Instrumentation and Facilities
Electron Paramagnetic resonance (epr), also called Electron Spin Resonance (esr)
A Bruker EMX electron paramagnetic resonance (epr) Spectrometer, equipped with a high Q resonator, wide band amplifier and a high precision frequency counter. In addition to the low temperature system listed below, the epr spectrometer has a liquid nitrogen cryostat system. This equipment was purchased through a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.
The main strength of the epr spectrometer is that it is extremely sensitive to unpaired electrons, free radicals for example, making it ideal for many biological applications. Even if free radicals are not naturally found in a particular sample, they can be introduced via ionizing radiation, or spin labeling for example.
One amusing application of epr is in the beer industry.
Other applications include the ability to date geological and archaeological samples.
Please follow this link for more information about epr and it's capabilities.
A Panalytical X-pert x-ray powder diffractometer
A Panalytical X-pert x-ray powder diffractometer equipped with a Θ - 2Θ goniometer and a programmable receiving slit. This equipment was purchased through a National Science Foundation (NSF) grant.
The main use of this instrument is to determine the structure of materials. It is quite different from the x-ray machine that your dentist or doctor uses. Rather than producing a direct image of objects such as bones. This instrument gives a "picture" in reciprocal where large things become small, but more importantly small things become large. Unlike many analytical instruments which provide information about the building blocks of materials, this instrument provides information about how these blocks are put together. For example, diamond, coal, and graphite are all collections of carbon atoms. The important difference is how they are put together. Instruments are a mainstay of geologist.
More information about x-ray diffraction and its capabilities, and an Introduction to X-ray Diffraction.
Closed cycle cryogenic system
Advanced Research Systems (ARS) Displex closed cycle cryogenic system, specially modified for use with the epr and x-ray diffraction systems. This system is capable of temperatures down to 10K without the use of liquid cryogens.
Closed cycle cryogenic system
Advanced Research Systems (ARS) Displex closed cycle cryogenic system, specially modified for use with the epr and x-ray diffraction systems. This system is capable of temperatures down to 10K without the use of liquid cryogens.
Laser micrometer system
A laser micrometer motion controlled scanner system. Consisting of microepsilon laser micrometers, microkinetics x-y table and National Instruments motion controller card and software. Follow this link to a video of the system in operation.
Fuel Cell Test System
Fuel cell test system consisting of a TDI dynaload electronic load and other computer controlled test and measurement instrumentation. Follow this link to a image of the system.
Computers
The labs currently have four dual core computers and two quad core computers for general use as well as dedicated computers for the major instruments.
Other Instrumentation
Other instruments include various test and measurement instrumentation such as high bandwidth oscilloscopes, lock in amplifiers, and high voltage amplifies. Other auxiliary equipment includes vacuum systems, diamond wire saw, and other sample preparation equipment.