Delta College receives donation of valuable electron microscopes

STOCKTON — Microscopy is the study of extremely small objects using a microscope. In electron microscopy, an electron beam replaces light to form images of structures at nanoscale magnifications.

San Joaquin Delta College’s Electron Microscopy program will receive a pair of valuable electron microscopes from Applied Materials, Inc., and JEOL USA. Each will replace aging microscopes.

“These donations will give our students exposure to the kind of microscopes they will use in contemporary labs,” Professor Frank Villalovoz said. “When these instruments were new, they cost in the multiple hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

Delta’s high-tech EM program was started in 1970 under the leadership of Victor Remillard and Dr. Betty Mathews. It’s the only program of its kind at any community college in the U.S.

Students have the opportunity for employment with research scientists in laboratories, manufacturer's labs, health fields and beyond, in a robust job market. Graduates of the program can earn upwards of $50,000 annually.

Applied Materials, Inc., a multibillion-dollar company that produces semiconductor manufacturing equipment, is donating the Hitachi S-4800 FE Scanning Electron Microscope.

In addition, Hitachi High Technologies America is donating $20,000 for the installation, including a 25 percent discount on service and repairs for the coming year.

“This instrument allows us to easily obtain a very high magnification — much better than our present instruments,” Villalovoz said.

JEOL USA, an international manufacturer of electron microscopes, is donating the JEOL 1200 EX II Transmission Microscope. In 2014, JEOL loaned the EX II to the program with free installation and service.

The JEOL 1200 EX II can magnify samples up to 500,000 times. JEOL has a long-standing relationship with Delta’s program, contributing microscopes, maintenance and scholarships.

“Each company has hired our graduates in key positions,” EM lab tech Cathy Davis said. “They are extremely happy with our students’ job performance.”

Dr. Jon Krupp thanked Applied Materials, Hitachi and JEOL for their support of the program.

“Without the generosity of our industry partners, we probably would never be able to purchase new instruments equivalent to these,” he said.

Delta’s Electron Microscopy program is accepting students. Fall classes start Aug. 21.