The Multifunctional Materials & Composites (MMC) Laboratory Labs

Near-field scanning optical microscope s-SNOM, PsHet, nanoFTIR

• neaSNOM: Scanning nearfield optical microscope (scattering mode & photothermal mode)
• Widely tuneable wOPO laser (550 - 7500 cm-1; 1.3 - 20 µm)  >> Psedoheterodyne (PsHet) imaging, Point spectroscopy PSP), Photothermal AFM-IR
• Supercontinuum DFG femtosecond laser (650 - 2200 cm-1; 4.6-15.4 µm) >> nano-FTIR spectroscopy
• Hyperspectral mapping at ~10 nm spatial resolution
• Tip force microscopy (TFM) for stiffness, adhesion, viscosity and energy dissipation at nanoscale
• Kelvin probe force microscopy (KPFM), coupled PsHet + KPFM imaging

Renishaw Qontor inVia Raman confocal microscope

• Lasers: 532 nm (green) & 785 nm (NIR)
• Eclipse filter for down to ~15 cm-1 Terahertz modes
• Point spectroscopy (~300 nm)
• StreamLine imaging
• Volume depth imaging
• LiveTrack auto-focussing
• Polarisers
• LINKAM stage DSCX600, rapid heating & cooling (-196 °C to 600 °C)

Cypher-ES Environmental AFM

• Tapping mode, height topography (~nm)
• Contact mode
• Nanoindentation & nanomechanical mapping (AM-FM)
• Nanoelectrical modes (KPFM, PFM)
• Heating stage (0−120 °C)
• Gas flow / Liquid environment

FS-5 Spectrofluorometer (Edinburgh Instruments)

• Excitation, emission, absorption measurements of liquid, solid, powders and thin films
• Quantum yield measurements (integrating sphere)
• TCSPC lifetime measurements (ns - ps), 365 nm EPLED
• High temperature sample holder (max. 300°C)
• Thermostatic sample holder with magnetic stirrer
• Electroluminescence sample holder for integrating sphere

Tescan LYRA3 dual-beam FIB-SEM (with EDS, EBSD, STEM)

• Field emission gun (FEG) source ⟹ ~10-100s nm resolution
• Focused ion beam (FIB) ⟹ Ga+ milling
• Many different detectors (SE, EBSD, BSD, EDS, STEM, …)
• Alemnis in-SEM nanoindenter

Zeiss Evo ESEM (with EDS, EBSD)

• LaB6 source ⟹ ~1 𝜇m resolution or better
• Large chamber ⟹ Deben micromechanical stages for in situ studies
• Variable pressure (VP) mode
• SE, EDS, EBSD, BSD

Miniflex X-ray diffractometer (XRD)

- X-ray generator 600 Watt

- Cu X-ray tube Normal Focus 1kW Vertical goniometer

- Direct Beam Absorber

- 1 kW VDH Chiller

iMicro Nanoindenter (Nanomechanics Inc.)

- InForce 50 actuator (max. 50 mN)

- High resolution optics

- Continuous stiffness measurements (CSM)

- Scratch and wear testing

- ProbeDMA polymer methods

- Hydrated sample puck

- NanoBlitz 3D

- User method development for InView control software

IviumStat.h Impedance Spectrometer

- Electrochemical impedance analyser (10 µHz to 8 MHz bandwidth)

- Potentiostat ±10 V (0.02 mV resolution)

- Galvanostat (±1 mV to ±10 V)

- Electrometer ±5 A (10 pA resolution)

- 24 bits measurements

Hioki LCR Meter (IM3536)

- 4-terminal probe

- Pincer probes

- Variable frequency, 4 Hz to 8 MHz

- Variable voltage, 10 mV to 5 V

- Variable current, 10 𝜇A to 100 mA

3D Printer (Formlabs) Form 3

- Photolithography additive manufacturing system

- Build volumes 145 x 145 x 185 mm

- Laser spot size 85 microns

- XY resolution 25 microns

- Layer thickness 25 - 300 microns depending on polymers used

Electrospinning Apparatus

- Home-built electrospinning setup housed in an airtight acrylic glove box

- Spellman 0-30kV, 0-300 𝜇A auto-reversing power supply

- Genvolt 0-30 kV DC power supply

- Versatile nozzle, height adjustments, substrate collectors

- Automated syringe pump

- Automatic drum collector

- Portable design

Sigma 3-18K Refrigerated Centrifuge

- High capacity centrifuge with speed range up to 18,000 RPM

- Programmable temperature (-20 to 40 °C), speed and time control

- Angle rotor 6 x 50 mL including hermetic aluminium lid

- Adaptors for 6 x 15 mL centrifuge tubes

Automatic Doctor Blade Film & Membrane Coater (MTI AFA-II)

