New centre at York gives glimpse of sub-atomic world
 The University of York has taken a significant step into new fields of sub-atomic level materials research with the opening of the York JEOL Nanocentre. The new interdisciplinary research and teaching centre represents a major investment in novel nanoscience capability by The University of York, The Regional development Agency, Yorkshire Forward, through them the European Union, and by JEOL. Significant developments of new materials for everything from medical science to electronics are expected to result. The new unit on the York Science Park combines resources from the University’s Departments of Physics, Chemistry and Electronics, with the potential for much wider collaborations. It was officially opened on 27 April by the Chief Executive of Yorkshire Forward, Tom Riordan, and senior officials of JEOL
 Co-directed by Professor Pratibha Gai of the Departments of Chemistry and JEOL Professor of Electron Microscopy, and Professor Edward Boyes of the Departments of Physics and Electronics, it includes one of the world’s most powerful electron microscopes. The sophisticated equipment should eventually allow scientists to carry out single atom analysis.
One of just four similar instruments worldwide, it is the only one set up for fully remote operation in its own purpose built pod. The other unique feature of the York equipment is a special chamber which allows scientists to observe materials during natural reactions.
Plans are well advanced to add novel facilities for dynamic in-situ chemical reaction studies, including access to metastable catalytic states, under controlled conditions of gas atmosphere (and including high vacuum), and temperature.
The flagship instrumentation includes a double (TEM and STEM) aberration corrected transmission electron microscope with a sub-atomic target resolution of 1Å for imaging and <2Å for atomic column, and eventually single atom, analysis. Supporting equipment includes a research grade dual beam focused ion beam (FIB) milling system and high performance scanning electron microscopy (SEM), both of which can be operated for custom nanolithography experiments.
Major funding has been provided by the University of York, Yorkshire Forward, the EU and JEOL(UK) Ltd, and the centre is forging close links with industry.
Professor Gai said: “This instrumentation – a world first with planned in situ capabilities – will form the technical foundation for major new scientific initiatives in Nanomaterials research. It’s going to take us into a new and completely different world – that’s the really exciting part about it.”
Mike Hepburn, Managing Director of JEOL (UK) Ltd, said “We take on a limited number of these projects, and are delighted to be working with York University as well as Professor Gai and Professor Boyes. The centre is unique in that although York does not have a history of research in this area, this centre has been set up from almost nothing, to rival institutes on the worldwide stage. This shows the commitment and ambition of York University and Yorkshire Forward and is the primary reason that JEOL are proud to be involved in this innovative partnership”.
The opening day also featured the inaugural Cantor Nanoscience Lecture by Professor David D Awschalom, of the Centre for Spintronics and Quantum Computation at the University of California, on Spintronics and quantum information processing and Professor Gai’s Inaugural Professorial Lecture: Seeing atoms in action: Catalysis for better living.
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