Ohio State, Wright-Patt AFB launch remote microscopy partnership

The Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base have announced a remote materials characterization "collaboratory," which enables both organizations to link and share state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation.

Researchers at both sites can analyze samples using the other's technology remotely, thereby avoiding the expense and time of travel or buying more equipment separately.

Armed with $28 million of equipment, including ten FEI electron microscopes optimized to perform analysis on the atomic scale, Ohio State's CEMAS offers tremendous research capabilities under one roof. CEMAS instruments are equipped with remote operation capabilities and through a direct connection onto the 100 Gb/s Ohio OARnet network, provides a unique opportunity for remote teaching and research to partners across the State of Ohio. 

"Our electron microscopy collaboratory enables investigators to interact with and operate electron and ion microscopes in a live, seamless manner," said CEMAS Director Professor David McComb, "as if one was sitting in front of the instrument."

AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate recently acquired a new $1.9 million FEI Talos electron microscope and applied a $500,000 upgrade to an existing FEI Titan.

For additional details, Dayton Daily News and Dayton Business Journal featured stories on the collaboration. The Dayton Business Journal also produced a video featuring comments from AFRL's Thomas Lockhart and College of Engineering Associate Dean Rudy Buchheit.