Imaging and Analysis Centre

Our specialist team prepares and analyses biological, geological and synthetic material for staff, scientific visitors and consultancy projects.

Services and equipment

Mineral sample laboratory

The museum’s mineral preparation laboratory prepares specimens from the collections for further analysis with SEM, geochemical and optical description/identification. 

Electronic and light engineering workshop

We repair and modify specialist electronic equipment.

3D visualisation

The 3D visualisation laboratory has three scanners for digitising large-scale objects and specimens sized from 2cm to 3m.

Microanalysis

Our electron probe microanalysis instruments allow us to conduct qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of samples.

Chemical analysis

We use specialist techniques to determine the concentrations of elements and chemical species in a wide range of samples.

Electron microscopy

The electron microscope is a type of microscope that uses a beam of electrons to create an image of the specimen.

Computed tomography

Micro-CT is a non-invasive and non-destructive technique that uses X-rays to create 3D models of the internal and external features of specimens.

X-ray diffraction

A tool for phase identification, quantification and crystal structure analysis.

Light microscopy

The Light Microscopy Facility houses state-of-the-art microscopy systems that allow scientists from all over the world to see beyond the limits of the naked eye.

Confocal microscopy

In confocal microscopy, an object is scanned using a laser beam to build up the image a line at a time.