Facilities
Additive Manufacturing Facilities
Our powder-bed-fusion (PBF) system is a 3DSystems DMP Pro 200 equipped with a 300W laser system and argon flow throughout the build chamber to limit O2 in the build chamber. Layer thicknesses can be 30 or 60 microns resulting in features as small as 100-200microns in size. Many materials ranging from titanium to stainless steel to metal-ceramic composites are possible of being processed into complex shapes.
Our Formalloy is a directed-energy-deposition system that operates on standard G-Code to operate the X/Y axes. Our system has the option to operate an additional two rotational axes. The laser system has a max input power of 500W, and a build volume of 200mm x 200mm x 200mm and has a wavelength of 1070nm. Several external systems help to maintain constant buildplate temperature and low O2 level in the build chamber. We have been able to process many materials ranging from metals to ceramics, in single-material or multi-material configurations.
Raise3D
The Raise3D Pro2 printer is an extruder based polymer printer (Fused Deposition Modeling or FDM.) The machine can print many different types of polymers including PLA, ABS, TPU and many more. The machine also features a 305mm x 305mm x 300mm print bed and can print parts with a max resolution of 400 microns and a minimum layer height of 10 microns.
Binder jetting printer for ceramic (The Innovent+®)
The Innovent+® 3D printer is a multi-purpose additive platform. The 3D printed is designed to reliably produce functional parts in a variety of materials with high resolution. In this printer, components are built up layer by layer in an iterative process. First, a layer of powder is spread. Then a printhead with binder jets is moved across the powder to selectively bind the powder together where positive geometric features are desired. The part is lowered, and a new layer of powder is spread over the top. The process is then repeated until the entire geometry is complete.
Mechanical Characterization
Table Top Universal Testing Machine
The lab is equipped with Shimadzu’s AG-IS Autograph ® (Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Columbia, MD) table-top universal material testing system having 50 kN capacity. The machine is capable of testing various materials in tension, compression and bending. The TRAPEZIUM-X software enables to control various test parameters and even low cycle dynamic testing. Data processing in the software is very simple enabling direct calculation of desired mechanical properties such as tensile strength, yield strength, Young’s modulus etc. from the test results.
Hardess Tester
Shimadzu’s HMV-2T series microhardness tester (Shimadzu Scientific Instruments, Columbia, MD) has automatic load change function with 9 different load to select from. The tested is equipped with Vicker’s diamond pyramid indenter. The automatic operation eliminates operation errors and provides outstanding safety. The superior user interface with LCD touch panel makes the operation simple and easy.
Nanovea Tribometer
The NANOVEA Tribometer equipment (Microphotonics Inc., CA, U.S.A.) contains accessories to carry out the test in a controlled humidity atmosphere or media such as physiological/lubricating fluids. The instrument follows the ASTM G133-05 tribological testing standard. Testing can be done in a linear reciprocating or rotating disc ball-on-flat configuration. Testing parameters such as normal load, translation speed, total slide distance as well as media temperature may be varied. Data that is acquired during testing consists of compound wear and the coefficient of friction (COF). Additionally, the normalized wear rate and wear mode(s) may be determined from the compound wear and surface imaging of the wear scar, respectively.
Ducom Biotribometer
Ducom wear testing equipment (Bangalore, India) contains accessories to carry out the test in controlled atmosphere such as physiological/lubricating fluids with precise temperature and humidity control. The instrument also has the capability to test the materials for their wear resistance in linear reciprocating and rotating mode with ball-on-disc or pin-on-disc configuration. The software enables independent selection of various test parameters such as load, speed, distance, temperature, etc. Compound wear (CW) and coefficient of friction (COF) are the main outputs of this unit.
Thermo, Nicolet 6700 FTIR Spectrometer
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), is a analysis technique that provides information about the chemical bonding or molecular structure of materials, whether organic or inorganic. Unlike SEM inspection or EDX analysis, FTIR spectroscopy does not require a vacuum, since neither oxygen nor nitrogen absorb infrared rays. FTIR analysis can be applied to minute quantities of materials, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. When the library of FTIR spectral patterns does not provide an acceptable match, individual peaks in the FTIR plot may be used to yield partial information about the specimen.
