Electron microscopy is probably the most versatile tool allowing a glimpse to the microworld. It enables us to assess the structure of the material under scrutiny as well as what chemical and other characteristics it has. The new scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) of the Nanotechnology Centre, VSB-TUO has a resolution of tens of nanometres and is, hence, suitable for high-end applications in the field of nanomaterials study. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it merges the transmission and scanning imaging modes into a single apparatus. Another advantage is in the linking of the scanning transmission microscope with the atomic force microscope (AFM), which advances the study of materials further.
The microscope was purchased thanks to the project “Infrastructual Support of Strategic Study Programme of CNT VSB-TUO” (CZ.02.2.67/0.0/0.0/16_016/0002468) the principal investigator of which is prof. Ing. Jana Seidlerová, CSc. Starting from the next semester, it will be available for the students of (not only) study programme Nanotechnology, and it will, thus, significantly contribute to the improvement of the quality of the education.
The staff of the Nanotechnology Centre VSB-TUO would like to express their gratitude to the administration of both the Faculty of Civil Engineering and the Department of Building Materials and Diagnostics of Structures for the responsiveness and help in the installation of the new microscope. Thanks are also due to all those who contributed in any way to the successful installation during the renovation work needed for the setting up of the microscope.