HILLSBORO, Ore., March 10, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FEI (Nasdaq:FEIC) announced today that it has completed the installation of a suite of high-end electron microscopes at Simon Fraser University's (SFU) new Centre for Soft Materials. The systems installed include the Tecnai Osiris™ transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Helios™ DualBeam™ (scanning electron microscope/focused ion beam). These systems join several other FEI microscopes in the 4D LABS facility, Vancouver, British Columbia, where the new, multi-million dollar center is housed.

"To accommodate the unique needs of soft materials processing and characterization, SFU's 4D LABS has partnered with Canada's Western Economic Diversification, the Automotive Fuel Cell Cooperation, Systems for Research and FEI to create the Centre for Soft Materials," said Byron Gates, associate professor and Canada research chair in surface chemistry, Department of Chemistry at SFU. "We are implementing specialized microscope equipment and methods optimized for 'soft' materials that are easily damaged by high-energy particle beam analytical techniques. Materials in this vital class range from simple polymers and composites to cells and tissues. By improving our understanding of them we will be better able to design new materials and products for applications that include medicine, clean energy, information technology and many more."

The Centre's Helios DualBeam system offers cryogenic transfer and analysis capabilities. Its focused ion beam (FIB) can slice into the soft material with minimal damage and its SEM provides high-resolution images of the revealed cross-sectional surface for three-dimensional (3D) analysis. The Osiris TEM provides a highly efficient way to analyze samples that are sensitive to particle beams by using fast, high-resolution imaging and optimized compositional analysis using a unique and patented X-ray detection system. Cryogenic holders can also be used in the Osiris for inspection of samples while cooled. This combination of low-dose, fast, high-resolution imaging; 3D reconstruction; and elemental analysis provide a unique set of capabilities for soft material analysis that was previously unavailable to researchers in Western Canada.

According to Trisha Rice, vice president and general manager of the Materials Science Business Unit, Science Group, FEI, "We are delighted to complete the installation of the Osiris and Helios systems at SFU's new research facility. Globally, there is increasing interest in engineering polymers and composite materials as replacements for existing materials used in electronics, automotive and other industrial materials applications. We expect these new microscopes to provide SFU researchers with the capabilities they need to understand and improve the performance of soft materials in real-world conditions. These new microscopes also give the students an opportunity for hands-on training in advanced microscopy systems."

More information about FEI can be found at www.fei.com.

About FEI

FEI Company (Nasdaq:FEIC) designs, manufactures and supports a broad range of high-performance microscopy workflow solutions that provide images and answers at the micro-, nano- and picometer scales. Its innovation and leadership enable customers in industry and science to increase productivity and make breakthrough discoveries. Headquartered in Hillsboro, Ore., USA, FEI has over 2,500 employees and sales and service operations in more than 50 countries around the world. More information can be found at: www.fei.com.

About Simon Fraser University

In the place where innovative education, cutting-edge research and community outreach intersect, you'll find Simon Fraser University. Our vision? To be Canada's leading engaged university. Born in 1965, SFU has become Canada's leading comprehensive university with vibrant campuses in British Columbia's largest municipalities — Vancouver, Burnaby and Surrey — and deep roots in partner communities throughout the province and around the world. SFU has matured into one of the world's leading teaching and research universities with three distinctive campuses, 30,000 students, 6,500 faculty and staff, and 120,000 alumni. More information can be found at: www.sfu.ca.

FEI Safe Harbor Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements that include statements regarding the performance capabilities and benefits of the Tecnai Osiris TEM and Helios DualBeam. Factors that could affect these forward-looking statements include but are not limited to our ability to manufacture, ship, deliver and install the tools or software as expected; failure of the product or technology to perform as expected; unexpected technology problems and challenges; changes to the technology; the inability of FEI, its suppliers or project partners to make the technological advances required for the technology to achieve anticipated results; and the inability of the customer to deploy the tools or develop and deploy the expected new applications. Please also refer to our Form 10-K, Forms 10-Q, Forms 8-K and other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission for additional information on these factors and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. FEI assumes no duty to update forward-looking statements.