Oct. 5, 2006 — Mexico’s national research petroleum institute, the Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo (IMP), opened its new center for advanced microscopy and research. In planning since 2002, the center features electron microscopy tools that enable advanced nanoscale research and development. The opening was announced jointly by IMP and FEI Co. of Hillsboro, Ore., on Wednesday.

The state-of-the-art center features FEI’s XL 30 environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), a Nova 200 NanoLab, the first DualBeam installed in Latin America, two Tecnai transmission electron microscopes (TEMs), and FEI’s flagship product, a Titan S/TEM.

Researchers at IMP will use the tools for a variety of applications including the study and development of catalysts for more efficient fuels, fuel cell membranes and new nano-enabled materials such as anticorrosive products for oil refineries and pipelines, among others.

IMP is a fully decentralized and legally-independent public organization of the Federal Government of Mexico. Its fundamental objectives are the scientific research and technical development required for the petroleum, petrochemical and chemical industries; the supply of technical services to these industries; and the commercialization of services and technological products resulting from research. It is also responsible for the development of highly specialized human resources to support the areas in which the Institute and its associates are involved.