Location: Advanced Materials Research Laboratory, 91 Technology Dr., Anderson, SC 29625.
COMSET: Center for Optical Materials Science and Engineering
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Urban Research Group utilizes and continuously develops state-of-the-art chemical imaging and analytical instrumentation. Internal Reflective IR imaging (IRIRI) allows us to obtain chemical information with a spatial resolution of ~1 µm in mid-IR, monitoring molecular level processes in heterogeneous and complex chemical and morphological environments. Complemented by Raman imaging, we are capable of fully characterizing polymers and polymer surfaces/interfaces and other materials with unprecedented precision, sensitivity, and selectivity. Equipped in modern synthesis and analytical labs as well as having access to the state-of-the-art electron and optical microscopy facilities at Clemson, URG focuses on molecular design of processes that lead to the development of new generation of adaptive, self-healing, and stimuli-responsive materials for a broad range of applications.
Quick Lab Tour:
Research Group has developed internal reflection Infrared imaging (IRIRI) (D. Otts, M.W. Urban, Langmuir, 18 , 6473, 2002) accessory that allows us to obtain IR spectra with a spatial resolution of ~1 micron in the mid IR range. Using Ge, KRS-5, or diamond hemispherical crystals in conjunction with a Focal Plane Array (FPA) detector attached to a step-scan spectrometer (formally Digilab, Inc., than Varian, and now Agilent Technologies), this combination offers unprecedented chemical imaging capabilities. We also utilize variety of other accessories including variable angle attenuated total reflectance (ATR), diffuse reflectance (DRIFT), and photoacoustic spectroscopy.
Raman imaging (StreamLine™ Plus with InVia microscope) offers a complementary tool to the IRIRI facility in the chemical imaging suit, offering a few hundred nms spatial resolution with the excitation source of 785 nm. Tosoh EcoSEC Elite model HLC-84 model with refractive index (RI) dual-flow and light scattering detectors (LS) Tosoh LenS is a state-of-the-art molecular weight determination instrument.
Other instrumentation include 300 MHz NMR (Joel), gel permeation chromatography (GPC; Tosoh), tensile testing, automated surface analysis (Anton Parr), filament winders (X-Winder), standard DSC, DMA, TGA analysis, robotic arms, and game tables.