NMMU HRTEM Centre launched by Minister of Higher Education and Training, Blade Nzimande

11th October 2011, was a very special day for Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University, Professor Jan Neethling, Professor Michael Lee and their team. This day marked the launch of Africa’s first double-corrected High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope as well as the first JEOL ARM200F double-corrected system outside of Japan. The day started with the opening of the HRTEM centre by Minister Blade Nzimande, NRF President – Dr. Albert van Jaarsveld, NMMU Chancellor – Ms. Sante Botha, NMMU Vice-Chancellor – Prof. Derrick Swartz and Prof. Jan Neethling.

As Professor Jan Neethling stated in his speech: “…this is a dream come true for all South Africans”.

The JEOL ARM200F double-corrected HRTEM complete with Gatan Quantum GIF and Oxford EDS gives NMMU the ability to image with a resolution of 78 Pico metres. This allows scientists to do fundamental research in the area of nanotechnology.

The NMMU HRTEM Centre was a purpose built facility to house this sophisticated HRTEM. Other microscopes that have already been installed successfully in this centre are the JEOL 7001F FEGSEM with Oxford EDS, WDS and EBSD as well as the JEOL 2100LaB6 with Quantum GIF and Oxford EDS. Scientists have already worked on the JEOL 2100LaB6 feeder TEM for the past year to familiarise themselves with these new accessories prior to the arrival of the JEOL ARM200F.

Advanced Laboratory Solutions would like to congratulate NMMU on this fantastic and ground breaking achievement. We wish Professor Neethling and his team all of the best their future endeavours and assure them that ALS is behind them 100% with technical and application support in making this HRTEM centre a success.