What Nanoscience Instruments does

Nanoscience Instruments is a Phoenix, Arizona-based scientific instrumentation distributor founded in 2002 and operating a second sales and applications facility in Alexandria, Virginia. The company distributes a broad portfolio of microscopy, surface science, and nanomaterial fabrication instruments from multiple international manufacturers, including Thermo Fisher Scientific/Phenom desktop scanning electron microscopes, QSense quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) instruments, Biolin Scientific Attension tensiometers and KSV NIMA Langmuir-Blodgett troughs, Fluidnatek/Bioinicia electrospinning systems, VitroTEM cryo-EM sample preparation and graphene liquid cell products, and — as of June 2026 — Fontijne Presses laboratory platen press systems under an exclusive North American distribution agreement. The product portfolio spans four functional categories: SEM imaging, surface and interfacial analysis, nanomaterial and polymer fabrication, and EM/TEM sample preparation.

The business model is primarily capital equipment distribution: one-time sales of high-ASP instruments supplemented by installation, training, and maintenance services under a 12-month warranty framework, plus a separate contract R&D division (nanoscience-analytical.com). Go-to-market combines direct consultative selling with a sales team of scientists and engineers, exclusive channel partnerships for select product lines, multi-channel content marketing (white papers, webinars, blogs), and active participation in scientific conferences including the annual Microscopy & Microanalysis meeting. Pricing is quote-based with net 30 standard terms and no public list prices.

The company serves academic and industrial R&D customers across at least seven horizontal use-case segments: battery research, biomaterial and medical device research, polymer processing and chemical engineering, cleanliness and quality control, pharmaceuticals and drug delivery, semiconductor R&D, and life sciences. Named customers and use cases include the University of Arizona (PFAS adsorption research via QCM-D), MIT researchers (AI-driven SEM exploration via SenseAI), and Electron Microscopy Innovative Technologies (EMIT), a rental services firm operating a fleet of 10-12 Phenom desktop SEMs. Headcount is reported in the 51-100 range, the company is privately held with no disclosed funding rounds, and co-founders Mark Flowers and Sebastian Kossek serve as co-CEOs.

Name

Nanoscience Instruments

Legal name

NanoScience Instruments, Inc.

Website

https://nanoscience.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Nanoscience Instruments is a Phoenix-based distributor of scientific instrumentation including desktop SEMs, QCM-D systems, electrospinning equipment, tensiometers, cryo-EM tools, and laboratory platen presses, serving academic and industrial R&D customers across battery, biomaterials, semiconductor, pharmaceutical, and polymer processing applications.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Scientific Instrumentation

NAICS

Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516), Research and Development in Nanotechnology (541713), Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (3345)

SIC

Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826), Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Microscopy, Imaging & Flow Cytometry Instruments (HLAGAIAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Material Characterization & Spectroscopy (NMR/FTIR/MS) (HLAGADAK), Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD), Science & STEM Lab Equipment & Supplies (Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Makerspaces) (EDAEAIAC)

Keywords

• Desktop scanning electron microscopes
• Surface analysis instruments
• Electrospinning equipment
• Polymer processing instruments
• Cryo-EM sample preparation

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Scientific Instrumentation Sales: Nanoscience Instruments generates revenue primarily through the sale of scientific laboratory equipment including desktop SEMs, QCM-D instruments, electrospinning systems, tensiometers, and polymer processing equipment. These are typically one-time capital equipment purchases with optional maintenance agreements.
2. Professional Services: Installation, training, and maintenance services provided as additional fee-based offerings. The company offers a 12-month warranty on new products and maintenance agreements thereafter.
3. Contract R&D: The company offers contract R&D services through a separate division (nanoscience-analytical.com), providing analytical and development services to complement product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Nanoscience Instruments distributes and supports a comprehensive portfolio of scientific instruments for nanoscale characterization, surface analysis, and nanomaterial fabrication, including desktop scanning electron microscopes (Phenom line), QCM-D systems, electrospinning/electrospraying systems, optical and force tensiometers, Langmuir-Blodgett troughs, polymer compounding and shaping equipment, laboratory platen presses, cryo-EM sample preparation tools, and AI-powered imaging software. The company acts as the exclusive North American distributor for select instrument manufacturers, bundling sales, application support, installation, training, and maintenance services around these products.

