The Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Power and Energy Development (ACE-SPED), at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, has installed a state-of-the-art Axia ChemiSEM Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) worth millions of Naira in her Material Characterisation laboratory.
ACE-SPED is a World Bank assisted project domiciled in the faculty of Engineering, University of Nigeria Nsukka. The Centre was conceptualized to proffer sustainable solutions to some developmental challenges peculiar to the Sub-Saharan Africa region. These challenges include lack of access to a reliable electric power supply, poor diffusion of renewable and alternative energy technologies, as well as a shortage of high-level skilled manpower to deploy and manage the power supply system.
The cutting-edge equipment installed recently according to a statement the Centre issued on Friday, stands referenced 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).
It’s remarkable functionality allows for the thorough analysis, visualization, and quantification of microstructures.
According to the statement, the Director of ACE-SPED, Professor Emenike Ejiogu, emphasized that the procurement and installation of this equipment align perfectly with the center’s sustainability objectives.
“While our staff and students will benefit from the capabilities of the equipment, we are also open to do business with researchers and other entities,” he said.
Prof. Ejiogu said 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. 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.
The installation of the SEM equipment also involves training. 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 servicing 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.
