Equipment and facilities
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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.
How to book the equipment
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.
Flinders University’s home to advanced microscopy, microanalysis, spectroscopy and imaging equipment. These instruments are funded by government grants, Microscopy Australia and the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF).
Microscopy
Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff, complemented by online modules through MyScope.
Instrument leader and contact
Microscopy | Microanalysis
Tip Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (TERS)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader and contact
Funded by the Australian National Fabrication Facility (ANFF)
Microscopy
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff, complemented by online modules through MyScope.
Instrument leader
Contact person
Sample preparation
Sputter Coater
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader
Contact person
Microscopy | Microanalysis
Confocal Raman Microscopy
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader and contact
Microscopy | Microanalysis
Confocal Leica SP5 (inverted)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Please consult Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis.
Microscopy | Microanalysis
Confocal Olympus FluoView1000 (inverted)
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).
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Please consult Flinders Microscopy and Microanalysis.
Microscopy | Microanalysis
Scanning Auger Nanoprobe
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader
Contact person
Microanalysis
Neutral Impact Collision Ion Scattering Spectroscopy (NICISS)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader
Contact person
Liam Howard-Fabretto
Microanalysis
Metastable Induced Electron Spectroscopy (MIES)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader
Contact person
Liam Howard-Fabretto
Microanalysis
X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
X-ray Diffraction (XRD) is a characterization technique used for examining the crystal structure of all materials. The instrument is a Bragg-Brentano geometry X-ray Diffractometer (XRD) with a cobalt X-ray source. It is ideal for qualitative phase identification, quantitative phase analysis and the determination of crystal structure. The cobalt source allows this instrument to accurately analyse high iron content samples. In addition to this, the instrument is equipped with a capillary stage for the measurement of a very small amount of sample. It is also useful for spinning samples that have issues due to high absorbances or texture effects. Data analysis capabilities for XRD include the use of the ICDD PDF-2 Database, DIFFRAC. EVA Software for phase identification as well as the Topas software package (Rietveld refinement method) for crystal structure determination and quantitative phase analysis.
Specifications
Bruker D8 Advance Eco
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader
Contact person
Microanalysis
Photoemission Electron Microscope (PEEM)
The NanoESCA III combines a FOCUS photoemission electron microscopy column with an imaging double-hemispherical electron analyser (IDEA) to enable imaging and chemical mapping of surfaces. This flagship instrument also allows local regions of a material to be investigated through ultraviolet or X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS/XPS) and angle resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (ARPES) investigations.
This facility also includes a surface analysis preparation suite, including sputtering, cleaving and low energy electron diffraction. The sample stage can also be cooled or heated between 20 to 880 K.
Specifications
Scienta Omicron NanoESCA III
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader
Contact person
Nanofabrication facilities
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
- Chemical analysis (FTIR)
- Polymer molecular weight and distribution
- Rheological/Mechanical
- Sample preparation
Thermal analysis
Perkin Elmer DSC8000
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Thermal analysis
Perkin Elmer DSC7 with photocuring
With an incorporated a UV light source, the Perkin Elmer DSC7 can be used to characterise the photo-induced polymerisation of polymers.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Thermal analysis
Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Thermal analysis
Simultaneous Thermal Analyser (STA)
The Netzsch STA449 is a thermalis 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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Chemical analysis
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectometer (FTIR)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Instrument leader and contact
Chemical analysis
FTIR Microscope
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Polymer molecular weight and distribution
Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Mechanical properties
Instron 4301 Tensile Tester
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Rheological properties
Rheometer
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).
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
Rheological properties
Dynamic Mechanical Analyser (DMA)
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Contact person
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.
Service and analysis capabilities
- Characterisation of small and large molecules in solution
- Solution and solid state samples
- Molecular characterisation and identification
- Degradation studies
- Materials characterisation
- Kinetic of reactions
- Protein folding.
Instrument leader and contact
Location
Room 355
Physical Sciences Building (Bldg 54)
Flinders University - see campus map
Postal Address
NMR Facility
Faculty of Science & Engineering
Flinders University
GPO Box 2100
Adelaide SA 5001
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Bruker 600 MHz Avance III Spectrometer
Probes available:
- 5mm solution carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen (CHN) triple resonance
- 5mm double resonance broadband BBI probe for optimal 1H sensitivity
- 5mm double resonance broadband BBFO probe for enhanced X channel sensitivity
- 24 position sample changer installed.
- Variable temperature (-150oC to +150oC) experiments 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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
Nuclear magnetic resonance
Bruker 400 MHz Avance III Spectrometer
Probes available:
- 5mm solution double resonance broadband BBI probe for optimal 1H sensitivity
- 4mm magic angle spinning (MAS) for experiments up to 15kHz spinning speed
- 7mm MAS for experiments up 7kHz spinning speed
- Variable temperature (-150oC to +150oC) experiments available on solution probes only.
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.
Training requirements
In person training to be completed with relevant staff.
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