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Our equipment and facilities are cutting-edge. They are funded by grants from state and federal government, Microscopy Australia (formerly AMMRF) and Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF). Many are one-of-a-kind in Australia—or even the world. They are used by Flinders researchers working across materials science, nanotechnology and nuclear chemistry on exciting projects like replacing toxic mining materials with rock-eating bacteria or creating solar cells that could one day power buildings.
Could your research benefit from our equipment, facilities or resources? Work with our expert researchers or use the equipment on your own by making a booking online.
All users of our equipment must be trained by our staff. Before booking, please get in touch about your requirements and arrange a time to complete the relevant training. Once you are an authorised and trained user, you may go ahead and book the equipment using the links.
Funded by the Australian Microscopy and Microanalysis Research Fund (AMMRF).
Microscopy
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) is used to gain topographic information on a sample. The AFM facilities at the Institute are also able to map sample conductivity on the nanoscale, characterize stiffness and adhesion in air and fluid environments, and monitor dynamic changes in surfaces with our Fast-scanning AFM, which is capable of acquiring images over 100 times faster than a conventional AFM.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff, complemented by online modules through MyScope.
Microscopy | Microanalysis
Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS) combines a surface probe with Raman spectroscopy, allowing for chemical mapping of a surface down to a few tens of nanometres. The laser excitation wavelength is 532 nm.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Chris Gibson and Jason Gascooke
Funded by the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF)
Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) uses a beam of electrons to image to a much higher resolution than is possible with an optical microscope. High resolution SEM of samples can be combined with elemental mapping using Energy Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). An Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) detector is also installed allowing measurements of grain orientation and boundaries in crystalline samples.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff, complemented by online modules through MyScope.
Sample preparation
Two sputter coaters are available for use. A single target unit is dedicated to sputtering samples for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. There is also a dual target sputtering system that is fully automatic, ideally suited for multilayer thin film applications. A range of metals including gold, silver, platinum, titanium, chromium are available.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Microscopy | Microanalysis
Our labs are equipped with two confocal Raman microscopes capable of acquiring single Raman spectra—and also confocal Raman—imaging. The maximum possible lateral resolution for confocal Raman images at the laser excitation wavelength of 532 nm is approximately 360 nm. Several excitation wavelengths are available, including 532, 632 and 785 nm. A selection of gratings is also available from 600 grooves/mm up to 2400 grooves/mm.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Microscopy | Microanalysis
The Leica SP5 is used for fluorescence imaging of any fluorophore requiring excitation between near UV and red and has adjustable detectors to suit the desired emission range. It will work to an excitation range of 405-633nm and any emission between 400-800nm. It is suitable for short-term live cell experiments. It is fitted with additional laser lines for CFP and YFP imaging and adjustable scan speed, image size, pixel bit depth, zoom and rotation. There are additional single photon sensitive filtercube-based detectors (avalanche photo-diode detectors) and a resonant scanner (8kHz) for high sensitivity or high speed scanning.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Yvette DeGraaf and Pat Vilimas via
cmph.microscopy@flinders.edu.au
Microscopy | Microanalysis
The Olympus FV1000 is suitable for fluorescence imaging of any fluorophore requiring excitation between near UV and red and has adjustable detectors to suit the desired emission range. It will work to an excitation range of 405-633nm and any emission of 400-800nm. It is suitable for medium to long-term live cell experiments. It has adjustable scan speed, image size, pixel bit depth, zoom and rotation and uses silicon immersion lenses with a high numerical aperture and autofocus options. The whole chamber is fully enclosed and gas and temperature controlled. The gas-floated anti-vibration table is available for stage stability (i.e. FRET-acceptor bleaching and FRAP measurements).
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Yvette DeGraaf and Pat Vilimas via
cmph.microscopy@flinders.edu.au
Microscopy | Microanalysis
X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) uses X-Rays to profile the chemical composition of the top few nanometres of a surface. The Institute hosts two spectrometers for this analysis. XPS is also able to measure the work function of a surface.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff, complemented by online modules through MyScope.
Microscopy | Microanalysis
The Scanning Auger Nanoprobe is one of only two in Australia and is able to map chemical information across a surface. This instrument combines microscopy with the ability to determine elemental composition, resulting the analysis of surface chemistry with a spatial resolution of 10 nanometres.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Microanalysis
Neutral Impact Collision Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (NICISS) allows for depth profiling of a sample. This technique gives an elemental concentration profile to a depth of 10-20 nm, with a depth resolution close to 0.2 nanometres near the surface.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Microanalysis
Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy (MIES) is a technique that is exclusively surface sensitive. This technique probes the valence orbitals of only the outermost layer of atoms, allowing for the determination of molecule orientation. This technique can be paired with three more electron spectroscopy techniques probing occupied and occupied states at various depth: Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS), Inverse Photemission Spectroscopy (IPES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Our fabrication facilities enable the production of a variety of high-quality samples and devices. Our glove boxes are equipped with a spin coater and thermal evaporator, allowing us to produce thin films in oxygen-free environments.
