The instrumentation can very roughly be classified according to the type of research they are intended for although many of the instruments could be placed in several categories.
Surface Characterization
Nikon Mikrophot FXA
| Principle: | Transmission and epi-fluorescence |
| Specifications: |
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| Operation: | Includes:
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Olympus SZX12 stereo microscope
| Principle: | Zooming stereo microscope, 0.7x to 90x zoom range |
| Specifications: |
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| Operation: | Light arrangements are episcopic with – LGR fiber optics ring – LGW light pipe flexible arms |
Veeco (di) MultiMode V
| Principle: | The AFM consists of a cantilever with a sharp tip (probe) at its end that is used to scan the specimen surface. When the tip is brought into proximity of a sample surface, forces between the tip and the sample lead to a deflection of the cantilever. This allows the shape of the sample to be measured. For details, see the Wiki |
| Specifications: | Microscope specifications: – can be configured with any of several scanners, depending upon the imaging requirements – Atomic scale scans: A, E or EV scanners – Larger scans: J or JV scanners Image Size and Resolution: – Image size up to 100 x 100 µm 2 – Digital resolution up to 5120 x 5120 pixels – Default sizes 128 x 128, 256 x 256 or 512 x 512 pixels – Width- to height aspect ratios 1:1 to 256:1 |
| Operation: | Scanning techniques: Contact AFM, Tapping Mode AFM, Phase Imaging, Non-contact AFM, LiftMode, Magnetic Force Microscope (MFM), Lateral Force Microscopy (LFM), Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Electrochemical Microscopy (ECSTM and ECAFM), Lithography, Torsional harmonic AFM |
Ntegra-Prima AFM
| Principle: | The AFM consists of a cantilever with a sharp tip (probe) at its end that is used to scan the specimen surface. When the tip is brought into proximity of a sample surface, forces between the tip and the sample lead to a deflection of the cantilever. This allows the shape of the sample to be measured. |
| Specifications: | The near-field option is included
Lateral (x-y) resolution: 6 – 100 nm (image sizes 3 – 50 µm, using 512 x 512 pixels) Vertical (z) resolution : < 0.1 nm Sample size:
Scan range:
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| Operation: | Mostly used for paper and paper coating measurements. As the image size/resolution decreases, the effect of the tip radius and cone angle increases. |
Particle and Dispersion Characterization
Malvern Zetasizer Nano ZS
| Principle: | The measurements are based on dynamic and static light scattering. The forward and back-scattering arrangements are used. For details see NBTC |
| Specifications: | Size:
Zeta potential:
Molecular weight:
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| Operation: |
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Bohlin-CS Rheometer
| Principle: | Controlled stress rotating rheometer Air-beared measuring head. Applications: Foods, pharmaceuticals, polymer solutions, concentrated dispersions |
| Specifications: | Torque range: up to 10 mNm Rotational speed: 10 -5 to 600 rpm Temperature: +5 to 90 °C |
| Operation: | Measuring geometries: Cone & Plate, Concentric Cylinders, Double Gap |
Acoustosizer II
| Principle: | Uses multifrequency electroacoustic technology to obtain zeta potential, particle size and conductivity. A high frequency electric field is applied over the emulsion. The motion of the electrically charged particles in the alternating field generate ultrasound which is measured. |
| Specifications: | Performance:
Sample characteristics:
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| Operation: | Possible to use either polar or non polar solvents. |
Micromeritics ASAP 2010
| Principle: | Utilizes adsorption of gases to determine adsorption and desorption isotherms and information about the surface area and porosity of a solid material. |
| Specifications: | Range
Degas system Temperature range
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| Operation: | Performs surface area analyses plus pore size and pore volume distributions, typically using nitrogen as standard gas.
