In a move that will increase accessibility and collaboration at McMaster’s electron microscopy facilities, the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM) will be merging with the Faculty of Health Sciences electron microscopy facility to create a joint initiative.

The combined facility will continue to operate out of both the A.N Bourns Science Building (CCEM) and the Health Sciences Centre (CCEM@FHS).

The merger will allow the CCEM to expand its work in material science to biological, biochemical, clinical and media research.

“The CCEM is delighted to incorporate the new facility at FHS,” says McMaster engineering professor Nabil Bassim, scientific director at the CCEM. “Combining the expertise of the two facilities, as well as the infrastructure, gives us the opportunity to integrate bio and soft materials into our portfolio, allowing us to make an even greater impact on the health and welfare of Canadians.”

The CCEM houses a variety of electron and ion microscopes, including the only atom probe in Canada, and is used by researchers and industry from a broad range of fields including energy, metallurgy, electronics, nuclear and nanomaterials. Researchers are also able to train on any of the CCEM’s instruments.

“The merger enables CCEM users to seamlessly access the capabilities of both facilities,” says Andreas Korinek, acting executive director at the CCEM.

“Materials science and biological science in electron microscopy have traditionally been two separate fields with very little collaboration. Now CCEM offers sample preparation, image acquisition and data processing tools for hard and soft materials. The facility is open on a fee-for-service model for all interested scientists from academia and industry. The CCEM staff scientist team is looking forward contributing to new and interesting projects.”