The Electron Probe Instrumentation Center (EPIC) is part of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC) at Northwestern University, housing one of the most complete arsenals of routine and state-of-the-art electron microscopes in the world. EPIC also receives some support from the Institute for Nanotechnology's NSF-sponsored Nanoscale Science & Engineering Center (NSEC) at Northwestern University, as well as from the State of IL and NU.

SEM: Included in EPIC is the SEM facility, containing a LEO Gemini 1525 sFEG SEM, Hitachi S-3400N-II variable-pressure SEM, FEI Quanta sFEG environmental SEM and a Hitachi S-4800-II cFEG SEM.

TEM: EPIC also houses the TEM facility, which contains a JEOL JEM-2100F FEG FasTEM,  a Hitachi H-8100 TEM and a Hitachi HF-2000 analytical electron microscope, and a specimen preparation facility(SPF). With these microscopes comes an array of analytical techniques, including high spatial resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), atomic-resolution imaging, electron holography, convergent beam electron diffraction (CBED), and digital spectrum acquisition in TEM, electron backscatter diffraction pattern (EBSP) analysis and orientational imaging microscopy and e-beam lithography in SEM.

Our Mission: Education, collaboration, research, and outreach - related to all aspects of electron probe instrumentation, techniques, and applications.

Our facility is wholly multi-user and multi-departmental, with all equipment available for use by qualified individuals. Three highly qualified microscopists manage the EPIC facility, directed by Prof. Vinayak P. Dravid. Regular training sessions and short courses are offered as part of EPIC educational programs.