Advanced characterization of materials properties, support for low-temperature research.
The Brockhouse Institute for Materials Research (BIMR) has advanced expertise in cryogenic and vacuum technology, magnetic and electronic measurement techniques, and thermal analysis techniques. Specific areas of expertise include liquefaction of helium for low-temperature studies of molecular structure and magnetic properties of materials. We also have expertise in thermal analysis of materials, including differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis.
- Provide liquid helium to research facilities within ABB (the McMaster AN Bourns Science Building) connected to helium recovery system.
- Measurement of magnetic and electronic properties of materials (DC magnetization, AC magnetic susceptibility, resistance, heat capacity).
- Measurement of thermal properties of materials (differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), heat capacity).
- Train McMaster researchers (graduate and undergraduate students, post-doctoral fellows, faculty and staff) in the measurement techniques noted above.
- Leak detection.
- Cryogenic dewar vacuum reconditioning.
- Automotive
- Chemical industries
- Education
- Energy
- Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
Specialized labs and equipment
|
Specialized lab |
Equipment |
Function |
|---|---|---|
|
Cryogenic Facility |
Linde Helium Liquefier System, Model M1410 |
Liquefies recycled helium for use in cooling cryogenic equipment. |
|
Cryogenic Facility |
Quantum Design MPMS 5 SQUID Magnetometer |
DC magnetization measurements (1.8 – 400 K; 5.5 T). |
|
Cryogenic Facility |
Oxford Instruments MagLab-EXA multi-measurement system |
Low temperature measurements of AC magnetic susceptibility, electronic transport properties, and heat capacity. |
|
Thermal Analysis Lab |
Netzsch STA 449 F3 Jupiter Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer |
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) / differential thermal analysis (DTA) / heat capacity (30°C – 1600°C). |
|
Thermal Analysis Lab |
Netzsch STA 409 PC Luxx Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer |
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA)/differential thermal analysis (DTA) (30°C - 1450°C). |
|
Thermal Analysis Lab |
TA Instruments Q100 Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) |
DSC, heat capacity measurements (-80°C – 450°C). |
|
Thermal Analysis Lab |
Pfeiffer Vacuum QualyTest |
Vacuum helium leak detector. |
Private and public sector research partners
- Vital Biosciences
- Liburdi Engineering Ltd.
- McMaster Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facilities
- McMaster Department of Physics and Astronomy
- McMaster Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology
- McMaster Department of Engineering Physics
- McMaster Department of Materials Science and Engineering
- Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy (CCEM)
- Centre for Emerging Device Technologies (CEDT)
- Brock University
- University of Waterloo
- University of Toronto
- University of Guelph
- York University
- Western University