Nelson Mandela University unveils advanced microscopes to boost South Africa’s research capacity

South Africa has strengthened its advanced research capabilities with the unveiling of two new scanning electron microscopes at Nelson Mandela University in Gqeberha, marking a major step in the renewal of the country’s scientific infrastructure.

Deputy Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Dr Nomalungelo Gina unveiled the equipment on October 14 at the university’s Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (CHRTEM), as the facility celebrated its 15th anniversary.

The new microscopes offer improved stability, faster data acquisition, stronger signals and sharper images than the equipment they replace, enabling researchers to examine materials with greater precision.

Established in 2011, CHRTEM was developed with R90 million in funding from the Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI) and its entity, the National Research Foundation (NRF). The Department of Higher Education and Training contributed a further R30 million towards the construction of the centre.

Gina said the unveiling reflected the continued renewal of South Africa’s national research infrastructure and supported the strategic priorities of the DSTI and NRF.

“The 15th year is not simply a moment to celebrate what has been built, but to commit to ensuring that South Africa remains equipped to see, measure, understand and engineer matter at the scales at which the technologies of tomorrow are being developed,” she said.

She emphasised that research infrastructure must continually evolve to keep pace with scientific advances, adding that sustained public investment was essential to maintaining South Africa’s competitiveness as technologies demand increasingly precise analysis at ever-smaller scales.

New equipment expands research capabilities

During her visit to the university’s Ocean Sciences Campus, Gina was briefed by CHRTEM director Professor Jaco Olivier on the centre’s history, achievements and research activities.

The facility uses scanning electron microscopes extensively to examine structural materials, particularly steel and aluminium alloys, which are important to industrial applications.

Olivier said the new instruments marked a strategic phase of infrastructure renewal as the centre’s original equipment approached the end of its manufacturer support.

Replacing ageing technology will help the university maintain its research capabilities and strengthen South Africa’s position in advanced microscopy.

“The acquisition substantially expands Mandela University’s capabilities in advanced scanning electron microscopy and interdisciplinary bioimaging,” Olivier said.

Beyond materials science, the upgraded infrastructure will support biomedical imaging and research linked to the bioeconomy, broadening the centre’s contribution to scientific discovery and technological development.

The investment also positions CHRTEM to address emerging research challenges over the next 15 years while reinforcing the commitment of the DSTI, NRF and Mandela University to sustaining nationally significant scientific facilities.

Centre records 40,000 microscope hours

At a gala dinner later in the day, Gina acknowledged the government, university and industry partnerships that have supported the centre’s development, including contributions from Sasol, Element Six and Pebble Bed Modular Reactor.

She highlighted CHRTEM’s distinction as the only facility on the African continent housing a double aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope, enabling scientists to observe and manipulate matter at the atomic scale.

“It remains the only facility on the African continent home to a double aberration-corrected transmission electron microscope. It is the only place in Africa where scientists can physically see and manipulate atoms,” Gina said.

Over the past 15 years, the centre has recorded more than 40,000 microscope hours, supported and trained 1,000 students and undertaken more than 700 research projects, establishing itself as a key contributor to South Africa’s innovation ecosystem.

Its work spans the examination of materials used in heavy industry to research supporting advances in energy storage, advanced manufacturing and health sciences, demonstrating how discoveries at the microscopic level can deliver wider industrial and societal benefits.

Africa’s advanced research infrastructure expands

Gina also welcomed the development of advanced microscopy infrastructure in Morocco, where a facility equipped with aberration-corrected microscopy technology is being installed.

She said the expansion of sophisticated scientific infrastructure across the Global South offered new opportunities for African leadership, research collaboration and participation in global scientific advances.

“We celebrate this expansion of advanced scientific infrastructure across the Global South. It validates the path we chose 15 years ago and opens new doors for African leadership and collaboration in the global scientific arena,” she said.

Gina said South Africa’s science policy implementation plan called for the country to prepare for a digital and technology-driven future. In that context, CHRTEM’s research was moving beyond identifying the location of atoms towards understanding how they behave.

She urged the centre to continue anticipating emerging scientific and technological needs, reaffirming the DSTI’s commitment to strategic research infrastructure through initiatives such as the South African Research Infrastructure Roadmap.

The new microscopes mark a significant investment in that future, strengthening the tools available to researchers while extending the potential of South African science across materials research, healthcare and emerging technologies.