VCA Optima, AST Products Inc.
The static contact angles of sessile drops of liquids on polished samples can be measured using a face contact angle set-up equipped with a camera. The contact angle data is used for surface properties analysis such as wettability, surface energy, surface tension etc.
Uniaxial Press
It consists of compacting a dry powder in a die at a pressure. Sufficiently high pressure is required to have sufficient strength of the green compact for subsequent handling and processing.
Cutting tools
Tormach
Our Tormach is a 770M 3-axis machining center with a milling volume of 14” x 7.5” x 13.25”. The spindle motor is 1.5HP/1.12kW with a maximum speed of 10,000RPM. The max federate is 110-135IPM, and can run from a standard G-Code program. The RapidTurn attachment enables turning of materials up to a couple of inches in diameter. This machine has machined anything from aluminum to titanium and stainless steel, as well as Inconel superalloys, despite having such a small motor.
Wazer Waterjet
Our WAZER waterjet cutting system maintains a cutting bed of 13” by 19” with a kerf of 0.044” (1.2mm). It operates on line water that is pumped up to 3-5kpsi and utilizes standard garnet abrasive. DXF files for cutting can be generated on WAZER’s “Wam” software. We have readily cut anything from aluminum to titanium plate at variable speeds.
Powder Characterization
Location: ETRL 142
TRISTAR 3000 BET Surface Analyzer
Micromeretics Inc. Our BET surface area measurement unit measures surface area of nanoparticles as well as micron sized particles using nitrogen adsorption technique. Pressure can vary between 0 to 999 mmHg range.
Particle Size Analyzer
NICOMP 380
PSS NICOMP
This DLS system with an APD detector is capable of measuring size and size distribution of nano-particles between 1 nm to 5 mm. Suspension of particles in both aqueous and organic medium can be measured.
Thermal Analysis
NETZSCH Inc. Thermal Analyzer (STA 409PC)
This combined DSC-DTA-TGA system can run up to 1550o C under different atmospheres including static, dynamic oxidizing, inert and reducing atmosphere with a maximum heating rate of 50 oC/min. Depending on the material system, we can use either Pt or alumina crucibles for testing.
Nano Flash for Thermal Diffusivity Measurements
The NETZSCH LFA 447 NanoFlash® is based on the well-known flash method. In this method, the front side of a plane-parallel sample is heated by a short light pulse. The resulting temperature rise on the rear surface is measured using an infrared detector. By analysis of the resulting temperature versus- time curve, the thermal diffusivity of various materials can be determined within 0.01 to 1000 mm2/s (thermal conductivities between 0.1 to 2000 W/m.K). It can complete tests on dozens of samples at room temperature in a single morning or, make measurements at temperatures up to 300 °C automatically. A 32 bit Windows® software package, combines easy handling and complex evaluation routines, thus offering a solution to almost every problem. More than 15 different evaluation models are available.
Viscosity Analysis
Haake Polylab Inc. Torque Rheometer and Single Screw Extruder
Our HAAKE polylab compounding and single screw extruder system is capable of high shear mixing of polymers and polymer-ceramic composites for different applications. We also have tape and cylindrical dies for high temperature extrusion up to 400 C.
Ceramic Processing
Thermolyte Inc. High Temperature Furnace (46100, 48000)
Our high temperature muffle furnaces can go up to 1700 C. It has a 6″ X 6″ X 6″ inner volume with 6 MoSi2 heating elements.
US Stoneware Inc. Ball Mill
Autoclave Engineers Inc. Cold Isostatic Press (32260)
CIP is used in ceramic processing to increase green density of ceramic parts. This machine can go upto 60,000 psi pressure.
Vibra Laboratory Balance
Capacity 80 g
Readability 0.0001 g (0.1 mg)
The weighing chamber floor is to guard the internal components from accidental spillage and is fitted with an anti-buoyancy plate to ensure air currents within the chamber do not affect the weighing results.
Microwave sintering (ENERZI)
The high-temperature microwave furnace is designed to build with technological features as outlined in the specifications. The maximum temperature possible in the oven is 1600.
