Facilites

The instruments at KU-BERC are used for both research and teaching. The following instruments are included in the KU Bioengineering Research Center and are located in Learned Hall.

(1) IMAGING FACILITY
Location: Learned Hall 1120 and 5101A

C-SAM Gen 5 system Scanning Acoustic Microscopes (SAM)
C-SAM Gen 5 system Scanning Acoustic Microscopes (Sonoscan, IL) comes with a set of 4 high precision acoustic lenses: 15, 30, 100 and 300 MHz, associated optics, computer and proprietary software.  The C-SAM Gen 5 system consists of dual high frequency, high power, digital pulser/receiver for use with ultrasonic transducers up to 400 MHz, a x-y-z positioning system with 0.5 µm precision, a temperature controlled bath, capability to perform thru-scan measurements and capability to provide raw data for custom processing.  Additional custom designed transducers will be acquired to the proposed R01.  Acoustics lab is also equipped with the following: Textronix TDS5104 Digital Oscilloscope (1 GHz, 4 Channel), GE-Panametrics 5900 Pulser Receiver (200 MHz) and Paired Set of Ultrasonic Transducers each (cable connectors): Longitudinal @: 100 KHz; 500 KHz; 2.25 MHz; 5 MHz; 10 MHz; 20MHz, Shear @: 100 KHz; 500 KHz; 2.25 MHz; 5 MHz; 10 MHz; 20MHz

Veeco Wyko NT 1100 Optical Profiler
The Wyko® NT1100 provides accurate, non- contact surface metrology for applications in MEMS, thick films, optics, ceramics, advanced materials and many more. Fast and repeatable, the NT1100 utilizes white light interferometry for high-resolution 3D surface measurements, from sub - nanometer roughness to millimeter- high steps. On super- smooth or rough surfaces, the versatile NT1100 provides repeatable surface measurement for R&D, wear and failure analysis, and process control. The cost - effective NT1100 offers all the advantages of industry- standard Wyko optical profiling, including the full Wyko Vision® analytical software package. Vision, the industry’s most comprehensive analysis program, provides over 200 tools to quantify and visualize surface data — all standard. The NT1100 has the performance features of larger NT Series instruments: easy measurement setup, fast acquisition, comprehensive analysis and Angstrom- level repeatability. The Data Stitching option adds a motorized stage and support software to rapidly scan large surface areas.

(2) THERMAL AND MECHANICAL ANALYSIS FACILITY
Location: Learned Hall 5101C, 5101C2

TA Instruments Q800 Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)
TA Instruments Q800 Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer based on a combined motor and transducer design, uses advanced, non-contact, linear motors to control stress and measures strain with a highly sensitive optical encoder. Unit has ability to provide tension, compression, 3-point bend, dual cantilever, single cantilever, and shear sandwich modes of deformation.  In addition, it can accommodate submersion clamps (tension and 3-pint bend) with fluid reservoirs that eliminate the need to invert the instrument to perform submersion studies.

TA Instruments Q200 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
TA Instruments Q200 Temperature-Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimeter accommodating a photocalorimeter accessory (PCA). MDSC is able to separate the “total” heat flow  into two parts: the heat flow from the heat capacity(reversible) effect that usually comes from glass transition relaxation or crystal melting; and the heat flow from the non-heat capacity(non-reversible) effect that usually comes from enthalpic relaxation or cold crystallization. As a result one can get more information (especially from time-dependent thermal events) than by conventional DSC. In addition, the pseudo-isothermal MDSC capabilities using the photocalorimeter accessory on the TA Instruments equipment allows one to monitor the isothermal heat capacity before and after exposure to visible light.

TA Instruments Q5000 Sorption Analyzer (SA)
The Q5000 SA is designed for manual or automated sorption analysis of materials under controlled conditions of temperature and relative humidity (RH). Its design integrates TA Instrument’s latest high sensitivity, temperature-controlled thermobalance with an innovative humidity generation system, multi-position autosampler, and powerful Advantage™ software with technique specific programs and Platinum™ features. The patented Q5000 SA delivers the performance and reliability required in a leading sorption analyzer and in a compact, user-friendly design.

