NEC's electron microscope "Topcon EM-002B," which was used to discover carbon nanotubes, has been designated as a first-term asset in the first Japan Physics Heritage selection, and a certification ceremony was held at NEC Innovation Park on 24 September 2026.
NEC's "electron microscope used to discover carbon nanotubes," the TOPCON EM-002B, has been designated as an asset in the first term of the inaugural Japan Physics Heritage program established by the Physical Society of Japan.
The designation reflects the fact that NEC Special Chief Researcher Sumio Iijima (飯島澄男) used the microscope when he first discovered multi-walled carbon nanotubes in 1991 and single-walled carbon nanotubes in 1993. Carbon nanotubes were used to elucidate atomic arrangements and multilayer concentric cylindrical structures, contributing to the development of nanoscale physics and materials science.
The designation ceremony was held at NEC Innovation Park. NEC stated its intention to continue advancing research and development in cutting-edge technologies, including AI, while preserving the historic research achievements and the technologies and expertise that supported them.