Materials Science Lab
Professional personnel trained in the operation of analytical instrumentation and characterization equipment aptly complement the scientific and technical capabilities of the MSL equipment.
Morphology and topographical characterization are available for a wide range of materials, including (but not limited to) polymers, ceramics, metals (and their alloys), fibers, aggregates and composites.
The centerpiece of the lab is the new ultra-high-resolution Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FE-SEM) Hitachi SU7000. The high performance SU7000 offers a multitude of functionalities including wide-area observation, in-situ analysis, variable pressure, high-resolution imaging at low accelerating voltages (e.g., 0.9 nm@1 kV), and simultaneous multi-signal collection.
The SU7000 is also equipped with an enhanced Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) system Octane Elect and APEX™ software by EDAX for microanalysis. Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM) Imaging capabilities are available.
Additionally, the MSL includes a FEI Quanta 200 Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM) equipped with EDAX Octane Pro Detector and EDAX TEAM software and a Zygo 3D Optical Profiler for characterizing and quantifying surface roughness, step heights, critical dimensions and other topographical features.
Along with the above instruments, the MSL includes a full range of specimen preparation equipment (i.e. acid bench, automated grinding and polishing, sawing, and sputter coating). There is also an inverted microscope with image analysis software for determining particle size and density counts, and a Vickers scale microhardness indentation device.
EQUIPMENT LIST
Electron Microscopy / X-Ray Microanalysis
- Hitachi SU7000 Ultra-High Resolution FE Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with EDAX Octane Elect Detector and APEX software
- FEI Quanta 200 Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope equipped with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy / EDAX Octane Pro and EDAX TEAM software
- Zygo 3D Optical Profiler / New View 6K
- Rigaku Ultima IV X-Ray Diffractometer with several analytical attachments / PDXL Pattern Match Database
- Beckman Coulter Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer
Metallography Equipment
- Nikon Epiphot Inverted Microscope equipped with Nikon-Elements Basic Research software
- Nikon Eclipse MA 100 Inverted Microscope equipped with Nikon-Element D software
- Nikon SMZ 1500 Zoom Microscope equipped with Nikon-Elements Basic Research software
- LECO VX4 Inverted Microscope equipped with PAX-it2 Research software
- Buehler IsoMet High Speed Pro Precision Cutter
- Buehler SimpliMet 4000 Sample Mounting System
- Buehler EcoMet 30 Sample Grinder / Polisher
- LDS Chemical Fume Hood Etching Station
Ancillary Equipment
- Buehler VH1202 Microhardness Tester - Vickers / Knoop Indenters equipped with DiaMet Hardness Testing software
- Denton Desk V TSC Sputter Unit equipped with Gold / Palladium & Iridium Target Material including Carbon Rod Evaporation
- Polaron High Resolution Sputtercoater & Carbon Units
Contact: Brian Bates | Clement 107 | 931-372-3185 | bbates@tntech.edu