Product overview

Nanoscience Instruments distributes a comprehensive portfolio of microscopy, surface analysis, and nanomaterial fabrication instruments serving academic research, industrial R&D, and quality control applications. The portfolio is organized into four main divisions: (1) SEM Products - Desktop scanning electron microscopes under the Phenom brand (Phenom Pharos, Phenom XL, Phenom Pro/ProX, Phenom Pure) plus the ParticleX automated SEM platform with specialized application packages; (2) Material Fabrication - Fluidnatek electrospinning/electrospraying systems (LE-50, LE-100, LE-500, HT, ProSterile, BioTubing, BioDevice, Spinbox) for nanofiber and nanoparticle production, plus polymer compounding and shaping systems; (3) Interfacial Analysis - QSense QCM-D instruments (Omni, Pro, Analyzer, Explorer, Initiator), Attension optical and force tensiometers (Theta series, Sigma series), and KSV NIMA Langmuir-Blodgett troughs; (4) TEM Solutions - VitroJet cryo-EM sample preparation, Naiad automated graphene liquid cell fabrication, and broad ion beam polishers (SEMPREP SMART, GentleMill, Unimill). The recent June 2026 partnership with Fontijne Presses adds the LabManual, LabTop, LabVac, LabPro, and LabEcon platen press series for polymer processing. An AI capability under the SenseAI brand provides imaging analysis automation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Phenom Pharos Desktop SEM Desktop scanning electron microscope with a field emission (FEG) source delivering 2.0 nm resolution and high-brightness imaging in a compact benchtop form factor, for academic and industrial materials analysis labs.
• Phenom Pharos STEM Desktop SEM variant that brings true scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) capability to the desktop form factor, for researchers needing transmission-mode imaging without a full TEM installation.
• Phenom XL G2 Desktop SEM Desktop SEM featuring full-screen images with average time-to-image of 60 seconds, using a CeB6 source for long lifetime and minimal maintenance, in a compact form factor suitable for small lab spaces.
• Phenom Pro/ProX Desktop SEM Desktop SEM offering high-resolution imaging capabilities for materials analysis and quality control applications.
• Phenom Pure Tabletop SEM Entry-level tabletop scanning electron microscope for basic imaging and analysis needs.
• ParticleX Automated SEM Automated SEM platform with specialized application packages for additive manufacturing, battery, gunshot residue, steel, and technical cleanliness analysis, for QA/QC and industrial inspection labs.
• Fluidnatek LE-50 Electrospinning System Electrospinning and electrospraying equipment for fabricating micro and nano scaled fibers and particles, for biomedical and materials research labs.
• Fluidnatek LE-100 Electrospinning System Electrospinning system with capabilities including BioTubing configuration for tubular scaffold fabrication.
• Fluidnatek LE-500 Electrospinning System High-capacity electrospinning and electrospraying system including BioDevice configuration for medical device applications.
• Fluidnatek HT High-Throughput Electrospinning System High-throughput electrospinning system for increased production capacity of nanofibers and nanoparticles.
• Fluidnatek ProSterile Electrospinning System Sterile electrospinning system designed for pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturing applications.
• Fluidnatek BioDevice Electrospinning System Electrospinning system configured for biomedical device fabrication applications.
• SEMPREP SMART Broad Ion Beam Polisher Broad ion beam polisher for SEM sample preparation, providing precision surface polishing prior to electron microscopy imaging.
• GentleMill Broad Ion Beam Polisher Broad ion beam milling system for gentle sample preparation prior to electron microscopy.
