University of California Irvine - Irvine Materials Research Institute

University of California Irvine (UCI) – Irvine Materials Research Institute

Irvine Materials Research Institute (IMRI) is a newly established interdisciplinary organization under the Office of Research of the University of California Irvine (UCI).  It serves as the cross-campus nexus for materials research at UCI.  IMRI operates a wide range of state-of-the-art, open-access user facilities for the characterization of materials, biological samples, and devices from sub-Å to macroscopic length scales – available to all university, industry and non-profit researchers.

FMS in cooperation with the Design-Build Team, designed and constructed a world-class electron microscopy facility to house the most sensitive Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM’s) available today.  The project was not only technologically sophisticated and logistically complex, but it also required an unprecedented EMI and vibrations criteria.  FMS conducted extensive 3-Dimension computer simulation studies to evaluate EMF emissions from the building’s electrical distribution, mechanical and other systems.  Geomagnetic and Quasi-DC field levels were also analyzed with respect to the nearby vehicular traffic, and elevators in operation in the facility.

Utilizing the computer simulation data, FMS identified the potential EMI risks due to the identified EMI sources.  To mitigate EMI threat concerns, FMS worked alongside the design team to integrate several emission reductions strategies into the overall design.  Furthermore, FMS developed and installed a robust multi-layered AC ELF and Quasi-DC shielding scheme along with Magnetic Active Compensate Systems (MACS) inside the imaging suites without compromising the vibration criteria.

The research enabled by this facility has already resulted in fundamental breakthroughs in science.  Most notably, on June 6-8 2018 the inaugural International Symposium on Advanced Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy was held during the grand opening of the UCI TEM Facility.  During the event, researchers at UCI, using the first of its kind, Nion UltraSTEM 2000 HERMES with EELS, achieved a resolution of 4.2 meV, a world record.

 “Our mission is to build UCI into a world-renowned institution in materials research. We aim to provide an innovative environment for future talent by offering state-of-the-art tools for solving today’s challenges”.  Quote by IMRI Director Xiaoqing Pan.