CFEM was created in 1991 by the Center for Materials Research and Analysis when a need for electon microscopy capabilities was foreseen in order to further materials research in Nebraska. A UNL faculty member was added to serve as Faculty Advisor to the Facility as well as a researcher/instructor in the growing Materials Science & Engineering branch of the Mechanical Engineering Department. This faculty member, Dr. Brian Robertson , set about the task of choosing the site for the facility and its equipment.
In September of 1991 remodeling of 1400 sq. feet of unused basement space in Walter Scott Engineering Center was completed; providing stringent temperature, acoustic, vibration and magnetic interference control. With the initial $600,000 funding from CMRA the facility purchased three electron microscopes(EM) and assorted support equipment, establishing it as the premier EM facility between Arizona and Illinois.
A new electron microscope, a VG HB-5 STEM, was installed in the facility in February of 1994 and became operational during the spring of the same year bringing the total to four instruments.
Philips 400T was out of service in 2000.