David Dowsett of LION Nano-Systems (on left) and Tom Wirtz of the  Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology pose in front of the Zeiss Orion NanoFab kitted with the Vector500 SIMS tool. Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology

David Dowsett of LION Nano-Systems (on left) and Tom Wirtz of the  Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology pose in front of the Zeiss Orion NanoFab kitted with the Vector500 SIMS tool. Luxembourg Institute of Science and Technology

Lion Nano-systems has developed cutting edge analytical tools for scientists that will allow the infinitely small to be explored at scales previously unheard of, the outfit said in a press release on 2 March. The tool was developed by List researchers and has become the go to tool in the scientific and industrial sectors among those looking to explore the infinitely small. 

The tool, called VECTOR 500 SIMS, combines a powerful ion microscope and a Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Instrument imaging instrument that enables scientists to conduct surface analyses at a resolution of around 10 nanometres, i.e., up to 10,000 smaller that the diameter of human hair.

According to Lion Nano-Systems, this makes the VECTOR 500 SIMS an interesting tool for market research applications in fields such as nanoparticle toxicity testing, photovoltaics, semi-conductors, Li-on batteries, steel, cosmetics and medicine.