Facilities
The Cornell Energy Systems Institute (CESI) laboratory, a 4,000 square foot, 24/7 facility, in Kimball Hall is designed to support soft matter research and sustainable energy solutions that support the mission of the institute. The laboratory is available on a fee-for-service basis to anyone, with priority given to CESI stakeholders. Individuals may access the lab and its equipment, taking new material from concept to prototype. The lab boasts unique capabilities for materials synthesis, physical characterization, material structure-property-processing analysis, and energy storage studies. The CESI laboratory also includes a variety of analytical instruments for evaluating materials, devices, and systems in applications including carbon capture and conversion, electrochemical energy storage in batteries & fuel cells, photonic and photovoltaics and hydrogels for biomedicine and drug delivery. The open lab encourages partnerships internal to Cornell and between companies and the university.
PLEASE NOTE: THE LAB IS IN THE PROCESS OF DOWNSIZING AND MOVING. WE ARE NOT ACCEPTING NEW USERS OR ADDING EXISTING USERS TO NEW EQUIPMENT UNTIL THE MOVE IS COMPLETED. AFTER THE MOVE THERE WILL BE SOME CHANGES TO THE AVAILABLE EQUIPMENT AND ACCESS SO PLEASE CHECK BACK LATER FOR UPDATES!
For more information, please contact the lab manager: cesi-lab@cornell.edu
Available at CESI:
Thermoanalysis: TGA
Manufacturer: TA Instrument
Model: Q500
Specifications:
Temperature range – Ambient to 1000 °C,
Controlled heating rate - 0.01 to 100 °C/min
Isothermal Accuracy - +/- 1 °C
Isothermal Precision - +/- 0.1 °C
16 Position Autosampler available
Applications: Thermogravimetric analysis
Thermoanalysis: DSC
Manufacturer: TA Instrument
Model: Q2000
Specifications:
Temperature range – -180 to 725 °C,
Controlled heating rate - 0.01 to 100 °C/min
Temperature Accuracy - +/- 0.1 °C
Temperature Precision - +/- 0.01 °C
Calorimetric Reproducibility - +/- 0.05 %
Calorimetric Precision - +/- 0.05 %
Sensitivity – 0.2 mW
50 Position Autosampler available
Applications: Differential Scanning Calorimeters analysis, Melting points and glass transition temperatures for polymers, oxidative stability
Materials Characterization: SAXS
Manufacturer: Anton Paar
Model: SAXSess mc2
Specifications:
X-ray source: Long-fine focus (LLF) sealed copper tube with line and pint focus (40 kV/50 mA, l = 0.1542 nm)
Detector: image plate
Q-rang: 0.04 to 28 nm-1
Refillable quartz capillary for liquids
Sample holder for solids
Film holder with screws
Applications: Particle size distribution
Materials Characterization: Rheometers
Manufacturer: Anton Paar
Model: MCR 301, MCR 501
Specifications: see chart
Applications: Polymer characterization, viscosity, etc.
Materials Characterization: BET
Manufacturer: Micromeritics
Model: ASAP 2460
Specifications:
Range - 0 to 950 mmHg
Resolution - 0.001 mmHg
Accuracy - ±0.1% Full Scale
Applications: Analyze surface area and porosity of materials based on Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory
Manufacturer: Micromeritics
Model: ASAP 2020
Specifications:
Range - 0 to 950 mmHg
Resolution - 0.1 mmHg
Accuracy - > 0.05% of reading
Applications: Analyze surface area and porosity of materials based on Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) theory
Materials Characterization: FTIR
Manufacturer: Thermo Scientific
Model: Nicolet iz10
Specifications:
• Spectral range:
– 7800–350 cm-1 optimized, mid-infrared KBr beamsplitter
– 11000–375 cm-1 XT KBr extended range mid-infrared optics
• Signal-to-noise: 1 minute: 50,000:1 (peak to peak)
• Wavenumber precision: 0.0008 cm-1 at 2000 cm-1
• Wavenumber accuracy: 0.02 cm-1 at 2000 cm-1
• Collection speed: variable from 0.16 cm/sec to 2.5 cm/sec; suitable to slow responsivity (PAS) and high-sensitivity (MCT) detectors
• Maximum speed: 40 spectra per second at 16 cm-1 resolution, individually collected and stored
• Spectral resolution: better than 0.4 cm-1
• Ordinate linearity (ASTM E1421): 0.1 %T deviation from 0.0 %T
Applications: Organic compounds characterization
Materials Characterization: Zetasizer
Manufacturer: Malvern Panalytical
Model: zs90
Specifications: see chart
Materials Characterization: Plate Reader
Manufacturer: MOLECULAR DEVICES
Model: M2 Microplate Readers
Specifications: see chart
Materials Characterization: QCM-D
Manufacturer: Biolin Scientific
Model: Qsense E1 with flow module
Specifications: see chart
Materials Characterization: Contact Angle Tester
Manufacturer: Biolin Scientific
Model: Theta Lite
Specifications: see chart
Applications: Measure contact angle, which can be used to study the roughness of materials.
|
Measuring range (°, mN/m) |
0 - 180, 0.01 - 2000 |
|
Accuracy (°, mN/m) |
±0.1, ±0.01 |
|
Maximum sample size (mm) |
Unlimited×45×200 (with stage) |
|
Maximum resolution (px) |
1280×1024 |
|
Maximum measuring speed (fps) |
2068 |
|
Frame interval |
0.48ms - 1000 s |
|
Camera |
USB 3.0 digital camera |
|
Light source |
LED based background lighting |
|
Field of view (Ø, mm) |
2.9 - 12 |
|
Dimensions — Basic frame (L×W×H, cm) |
49.5×13×31 |
|
Weight — Basic frame (kg) |
5 |
|
Power supply (VAC) |
100 - 240 |
|
Frequency (Hz) |
50 - 60 |
Materials Characterization: Karl Fischer Titrator
Manufacturer: METTLER TOLEDO
Model: C20
Specifications:
Measurement range: 1 ppm to 5%
Temperature range: 5 to 40 °C
Applications: Water content determination
Electrochemistry and Battery Research: Dielectric Spectrometer
Manufacturer: Novocontrol
Model: Concept system with Alpha-a and RF analyzer
Specifications:
Temperature controlled from -160 to 500 °C.
