Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais

Centro Nacional de Pesquisa em Energia e Materiais (CNPEM) is a Brazilian national research institution dedicated to advancing scientific knowledge and technological innovation in the fields of energy, materials, biosciences and nanotechnology. It provides open‑access research infrastructure that enables scientists from academia, industry and government to conduct experiments requiring specialized techniques such as synchrotron light spectroscopy, protein crystallography, nanomaterial synthesis and energy‑related material characterization. By offering beamlines, laboratories and support services, CNPEM facilitates basic and applied research that addresses challenges in renewable energy, health, agriculture and industrial processes.

The centre’s facilities attract users from across Brazil and from international collaborations, contributing to a broad scientific network that spans multiple disciplines. Its flagship Sirius synchrotron light source, a fourth‑generation accelerator, delivers high‑brightness X‑ray beams that support cutting‑edge investigations in physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. Through training programs, workshops and user assistance, CNPEM helps build scientific capacity and promotes the dissemination of knowledge generated at its laboratories.

CNPEM is distinguished by its specialization in operating large‑scale scientific infrastructures and by its integration of complementary research areas within a single campus. The presence of the Sirius synchrotron, together with national laboratories focused on biosciences, nanotechnology and energy materials, creates a unique environment for interdisciplinary work. This concentration of expertise positions the institution as a key player in Brazil’s science and technology strategy and enables it to contribute to national priorities such as sustainable energy development and advanced manufacturing.

Structurally, CNPEM is a federal entity linked to the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI) and comprises several national laboratories that operate under its governance. Its funding and oversight come from the Brazilian government, ensuring alignment with national science policy while maintaining operational autonomy to manage user access, instrument development and collaborative projects. This structure allows CNPEM to serve both domestic and international research communities while fulfilling its mandate to strengthen the country’s research infrastructure.