3 KW Automatic Control, Control Environment Microwave Furnace
In Vitro Cell Culture
Baker SterilGARD III Advance Biosafety Cabinet
Cell culture hood is a carefully enclosed bench designed to prevent contamination of biological samples. The cabinet is equipped with laminar air flow system along with a UV germicidal lamp to sterilize chamber when not in use.
Tissue Culture Inverted Microscope, Accu-Scope Inc., Series 3300
The inverted tissue culture microscope is used for biological applications such as to view tissue culture specimens grown in flask.
Microplate Reader, SYnergy 2, Bio Tek
The Synergy 2 detection modes include Fluorescence Intensity (FI), Fluorescence Polarization (FP), Time-Resolved Fluorescence (TRF), Luminescence, and UV visible Absorbance to detect biological, chemical, or physical events of samples in microtiter plates. It supports the reading of 6-, 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, 384-, and 1536-well microplates with standard 128 x 86 mm geometry. The monochromator provides wavelength selection from 200 to 999 nm in 1-nm increments. Area and spectral scanning and Pathlength Correction are available to read methods. It has temperature control from 4°C over ambient to 50°C. Internal plate shaking is supported to ensure that reagents are properly mixed prior to reading.
NuAIR 8700 Dual chamber CO2 Incubator
A CO2 incubator is an apparatus used to grow and culture the cells. These incubators work to control three essential variables related to replicating the mammalian environment; stable CO2 level, temperature, and relative humidity (RH).
Thermo Scientific™ Bio-Cane™
The Bio-Cane can store cells, tissues, and biologicals in a biological manner.
Centrifuge
The Bio-Cane can store cells, tissues, and biologicals in a biological manner.
CFX Connect Real-Time PCR Detection System
It is used to separate components of a complex mixture.
Maximum Relative centrifugal force of Marathon 8K: 6580xg
Maximum Revolutions Per Minute of Thomas Scientific: 14000 RPM
Autoclave (2540, Tuttnauer)
The autoclave is designed for the sterilization of wrapped and unwrapped items. This autoclave is an electrically heated sterilizer using steam as the sterilizing agent. It is a manually operated device with a control system based upon steam pressure. The operator can select a sterilization temperature from within a range of 212ºF – 273ºF (100ºC – 134ºC). This allows for the sterilization of heat-sensitive material at a low sterilization temperature and provides for faster sterilization at higher temperatures for materials able to withstand the higher sterilization temperatures. It includes a drying system for wrapped items.
Lyophilizer(FreeZone 2.5 Liter Benchtop Freeze Dryer)
The autoclave is designed for the sterilization of wrapped and unwrapped items. This autoclave is an electrically heated sterilizer using steam as the sterilizing agent. It is a manually operated device with a control system based upon steam pressure. The operator can select a sterilization temperature from within a range of 212ºF – 273ºF (100ºC – 134ºC). This allows for the sterilization of heat-sensitive material at a low sterilization temperature and provides for faster sterilization at higher temperatures for materials able to withstand the higher sterilization temperatures. It includes a drying system for wrapped items.
Elemental Characterization
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) Shimadzu AA-6800
Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) is one of the commonest instrumental methods for analyzing for metals and some metalloids. AAS uses the absorption of light to measure the concentration of gas-phase atoms. Each metal has a characteristic wavelength that will be absorbed. The sample of interest is aspirated into the flame and the metal atoms absorb some of the light, thus reducing its intensity. The analyte concentration is determined from the amount of absorption.
FT-IR
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) is an analysis technique that provides information about the chemical bonding or molecular structure of materials, whether organic or inorganic. It does not require a vacuum since neither oxygen nor nitrogen absorbs infrared rays. FTIR analysis can be applied to minute quantities of materials, whether solid, liquid, or gaseous. When the library of FTIR spectral patterns does not provide an acceptable match, individual peaks in the FTIR plot may be used to yield partial information about the specimen.
Other facilities
Mini freezer (-85°C)
The freezer can achieve temperatures of about -40° C to -85° C to store drugs, enzymes, chemicals, viruses, bacteria, cell preparations, and tissue samples.