Alpha Analyzer frequency range from 10 mHz to 20MHz,
RF Analyzer frequency range from 10MHz to 3GHz
Applications: Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, conductivity, etc.
Electrochemistry and Battery Research: MACCOR Battery Test System
Manufacturer: MACCOR
Model: Battery test systems
Specifications:
Four Current Ranges: 150 µA, 5 mA, 150 mA, 5 A,
Testing modes: Constant Current, Constant Voltage, Constant Power, Constant Resistance, Voltage Scan (Cyclic Voltametry)
40 channels
Applications: Battery performances test; Electrochemical studies.
Electrochemistry and Battery Research: Solartron Cell Test System
Manufacturer: Solartron Analytical
Model: 1470E
Specifications:
Voltage range: -3 V to 10 V
Auto-range or manually selected: 50 µA, 500 µA, 5 mA, 50 mA, 500 mA, 5 A
Testing modes: Constant Current, Constant Voltage, Constant Power, Constant Resistance, Voltage Scan (Cyclic Voltametry), impedance
8 channels
Applications: Battery performances test; Electrochemical studies
Materials Preparation: Plasma System
Manufacturer: PLASMA ETCH
Model: PE-50 series plasma system
Specifications:
RF power: 0-100 watts @ 20-50 kHZ
Gas flow: 0-25 CCM O2
Applications: Plasma treatment
Materials Preparation: Water Purification System
Manufacturer: Millipore
Model: Rios5 and MilliQ
Specifications:
Rios 5 purifies tap water to Type 2 water, and MilliQ further purifies to 18.2 Mohm water
Applications: Water purification
Materials Preparation: Ultracentrifuge
Manufacturer: BECKMAN COULTER
Model: Optima L-90K
Specifications:
Maximum speed 90000 rpm
Temperature range 0 to 40 °C.
The instrument is equipped with Type 70 Ti rotor.
Onsite refrigerator is available
Applications: Biomedical sciences, materials preparation.
Materials Preparation: Freeze dryer
Manufacturer: SP SCIENTIFIC
Model: VirTis Benchtop Pro
Specifications:
Maximum 12 flasks
Lowest condenser temperature -55 °C.
Applications: Freeze drying
Materials Preparation: Freeze dryer
Manufacturer: SP SCIENTIFIC
Model: VirTis Avantage 2.0
Specifications:
Flask tray or shelf drying available
Shelf temperature -55 to 60 °C.
Lowest condenser temperature -85 °C.
Applications: Freeze drying
Materials Characterization: Thin-Film Analyzer
Manufacturer: FILMETRICS
Model: F20
Specifications:
Thickness range of 15 nm – 70 mm
Wavelength range of 380-1050 nm
Silicon standard and SiO2 on Silicon are available for calibration.
Applications: Thin-film analysis
Materials Characterization: Thermal Diffusivity Tester
Manufacturer: LINSEIS
Model: XFA 500
Specifications:
Temperature range (Only Room Temperature)
Sample size 1" disc, less than 9mm thick
Measuring range lambda: 0.1 to 4000 W/(m∙K)
Pulse energy: 15 J/Pulse
Applications: Thermal Diffusivity determination
Materials Characterization: Viscometer
Manufacturer: Anton Paar
Model: ViscoQC 300 Low range
Specifications:
Viscosity 1 to 6 M mPa·s
Speed 0.01 to 250 rpm
Temperature range 15 °C to 80 °C
Concentric cylinder and spindle available for low volume samples
Applications: Viscosity measurements
Materials Characterization: Gas Chromatography
Manufacturer: SRI Instrument
Model: Multiple Gas Analyzer #5
Specifications:
Thermal Conductivity Detector (TCD)
Flame Ionization Detector (FID)
Electron Capture Detector
Two 10-Port Gas Sampling Valves
.5 meter Hayesep D column
2 meter Hayesep D column
2 meter Moleseive 5A column
6 channel PeakSimple usb data system
Applications: CO2 capture, gas phase analysis
Materials Characterization: Mercury porosimeter
Manufacturer: Micromeritics
Model: Autopore IV 9500
Specifications:
1 high-pressure (33,000 psia maximum pressure) and 2 low-pressure
analysis ports
Pore diameters - 0.003 to 360 μm
Transducer Accuracy - ±0.1% Full Scale
Applications: Pore size, volume, distribution, density, and other porosity-related characteristics of a material.
Materials Characterization: Density & Sound Velocity Tester
Manufacturer: Anton Paar
Model: DSA 5000 M
Specifications:
Density 0 to 3 g/cm3
Sound velocity 1000 to 2000 m/s
Temperature range 0 °C to 100 °C (32 °F to 212 °F)
Pressure range 0 bar to 8 bar (0 psi to 116 psi)
Applications: Density test, concentration determination
Thermoanalysis: Nano ITC
Manufacturer: TA Intruments
Model: NanoITC
Specifications: see chart
Applications: Protein interactions, enzyme kinetics, binding affinity
