Capabilities
MAPL - Capabilities Overview (pdf Capabilities List)
Our capabilities include a variety of spectroscopic, imaging, electrical, thermal and physical property techniques. Whether you already know what you need or have challenging project you're looking for assistance with, we're here to help. Submit an Inquiry Here. Looking for help with an obscure/specialized problem? We work with variety of biological, environmental, and materials testing labs. Our location provides us with unique opportunities to take advantage of advanced world-class instrumentation at local universities. We'll help you find what you need. Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) IR Molecular Spectroscopy is a robust tool for identification of materials as well as monitoring chemical and physical processes. Using various attachments we can analyze: solids, liquids, gases, thin film coatings and more. Click the link for more information. X-Ray Spectroscopy (XRF/EDX/EDS) Analysis of the X-Ray energy spectra allows quantification of the elemental composition of samples under test. XRF allows non-destructive testing for large samples, while EDS facilitates sub-micron spot sizes and elemental composition mapping. Click the link for more information. UV-Vis Spectroscopy (UV-Vis) We use UV-Vis primarily for quantifying pigments/dyes in materials and determining batch to batch consistency. Additionally UV-Vis can be used to examine the stability of solutions and the kinetics of chemical reactions. Click the link for more information. Microscopy (Optical & Scanning Electron)
Our array of microscopy capabilities include: Stereo Light Microscopy 0.3X-100X, Polarized light, Transmission&Reflected Light Metallographic Microscopy 50-1000X, Polarized light, Transmission&Reflected Light Scanning Electron Microscopy 75-50000X, 10nm resolution, Secondary Electron (SED), Backscatter (Quad-BSED), and EDS mapping. Mechanical Testing Our in-house mechanical testing capabilities are focused on the small specimen, low force applications commonly encountered in the medical device field. Instron 5542 Tesnsile/Compression Test Frame - 70cm column (30cm travel) Load Cell Ranges: 500N (112lbs), 100N (22.5lbs), 50N (11.2 lbs), 5N (1.1 lbs), 1N (0.2lbs) Gas Chromatography (GC-MS) Gas chromatography allows separation of the components of a sample by volatility/polarity. After separation, the sample components are fragmented by electron impact and identified by quadrupole mass spectrometer (characteristic charge to mass ratio). Electrical Properties Volume Resistivity (electrical leakage), Dielectric Constant, Dissipation Factor, Dielectric Spectroscopy. Various techniques for monitoring electrical insulating properties of materials. These techniques are often paired with humidity and chemical exposures to assess feasibility of electrically insulating materials. Thermal Analysis (DSC, TGA, Imaging) Our staff have access to university labs for DSC and TGA thermal analyses to evaluate the composition, degradation profiles, cure, and phase change characteristics of polymers and composites. Rapid Prototyping Our rapid prototyping capabilities include: 3D modelling, finite element analysis, 3D printing, data acquisition, signal processing, and coding of custom instrument control software. Sample Prep and Facilities While the Scanning Electron Microscope and Infrared Spectrometer (FTIR) might get all the attention, behind these analyses are dozens of specimen preparation and metrology tools that are equally important for developing new materials, preparing samples, performing analyses, and solving problems. |