PekinElmer PYRIS 1 Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA)
The TGA can work on a large range of temperature: from sub ambient to 1000 °C. This ensure the detection of phenomena even when occurring at room temperature. Scanning rates can be set from 0.1 °C/min to 50 °C/min, according to the needs of the experiment. The microbalance has a sensitivity of 0.1 µg and a precision of ±0.001%. Samples up to 1300 mg can be analyzed with the TGA and the 20 positions autosampler ensures a large capacity for the analyses. Moreover, the AccuPik accessory allows the delayed analysis of efflorescent solvates. There is a data transmission link to our FTIR Spectrum 400 infrared spectrophotometer to provide the TG-IR analysis simultaneously. TG/FTIR is capable of detailed FTIR analysis of evolved gases produced from the TGA. The time based analysis with the emission intensity profiles on the various gases, the false colour maps, the stack plots and the 3D graph could be plotted.

(3) SPECTROSCOPY FACILITY
Location: Learned Hall 5101C and 1120A

Perkin Elmer Spectrum 400 FTIR spectrometer
Perkin Elmer Spectrum 400 spectrometer are equipped with two temperature stabilized fast-recovery deuterated triglycine sulphate detectors (one optimized for Mid-IR and one optimized for NIR) and Pike Heated Diamond GladiATR accessory.

Perkin Elmer Spotlight 400 FTIR Microscope (part of Spectrum 400)
Perkin Elmer Spotlight 400 FTIR chemical imaging system and microscope are built into the same system with patented Duet detector containing NBMCT array detector and MBMCT detector in the same dewar, on the same substrate. Transmission, reflectance and ATR imaging mode could be carried out using the array detector with pixel resolution at 1.56 micron.

Jobin Yvon LabRam ARAMIS Micro-Raman Microscope
Horiba Jobin Yvon LabRam ARAMIS – an integrated fully automated confocal Raman imaging system equipped with 2 sources of internal laser excitation (HeNe: 632.8nm Diode: 785nm), a full range of objectives (dry lens 10x, 20x, 50x, 100x; long-working distance lens 20x, 50x, water immersion lens 60x and 100x), polarization analyzer and a computer-controlled heating/cooling stage (temperature range -196 oC to 600 oC). 

(4) SURFACE CHARACTERIZATION FACILITY
Location: Learned Hall 1120

Digital Instruments Multimode V Atomic Force Microscope/ coupled with Hysitron TS 75 TriboScope
NanoScope V controller delivers reliable, high-speed data capture of high-pixel-density images (5120 x 5120). Enables up to eight images to be simultaneously displayed/captured. HarmoniX™ nanoscale material property mapping: Veeco Presents full-spectrum harmonic image processing with high resolution, real-time quantitative results. Fluid Imaging Cells provide contact mode and TappingMode AFM imaging in fluid environments. New liquid resistant MultiMode scanners are available. A single controller now controls sample temperatures from ambient to 250°C.
The TS-75 Nanomechanical Test System is a fully integrated AFM attachment with a new performech™ DSP embedded controller, which boasts a sub 30nN force noise floor and 160X faster feedback control than the previous generation controller. Utilizing the same indenter probe to obtain insitu SPM images as to perform the nanoindentation experiment guarantees quantitative and repeatable data. Upgrade options we have: nanoDMA™ – investigate time-dependent properties of materials using a dynamic testing technique designed for polymers and biomaterials; Modulus mapping – quantitatively map the storage and loss stiffness and moduli over an area from a single SPM scan; Feedback control – operate in closed loop load or displacement control to allow testing techniques such as creep and stress relaxation; Scratch testing – quantify scratch resistance, critical delamination forces, friction coefficients and more with simultaneous normal and lateral force and displacement monitoring; Automated TriboScope® – Automated indentation on an SPM using predetermined patterns or ClickMode® allows faster data collection with less operator time.