Our clean room facility contains a spin coater, lithography and etching equipment, and a thermal evaporator. This allows us to produce devices with very low levels of contamination; our clean room contains fewer than 1000 particles of 500nm or larger per cubic meter, compared to the average urban environment which contains around 35,000,000 of these particles per cubic meter.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Funded by the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF).
The Materials Characterisation Facility provides advanced capabilities in the analysis of the chemical thermal and physical properties of various materials. We support the research activities of both Flinders University and external researchers through access to cutting-edge facilities in polymer and materials science, including training.
Our industrial experience means that we can apply these techniques to a wide range of industrial problems and standard analysis methods.
Types of analysis:
Thermal analysis
Our power compensation DSC utilises an intracooler for accurate temperature control, covering a temperature range of -80 to 750C. It has high heating and cooling rate capability, heating at up to 300C/min and cooling at up to 150C/min.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Thermal analysis
With an incorporated a UV light source, the Perkin Elmer DSC7 can be used to characterise the photo-induced polymerisation of polymers.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Thermal analysis
Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) is a technique that applies heat to samples and measures the thermal transitions that occur. Our TA Instruments DSC 2930 uses liquid nitrogen cooling and has high pressure capability. It is able to characterise glass transitions, melting points, crystallisation and thermal degradation.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Thermal analysis
The Perkin Elmer STA 8000 is a thermal analyser that combines TGA and DSC. It has a wide temperature range—from below room temperature to 1600°C. You will find it useful for thermal analysis of polymers, metals, glasses and ceramics.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Chemical analysis
The Nicolet Nexus 870 spectrometer combines FT-IR performance with a range of experimental options including diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFT), attenuated total reflection spectroscopy (ATR), photoacoustic, and polymer stretching.
The following setups are also available for use:
Polarisation modulation-infrared reflection-adsorption spectroscopy (PM-IRRAS), ideal for thin-films or monolayers
Polarisation modulation-vibrational circular dichroism (PM-VCD) is useful in analysing chiral molecules, with applications such as determining the purity of enantiomers, determining absolute structure, or analysing the secondary structure of molecules.
PM-VLOD capabilities are also available.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Chemical analysis
The Thermo Nicolet Continuum FTIR Imaging Microscope combines visible light microscopy and infrared spectroscopy to allow for spatially resolved analysis of samples. Applications include the analysis of both synthetic and natural fibres, hair, and any other sample which may require infrared analysis at a defined location.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Polymer molecular weight and distribution
The Waters 2960e/2414 Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) can be used to characterise both natural and synthetic polymers. GPC separates polymers based on their size, allowing for the measurement of polymer molecular weight and distribution. It is a commonly used tool for polymer characterisation.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Mechanical properties
The Instron 4301 Tensile Tester measures the force-displacement behaviour of all types of materials, allowing mechanical properties—such as strength, stiffness and elongation—to be determined.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Rheological properties
The TA Instruments RA2000 Rheometer is a rotational rheometer, equipped with a high temperature furnace. With a range of geometries available (including flat plate and cone-plate geometries), our rheometer is able to measure the viscosity of samples at a range of temperatures (ambient - 350°C).
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Rheological properties
The TA Instruments DMA Q 800 Dynamic Mechanical Analyser measures viscoeleastic properties of a material as it is deformed under controlled stress. By measuring the resulting strain across a range of temperatures (-150°C to 600°C), properties such as the material’s modulus and glass transition temperature may be measured.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
The Flinders Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility provides nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for academic and industrial clients requiring analysis on solution or solid samples.
Our spectrometers perform all of the standard 1D, 2D and 3D NMR solution experiments on hydrogen as well as a variety of other nuclei. Variable temperature experiments are also available. We have magnetic angle spinning (MAS) probes for our 400 MHz spectrometer capable of up to 15 kHz spinning rates enabling MAS and cross-polarisation magic angle spinning (CPMAS) experiments on solid samples.
The two spectrometers cover a broad range of NMR experiments from the more routine analysis (400 MHz) to high-end experiments (600 MHz) on solution samples. The sample changer fitted to the 600 MHz machine allows for a high throughput of solution samples. Solid samples can be analysed using either of the two solid state probes on the 400 MHz spectrometer.
Associate Professor Martin Johnston
Assistant Dean
School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences
Phone: (+61 8) 820 12317
martin.johnston@flinders.edu.au
Room 355
Physical Sciences Building (Bldg 54)
Flinders University - see campus map
NMR Facility
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide SA 5001
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Probes available:
This equipment has a 24 position sample changer installed. Variable temperature (-150oC to +150oC) experiments are available. It is best suited to routine and advanced 1D, 2D and 3D solution experiments on 1H or multinuclear, variable temperature experiments. High throughput of solution samples is available with a sample changer.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Probes available:
Variable temperature (-150oC to +150oC) experiments are available on solution probes. The Bruker 400 MHz Avance III Spectrometer is best suited to routine 1D or 2D solution experiments on 1H or multinuclear, variable temperature experiments, solid state 1H and X nuclei experiments.
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Sturt Rd, Bedford Park
South Australia 5042
South Australia | Northern Territory
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