A research team led by Prof. Haomin Wang from the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, has achieved significant progress in studying the magnetism of zigzag graphene nanoribbons (zGNRs) using the CIQTEK Scanning NV Microscope (SNVM). Building on their previous research, the team fabricated oriented atomic grooves in hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) by pre-etching with metal nanoparticles and synthesized chiral-controlled graphene nanoribbons within these grooves through a vapor-phase catalytic CVD method. The resulting ~9 nm-wide zGNRs embedded in the hBN lattice exhibited intrinsic magnetic properties, which were directly confirmed experimentally for the first time using SNVM combined with magnetic transport measurements. This groundbreaking work lays a solid foundation for developing graphene-based spintronic devices. The study, titled “Signatures of magnetism in zigzag graphene nanoribbons embedded in a hexagonal boron nitride lattice”, was published in the renowned journal Nature Materials.   https://doi.org/10.1038/s41563-025-02317-4 Understanding Graphene Magnetism Graphene, as a unique two-dimensional material, exhibits p-orbital electron magnetism that differs fundamentally from the localized d/f orbital magnetism found in conventional materials. This distinction opens new directions for exploring carbon-based quantum magnetism. Zigzag graphene nanoribbons (zGNRs) are particularly promising for spintronic applications because of their predicted magnetic electronic states near the Fermi level. However, detecting zGNR magnetism through electrical transport measurements has remained highly challenging. The main difficulties include the limited length of bottom-up synthesized nanoribbons, which complicates device fabrication, and the chemically reactive edges that lead to instability or inhomogeneous doping. Furthermore, in narrow zGNRs, strong antiferromagnetic coupling between edge states makes it difficult to electrically detect magnetic signals. These challenges have hindered direct observation of intrinsic magnetism in zGNRs.   SNVM Reveals Magnetic Signals at Room Temperature Embedding zGNRs within an hBN lattice enhances edge stability and introduces built-in electric fields, providing an ideal environment for studying magnetism. Using CIQTEK’s room-temperature SNVM, the researchers directly visualized magnetic signals in zGNRs for the first time under ambient conditions.   Figure 1. Magnetic measurement of zGNRs embedded in a hexagonal boron nitride lattice using the Scanning NV Microscope   In electrical transport measurements, the ~9 nm-wide zGNR transistors demonstrated high conductivity and ballistic transport behavior. Under magnetic fields, the devices showed pronounced anisotropic magnetoresistance, with resistance changes up to 175 Ω and a magnetoresistance ratio of approximately 1.3% at 4 K, which persisted up to 350 K. Magnetic hys...

Cutting-edge research platform for micro/nanoscale material behavior studies The Center for Micro/Nanoscale Behavior of Materials at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU) has established a comprehensive in-situ materials performance research platform based on the CIQTEK SEM4000 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM). By integrating multiple in-situ testing systems, the center has achieved remarkable progress in the application of in-situ SEM techniques and advanced materials science research.   Leading national research infrastructure The XJTU Center for Micro/Nanoscale Behavior of Materials focuses on the structure–property relationship of materials at the micro/nanoscale. Since its establishment, the center has published over 410 high-impact papers, including in Nature and Science, demonstrating outstanding scientific output. The center houses one of the most advanced in-situ materials performance research platforms in China, equipped with large-scale systems such as a Hitachi 300 kV environmental TEM with quantitative nanomechanical–thermal coupling capabilities and an environmental aberration-corrected TEM for atomic-scale in-situ studies of thermo-mechanical-gas interactions. Together, these instruments provide powerful technical support for frontier materials research.   Efficient and seamless experience with CIQTEK SEM In 2024, the center introduced the CIQTEK SEM4000 Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope.Dr. Fan Chuanwei, equipment manager at the center, remarked: “The resolution and stability of the CIQTEK SEM4000 perfectly meet our research demands. What impressed us most was the efficiency. It took less than four months from equipment installation to our first paper published using the system, and the entire process from procurement to operation and after-sales was highly efficient.”   Regarding customized services, Dr. Fan added: “For our in-situ SEM experiments, CIQTEK tailored a real-time video recording module and designed customized adapter stages for various in-situ setups. The rapid response and flexibility of the CIQTEK team fully demonstrate their professional expertise.”   Integrated in-situ testing capabilities The SEM4000 platform at XJTU has successfully integrated three core in-situ testing systems, forming a complete in-situ mechanical performance research capability. Bruker Hysitron PI 89 Nanomechanical Test System – Enables nanoindentation, tensile, fracture, fatigue, and mechanical property mapping. It has been extensively used in micro/nanoscale mechanical testing of semiconductor devices, leading to significant results in semiconductor materials research. KW In-situ Tensile Stage – Offers a loading range from 1 N to 5 kN and supports various grips, including standard compression/tension, compact tension, three-point bending, and fiber tensile testing. Combined with SEM imaging, it allows real-time correlation of mechanical data ...

CIQTEK continua a expandir a sua presença na Europa com a criação de uma Estação de demonstração SEM na Espanha , operado pelo distribuidor local confiável IESMAT . Localizada em Madrid, a estação de demonstração conta com uma Microscópio SEM de filamento de tungstênio universal e de alto desempenho CIQTEK SEM3200 , proporcionando aos usuários espanhóis acesso conveniente a demonstrações ao vivo, testes de amostra e operação prática. A instalação também oferece suporte profissional Serviço em espanhol e consultoria técnica , ajudando os clientes locais a entender e aplicar melhor as tecnologias avançadas de microscopia eletrônica da CIQTEK. Desde a instalação do CIQTEK SEM3200, o IESMAT organizou ativamente uma série de seminários e workshops ao longo de 2025 , normalmente realizado a cada um ou dois meses. Esses eventos recebem pesquisadores e profissionais da academia e da indústria para explorar o desempenho e as vantagens de Microscópios eletrônicos de varredura CIQTEK através sessões práticas e experiências de aprendizagem interativas . Workshop IESMAT SEM em janeiro de 2025 Seminário IESMAT SEM em fevereiro de 2025 Seminário SEM mais recente do IESMAT em setembro de 2025 O próximo evento, Dia II de Microscopia Eletrônica do IESMAT , acontecerá em 6 de novembro de 2025, em Madri . Os participantes irão desfrutar de: Microscopia eletrônica prática ao vivo com o CIQTEK SEM3200 Análise de ponta usando EDS e EBSD Insights sobre tendências atuais e direções futuras de microscopia eletrônica na Espanha O Estação de demonstração SEM no IESMAT marca um marco importante na CIQTEK Estratégia de desenvolvimento europeia . Aprimora o acesso local a tecnologias avançadas de microscopia eletrônica e proporciona aos pesquisadores uma experiência autêntica e real. Por meio de uma colaboração estreita com parceiros como o IESMAT, o CIQTEK está aprofundando seu envolvimento com o mercado europeu, promovendo a inovação e construindo conexões mais fortes com a comunidade científica. A CIQTEK continua comprometida em capacitar usuários globais por meio de instrumentação avançada, serviço localizado e colaboração contínua para o progresso científico.