MRI Facilities

Using MRI Research Facilities

MRI coordinates, administers, and supports several state-of-the-art characterization, fabrication and research facilities at Penn State that provide research services and lab access to anyone interested in research and development, including students, faculty, other universities, and industry.

Why use MRI's User Research Facilities?

MRI's User Facilities do not exist solely to perform routine research and analyses. Initiated research projects within MRI's User Facilities bring with them a wealth of added benefits which can include but are not limited to:

• access to unique techniques and capabilities
• development of processing parameters
• the opportunity to interface with faculty experts in their fields of expertise
• training
• personal visits during experimental procedures
• freedom to access and use the facilities 24/7
• knowledge and expertise of our trained staff
• contacts and networking

To inquire about services, please directly contact the appropriate Facility Director or Administrative Coordinator. Staff can help you determine how much it will cost and guide you through the process of becoming a trained user.

How to Use MRI's User Research Facilities

Many of the user facilities at Penn State are moving toward a centralized reservation, management, and billing system - RIMS (Research Instrumentation Management System). Potential users should review appropriate facility websites and/or communicate with one of the contacts listed below. If you are Penn State affiliated, once you have identified the type of work you want to undertake, you simply need to sign up on RIMS. Onsite users will then be provided access to RIMS. Offsite, remote users will have the option to access RIMS, for billing information, if desired. If you are not Penn State affiliated, you must complete required documentation.

MRI User Research Facilities and Who to Contact

Nanofabrication Laboratory

Provides expertise developing and processing electronic packages using various materials and chemical technologies at the molecular and nano scale. Unique strengths include surface chemistry, self-assembly, the fabrication and processing of complex oxide materials, and graphene. Staff-performed personal training or services are available.

Contacts:
Director of Operations - Bill Mansfield, 814-863-6332, wmm14@psu.edu
Administrative Coordinator - Jaime Reish, 814-865-7348, jdr15@psu.edu
Web - http://www.mri.psu.edu/facilities/nanofab

Materials Characterization Lab (MCL)

Offers convenient access to a wide range of analytical instrumentation and services to help researchers identify and understand the properties of novel materials. Staff-performed personal training or services are available.

Contacts:
Operations Manager - Josh Stapleton, 814-863-2224, jjs366@psu.edu
Administrative Coordinator - Leeanna Horner, 814-867-3719, lrm14@psu.edu
Web - http://www.mri.psu.edu/facilities/mcl

Smart Materials Integration Lab (SMIL)

"Smart" materials sense a change in the environment and respond to that change in a useful way. This laboratory enables the integration and miniaturization of "smart" materials and the fabrication of components that go beyond conventional semiconductor-based materials. This is done by utilizing both semiconductor and low temperature co-fire ceramic technologies. Staff-performed personal training or services are available.

Contact:
Director - Dr. Susan Trolier-McKinstry, 814-863-8348, set1@psu.edu
Administrative Coordinator - Leeanna Horner, 814-867-3719, lrm14@psu.edu
Web - http://www.mri.psu.edu/facilities/smil

Materials Simulation Center (MSC)

The Materials Simulation Center is a facility for education and research on materials simulation. It is designed to function as a hub to connect experimental and simulation activities through the organization of collaborative projects, short courses, and workshops. For the experimentalist, the Center will provide the information needed to add a simulation component to their work. For groups already working on materials simulation, the Center will be a natural environment for interaction and extension of existing simulation techniques.

Contacts:
Director - Dr. Jorge Sofo, 814-865-2811, jos13@psu.edu
Web - http://www.msc.psu.edu/

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