Nanocrystal analysis system bolsters sci-tech self-reliance

In a major step for Chinese scientific engineering, the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry has unveiled the country's first domestically developed system for analyzing the structures of micronanocrystals.

Known as RaSAS, the rapid analysis system marks a definitive shift for China, moving the nation from a long-term reliance on expensive imported technology to achieving independent control over high-end scientific instrumentation. With this breakthrough, China joins Japan and Switzerland as the only countries in the world to be able to develop such a precision analytical instrument.

The analysis of crystal structures at submicron to nanometer scales is a critical support for fields such as deep-space and deep-earth exploration, as well as the application of nano-functional materials, according to researchers.

The significance of RaSAS lies in its ability to peer into the microscopic world at a scale that traditional X-ray diffraction technology cannot reach. For years, researchers faced bottlenecks when trying to analyze crystal structures at the submicron and nanometer levels, often hampered by foreign instruments that were not only prohibitively expensive but also rigid in their software capabilities. The new RaSAS system, equipped with a proprietary 3D electron diffraction acquisition and processing system, overcomes these hurdles by offering full autonomy across both hardware and software.

Zhu Jianxi, deputy director of the GIG, said the RaSAS system holds broad application potential and is expected to play a significant role in fields such as Earth and planetary sciences, materials science and biomedicine.

Xian Haiyang, a researcher with the GIG who led the research team along with Zhu, said the technological breakthrough not only enables direct analysis of crystalline structures at the submicronto-nano scale but also provides indigenously developed cutting-edge capabilities for scientific innovation and industrial advancement in strategic fields such as materials science, pharmaceuticals and geology.

"In specialized application scenarios, foreign instruments often struggle with customized analysis, which imposes limitations. In contrast, our independently developed RaSAS can completely overcome this challenge," he said.

The practical impact of this technology has already been proven in the field. Researchers have used the system to identify and name two new minerals, Wangyanite and Oxyplumbopyrochlore, both of which have been officially approved by the International Mineralogical Association. The technology also played a critical role in a study published in the journal Science, confirming that water from the early deep-Earth could be stored within the lattice of Bridgmanite, a discovery that reshapes our understanding of planetary evolution.

The path to this innovation was a five-year journey of overcoming complex engineering challenges, including the localization of critical components like field-emission electron guns and highvoltage power supplies. This technical success also comes with a significant economic advantage. RaSAS is expected to be priced at approximately 60 percent of its Japanese competitors, which typically cost around 12 million yuan ($1.71 million) per unit.

As the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry looks toward the future, the transition from lab to market appears imminent. Experts suggest that mass production could begin within three to six months following the appropriate technology transfers.

This rapid rollout is highly anticipated by the broader scientific community, including figures like professor Qin Liping from the University of Science and Technology of China, who said that getting this equipment into more research institutes will be vital for China's continued advancement in high-end manufacturing and strategic scientific research.

zhengcaixiong@chinadaily.com.cn