- Equipped with a large tempered glass plate on which different substrates can be supported during coating operation

- Adjustable doctor blade for controlled film thickness: 10 µm to 5 mm

- Maximum coating dimensions (LxW): 50 x 250 cm

- Variable coating speed: 1 to 95 mm/sec

Heraeus VT6060M Vacuum Oven

- Chamber capacity 53 L

- Max. temperature 200 °C

- Max. sample size (L x W x H): 350 x 300 x 250 mm

- Inert gas purging option available

Automatic Dip Coater (MTI PTL-OV5P)

- Programmable 5-position liquid solutions to prepare multilayer optical and epitaxial thin films

- Dipping/pulling rates, dwell/dry time, and cycle numbers can be programmed via touch screen controller

- Temperature: 50 - 200 °C

- Dipping and pulling rates: 1-200 mm/min

- Dwell and drying times: 0 - 999 seconds

- Dipping cycles and position turning: 99

Heratherm OMH100 Advanced Protocol Oven

- Chamber capacity 97 L

- Temperature range 50 to 330 °C

- Programmable controller for temperature ramps and dwells

- Adjustable fan speed for application related airflow

- Access ports for insertion of additional sensors and data logging

- Ideal for solvothermal and hydrothermal synthesis

UPRtek Spectrophotometer (MK350N Plus)

- Handheld portable spectrometer and colorimeter

- Visible light spectrum 360-760 nm

- CIE1931 and CIE1976 colour charts acquisition

- Luminosity and correlated colour temperature (CCT) measurements

- Steady-state and transient measurements

HERAguard Clean Bench (Heraeus HPH12)

- Provides sterile environment and clean air conditions to protect against sample contamination

- Interior work area: 1200 x 650 mm

- Adjustable laminar air flow velocity: 0.2 to 0.5 m/s

Ducted Fume Cupboard (TCS)

- Containment against hazardous effects of volatile gases, vapours, nanoparticles etc

- Work area 1200 mm wide

- Max. airflow velocity ~0.5 m/s

Metallographic Grinder and Polisher (MTI Unipol-820)

- Heavy-duty grinding and polishing machine

- Two 8" magnetic plates with independent speed control

- Variable speed up to 600 RPM

Olympus SZX10 Stereo Microscope

- 2x achromatic objective (WD ~34 mm) with 10x eyepiece

- High 10:1 zoom ratio of 0.63x - 6.3x; max. magnification 126x

- Equipped with a polariser

- Trinocular tube for CCD camera attachment

Reflected and Transmitted Light Microscope

- Achromatic objectives 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x, 100x

- 5 Megapixel CCD camera and image analysis software

- Dark and bright field imaging

Buehler Isomet Diamond Saw

- Gravity feed low-speed saw with built-in micrometer for precision sectioning of small specimens and brittle materials

- Cutting capacity: 45 mm, 300 RPM

- 5" (127 mm) blade capacity

- Chucks and fixtures for various sample geometries

Mettler-Toledo XS105 DualRange Balance

- Max. capacity: 41 g /120 g

- Readability: 0.01 mg /0.1 mg

- Density measurement accessories

Ohaus Pioneer Analytical Balance

- Max. capacity: 210 g

- Readability: 0.1 mg

Parr reactors

- Stainless steel vessels with 23 mL PTFE liners

- Solvothermal and hydrothermal reactions at above ambient boiling points

- Pressure release safety valves

Dry Pressing Die Set

- Hardened steel 3~4 tonnes max. load

- For 6 mm (1/4") I.D. pellets

Specac Atlas 15 Ton Hydraulic Press

- Manual press (set at 10 ton)

- Evacuable pellet dies 13 mm diameter