Students observing experiment in the lab

These short, intensive training modules are designed specifically to equip REU students with practical skills and foundational knowledge in core materials characterization techniques. Each course combines conceptual instruction with hands-on instrument experience, preparing students to design experiments, collect high-quality data, and interpret results relevant to their summer research projects. 

Who should attend?
These trainings are ideal for REU students seeking practical experience with advanced characterization tools commonly used in materials science, engineering, chemistry, physics, and related disciplines. No prior instrument experience is required.

 

X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Training

Build a foundation in crystallography and powder diffraction analysis

MAY 28-29, 2026

What you will learn

  • Crystallography fundamentals and Bragg’s Law
  • How X-rays interact with matter to produce diffraction patterns
  • Hands-on data collection using an Aeris powder diffractometer
  • Phase identification with Jade software
  • Introduction to advanced data analysis and interpretation
  • Troubleshooting poor data and planning effective diffraction experiments

Location:
N-202 Millennium Science Complex
Format:
Two full-day sessions. Light breakfast and lunch sponsored by Malvern Panalytical and Xenocs
Max Capacity: 
30 students
Contact:
Nichole Wonderling

REGISTER HERE

Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) Training 

Learn the fundamentals in nanoscale topography 

JUNE 8, 2026

What you will learn

  • Basic AFM fundamentals
  • Instrument set-up and operation
  • Imaging and data acquisition
  • Data analysis and interpretation 

Location:
N-030B Millennium Science Complex
Format:
One full-daily session (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.)
Max Capacity: 
8 students (students will be mentored by graduate student who are AFM-trained)
Contact:
Tim Tighe (tbt1@psu.edu)

REGISTER HERE

Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) Training

Learn how to image and analyze materials at the microscale 

JUNE 1-3, and June 10-12, 2026

What you will learn

  • SEM overview: what information SEM can provide and how it works
  • Instrument fundamentals with guided, hands-on SEM operation
  • Understanding and collecting multiple data types, including:
    • Secondary electron images
    • Backscattered electron images
    • Energy dispersive Xray spectroscopy (EDS)
  • Imaging strategies tailored to different sample types

Location:
N-050 Millennium Science Complex
Format:
Two daily sessions (9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. - 4:00p.m.)
Max Capacity: 
12 students (two sections of 6 students)

CLASSES ARE CURRENTLY FULL

Raman Spectroscopy Training

Understand and apply vibrational spectroscopy to real materials problems 

JUNE 4, 2026

What you will learn

  • Which materials can be analyzed using vibrational spectroscopy
  • Basic interpretation of Raman spectra
  • Comparison of different Raman sampling methods
  • Applications of Raman spectroscopy, including:
    •  Strain and crystallinity
    • Crystal orientation
    • Polymorph identification
    • Temperature-dependent measurements
  • Hands on training with confocal micro Raman spectroscopy, including calibration
  • Basic data processing using LabSpec 6
     

Location:
102 Thomas (lecture hall) and N-050B Millennium Science Complex (lab)  
Max Capacity: 
18 students 
Contact:
Max Wetherington

REGISTER HERE