Analytical Chemistry and Microscopy Laboratory
Nanoindenter
The nanoindenter uses a fine stylus to measure hardness and stiffness of materials at a sub-micrometer scale. The stylus can also be used to create typographical images. These measurements of mechanical properties at a microscopical scale support the development of hardened wood products, more durable adhesives, and better composites. It is also being used to explore the structure of wood cell walls, which is still not completely understood.
Atomic Force Microscope
The atomic force microscope (AFM) provides images and some mechanical measurements with resolution at the nanometer scale. This is an extraordinarily versatile tool for three-dimensional imaging at a resolution that cannot be achieved by light microscopy. Sample preparation for AFM is often easier than for electron microscopy.
Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
SEM provides image resolution exceeding that obtained by optical microscopy. The current microscope can image samples in low vacuum and without the application of metal coatings. It is also equipped with an energy dispersive x-ray analyzer which can be used for image-wise elemental analysis. Our SEM is also capable of imaging natural materials without extensive drying, so that they can be observed in a native state.
Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometer
This highly sensitive method for quantitative elemental analysis is frequently used for determining the amounts of wood preservatives or leaching of preservatives from wood.
Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometer
This instrument is mainly applied for qualitative identification of materials or to determine when and how materials have been changed by some process.
Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) and Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS)
GC/MS is used for the separation and chemical identification of components of mixtures of volatile materials. LC/MS is similar to GC/MS, but its use is not limited to materials that can be volatized. Both are used to separate mixtures of compounds and then identify each of the components.
High Pressure Liquid Chromatography
This method is mostly used for quantitative sugar analysis. All carbohydrates (cellulose and hemicellulose) are composed of sugar molecules that are chemically linked. Through sugar analysis, the carbohydrates are decomposed into individual sugars. The mixture of sugars is separated by chromatography, and each sugar is measured quantitatively.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
NMR is used for qualitative identification of organic material in solution or liquid state. It is often applied to investigate changes that occur due to chemical reactions. NMR can be used to determine the way in which atoms of a compound are connected to each other. Natural materials often have similar composition but behave differently because of different linkages.
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