At South China University of Technology (SCUT), a young research center has emerged as a powerhouse in advanced microscopy research. The SCUT Electron Microscopy Center, established just two years ago, has already made an extraordinary mark on the global scientific community with four groundbreaking publications in Science and Nature - the world's most prestigious scientific journals.   

This state-of-the-art facility transcends the conventional boundaries of an imaging center, serving as a dynamic nexus for scientific advancement and innovation. More than just an advanced microscopy laboratory, it functions as a cutting-edge research hub where novel electron microscopy techniques are continuously developed and refined. The center has established itself as a truly multidisciplinary platform, bridging diverse fields including physics, chemistry, materials science, biomedical engineering, and environmental science through its advanced imaging capabilities. Beyond research, it operates as a vibrant talent incubator that attracts and nurtures top-tier researchers from around the globe. Simultaneously, the facility fulfills an important service mission by providing industry and society with access to its high-end analytical capabilities, ensuring that its technological advancements translate into real-world applications and solutions. This multifaceted approach positions the center at the forefront of both scientific discovery and technological innovation.

Beyond its remarkable Science and Nature achievements, the center has published over 40 original research papers in elite journals including Nature Catalysis, Nature Water, and Nano Letters, along with comprehensive reviews in Chemical Reviews and Chemical Society Reviews.   

World-Class Research Team Driving Innovation

The center's success stems from its exceptional team of six principal investigators leading multiple major research programs, including Guangzhou High-level Talent Team Projects. These experts span critical fields from materials science to energy and environmental applications, using advanced electron microscopy to solve fundamental scientific challenges and push technological boundaries.   

True to SCUT's educational mission, center faculty actively teach interdisciplinary courses like Advanced Electron Crystallography and Smart Materials Introduction while mentoring over 50 graduate students and 6 postdoctoral researchers. Their holistic 'research-teaching-mentoring' approach cultivates the next generation of microscopy specialists.   

Unparalleled Instrumentation Enabling Discovery

At the heart of the center's mission lies its pioneering work in transmission electron microscopy, where researchers are pushing the boundaries across six cutting-edge research directions. The facility is spearheading innovations in ultra-low-dose high-resolution imaging that enables delicate sample observation without damage, while its 4D scanning transmission microscopy capabilities provide unprecedented temporal and spatial resolution. Advanced holography and electromagnetic imaging techniques allow for precise field measurements at the nanoscale, complemented by state-of-the-art in-situ electron microscopy that reveals dynamic processes in real time. The center's expertise extends to groundbreaking 3D electron diffraction for crystal structure determination and atomic-resolution electron tomography that reconstructs materials in three dimensions with picometer precision.

Supporting these ambitious research endeavors is an unparalleled collection of advanced instrumentation. The center's arsenal includes aberration-corrected TEM systems that deliver unmatched image resolution, field-emission SEMs capable of revealing surface details at the nanometer scale, and sophisticated dual-beam FIB-SEM systems that combine precise milling with high-resolution imaging. Researchers also benefit from Micro-CT scanners for non-destructive 3D imaging and a complete suite of sample preparation equipment that ensures optimal specimen quality for all analytical techniques. This comprehensive instrumentation portfolio, maintained at the highest performance standards, provides researchers with the tools needed to tackle the most challenging materials characterization problems across multiple length scales.

This cutting-edge arsenal enables cross-scale characterization from microns down to picometers, supporting groundbreaking research across materials science, nanotechnology, life sciences, energy and environmental applications. All instruments are fully operational and available for shared use.   

Global Collaborations Accelerating Progress

The center has established strategic partnerships with leading institutions worldwide including Cambridge University, MIT, and the Chinese Academy of Sciences. These collaborations have already produced over 20Nature and Science papers, many recognized as ESI Highly Cited works.   

Equally impactful are the center's industry partnerships with major corporations like GAC Group and BYD. Joint projects focus on critical needs in new energy technologies, particularly battery material characterization and failure analysis. By bridging academic research and industrial applications, these collaborations accelerate technology transfer and commercialization.   

Open Invitation for Collaboration

The SCUT Electron Microscopy Center extends an open invitation to researchers, institutions and industry partners worldwide. Through academic exchanges, technical training, joint laboratories and other collaborative models, we welcome all who share our passion for advancing microscopy technologies and applications.   

Join us in shaping the future of electron microscopy and materials characterization. Together, we can push the boundaries of scientific discovery and technological innovation.   

For partnership opportunities, please contact the SCUT Electron Microscopy Center.

Contact：

Tel: +86-20-81181516

Email: emc@scut.edu.cn