The UNH Instrumentation Center (UIC) held an open house in October to celebrate the opening of UNH’s new Imaging Core facility, and to spread the word about the recent acquisition of a Tescan Lyra Focused Ion Beam - Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM).
The UIC was established at UNH in 1973 in response to the challenges of acquiring, operating, and maintaining costly scientific equipment. The center offers state-of-the-art instrumentation for both research and educational purposes, and provides other institutions, agencies, and industries with access to the equipment.
The UIC Imaging Core is comprised of the new FIB-SEM, a Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), and a confocal microscope. Work on the Imaging Core facility located in Parsons Hall began in June of this year and was completed in early October. The space now houses the new FIB-SEM and TEM, as well as lab areas and additional UIC office space. The confocal microscope is located in a separate facility.
The FIB-SEM was acquired thanks to a Major Research Instrumentation award from the National Science Foundation. The instrument is a valuable addition to the center’s inventory and replaces an older, outdated SEM. The new model offers scientists an array of options not previously available at UNH. The microscope is able to tilt in many directions, an important feature for researchers making three-dimensional images. Remote access capabilities allow it to be operated by researchers, scientists, and K-12 teachers unable to travel easily to the Imaging Core or to UNH.
The open house was a public event and marked by over 150 guests in attendance, ranging from UNH deans and faculty to New England manufacturers and private testing labs. The event kicked off with opening remarks from Lisa McFarlane, Provost & Vice President for Academic Affairs, and Jan Nisbet, Senior Vice Provost for Research, followed by a presentation from UIC Director Shawn Banker, who gave an overview of the center and provided an itinerary for the afternoon’s activities. The Imaging Core facility ribbon cutting ceremony (complete with giant scissors) directly followed the presentation. Afterwards, UIC staff and appointed student guides led several groups of attendees on tours of the facility and other instrumentation housed in Parsons Hall. Throughout the event, a poster session was held in the reception area featuring students of Chemistry, Molecular, Cellular and Biomedical Sciences, and Materials Science. Attendees were encouraged to speak with the students and learn more about some of the work they’ve done utilizing the UIC’s instruments.
The open house provided an excellent opportunity to make UIC’s presence on campus more widely known amongst the UNH community, and enabled the staff to network with external entities that could potentially benefit from the UIC’s equipment and services. The UIC is committed to making even more exciting improvements and advancements that will aid faculty and students in conducting innovative research and help facilitate new partnerships with the business community.
For questions or more information about the UIC’s equipment and services, please contact Shawn Banker at shawn.banker@unh.edu.
Shawn Banker,
Director, UNH Instrumentation Center
