NanoCenter Allied Laboratories are laboratories at the University of Maryland that share equipment with interested users. NanoCenter members are encouraged to contact the lab's directors or principal investigators to make arrangements to use these instruments. This broader network of known labs is one of the benefits of NanoCenter participation.
Principal Investigator: Reza Ghodssi
Email: ghodssi@umd.edu
Location: 2201 J. M. Patterson Building
The MEMS Sensors and Actuators Laboratory (MSAL) focuses on the design, fabrication, and testing of self-sustaining adaptive integrated bio-microsystems for chemical and biological sensing. The devices are designed using a variety of both in-house and commercial simulation software packages and developed utilizing state-of-the-art micro and nano fabrication and characterization techniques. Current projects include microfluidic-based opto-mechanical platforms for monitoring bacterial quorum sensing, next generation battery and fuel cell devices using the tobacco mosaic virus (TMV), and integrated III-V optical microsystems for chemical vapor sensing.
Principal Investigator: Don DeVoe
Email: ddev@umd.edu
Location: 3126 Glenn L Martin Hall
Maryland MEMS & Microfluidics Laboratory researchers investigate microfluidic and lab-on-a-chip systems for improving human health. Major research thrusts include multidimensional biomolecular separation platform for high throughput biomarker and drug target discovery, interfaces coupling microfluidics to mass spectrometry, integrated ion channel sensing systems, multi-scale systems enabling new modes of nanoparticle drug encapsulation and delivery, and novel polymer micro/nanofluidic fabrication technologies. MML research also encompasses silicon MEMS, with an emphasis on piezoelectric microsystems, as well as the integration of silicon MEMS with microfluidic systems.
Principal Investigator: Ichiro Takeuchi
Email: takeuchi@umd.edu
Location:
The Keck Laboratory is a centerpiece for pioneering research that extends campus strengths in combinatorial materials science, scanning nanoprobes, and highly controlled materials synthesis profoundly into the nanoscale domain to enable fundamentally new insights into the behavior of materials at the nanoscale. Combinatorial laser molecular MBE in the Keck Laboratory is used to make thin films of complex magnetic oxides. Materials are synthesized by atomic layer-by-layer deposition processes. The RHEED (reflection of high energy electron diffraction) oscillation is used to monitor the construction of materials unitcell by unitcell during the deposition. The combinatorial approach allows us to systematically fine tune the composition and process parameters of various thin film materials of interest. A state-of-the-art microwave microscope is being developed to provide measurement capabilities for various physical properties as well as imaging of materials at nanometer level. The Keck Laboratory, established under the support of the W. M. Keck Foundation, is operated jointly with the Department of Material Science and Engineering as part of the Maryland Center for Integrated Nanoscale Science and Engineering.
Director: Gottlieb Ehrlein
Email: oehrlein@eng.umd.edu
Location: IREAP
The major scientific theme of this group is non-equilibrium low temperature plasma science as used for production of novel materials and nanoscale structures, along with surface modifications of materials. The Laboratory for Plasma Processing of Materials in the Energy Research Facility features an array of state-of-the-art tools for plasma-based etching, synthesis or modification of materials. The tool set available in the laboratory includes plasma reactors, instruments that characterize the plasma or the surfaces of plasma-treated materials, and measurement tools that evaluate the crucial variables that determine the ultimate usefulness of the materials and structures thus produced. The available plasma reactors include devices for producing either highly ionized plasmas (fraction of charged particles in the percentage range) or reactors where the charged particle density is negligible but reactive atoms or molecular radicals formed in a remote plasma chamber interact with the material to be modified.
Director: Dr. Robert J. Bonenberger Jr.
Email: rjbon@umd.edu
Location: 1135 Kim Engineering Building
MEMIL is a central educational facility for studying the mechanical, electrical, structural, and optical properties of materials. An emphasis is placed on the connection between nanoscale structure of materials and macroscopic properties. Electromagnetic-based experiments take place within a specially designed shielded area that eliminates electronic noise and stray fields. Other areas allow students to quantify strength and toughness of materials, prepare samples for microstructural characterization, conduct van der Waals electrical mobility measurements, and perform thin-film conductivity experiments. The lab is shared among all departments in the College of Engineering and is primarily for undergraduate instructional use, but can be available for graduate courses on a limited basis.
Principal Investigator: Fow-Sen Choa
Email: choa@umbc.edu
Location: Technology Research Center, Room 274, Hilltop Road, Baltimore, MD
Research is concentrated on opto-electronics, which includes MOCVD growth.
Director: Peter Y. Zavalij
Email: pzavalij@umd.edu
Location: CHEM B0112
Our mission is to provide the services and resources as well as the education and training to students and researchers in the theory and practice of X-ray diffraction, chemical crystallography and materials characterization.
XCC offers state-of-the-art X-ray diffraction facilities, quality service & competitive rates, experience & expertise. Characterization of materials using non-destructive X-ray diffraction analysis and crystal structure determination from single crystal and polycrystalline samples: chemical crystallography, materials characterization, and advanced diffraction.
The Center also offers its equipment and expertise for collaborative research with other local universities, government institution as well as industrial research laboratories located in Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, Washington DC, and nationwide; and provides consulting in the field of X-ray diffraction and crystallography, solid state and materials chemistry, pharmaceuticals and others.
Director: Yiu-Fai Lam, Ph.D.
Email: yflam@umd.edu
Location: Chem b0130
The Facility is equipped with five Bruker NMR spectrometers, and twenty different NMR probes are available to meet various demands and applications. We provide services for analytical and research projects, as well as for education and training programs with NMR technology.
Director: Daoning Zhang, Ph.D.
Email: zdn3023@umd.edu
Location: Chem 1105
The Biomolecular NMR Facility is a core facility in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at University of Maryland, College Park. The facility currently hosts three high field liquid NMR spectrometers and has the capability to run a wide range of NMR experiments. Its user base includes scientists from various fields such as organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, biophysics, polymer science, material science and bioengineering. Research: The facility provides high field NMR instrumentation to support University of Maryland research community through measurements of biomolecules, macromolecules and systems of biological interest. It also provides advanced training opportunities for students and acts as a hub for interdisciplinary collaborations. Services: The facility provides fast and reliable sample liquid NMR analysis to internal and external users.
The Mass Spectrometry Facility is equipped with several high-performance mass spectrometers to support basic research efforts throughout the University of Maryland. The facility is located in room 0511 of building 091, Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry. The facility offers training for independent operation of instruments as well as sample analysis by facility personnel. The facility’s services are also open to external academic institutions and industry.
Coordinator: Scott Taylor
Email: staylor7@umd.edu
Location: Chem 1220
Several research-grade optical instruments to support various analysis for organic and biological studies. Two easy access FT-IR spectrometers; an advanced FT-IR, with Raman and diffusion reflection accessories; fully computer control advanced Circular Dichroism spectrometer; a Polarimeter.
Coordinator: Dr. Aldo Ponce
Email: aldop@umd.edu
Location: AJC1123 and AJC1224
The A. J. Clark Hall Materials Characterization Lab (MATCL) is a space devoted to materials testing. We maintain 20+ characterization instruments and tools distributed in two labs, AJC1123 and AJC1224. The MATCL is a primary teaching facility for students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering where teaching faculty can utilize the resources available to design and perform lab sessions and experiments. In addition to providing support for required curriculum classes, the MATCL supports investigators in their characterization and sample preparation needs.
