Materials Characterization and Processing Center

In the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, we hold our industry connections in very high regard. Not only do we educate and train future materials professionals, but we also develop and utilize leading technology that advances the boundaries of the profession. Our laboratories serve undergraduate and graduate students, in addition to the faculty of Materials Science and Engineering and welcome opportunities to partner with Industry via various mechanisms.

As a department, we are able to offer the services of our Materials Characterization and Processing Center, which provides analytical and physical testing, manufacturing, fiber extrusion, and processing support and services.

A core component of our mission is to provide public service testing on a fee basis for Industry. Our center is committed to thoughtful problem-solving and analysis, a direct result of our in-depth technical experience and extensive knowledge gained, in part, via collaborations with faculty and industry partners. We are especially skilled at establishing non-routine, unique protocols to assist with a variety of needs, including troubleshooting, defect analysis, proof of concept, and pilot-scale testing and analysis.

Core Capabilities

Chemical Analyses

Determine chemical ‘makeup’ of materials
Deconstruction of blends of materials by physical and chemical separation techniques
FTIR spectroscopy
Gas chromatography (GC) and GEL Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
Accelerated Solvent Extractions (ASE)
Optical microscopes (including hot stage microscope)
Standard color viewing arrangements (lightboxes)
Reflective color measurement systems for visual and numerical color characterization
Absorbance of liquids in the visible range (to include ultra-violet and near-infrared absorbance/transmission properties of liquids/solutions using UV-Vis NIR spectroscopy)

Non-Woven Research Services and Processes

Production of non-woven materials such as air-laid processes, needle punching, hydroentanglement, sonic bonding and calendaring
Carding and cross-lapping of fibers and non-woven materials

ECE Clean Room Services and Processes

Wet & dry chemical cleaning and etching
Plasma etching
ALD & E-beam deposited dielectrics & metals
I-Line photolithography

Thermal Analysis and Tensile Properties

Determining key material properties such as:
- Degree of crystallinity
- Glass transition temperature
- Melting point range
- Degradation temperature
- Enthalpy of formation measurements via melt solution calorimetry
Generate Stress/strain data
Analyze data to determine tensile strength, elongation at break and tensile modules
Instron testing with load cell capacities from 10 grams to 22,000 lbs
Abrasion testing equipment
Substrate porosity determination for all porous materials, including non-wovens and textiles
Generate data such as mean pore size, pore size distribution, largest pore size and air the flux/permeability through materials being tested