Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS)
CEMAS is a university core facility at The Ohio State University operating one of North America's largest electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instrument portfolios, serving academic researchers, federal agencies (AFRL, NASA, DARPA), and enterprise customers in aerospace, automotive, and consumer products with materials characterization, cryo-EM, and professional training services.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2013
- HeadquartersColumbus, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) does
The Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) is a university core facility at The Ohio State University, established in 2013 and housed in a custom-designed 27,000+ square foot facility in Columbus, Ohio. It operates one of the largest concentrations of electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instruments in North America, with a $40M+ portfolio that includes aberration-corrected Thermo Scientific Titan (S)TEM, Krios G3i and Glacios Cryo-TEMs, Helios NanoLab DualBeam FIB, Heliscan microCT, Apreo SEMs, Quattro ESEM, and Rigaku XRD systems. CEMAS serves academic researchers, federal agencies (AFRL, NASA, DARPA, DoD MURI), and enterprise customers in aerospace (Rolls-Royce), automotive (Ford), and consumer products (Procter & Gamble), enabling $302M+ in research in FY24 across 950+ active users.
CEMAS revenue is generated through a multi-stream model: usage-based user fees for instrument access at published rates across SEM, TEM, Cryo-EM, FIB, microCT, and XRD capabilities; sponsored research grants from DoD, NSF, AFRL, and industry; the On the Scope professional SEM training program; and philanthropic donations supporting outreach and instrumentation. Its Remote Microscopy Collaboratory distributes capability to partner institutions (AFRL/Wright-Patterson, University of Dayton, N.C. A&T, Case Western Reserve) via secure internet-based instrument control. The facility also delivers educational programming through the Beyond the Scope discussion series and a Virtual Learning Digital Theater.
The facility is staffed by 50+ PhD-level scientists and is led by Founding Director David McComb (Ohio Research Scholar in Materials, formerly co-director of the London Centre for Nanotechnology), with Robert E.A. Williams serving as interim director and Krishna Chinthalapudi appointed as Associate Director of Biological Sciences in 2026. CEMAS has received the William D. Nix Award, the Royal Microscopical Society Honorary Fellowship, the Henry Marion Howe Medal, and NSF CAREER Awards, anchoring its talent and reputational moat.
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS)
- Legal name
- The Ohio State University
- Website
- https://cemas.osu.edu
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2013
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- CEMAS is a university core facility at The Ohio State University operating one of North America's largest electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instrument portfolios, serving academic researchers, federal agencies (AFRL, NASA, DARPA), and enterprise customers in aerospace, automotive, and consumer products with materials characterization, cryo-EM, and professional training services.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Electron Microscopy Services
- NAICS
- Testing Laboratories and Services (54138), Other Scientific and Technical Consulting Services (54169)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness) (IMAGAFAD)
Keywords
Where Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Columbus
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- User fees for instrument access: CEMAS charges users for access to microscopy instruments. Rates are published on the website for various services including SEM, TEM, Cryo-EM, FIB, microCT, and XRD analysis.
- Training and education programs: On the Scope professional training program provides SEM education to industry professionals for a fee
- Sponsored research and grants: CEMAS receives funding through grants from organizations including DoD, NSF, AFRL, and industry partnerships
- Philanthropic donations: The facility accepts donations to support outreach activities, student programs, and instrumentation
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Usage-based | Pay-as-you-go | User fee structure based on instrument type and usage time |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels4 records
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) product offering
Product offeringCore offering
CEMAS operates as a university core research facility providing access to advanced electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instruments for materials characterization. It offers paid user access to SEM, TEM, Cryo-EM, FIB, MicroCT, and XRD capabilities, supported by sample preparation, remote microscopy, image processing, and professional SEM training programs.
Product overview
CEMAS is a core research facility at The Ohio State University offering one of the largest concentrations of electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instruments in North America. The facility operates as a multi-instrument service platform providing materials characterization capabilities including Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM), Focused Ion Beam (FIB) Microscopy, Micro-Computed Tomography (MicroCT), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). The portfolio also includes comprehensive sample preparation services, remote microscopy access, and professional training programs including the On the Scope masterclass and Beyond the Scope discussion series. With a $40M+ instrumentation portfolio housed in a 27,000+ square foot facility, CEMAS serves both academic and industry users.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) High-resolution imaging and analytical characterization of sample surfaces using electron beam technology, including Thermo Scientific Apreo SEMs for nanoscale characterization and Thermo Scientific Quattro ESEM for in-situ experiments under heating to 1100C and cryogenic conditions including wet environments.
- Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) Advanced transmission electron microscopy for internal structure analysis using Thermo Scientific Themis Z S/TEM, Tecnai F20 TEM, and Tecnai G2-30 TEM, including aberration-corrected capability for sub-Angstrom level materials characterization.
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM) Cryogenic electron microscopy for biological specimen observation in native environment, featuring Thermo Scientific Glacios and Krios G3i Cryo-TEM instruments for high-resolution molecular structure determination.
- Focused Ion Beam (FIB) Microscopy Precision milling and imaging using ion beam technology with Helios NanoLab 600 DualBeam system for site-specific sample preparation and cross-section analysis.
- Micro-Computed Tomography (MicroCT) Non-destructive 3D imaging using X-ray technology including Heliscan microCT for high-resolution visualization of internal structures.
- X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Crystal structure analysis using Rigaku SmartLab XRD and Rigaku MiniFlex XRD systems for phase identification and crystallographic characterization.
- Sample Preparation Comprehensive sample preparation services including embedding, polishing, coating, and specialized preparation techniques for electron microscopy analysis.
- Remote Microscopy Program Remote access capability allowing users to operate CEMAS instruments from external locations via secure Internet connection, enabling real-time collaboration and instrument control with full audio and video connectivity.
