Background to the Sorby Centre

The Sorby Centre for Electron Microscopy and Microanalysis was named after Henry Clifton Sorby, a member of a family of leading Sheffield cutlers and a gentleman scientist. He published more than 200 scientific papers on the use of optical microscopy to study the microstructure of materials, ranging from metals to minerals. In many respects, he was one of the first materials scientists. Two of Sorby´s original micrographs of cast iron and armour are shown. Cast iron and military armour were extensively fabricated in the Sheffield area during Sorby´s lifetime. Today, the Sorby Centre carries on this tradition in microscopy, using advanced transmission and scanning electron microscopy to investigate the microstructure and structure of materials.