Our specialist team prepares and analyses biological, geological and synthetic material for staff, scientific visitors and consultancy projects.
Services and equipment
Mineral sample laboratory
The museum’s mineral preparation laboratory prepares specimens from the collections for further analysis with SEM, geochemical and optical description/identification.
Electronic and light engineering workshop
We repair and modify specialist electronic equipment.
3D visualisation
The 3D visualisation laboratory has three scanners for digitising large-scale objects and specimens sized from 2cm to 3m.
Microanalysis
Our electron probe microanalysis instruments allow us to conduct qualitative and quantitative elemental analysis of samples.
Chemical analysis
We use specialist techniques to determine the concentrations of elements and chemical species in a wide range of samples.
Electron microscopy
The electron microscope is a type of microscope that uses a beam of electrons to create an image of the specimen.
Computed tomography
Micro-CT is a non-invasive and non-destructive technique that uses X-rays to create 3D models of the internal and external features of specimens.
X-ray diffraction
A tool for phase identification, quantification and crystal structure analysis.
Light microscopy
The Light Microscopy Facility houses state-of-the-art microscopy systems that allow scientists from all over the world to see beyond the limits of the naked eye.
Confocal microscopy
In confocal microscopy, an object is scanned using a laser beam to build up the image a line at a time.
News from the Imaging and Analysis Centre
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CollectionsExplore the Museum's collection with Sir David Attenborough
Virtual reality is providing unprecedented access to the Museum's most precious specimens.
6 March 2018 -
NewsDiplodocus head is 3D printed
This is what happens when a Jurassic dinosaur is introduced to twenty-first century technology.
24 January 2018 -
CollectionsCarved bone reveals rituals of prehistoric cannibals
A patterned prehistoric human bone from an archaeological site in Somerset has revealed that the practices of ancient cannibals were ritualistic, and not simply about survival.
