The Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Unit (EMMU) is a new initiative to support leading research and innovation activities across the University and region.

Studying processes at the micro- to nano-scale is key to addressing many challenges of the modern world. These range from the development of new advanced materials, to the supply of metals needed to deliver a green industrial revolution and the development of new biomedical technologies.

This initiative brings together leading expertise and facilities to provide wide-ranging new opportunities for such materials research, and related economic growth in Portsmouth and the wider Solent region. By combining electron microscopy and micro-chemical analysis facilities from the School of Biological Sciences and School of the Environment, Geography and Geosciences, together with partnership with the Mary Rose Trust and new investment, EMMU represents a major enhancement of capability in this area.

The exciting thing about EMMU is that we can offer world class facilities and expertise to groups from across the University, and to businesses across the region. It provides an outstanding platform from which to help grow new areas of research, develop powerful new analytical approaches and to further strengthen the capability for materials research in Portsmouth. We are already tackling a very wide range of problems ranging from effects of pollutants like microplastics in the environment, through to the origin and evolution of planets, the properties of advanced manufactured materials and the behaviour of biomedical devices.

Dr. James Darling, Director of the Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis Facility

EMMU facilities include five scanning electron microscopes, a transmission electron microscope and laser ablation inductively-coupled-plasma mass-spectrometry. These are supported by specialist technical and academic staff, with expertise spanning materials sciences, life sciences and Earth and environmental sciences. One major advantage of the new centralized unit is the ability to rapidly develop new analytical approaches with interdisciplinary impact.