Q-sense E4-Auto Quartz Crystal Microbalance with Dissipation monitoring (QCM-D)
The Q-Sense E4 is a real-time analytical instrument for studies of molecular events occurring on surfaces. The E4 measures mass and viscoelastic properties of molecular layers as they build up or change on the sensor surface, which plays a key role in areas such as materials, protein and surfactant research.
The instrument has four flow modules, each holding one sensor enabling four parallel measurements. The flow modules are exchangeable and can be separately cleaned. All wetted parts (titanium, Teflon and Viton) can easily be removed and cleaned using standard cleaning procedures such as ultrasonication. Using the same chamber base, accessory modules are available for different application needs. At present there is an electrochemistry module, a window module, a humidity module and an open module. 7 frequencies can be measured simultaneously, from the fundamental frequency up to the 13th overtone, enabling improved modelling of a wide range of surfaces. In a routine measurement situation, the kinetic resolution is about one data point per second from all 4 sensors. However, each of these data points is an average of several measurements of f and D, thus enhancing the signal to noise ratio. If maximum kinetic resolution is desired, more than 200 data points per second can be measured. Over 5 stock crystal coatings (Au, SiO2, Stainless steel, PS, Ti), with additional special order sensors available (Hydroxyapatite, Al2O2, Ta, W, Cu, Pt, Cr, Ir, Fe, FeC3, Ag, Co, TaN, polmyers and many more). QTools enables quantification of viscosity, elasticity, and thickness of any soft film measured with the QCM-D at minimum two frequencies. In addition kinetic constants and reaction kinetics can be extracted. The software simplifies interpretation of data, modeling and different kinds of presentations of performed measurements.

(5) SPECIMEN PRAPARATION FACILITY
Location: Learned Hall 5101G

Leica SM2500 heavy duty sectioning microtome
Leica SM2500 and SP2600 heavy duty sectioning microtome and micromilling device used to section large area samples up to 250 mm L x 200 mm W x 70 mm H. It is equipped to handle large and/or hard materials or samples such as mineralized bone and teeth. It will section samples in a range of 1-1,000 microns in 1 micron increments. The SP 2600 attaches to the SM 2500 expanding its capability by adding micromilling capacity, for surface preparation of samples. The SP 2600 is a milling device which will mill samples in a range of 500-3,000 rpm in 500 rpm intervals. The SP2600 produces a highly polished surface of varying sample types which are suitable for reflected light microscopy techniques, or any other surface analysis technique requiring a flat surface. It is particularly well suited for samples that contain hard and soft areas adjacent to each other. The SP 2600 removes carefully controlled layers from the surface of the sample by using a variety of milling tools from tungsten carbide to diamond. A special vacuum enhances operator safety and reduces clean-up by removing most of the milling debris as it is produced.

IsoMet 1000 Precision Saw
IsoMet 1000 Precision Saw, with automatic cut-off switch, counterbalanced sliding load weight system, 0-500gm, (0-800gm with accessory weight kit), built-in inch or metric digital micrometer cross-feed for sample location, removable coolant tray with built-in dressing device, 1⁄8 HP (90W) DC motor with variable arbor speed 0-975 rpm.

EcoMet 3000 Grinder/Polisher
EcoMet 3000 8’’(203mm) variable speed grinder/polisher table-top model. Corrosion and impact resistant RIM cabinet with molded-in bowl with jet flush, drain, pop-up swing faucet with electrically operated flow valve, variable speed from 10-500 in 10 rpm increments, maintaining constant speed under most load conditions, Digital LED display, touch-pad controls and illuminated power on/off switch, motor speed control and run/stop switch with built-in memory for returning to last speed setting, water on/off, platen cover and removable splash guard.

Bioengineering Research Center is also equipped with organic synthesis apparatus, liquid nitrogen, type I pure water, optical digital image capture system, KBr press that may be available on an individual basis. For more information contact: Charles (Qiang) Ye, Ph.D. Office: Learned Hall 5101E Phone: (785) 864-1746 E-mail: yeq@ku.edu

Facilities available in faculty affilated to bioengineering may be found through following links,

Adams institute for bioanalytical chemistry (Directed by Dr. Sue Lunte)
Auditory Processing Laboratory (Directed by Dr. Chertoff)
Biodynamics Research Laboratory(Directed by Dr. Luchies)
Biomaterials & Tissue Engineering Laboratory (Directed by Dr. Detamore)
Dr. Berkland's Lab
Dr. Xue-wen Wang's Lab
Dr. Dunn's Lab
Laboratory for Macromolecular and Vaccine Stabilization (Directed by Dr. Middaugh)
Orthopedic Tissue Biomechanics Laboratory (Directed by Dr. Ken Fischer)