Skip Navigation
Penn State
Materials Research Institute

Penn State Search


MCL Services

Training and Educational Opportunities

Training is available throughout the year for students and faculty to learn how to use the instrumentation. Ideally and in most cases, users are trained while analyzing their own samples. The training process, schedule, and fees varies from instrument to instrument, so please contact the analyst responsible for the instrument to discuss the training process and sample requirements. At the completion of training, there is typically a brief probationary period where new users can operate the equipment while the analyst is present. There are special guidelines for training in transmission electron microscopy available here.


Method Development

MCL realizes that the development of new materials and processes frequently demands that new analytical methods and protocols be developed in parallel. These can be quite time consuming and require a great deal of expertise. The MCL staff is more than willing to work with PSU researchers in order to devise analytical methods necessary to fully understand new materials.


New Capabilities

MCL is always looking to add equipment or upgrade existing equipment. Large pieces of equipment are generally acquired via faculty proposal writing. Matching funds for proposals are available via MRI. Much of our equipment has also come from corporate donations. Such in-kind donations are important to the continued health of MCL. For inquiries about making an equipment donation, please contact Elaine Sanders at 814-865-2328.

MCL exists to service the analytical needs of the materials community at Penn State. If we do not offer a technique that you think we should, contact Beth Dickey at 814-865-9067 to discuss options.