Facilities & Equipment
Assembly processes in our materials are explored with a comprehensive array of reciprocal space (small and wide-angle x-ray and neutron scattering), real space (optical, scanning probe, and electron microscopy), mechanical (dynamic mechanical analysis), and spectroscopic (x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, near-edge x-ray absorption fine structure, and infrared spectroscopy) techniques. Researchers in the group gain experience in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, and biology.
Small Angle X-Ray Scattering (SAXS)
– 30 W (50 kV, 0.6 mA) Cu Ka, 1.54 Å
– Scaterless collimation with 2 motorized slits
– Linkam HFX350 Temperature Stage, Linkam TST250 Tensile Stage
– Continuous sample-to-detector distances: 70-2500 mm
– Domain spacing range: 0.15-150 nm
– Motorized sample stage
Ion Conductivity Measurement
– Princeton Applied Research 2273 Galvanostat/Frequency Response Analysis
– 10 µHz to 1 MHz
– <5 pF capacitance
– >1013 impedance
– 1.2 fA resolution
Surface Modification
– Vapor deposition chamber
– Customizable via teflon insert pieces
– Typical chemistry: chlorosilanes on silicon
– Typical substrate size: 3 cm wide x 6 cm long (accommodates up to 15 cm long)
– Nitrogen drying stream
Block Copolymer Thin Film Preparation & Analysis
– Nikon Eclipse LV100 optical microscope
– diascopic (transmission) and episcopic (reflection) modes
– 5x, 10x, 20x, 50x, and 100x objectives
– 5 megapixel color camera
– polarizer and quarter wave plate
– motorized stage
– scripting available (autofocus, autocapture, stage movement)
– Fischer Scientific Isotemp vacuum ovens
– Jelight ultraviolet ozone cleaner
– Filmetrics interferometer
– Laurell WS-400-6NPP-Lite spin coater
– Thin film polymer flowcoater
– Solvent annealing flow chamber
– nitrogen carrier gas (0-50 mL/min)
– 4” diameter annealing chamber
Block Copolymer Synthesis
– Airfree Synthesis Lines
– MBRAUN Unilab glovebox
– SG Water solvent purification columns
– 4 GPC systems:
Viscotek Tetra-Detector GPC
Tosoh EcoSEC 8320 GPC with RI, UV, and MALS LENS detectors
Tosoh EcoSEC HT with a viscometry detector
EcoSEC Elite 8420 with an RI detector
– Refractive Index
– Viscosity
– Right angle light scattering and 7o low angle light scattering
– Photodiode array (190-500 nm)
Rheology
– ARES G2 rheometer
– forced convention oven (to 600°C)
– torque range: 0.05 µN.m – 200 mN.m (oscillation)
0.1 µN.m – 200 mN.m (steady shear)
– torque resolution: 1 nN.m
– minimum angular displacement: 1 µrad
– angular velocity range: 1×10-6 rad/s to 300 rad/s
– angular frequency range: 1×10-7 rad/s to 628 rad/s
– step change in velocity: 5 ms
Moai 200 3D Printer (Peopoly)
– Technology: Stereolithography (SLA)
– Printing volume: 200 mm x 200 mm x 250 mm
– Laser spot size: 70 μm
– Laser type: Solid state laser (405 nm)
– Laser power: 150 mW
– Vat system: PDMS vat or FEP vat
– Layer height: 10 – 200 µm
– Preparation software: Asura 3D