ACE-SPED UNN installs high tech equipment in materials characterisation lab

The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development ,ACE-SPED,  the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, UNN , has installed a state-of-the-art Axia ChemiSEM Scanning Electron Microscope, SEM, worth millions of naira in her Materials Characterisation  laboratory.

The cutting-edge equipment stands as one of a few fully equipped SEM in any Nigerian university. 

The SEM Machine is equipped to conduct both qualitative and quantitative analyses, capture images, perform image-centric analysis, and execute X-ray spectral mapping and line scanning with a Back Scattered Electron Detector ,BSED. 

Its  remarkable functionality allows for the thorough analysis, visualization, and quantification of microstructures.

The  Director of ACE-SPED, UNN, Professor Emenike Ejiogu, while talking about the equipment in Nsukka yesterday, emphasized that the procurement and installation of the equipment align  with the centres sustainability objectives. 

“While our staff  and students will  benefit from the capabilities of the equipment, we are also open to do businesses with researchers and other entities,” the Director said. 

Prof. Ejiogu further stated that the SEM machine has provided  opportunities  for researchers and industries to conduct their analyses within Nigeria, thereby eliminating the burden of spending substantial amount of dollars  overseas. 

The equipment, which has  a  powerful SEM and EDS combination, holds significant value across various sectors, particularly for industries relying heavily on SEM analysis.

The Industrial Liaison Officer of ACE-SPED,  Prof. Victor Aigbodion identified numerous industries that could benefit from the services offered by the  advanced equipment. 

According to him, they include sectors involved in quality control, failure analysis, nanowires for gas sensing, semiconductor inspection, microchip assembly, analysis of gunshot residue, jewelry examination, bullet marking comparison, handwriting and print analysis, examination of banknote authenticity, paint particle and fiber analysis, among others.

Prof. Aigbodion urged researchers and industries to leverage the facility by submitting their samples for analysis, emphasizing that the services typically sought abroad are now available at ACE-SPED.

Laboratory technicians at ACE-SPED are currently undergoing specialized training to ensure optimal utilization of the equipment.

One of the trainers, Muhammad Couller from South Africa, described  the equipment as  a high-tech machine that comes with a one-year warranty and a projected average lifespan of at least a decade with proper maintenance.

He said that his  team will provide any necessary service as may be requested by ACE-SPED even after the warranty has elapsed.

Other equipment making the Materials Characterization Laboratory include, FTIR, XRF and XRD needed for characterization of energy materials and other high-tech materials, such as lithium ore, cobalt, among others.