• Unimill Broad Ion Beam Polisher Broad ion beam polisher for standardized milling and polishing applications.
• Sputter Coaters Sample preparation equipment for applying thin conductive coatings to non-conductive specimens for SEM imaging.
• Attension Theta Flow Optical Tensiometer Automated optical tensiometer for measuring static and dynamic contact angle, 3D surface roughness, surface free energy, surface and interfacial tension, and interfacial rheology.
• Attension Theta Flex Optical Tensiometer Versatile optical tensiometer for contact angle and surface analysis measurements.
• Attension Theta Lite Optical Tensiometer Entry-level optical tensiometer for basic contact angle measurements.
• Attension Theta Flow Wafer Optical Tensiometer Optical tensiometer configured for wafer-level surface analysis in semiconductor applications.
• Attension Sigma 700/701 Force Tensiometer Force tensiometer for measuring surface tension and interfacial tension.
• Attension Sigma 702 Force Tensiometer Force tensiometer for advanced surface tension measurements.
• Attension Sigma 703D Force Tensiometer Force tensiometer for dynamic surface tension analysis.
• QSense Omni QCM-D Instrument QCM-D (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation) instrument for analyzing molecular interactions and surface properties in real time, used in life sciences, pharma, and biomaterials research.
• QSense Pro QCM-D Instrument QCM-D system for research-grade molecular interaction analysis.
• QSense Explorer QCM-D Instrument Entry-level QCM-D system for exploratory research applications.
• KSV NIMA Langmuir-Blodgett Trough System for Langmuir-Blodgett thin film deposition onto solid substrates, used in thin film and surface science research.
• KSV NIMA Roll-to-Roll LB Trough Large-scale Langmuir-Blodgett system for roll-to-roll thin film coating.
• Micro-Compounding Systems Laboratory-scale polymer compounding equipment for preparing polymer formulations and composites, used in polymer R&D and chemical engineering labs.
• Polymer Shaping Systems Equipment for shaping polymer materials into test specimens and components, for polymer QA/QC labs.
• LabManual Series Presses Manually operated hydraulic laboratory platen presses available in 50 kN and 300 kN models for benchtop polymer processing and sample preparation in quality control and R&D applications.
• LabTop Series Presses Automated hydraulic laboratory platen presses with ProView touchscreen control system, available in 20, 150, and 300 kN models combining compact footprint with automated operation.
• LabVac Series Presses Advanced laboratory hot platen presses operating under controlled vacuum conditions (30-40 mbar) for oxidation-free processing, available in 50-1000 kN capacity range with temperatures up to 400°C.
• LabPro Platen Press Production-scale platen press for industrial polymer processing applications.
• LabEcon Platen Press Economic laboratory press for standard polymer processing applications.
• Naiad Automated Graphene Liquid Cells Benchtop automated system for fabricating Graphene Liquid Cells (GLCs) within minutes for liquid-phase TEM imaging, achieving 98% success rate and 99% full-coverage graphene transfer efficiency without requiring specialized sample holders or prior experience.
• VitroJet Cryo-EM Sample Preparation System Automated cryo-EM grid preparation system for single particle research, providing control and automation for reproducible sample preparation, maximizing throughput, and eliminating waste of valuable proteins.
• SenseAI Software AI-powered imaging analysis software for automated SEM image exploration and analysis, used by MIT researchers for AI-driven SEM explorations.
• Contract R&D Services Analytical and development services provided through the nanoscience-analytical.com division to complement product sales, for clients requiring outsourced nanoscale characterization, fabrication, and analytical support.

