Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre
Companies across Devon can find out how cutting-edge technology can benefit their business during a free event at the University of Plymouth.Taking place on Thursday 15 November, during Plymouth Enterprise Week, the event will showcase how firms across a range of sectors can make use of Electron Microscopy to develop new products, improve quality, accelerate research and development, and problem solve.
Designed to be informative and useful in terms of practical case studies and future funding opportunities, it is being coordinated by the University’s Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC)and supported by Innovate UK, UKRI, ZEISS, and the University’s own Research and Innovation team.
The event will be hosted by Dr Natasha Stephen, Director of PEMC, and Claire Pearce, Manager of the centre’s Plymouth Materials Characterisation Project (PMCP).
It will include tours of the centre along with demonstrations of its state of the art-focused ion beam-scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) which brings 3D imaging and analysis at the nano-scale to the region.
The event will feature talks by James Bradbury, of SW Metal Finishing Ltd, and Steve Cooper, from Ramer Ltd, two companies who have already used the FIB-SEM to develop new processes and explore new markets for their products.
 “Since the project launched this year, we have already supported nine businesses across Devon. We know how much our technology has helped them in their efforts to develop new products and innovations. Through this event, and the wider series, we will show other companies how they can benefit and bring new ways of thinking into the way they work.”
Launched in February 2018, PMCP is funded by a £1.7m grant from the European Regional Development Fund and its aim is to enable more than 40 Devon businesses to collaborate with PEMC for free by mid-2020.
The event on 15 November is the first instalment of PEMC’s Industrial Solutions 2018–20 series which will focus specifically on sectors identified within the UK government’s Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund and priority areas for the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.
Over the coming 18 months, there will be events focusing on engineering and aerospace, photonics and microelectronics, healthy ageing and biomedical, marine technology, new energy and renewables, and geoscience.
They are open to any companies working in those sectors, business groups and business support organisations, and for more information about how to register, visit our page on the PEMC Industrial Solutions Event Series.

Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre

The Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre offers expert and specialist support to students, researchers, academics and industry. We have a comprehensive range of light microscopes, electron microscopes, imaging processing and analysis software providing support to a range of disciplines within the University, external research organisations and industry clients.

Find out more about the centre

SEI 5kV WD9mm SS30 x1,000 10µm

Plymouth Materials Characterisation Project (PMCP)

Your products analysed at the nano-scale

We're offering 40 SMEs in Devon the chance to work with technical specialists and state-of-the-art technology, to provide insight into product samples and offer real solutions to real business problems - free of charge.

The project will use the brand new focused ion-beam, scanning electron microscope (FIB-SEM) to analyse your samples and initiate new product development, leaving a lasting impact on your business.

Interested? Take a look at the project, eligibility criteria, and next steps here.

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