KUCHING – Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus has launched its new AIM-X Lab, a next-generation research facility designed to boldly advance scientific inquiry and drive cross-sector innovation.
At the heart of the lab is a high-resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), integrated with Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX) capability – a powerful combination that enables both detailed imaging and elemental analysis of materials.
The launch event, held on 28 April 2025, was officiated by YB Datuk Dr Haji Hazland bin Haji Abang Hipni, Deputy Minister of Energy and Environmental Sustainability Sarawak. Also in attendance were members of Swinburne Sarawak’s Board of Directors and Council, industry partners, and researchers.
The name “AIM-X” reflects the lab’s forward-looking mission and collaborative ethos: “AIM” stands for “Advanced Innovation for Materials eXploration”, reinforcing Swinburne’s commitment to future-oriented, high-impact research, while “X” represents cross-disciplinarity, positioning the lab as a collaborative platform that serves a diverse range of fields including engineering, life sciences, environmental studies, and advanced manufacturing.
“The launch of the AIM-X Lab marks a significant milestone in our university’s commitment to excellence in scientific discovery, innovation, and industry engagement,” said Swinburne Sarawak Pro Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer Ir Professor Lau Hieng Ho.
“Swinburne’s vision of bringing people and technology together to build a better world serves as our university’s guiding principle. This principle is embodied in the impactful research we carry out to deliver innovative technological solutions to real-world challenges. It is in this spirit that we have established the AIM-X Lab, with the goal of advancing scientific research and fostering greater cross-sector innovation,” he remarked.
The establishment of the AIM-X Lab is part of Swinburne Sarawak’s broader strategy to advance its standing as a research-active, industry-engaged institution and provide a cutting-edge platform for materials analysis and nanotechnology exploration.
The lab supports the university’s role as a regional innovation leader in line with national and state development agendas. This investment not only strengthens Swinburne’s research ecosystem but also supports the development of talent and capacity-building in science and technology across Borneo.
The Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) housed in the AIM-X Lab.
In regions like Sarawak, where climate and environmental conditions affect material performance (for example, corrosion due to high humidity or salt exposure), FESEM-EDX allows researchers to study how these factors influence material composition and surface behaviour under near-realistic conditions.
The AIM-X Lab responds directly to this demand by supporting climate-related research such as degradation studies of natural materials, corrosion analysis, biomaterials evaluation, and environmental impact studies. The lab enables in-situ material analysis for industries operating in tropical and marine environments, including oil and gas, forestry, renewable energy, and construction. It also empowers research that aligns with Sarawak’s Post Covid-19 Development Strategy (PCDS) 2030, which emphasises innovation, sustainability, and the digital economy.
“The state-of-the-art FESEM with integrated EDX housed in Swinburne Sarawak’s new AIM-X Lab enables high-resolution nanoscale imaging and precise elemental analysis. Nanoscale imaging captures structures so tiny – a billionth of a meter – that they are invisible to regular microscopes,” said Ir Associate Professor Dr Chew Jiuan Jing, Head of Swinburne Sarawak’s School of Engineering and Science.
“FESEM acts like a super-powered camera, revealing the shape and structure of materials at an incredibly small scale. EDX adds another layer by telling us what elements or ‘ingredients’ are inside the material, much like reading a recipe list. Together, they allow researchers to deeply understand how materials are built and what they are composed of,” she added.
The lab will serve as a platform for industry engagement, contract research, and consultancy – enabling collaboration with both local and international partners. It will also support talent development for Swinburne Sarawak’s postgraduate and students, providing them hands-on access to world-class instrumentation.
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