Quantifiable outcome

• Nanoscale imaging with 2.0 nm resolution on desktop Phenom Pharos field emission SEM
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Fontijne PressescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 5 June 2026Strategic partnership making Nanoscience Instruments the exclusive distributor of Fontijne Presses' laboratory platen press systems across North America. The partnership integrates Fontijne Presses' platen press technology with Nanoscience Instruments' existing micro-compounding equipment, creating a comprehensive workflow solution for polymer processing from formulation through final sample preparation. Nanoscience provides localized sales, application support, and service through its technical team.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific (Phenom)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for distribution of Phenom desktop scanning electron microscopes. The Phenom product line includes desktop SEMs (Phenom Pharos, Phenom XL, Phenom Pro/ProX, Phenom Pure) and automated SEM systems (ParticleX). The Thermo Scientific Phenom Pharos is noted as the only tabletop SEM with a field emission (FEG) source.
• VitroTEMcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for distribution of VitroTEM products including VitroJet (automated cryo-EM grid preparation) and Naiad (automated graphene liquid cell fabrication system). VitroTEM supplies high-quality single-layer graphene pre-mounted on standard TEM grids, grown in-house using proprietary technology.
• Biolin ScientificcoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for distribution of Biolin Scientific products including KSV NIMA Langmuir-Blodgett troughs, Interfacial Shear Rheometer (ISR Flip), MicroBAM, and Surface Potential Sensor for thin film and surface science research.
• Fluidnatek (by Bioinicia)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for distribution of Fluidnatek electrospinning and electrospraying systems (LE-50, LE-100, LE-500, HT, ProSterile, BioTubing, BioDevice, Spinbox) for fabricating micro and nano scaled fibers and particles.
• QSensecoreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for distribution of QSense QCM-D (Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation) instruments for real-time molecular interaction and surface property analysis. Product line includes QSense Omni, Pro, Analyzer, Explorer, and Initiator.
• Attension (Biolin Scientific)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership for distribution of Attension tensiometer products including optical tensiometers (Theta Flow, Theta Flex, Theta Lite, Theta Flow Wafer) and force tensiometers (Sigma 700/701, 702, 702ET, 703D) for contact angle, surface tension, and surface free energy measurements.
• Electron Microscopy Innovative Technologies (EMIT)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorEMIT is a rental services company and customer that has purchased 10-12 Phenom desktop SEMs from Nanoscience Instruments since 2014. EMIT rents Phenom SEMs on a monthly or weekly basis, providing SEM access to labs and companies that cannot purchase their own system. Founded by Neal Magdefrau, Ph.D., EMIT is the first business in the US to offer SEM rental services.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves3 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Ted Pella, Inc. U.S.-based distributor and manufacturer of microscopy supplies, sample preparation equipment, and consumables. Directly comparable to Nanoscience Instruments as a specialized scientific instrument distributor serving electron microscopy and surface science customers.
• Structure Probe, Inc. (SPI Supplies): Distributor and contract lab providing microscopy consumables, sample preparation tools, and analytical services. Comparable horizontal overlap with Nanoscience Instruments' SEM support products and contract R&D division.
• SPI Supplies / EMS (Electron Microscopy Sciences): Distributor of microscopy sample preparation and imaging consumables, plus contract analytical services. Closely parallels Nanoscience Instruments' curated-portfolio, direct-sales approach and academic/industrial customer base.
• Microtrac MRB: Manufacturer and distributor of particle characterization and surface science instruments (laser diffraction, dynamic light scattering). Overlaps with Nanoscience's tensiometer and QCM-D product lines in materials characterization.

Broad incumbents

• Anton Paar: Global manufacturer of high-end laboratory and process measurement instruments including tensiometers, rheometers, and surface analysis. Directly competes with the Attension force and optical tensiometer lines Nanoscience distributes.
• Bruker Corporation: Major scientific instruments manufacturer spanning microscopy, AFM, and materials characterization. Competes broadly with the Phenom SEM and surface science portfolio through direct sales and a global distributor network.
• Thermo Fisher Scientific: Largest scientific instrument manufacturer globally and parent of the Phenom desktop SEM line that Nanoscience distributes. Represents both a critical principal and a potential disintermediation threat if Thermo Fisher insources North American distribution.
• Carl Zeiss Microscopy: Premium electron and optical microscopy manufacturer with global direct sales and service. Competes with Nanoscience's SEM/imaging offering and could threaten distribution-style partnerships in adjacent categories.
• JEOL USA: Manufacturer of electron microscopes and analytical instruments with U.S. direct sales and service organization. Competes for the same nanoscale characterization budgets as the Phenom product line.

Emerging players

• Biolin Scientific (part of Addlife): Manufacturer of Attension tensiometers and KSV NIMA Langmuir troughs — both distributed by Nanoscience Instruments. As the principal, Biolin is also a potential competing distributor if it elects to go direct in North America.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/NanoscienceInst
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@nanoscienceinstruments
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/Nanoscience-Instruments/178243668886043
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nanoscience-instruments?trk=NUS_ANNIV-cmpy
• Instagraminstagram.com/nanoscienceinstruments

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Nanoscience Instruments