- On the Scope – A Masterclass in Practical Scanning Electron Microscopy Professional training program covering fundamentals and advanced techniques of SEM operation including electron source formation, probe formation, SEM detectors, sample preparation, high-resolution imaging, EDS, and EBSD analysis, delivered through online lectures and hands-on labs.
- Beyond the Scope: CEMAS Discussion Series Virtual discussion series featuring latest innovations in electron microscopy with real-life examples from other microscopists and research applications.
- Image-Processing Services Advanced image processing and analysis services for microscopy data including 3D reconstruction, segmentation, and quantitative analysis.
- Virtual Learning Digital Theater Interactive digital learning environment for education and training in electron microscopy techniques and applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- 950+ active users served
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS)
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature7 records
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- North Carolina A&T (N.C. A&T)coreNSF-supported remote operation station installation enabling ERC-RMB students to connect remotely, take part in interactive microscopy courses, and use CEMAS instruments in their research. First remote university partner outside of Ohio.
- Rolls-RoycecoreRolls-Royce North American Technologies extended collaboration on 'Microstructural Investigation of Environmentally Assisted Crack Growth' focused on nickel-based superalloys for jet engine development.
- Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University (NMMU)minorMOU for collaboration on research and scholarly exchanges with NMMU's Centre for High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy. Provides platform for joint workshops, seminars, and collaborative project applications.
- Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreAFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate partnered with Ohio State to establish a remote materials characterization 'collaboratory' enabling researchers to access CEMAS instruments over the Internet. A five-year $4.25 million grant funds post-doctoral research fellows focused on precision measurement tools for advanced materials characterization.
- Thermo Fisher ScientificcoreEquipment supplier for Glacios and Krios G3i cryo-TEM instruments. Sponsored Cryo-EM for Cancer Research Workshop. Provides ongoing training and applications support.
- Ford Motor CompanycoreFord-Ohio State University Alliance program for atomic-scale characterization of automotive catalysts using advanced TEM at CEMAS.
- Procter & GamblecoreDecade-long partnership for materials characterization research supporting consumer product development.
- NASAcorePartnership to develop GRX-810 superalloy using 3D printing for aviation and space industry components capable of withstanding extreme environments.
- Case Western Reserve UniversityminorRemote access to CEMAS for enhanced teaching and collaboration in electron microscopy.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves3 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Bruker Corporation: Scientific instrument manufacturer with electron microscopy and materials characterization product lines serving similar materials science, semiconductor, and life science customers. Overlaps with CEMAS in advanced analytical instrumentation for materials research.
- Intertek Group: Global testing, inspection, and certification company with materials and product testing services serving similar industrial sectors (aerospace, automotive, consumer products) as CEMAS industry users.
- JEOL USA: Leading electron microscope manufacturer with a service and applications support network. Competes with Thermo Fisher in supplying TEM/SEM instruments and offers application support that overlaps with CEMAS's user-facing capabilities.
- Thermo Fisher Scientific: Major analytical instrument manufacturer and global life sciences services provider. As CEMAS's primary equipment supplier and partner (Krios G3i, Glacios, Apreo SEMs), Thermo Fisher operates across the same electron microscopy and cryo-EM category with broader commercial scale and service offerings.
- SGS SA: Global testing, inspection, and certification network providing materials and industrial testing services. Comparable to CEMAS in serving enterprise customers across multiple industrial sectors with technical analytical capabilities.
- Eurofins Scientific: Global testing laboratory network with materials and product testing services across multiple industries. Overlaps with CEMAS in providing analytical services to industry, though with much broader scope and commercial scale.
Direct peers
- Exponent, Inc. Engineering and scientific consulting firm specializing in failure analysis, materials characterization, and product safety investigations. Closest direct peer to CEMAS in serving industry clients with materials analysis expertise using electron microscopy and related techniques.
Others
- Argonne National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory with significant electron microscopy capabilities through the Center for Nanoscale Materials and the Advanced Photon Source. Comparable to CEMAS in serving academic and industry users with advanced characterization tools.
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory operating the Molecular Foundry with extensive electron microscopy capabilities for materials and biological research. Functions as a national user facility similar in mission and instrumentation to CEMAS.
- Brookhaven National Laboratory: DOE national laboratory operating the Laboratory for BioMolecular Structure with state-of-the-art cryo-EM capabilities (including Krios instruments). Operates in the same materials characterization and cryo-EM space as CEMAS, serving academic and government users.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) social profiles
Digital presenceCenter for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS)
What does Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) do?
CEMAS operates as a university core research facility providing access to advanced electron and ion beam analytical microscopy instruments for materials characterization. It offers paid user access to SEM, TEM, Cryo-EM, FIB, MicroCT, and XRD capabilities, supported by sample preparation, remote microscopy, image processing, and professional SEM training programs.
Is Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) a public or private company?
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) founded?
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) was founded in 2013. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) based?
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) is headquartered in Columbus, United States, in the North America region.
How does Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. User fees for instrument access are the primary driver. The others are training and education programs, sponsored research and grants and philanthropic donations.
Who are Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS)'s main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Bruker Corporation, Intertek Group, JEOL USA, Thermo Fisher Scientific, SGS SA and Eurofins Scientific. Exponent, Inc. is listed as a direct peer. Others are Argonne National Laboratory, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and Brookhaven National Laboratory.
Does Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) have an API?
No public API is recorded for Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS).
What industry is Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS) in?
Center for Electron Microscopy and Analysis (CEMAS)'s product category is Electron Microscopy Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAGAFAD, Metrology & Dimensional Measurement (CMMs, laser trackers, gauges, surface/roughness). Its NAICS code is 54138 and its SIC code is 8731.