Electron Microscopy Center
The central campus Electron Microscopy Center, located in the Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center (ASTeCC), houses a suite of instruments for state-of-the-art materials characterization. A variable-pressure scanning electron microscope (SEM) is outfitted with a light-element energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) and a back- scattered diffraction camera for orientation imaging microscopy (OIM). A field-emission SEM is available for ultra-high resolution and low-voltage imaging. The facility offers two transmission electron microscopes, one with a LaB6 gun and the other with a field-emission gun; both TEMs are outfitted with light-element EDS detectors, and the field-emission TEM has an electron energy-loss spectrometer and imaging filter. A scanning probe microscope, which can be outfitted with heating, cooling or liquid cell stages, is also available. Instrument users are trained and assisted by facility staff.
X-Ray Diffraction Facility
X-ray diffraction is an important characterization tool for all ordered material, hence the need for a shared user facility to serve the UK and neighboring community. Nominal user fees are charged to assure proper maintenance. For more information contact the director below.
Director: Prof. Tony Zhai (859) 257-4958 e-mail: tzhai@engr.uky.edu
Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering
CeNSE(Center for Nanoscale Science and Engineering), formerly known as CMMED (Center for Micro-Magnetic and Electronic Devices) is a shared use facility to encourage the development of device research at the nano-scale. Nearly $2 million has been invested in the basic fabrication techniques of film deposition, lithographic pattern definition, and material etching that will enable cutting edge research in a variety of fields. For example, in addition to more conventional silicon based transistor devices, simple metal/insulator circuit patterns that incorporate the self-assembly chemistry of tailored receptors could be used for biological sensors. Thus highly multi-disciplinary research efforts are strongly encouraged. This facility is a resource for Kentucky ’s development of both innovative academic research and the realization of emerging commercial ideas.
UK Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility
The facility currently comprises 6 instruments, with one more being installed right now. In addition, there are several data stations for offline processing of NMR data. Day to day operations of the NMR facility are overseen by full time spectroscopist, John Layton, wjl@pop.uky.edu, (859) 257-1183. John can usually be found in the NMR lab or in his office in room 7 of the Chemistry-Physics Building. John maintains the instruments and provides individual instruction so that students who are beginning their research can learn to operate all of the NMR spectrometers in a matter of weeks.
Center for Computational Sciences
The Center for Computational Sciences at the University of Kentucky was started as a center of Excellence in the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1987. In the two decades since then, there has been a revolution in the penetration of computation into every level of academic, industrial and governmental life. The Center has been at the forefront of this revolution, now labeled as Cyberinfrastructure.
Advanced Science and Technology Commercialization Center (ASTeCC)
ASTeCC is UK’s incubator for multidisciplinary collaborations and start-up ventures. This $17 million, 80,000-square-foot facility, completed in 1994 with funding from the Economic Development Administration and the Small Business Administration, provides research space and state-of-the-art equipment to both faculty groups and new businesses. More than 25 faculty working on five focal areas—biopolymers, computational sciences, materials sciences, molecular biology, and pharmaceutical engineering—have their labs in the ASTeCC building. In addition to fostering multidisciplinary research of intellectual and commercial value, ASTeCC provides rental space to new business startups that have licensed technology developed at UK. Nine new businesses currently lease space in ASTeCC; 14 businesses have “graduated” from ASTeCC to UK’s Coldstream Research Campus and other locations in and around Lexington and beyond.
Center for Membrane Science
The Center of Membrane Sciences was established to foster multidisciplinary research on biological and synthetic membranes and their interface. The center provides scientific and technological leadership and facilities to develop basic research in a new generation of membranes and to promote partnerships fundamental to knowledge – and technology transfer.
Center for Applied Energy Research
CAER is an energy technology research facility whose broad mission is to conduct basic and applied research designed to generate information on Kentucky energy resources; ascertain the associated environmental impacts; and produce, test and evaluate new technologies. Current activities include coal cleaning, catalysis, emissions control, separation technologies, coal combustion byproducts research, and activated carbon research. CAER’s industrial support group works with industry to solve industrial problems through utilization of the center’s analytical services expertise and facilities. The Center for Applied Energy Research each year sponsors seminars by distinguished experts on current scientific topics of interest to the academic and research communities.
Center for Aluminum Technology
The Center for Aluminum Technology is a partnership involving the aluminum industries, the Kentucky Economic Development Cabinet, the U.S. Department of Energy, and UK. The mission of the center is to provide industry with trained personnel, new knowledge and emerging technology know-how needed to be globally competitive in the 21st century. The multidisciplinary research center trains undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate students to provide leadership in aluminum technology, develops programs in aluminum technology for non-degree students in conjunction with community colleges and technical schools, and provides research on the fabrication and use of aluminum. The center enlists the skills of researchers from a variety of disciplines, including materials engineering, chemical engineering, mathematics, chemistry, electrical engineering, and mechanical engineering.