Hudson Mesoscale Processing Facility

The facility provides the Cornell research community with comprehensive instrumentation and technical services to characterize thermal, mechanical, electrical, and optical properties of soft materials, such as polymeric and biological materials. The facility also offers effective solution, melt, and bulk processing for soft materials. Special emphasis is placed on micron- and submicron-length material specimens, which are essential for successful studies on structure, property, and functions of many materials and biological systems.

	Manager Dr. Yuanming Zhang 607.255.7144 yz43@cornell.edu	Faculty Advisor Prof. Uli Wiesner, MS&E uli@ccmr.cornell.edu
	Main Location: 356 Bard Hall

Soft Materials Characterization

Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA), TA instruments DMA Q800

Provides both time- and frequency-domain mechanical analysis of materials. A moderate force load can be applied to the test specimen in various deformation geometries, such as tension, shear, compression, and bending. Force loading: 0.001 to 18 Newton | Deformation resolution: 1 nanometer | Frequency range: 0.01 to 200 Hz | Temperature range: -145 to 600°C | Test atmosphere: controlled inert gas or air flow

A TEM micrograph of polymer nanocomposites. The nanostructure visualization was realized with thin sections ( ~30 nm thick ) of the material obtajjmined using the facility’s ultra-microtome. The image vividly reveals the structures of the nanofillers (spherical and layered silicates) and their aggregation/dispersion morphology, which are the major factors in determining nanocomposite properties. Effective sample preparation in the facility has made sophisticated structural studies like these routinely possible.

Thermomechanical Analyzer (TMA), TA Instrument Q400EM

Provides high precision measurements of material dimension changes as a function of temperature, time, or force. Measures coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) and heat distortion temperature (HDT), as well as stress/strain ramps, creep, stress relaxation, dynamic TMA, and modulated TMA. Sensitivity: 100nm, Loading 0.001 to 1.0 Newton | Dimension change sensitivity: 15 nanometers | Heating rate: 0.01 to 200°C/min | Test atmosphere: static or controlled inert (or reactive) gases.

Broadband Dielectric Spectrometer, Novocontrol Turnkey Concept N40

A high precision impedance analyzer that operates over a broad frequency range. Temperature control unit enables molecular relaxation, conductivity, phase separation/transition, activation energy, rate of blending, aging, curing, and other studies.Impedance range: 0.01 to 1014 Loss factor resolution: tanδ < 3×10-? ( ~ 0.001° phase resolution) | Frequency range: 3 μHz to 10 MHz Temperature range: -160°C to 400°C

Thermal Stimulated Depolarization Current (TSDC) Analyzer, Novocontrol

Used with the N40 dielectric spectrometer to examine various transient phenomena in materials under a strong electric field, such as thermal stimulated depolarization. Voltage source: 5 mV to 1 kV | Current range: 10-¹? A to 20 mA | Temperature range: -160°C to 400°CC

Mechanical analysis of a commercial thermoplastic elastomer. The loss-tangent tan(δ), the ratio between viscous and elastic mechanical response of the material, was measured as functions of stress frequency and sample temperature. The result provides a guideline for the performance characteristics and processibility of the material.

Circular Dichroism Spectrometer, Aviv Model 400

UV/visible light spectrometer for measuring circular dichroism (CD) as a function of wavelength, time, temperature, pH, and concentration. Both absorption and fluorescence spectra can be measured with right and left circularly polarized light. Complements NMR and X-ray diffraction for characterizing biological and synthetic molecules. Light source: 150 Watt suprasil Xenon lamp | Wavelength range: 165 nm to 900 nm | Temperature range: -10°C to 110°C

Static Light Scattering/Dynamic Light Scattering System, BIC 200SM

Provides both static light scattering (SLS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS).
Valuable for macromolecular studies, particle sizing, and colloid physics. Laser: 35 mW HeNe (wavelength of 632.8 nm ) | Detection angle range: 8° to 155° with resolution at 0.01° | Temperature range: 5°C to 95°C via an external circulator

Soft Materials Processing

Microtome, Leica Ultracut UCT / Cryo-Section System EM FCS

Used to prepare freestanding thin sections of soft materials and biosystems for microscopic examinations or to polish the materials for surface-probe studies (e.g. AFM and other SPMs). Cutting thickness: 1 nm to 15 μm | Cutting speed: 0.05 to 100 mm/sec | Cutting temperature: -175°C to room temp.

Spin Bake Unit, CEE Model 100B

Prepares thin films of materials from their solutions. Spin speed: 0 to 6,000 rpm | Acceleration: 0 to 30,000 rpm/sec | Baking temperature: 25°C to 300°C

Mini Spray Dryer, Büchi-190

Produces micron-size particles from solutions/suspensions of inorganic or organic substances. Offers microencapsulation, englobing, powder-coating, prilling. Max. temperature of drying air: 220°C | Max. through-flow of drying air: ca. 45m3

Micro Rheology Compounder, Thermoelectron Minilab

Enables compounding and in-situ viscosity measurements with micro samples. Batch volume: 5-7 ml | Rotation speed: 1 to 360 rpm with co- and counter rotation options | Processing temperature: 25°C to 350°C