smaller than nanometre level. It can, for example, allow researchers to "see" a human brain cell in three dimensions.

"The Dual Beam Instrument is relevant to research in a range of disciplines, including engineering, photonics, geology, health and physics," Adelaide Microscopy Director John Terlet said.

"It will be invaluable for advanced industrial applications such as solar cell manufacture and prototyping micro-electro-mechanical systems devices."

SARF Director Professor Hans Griesser said: "This new research facility, and the national network, will help Australian researchers compete internationally. The national network is truly world-class in the instrumentation and expertise it offers researchers.

"Microscopy and microanalysis are enabling technologies, and this facility will help Australian researchers do cutting-edge research in a broad range of disciplines with application across industries like defence, health, biotechnology, mining, manufacturing and pharmaceuticals."

SARF will be the South Australian node of the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Facility, created under the Federal Government's National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy.

SARF is a collaboration between South Australia's three universities, the Ian Wark Research Institute at the University of South Australia, Flinders University's School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences, and the University of Adelaide's Adelaide Microscopy. SARF is funded by the Federal and State Governments and the universities.

Story by Robyn Mills