Mexico's national research petroleum institute, the Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo (IMP), yesterday opened its new center for advanced microscopy and research. In planning since 2002, the center features a suite of tools from Hillsboro, Ore.-based instrument maker FEI that enable advanced nanoscale research and development, including an XL 30 environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM), a Nova 200 NanoLab, the first DualBeam installed in Latin America, two Tecnai transmission electron microscopes and a Titan S/TEM (scanning/transmission electron microscope). IMP researchers will use the tools for applications including the study and development of catalysts for more efficient fuels, fuel cell membranes and new nano-enabled materials such as anticorrosive products for oil refineries and pipelines.