Australian researchers say they have built a world-first prototype of a new microscope that will "open scientific doors".

Associate Professor Paul Dastoor from the University of Newcastle has been working on the scanning helium microscope (SHeM) for 20 years.

He said it will enable scientists to study human, animal and plant samples, as well as computer chips and pharmaceutical drugs, without damaging or changing them.

Traditional microscopes use light to penetrate samples and this can damage them.

But Professor Dastoor said the scanning helium microscope means the samples will be analysed in their true state for the first time ever.

He said every time a new microscope was developed there had been enormous scientific advances.

Professor Paul Dastoor says the scanning helium microscope will enable scientists to study human, animal and plant samples without damaging or changing them. ( Supplied: University of Newcastle )

"We wouldn't know anything about bacteria without the development of the optical microscope," he said.

"We wouldn't know anything about nanotechnology, without the development of the electron microscope.

"What exactly will the new helium microscope tell us? We don't know yet.

"What will it open the doors to? We don't know yet, but it will open doors."

Professor Dastoor said SHeM could be useful in major industries such as solar energy, defence, explosives and information technology.

"The new device is expected to pave the way for many new discoveries, because it gives new insight on structures at a microscopic level," he said.

He led the team of researchers from the University of Newcastle, and collaborated with scientists from England's University of Cambridge.

'We're opening a window onto a new scientific world'

Professor Dastoor said scientists would be able to see much smaller objects with a much higher resolution.

A spider fang under examination by the scanning helium microscope. ( Supplied: University of Newcastle )

He said the ground-breaking technology may help find ways of removing carbon monoxide from exhaust gases.

He also said SHeM could help with the clean-up of toxic or even radioactive spills, without harming the surrounding flora or fauna.

"Defence experts will be interested because it could lead to the development of stealth technology and new explosives," Professor Dastoor said.

He said the possibilities were endless in the areas of biological sciences, pharmaceuticals, and delicate materials.

"We work a lot with explosives — you don't want to put an explosive in an energetic microscope," he said.

"We really think we're opening a window onto a new scientific world.

"When you see the first image coming out on an instrument that you've only designed on paper, it's certainly time for the happy dance.

"We are genuinely amazed at what this microscope can do."