Nanomaterials
The Nanomaterials Lab allows researchers to make, modify, and analyze small-scale materials, including nanoparticles, nanorods and tubes, micron-scale particles, dry powders, and suspensions.
The lab offers a full complement of chemistry lab apparatus for particle synthesis, surface modification, separation, and filtration.
Research tools in the lab include
- A dynamic light scattering (DLS) analyzer for measuring size distributions for particles ranging from a few nanometers to ten microns in size
- Zeta potential and isoelectric point measurement, for optimizing the stability of particle dispersions
- A laser diffraction particle analyzer to characterize size distributions for larger particles (100 nm up to 2000 microns), both suspensions and dry powders
- A particle shape analyzer to characterize non-spherical particles: rods, fibers, flakes, and other 1-D and 2-D materials
- High quality optical microscopy and image analysis for particle counting and shape analysis
- A controlled atmosphere glove box for protecting nanoparticles or other materials from oxygen and water
- Full chemistry lab support, including a high purity water system, chemical storage, two 6 foot fume hoods, and chemical disposal.
![Ceramic Particles](/sites/cse.umn.edu/files/styles/webp_scaled/public/ceramic_particles.jpg.webp?itok=wY4kJwsu)