It brings together experimental techniques and skills in cross-cutting themes whose results are applied continuously in the development of CNPEM’s research programs and helps expand the portfolio of services offered to the academic and business community. The Center’s efforts in these areas allow it to keep up with technical and scientific advances by continuously training its technicians, specialists, and researchers, as well as generating countless internal technological challenges. The knowledge generated enables CNPEM to carry out cutting-edge research on a wide range of topics.

LNNano has the infrastructure and specialized staff to develop new technologies and support the academic community in different research fields that complement the other resources offered by CNPEM. However, the National Laboratory focuses heavily on R&D aimed at nanoscale characterization, through its advanced electron microscopy facilities, in addition to the cutting-edge use of cryomicroscopy to obtain high-resolution bioimages, studies, and applications of data theory and science, especially in the development of quantum technologies and in enabling the most diverse technological developments with micro- and nanofabrication.

Nanoscale characterization

Electron Microscopy

The crystallographic structure of materials, as well as their chemical composition and the bonding states of the constituent chemical elements, are routinely analyzed and visualized in electron microscopes at the atomic, nanometric, and micrometric levels. Recent technological advances have also allowed dynamic phenomena to be observed and analyzed in situ with ever greater precision and reproducibility at atomic and nanometric dimensions.

LNNano provides the national and international scientific community with access to a wide range of conventional and advanced scanning, transmission, and double-beam electron microscopy techniques.

Bioimages

Cryomicroscopy

Cryo-ME (Cryogenic Transmission Electron Microscopy) is widely used to observe a variety of systems, from soft materials to biomolecules. The sample is prepared by rapid freezing, which preserves its native state. Data collection is performed on different equipment. Soft materials, mainly colloidal systems, can be observed directly as if they were in suspension, under low-dose conditions, with high contrast and minimal damage to the sample. Structural information on biomolecules can be obtained in high resolution, using single particle analysis.

Computer Simulation and Artificial Intelligence

We work on developing new computational methodologies for calculating the electronic structure of materials, molecular dynamics, and electronic transport, as well as artificial intelligence platforms for discovering new materials and other applications. In all research fields, theoretical support in understanding and simulating experimental data enhances and refines the results. CNPEM is active in the development and application of computational methodologies and has an extensive and comprehensive computational infrastructure for this purpose. Read more.

Micro- and Nanofabrication

Micro- and nanofabrication are a set of advanced techniques for manipulating and combining materials with a wide range of applications. The production of multifunctional devices is a prime example of a sector that is highly dependent on the advancement of these techniques, which could lead to the creation of new multifunctional devices with unique properties for applications in the areas of health, energy, and the environment.

CNPEM’s micro and nanofabrication facilities offer an open multi-user infrastructure for device production, designed to support the scientific and industrial communities by providing access to equipment, processes, and a technical team ready to tackle our community’s scientific and technological challenges.