Calculates BET and Langmuir surface areas, average and total pore volume, BJH pore size distribution and performs micropore analysis. |
Quantachrome Hydrosorb 1000
| Principle: | Measurement of adsorption and desorption water isotherms including BET surface area calculations and heats of adsorption. |
| Specifications: | Po Range: 10 – 80 mm Hg Bath temperature: 12.0 – 47.0 °C Pressure Resolution: 0.0015 mm Hg Accuracy: 0.5 % of Reading (+/- temperature coefficients) Temperature coefficients: – Zero: 0.02 % of F.S / °C (200 ppm) – Span: 0.04 % of Reading / °C (400 ppm) Operating temperature: 0 – 150 °C Overpressure limit: 35 PSIA |
| Operation: | Water sorption plays an important role for instance in drying and storage of grains; shelf life of food products; stability of pharmaceutical substances; effectiveness of coatings for dental stain resistance |
Quantachrome Autosorb 1
| Principle: | Adsorption and desorption isotherms of various test gases give information of the porosity, surface area and related quantities. Chemisorption can also be studied by using several gas inputs. |
| Specifications: | Operating Temperature
10 – 38°C, non-condensing Surface Area Analysis
Pore Analysis
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| Operation: | – Automatic switching of input gases – Unlimited number of predefined analyses – Front panel display shows system status at a glance – Easy handling of cryogenic samples – Easy-to-use computer interface |
XRD / SAXS
Bruker D8 Discover
| Principle: | For a general discussion on X-ray scattering and X-ray crystallography, see Wikipedia |
| Specifications: | Resolution
Standard centric ¼-circle Eulerian cradle goniometer and contact-free manual alignment with laser/video sample alignment system. The goniometer design allows for both horizontal and vertical sample geometries. X-ray generator: Short anode X-ray tube with CuKa-source; 3kW (1.54184 nm), power: 40 kV / 40 mA Detectors Dynamic scintillation detector with spacer and parallel beam optics 2D HI-STAR area detector system with SAXS He beam-pat |
| Operation: |
Grazing-Incidence Small-Angle X-ray Scattering (GISAXS) |
Solution and Liquid Crystal Characterization
Gonotec Osmomat 030
| Principle: | Total osmolality in aqueous solutions is determined. The solution is cooled below its freezing temperature (-7°). The crystallization is initiated by dipping a frozen needle into the supercooled solution. Thus the temperature spontaneously rises to the melting temperature of the solution. |
| Specifications: |
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| Operation: |
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Sensadyne 9000 Bubble Tensiometer
| Principle: | A bubble is immersed in the solution to blow bubbles of gas into the test solution and the maximum pressure in the tube is measured. |
| Specifications: | Surface Tension Range: 1 dyn/cm – 500 dyn/cm Bubble Rate: 1/min – 40/s Sample Size: 5 – 25 ml Accuracy: ± 0.05 dyn/cm Measures also diffusion rate |
| Operation: | With two tubes of different size of orifices, the hydrostatic parameters will be compensated. The pressure difference between the two tubes is linear proportional to the surface tension. |
KSV CAM 200 Optical tensiometer
| Principle: | Optically measures and then analyses the bubble shape, both pendant and sessile. Calculates static and dynamic contact angle, surface/interfacial tension and surface free energy of solids |
| Specifications: | Maximum sample size: Unlimited x 150 x 150 mm Frame interval: 40 ms – 1000 s (RAM memory dependent) Camera: CCD camera with telecentric zoom optics Dispensing: Manual or automatic Experiments available: static content angle, advancing and receding contact angles, surface/interfacial tension by pendant drop method Contact angle measuring range: 0 – 180 degrees Inaccuracy: ± 0.5 degrees Calculation method: Curve fitting to Young Laplace eq., circle, polynomial & Bashforth/Adams completely automated calculation, calculates separate contact angle for either side and the mean valu |
| Operation: | The CAM 200 includes a CCD video camera, a frame grabber, an adjustable sample stage and LED light source. The open design and modular construction should allow adaption to the instrument to a variety of applications. |
Anton-Paar DSA5000 Densiometer
