The nananalytics working group uses a wide range of analysis methods. As an accredited testing laboratory, we carry out tests in accordance with DIN EN ISO/IEC 17025.
- Certificate Medical Devices (pdf download)
- Certificate Materials (pdf download)
In doing so, we apply modern material analysis methods to a variety of functional materials and devices in order to understand and improve their microstructure-property correlation. Here, we work closely together with different partners from industry and research as well as other WGs at the NMI.
Our customers come from various branches such e.g. materials engineering, mechanical engineering, construction of tools, process engineering, catalyst development, nanoparticle technology and tribology. In addition to services for industry such as damage analysis, process characterization, preparation of expert opinions, etc., we also carry out publicly funded research projects.
Further focuses are the analysis of biological samples and active implants as well as the production and characterization of thin films for sensor and actuator applications.
Services
Materials engineering / mechanical engineering
- Characterization of materials and coatings
- Testing new manufacturing processes and materials
- Development of standards
- Definition of requirements for
- materials
- material surfaces
- long-term function
- cleanliness
Nanoparticle technology
- Analysis of physical and chemical solid state properties
- elucidation of phenomena at interfaces and surfaces of nanostructures
- Effectiveness of filter elements
- Development of filter techniques in the aftertreatment of vehicle exhaust gases
Tribology
- Investigation of chemical and physical processes at the interface between lubricant and material
- Failure analysis for material fatigue and wear
- Reconnaissance and avoidance of tribological damage, e.g. in automotive engineering, ship gearboxes and wind turbines
- Analysis of lubricants
Furthermore, all listed methods are offered as a service within research projects or for customers from the industry.
Techniques, methods, equipment
Optical
- Light microscopy LM
- Infrared spectroscopy FTIR
- Surface topography (3D roughness)
- Contact angle and surface energy measurement
Spectroscopic
- Photoelectron spectroscopy XPS, ESCA
- Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR)
- Raman spectroscopy (Raman)
Spectrometric
- Secondary ion mass spectrometry SIMS
- Secondary Neutral Particle Mass Spectrometry SNMS
Electron microscopic
- Scanning electron microscopy SEM with EDX
- Focused Ion Beam FIB with EDX
- High resolution transmission electron microscopy TEM/STEM with EDX and EELS
Mechanical
- instrumented penetrant testing (nanohardness) NH
- nano Scratch Tester
Force microscopic
- Atomic Force Mikroskopie AFM
Further methods
- 3D Nanoanalytics with FIB/SEM Tomography and TEM Tomography
- Sample transfer between equipment under inert gas, vacuum and cryo
- Development of preparation methods
- Electrochemical characterization methods using impedance spectroscopy
Equipment
- FIB/SEM device Zeiss Crossbeam 550
Equipped with Oxford XMax EDX Detector, Plasmacleaner, Platinum and Carbon deposition,
Kleindiek micromanipulator MM3AE
Quorum Aquilo cryo system - Jeol ARM 200F High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM/STEM) with CEOS Cs corrector
one system with probe corrector
one system with image corrector - Zeiss Crossbeam 1540 with Leica VCT100 cryo system
- Zeiss Auriga 40
- Raman spectrometer Renishaw innVia
- Atomic Force Microscope Bruker Innova
- Light Microscopy
Zeiss Axioimager Z2.M
Zeiss SmartZoom
Networks
- Network for Electron Microscopy Tübingen NET, Kompetenzzentrum
- Center for Light-Matter Interaction, Sensors & Analytics (LISA+)
- Competence Centre for Minimally Invasive Medicine and Technology Tübingen-Tuttlingen e. V. MITT
- Competence Network Medical Valley Hechingen
- Research Association Drive Technology e. V. FVA
- Research Association Internal Combustion Engines e. V. FVV
- Society for Tribology e. V. GfT
- IHK-Network Automotive
- EFDS- Europäische Forschungsgemeinschaft Dünne Schichten e. V.
- AG Brecht, Universität Tübingen