The ARC is excited to announce a major expansion of its materials characterization infrastructure through a recent Federal Appropriations award administered through the NIST Congressionally Identified Projects Program (CIPP). The investment will bring a new state-of-the-art Single Crystal X-ray Diffractometer to ARC while also expanding capabilities across our existing XRD and NMR facilities. Together, these […]

What is one of the biggest advantages of Single Crystal X-ray Diffraction (SC-XRD) compared with Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD)? B. SC-XRD can more easily determine the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a crystal In powder XRD, diffraction from many randomly oriented crystallites produces 2D diffraction rings that are often collected as  a one-dimensional pattern of […]

Mycelium-based composites for textile applications This month’s spotlight shines on Morgan Davis, a CSU alum who pursued an M.S. in Design and Merchandising under the guidance of Prof. Yan Vivian Li as part of her Smart Textiles and Nanotechnology research group. Morgan’s recent publication, “Development and Characterization of Pleurotus fossulatus Mycelium-Based Composites for Biodesigned Textile […]

Every year, ARC celebrates the incredible scientific images captured by our electron microscopy users. Congratulations to this year’s winners! Best SEM Image Hala Soliman (Prieto Group) This striking SEM image captures the highly faceted morphology of electrodeposited tin-antimony (SnSb), a binary metal alloy being developed in the Prieto (Chemistry Department) group as a high-performance anode […]

ARC’s new Zeiss Crossbeam 550 FIB-SEM is now fully installed and operational in Yates 101. Unlike a conventional SEM, this unique three-beam system integrates an electron beam for high-resolution imaging, a focused gallium ion beam for nanoscale milling, and an ultrafast femtosecond laser for rapid removal of large volumes of material. Together, these complementary beams […]

ARC has expanded its materials characterization capabilities with two new instruments: a PerkinElmer Pyris 9 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA). These systems offer automated sample handling, broad temperature ranges, and advanced software for precise, quantitative thermal analysis, opening the door to a wide range of new research applications. Unique features What Researchers […]

ARC is launching a new structured TEM training format beginning April 1. Students interested in becoming independent operators of the JEOL 2100 TEM can now sign up directly for TEM training in iLab. The updated format includes four foundational lectures taught by Dr. Roy Geiss, covering the basics of TEM imaging, electron diffraction, EDS, and […]

ARC’s new Anton Paar XRDynamic 500 is installed and ready for use. Staff training is complete, and user training can now be requested through iLab. The XRD system supports powder and thin-film analysis (GIXRD, XRR), in-operando battery studies, PDF analysis, and SAXS, expanding ARC’s capabilities for advanced materials characterization.

New multifunctional XRD coming to the ARC!! We are pleased to announce that the ARC (with support from the OVPR) has recently purchased a new multipurpose x-ray diffractometer from Anton Paar! The new XRDynamic 500 will be installed in early 2026 and is expected to be operational by February. This instrument will come equipped with copper and […]