| Principle: | Combination of the Anton Paa oscillating U-tube method with in-cell platinum sample temperature probe for density and sound velocity measurement |
| Specifications: | Standard measuring range
Pressure range |
| Operation: |
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KSV Sigma 70 Tensiometer
| Principle: | Uses Wilhelmy plate or Du Nouy ring to measure the surface tension force. |
| Specifications: | Fiber-range sensitivity: 0.0n µN (to 25mN) Three measuring ranges: 25 mN, 2.5 mN, and0.25 mN full scale Corrections for: Zidema-Waters, Harkins Jordans, Huh-Mason, and Autozero |
| Operation: | Measures the interfacial tension acting along the moistening line of a solid body entered to the interference of the solution. The electro balance and the moving mechanism are controlled by a PC |
Formulaction Turbiscan Heavy Fuel
| Principle: | Based on multiple scattering of photons. The scattered intensity is measured either in forward (for non-opaque samples) or backward scattering mode. Stability of suspension can be measured by moving the sample up and down and determining where the sample gets opaque. |
| Specifications: | Concentration: Up to 60% v/v concentrated Particle size: 0.1 µm – 1 mm |
| Operation: | The reading head aquires transmission and backscattering data every 40 µm on a maximum height of 80 nm. |
Spectrometry
Perkin-Elmer FTIR-1000
| Principle: | Fourier Transform IR spectrometer for MID-IR operation, detector DTGS |
| Specifications: | Range: 5000 – 400 cm -1 A SensIR diamond ATR unit is attached to it. |
SensIR Durascope
| Principle: | Diamond ATR combined with video microscope image seen through the ATR element to ensure accurate selection of the analysis spot |
| Specifications: | Operation down to 650 cm-1 |
Perkin-Elmer Lambda 900 UV-vis-NIR spectrometer
| Principle: | Dispersive UV/VIS/NIR spectrophotometer. Double beam optics. Littrow monochromator with three gratings |
| Specifications: | Details |
PerkinElmer LS50B luminescence spectrometer
| Principle: | Dispersive luminescence spectrometer |
| Specifications: | – Source: pulsed Xenon lamp, range 200-800 nm – Emission range: 200-900 nm – Spectral bandwidth of emission line: 2.5-15 nm – Holographic gratings on both the excitation and emission monochromators – Wavelength accuracy: +/- 1.0 nm – Wavelength repeatibility: +/- 0.5 nm – Adjustable slit width 2,5-20 nm at 0.1 nm increments – Scanning speed 10-1500 nm/min – Sensitivity: S/N 500:1 rms |
Shimadzu UV-2501PC spectrophotometer
| Principle: | Dispersive UV-vis spectrometer |
| Specifications: | – Source: D 2 and tungsten lamps – Range: 190-900 nm – Resolution: slit width 0.02-5 nm – Wavelength accuracy: +/- 0.3 nm – Peltier cooling unit attached |
Thermal Balance
Netzsch STA 449FI Jupiter (TG) and QMS 403C Aêolos (MS)
| Principle: | Simultaneous information about the weight changes and evolved gases provide the optimum performance for a comprehensive material characterization. |
| Specifications: | Netzsch STA 449 F1 Jupiter TG: Temperature range: 23 – 2000°C Sample weight: up to 5 g Sample volume: up to 5 mL Weighing range: 5 g TG resolution: 25 ng Up to 20 samples per measuring session with auto samplerNetzsch QMS 403 C Aeolos MS detector Mass range: 1 u to 300 u Vacuum system: Integrated oil free pumping system Vacuum: 10-5 mbar |
| Operation: | Optimized gas cell and transfer line Fully controlled gas paths, no dead volume No cold spots No need for high gas flow rates Low dilution – high sensitivity |
Microbalance:
Quarz crystal microbalance KSV QCM Z- 500
| Principle: | QCM is an ultra-sensitive mass sensor. The heart of the QCM is the piezoelectric AT-cut quartz crystal sandwiched between a pair of electrodes. When the electrodes are connected to an oscillator and an AC voltage is applied the quartz crystal starts to oscillate at its resonance frequency. The KSV-QCM500 measuring principle is based on impedance analysis of the quartz crystal. |
| Specifications: | – Mass sensitivity (5 MHz crystal) ca 1 ng/cm 2 in air/gas, ca 5 ng/cm 2 in liquid – D-factor sensitivity ca 2×10 -8 in air, ca 3×10 -8 in liquid – Max film thickness ca 5 mm – Active sensor area ca 20 mm 2 – Frequency range 3-50 MHz |
| Operation: | Gas and liquid phase measurements, direct measurements at air/water interfaces Continuous flow measurements Multi-frequency and temperature controlled measurements Mass and viscoelastic parameters simultaneously |