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Materials engineers have increasing control over nanoscale chemical composition and nanostructures. The latter can be easily analysed by the scanning electron microscope (SEM) yet nanoscale chemical analysis in the SEM poses challenges. Nevertheless, nanoscale chemical analysis capabilities have been developed in the LV-SEM by secondary electron hyperspectral imaging (SEHI). In this article, the insights that SEHI has provided into well characterised semiconductor, photovoltaic, polymer and hard carbon materials are reviewed. Instrument and experimental considerations for the obtainment of secondary electron hyper-spectra are discussed and recommendations for future analyses in the LV-SEM by SEHI are made. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]