China debuts first homegrown transmission electron microscope

China unveiled its first domestically produced transmission electron microscope (TEM), the TH-F120, on Saturday, the Science and Technology Daily reported.

The groundbreaking development, led by the Bioland Lab, marks a major breakthrough in core technologies and manufacturing capabilities of the country, challenging dominance of foreign brands in the highly competitive market.

Developed by Bioland Lab in Guangzhou, South China's Guangdong Province, the TH-F120 boasts a high-brightness electron gun, which offers enhanced stability, coherence, and brightness for capturing high-resolution images. With its self-developed electromagnetic lens, the system provides superior image contrast and resolution.

For decades, China has relied entirely on imports for its TEM needs, with foreign companies holding a near-monopoly at the global market. The introduction of the TH-F120 not only signals a reduction in this reliance, but also establishes China's entrance into the high-end TEM market, previously dominated by major foreign players.

A key feature of the TH-F120 is its highly stable low-ripple high-voltage power supply, enabling automatic high-voltage control and consistent electron beam emission. The microscope is also equipped with a domestically developed high-pixel CMOS camera, capable of capturing intricate sample details even at low electron doses.

The TH-F120 is poised to become a catalytic tool in advancing China's high-quality development in cutting-edge scientific and industrial fields such as materials science, life sciences, and the semiconductor industry.

By reducing reliance on foreign technologies and increasing self-sufficiency in critical research tools, China is solidifying its position at the forefront of global scientific innovation.