Centre for Biointerface Characterization

The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia
What the facility does

Materials science and engineering.

Areas of expertise

The Centre for Biointerface Characterization (CBiC) is a hub between university researchers and industry partners seeking novel biomaterials’ solutions for the clean energy, human health, sustainable environment and construction sectors. The centre hosts a unique suite of instruments enabling comprehensive studies of various materials surfaces, with special emphasis on bio-organic materials. Of special interest is a set of spectrometers enabling full chemical characterization in the nano- to micro-domains, either for discovery of unknown structures or for quality control of engineered geometry and chemistry. Depending on specific project needs, CBiC services vary from contract work on submitted samples to longer-term research collaborations. Collaborators may choose to receive training and perform their experiments hands-on, on CBiC equipment, or they may work together with CBiC members on the design, execution and/or interpretation of experiments. Successful collaborations include the automotive fuel cell, enhanced forest products, and filter membrane industries, as well as university research (e.g., on biomedical devices, food processing, drug delivery, anti-fouling mechanisms, micro-fluidics, environmental asbestos control and anti-corrosion processes).

Research services
  • Analytics
  • nanofabrication
  • product enhancement processes
  • materials design and development
  • performance testing
  • proof-of-concept experiments
  • materials quality control
Sectors of application
  • Aerospace and satellites
  • Automotive
  • Construction (including building, civil engineering, specialty trades)
  • Energy
  • Environmental technologies and related services
  • Forestry and forest-based industries
  • Healthcare and social services
  • Information and communication technologies and media
  • Life sciences, pharmaceuticals and medical equipment
  • Manufacturing and processing
  • Mining, minerals and metals
EquipmentFunction
Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometer2D-3D chemical characterizations of material surfaces with nanometer resolution
Bio-compatible X-ray photoelectron spectrometerChemical analysis of material surfaces
Ultraviolet/visible light Raman micro-spectroscopeChemical analysis of material surfaces with sub-micrometer resolution
Combined Raman spectroscope/atomic force microscopeChemical analysis of material surfaces with sub-micrometer resolution
Combined total internal reflection fluorescence microscope/ atomic force microscopeAdhesion testing on molecular scales
Nanofibre tensile testing apparatusAdhesion testing on nanometre scales
Multi-axial mechanical testing apparatusAdhesion testing on micro- to macro-scales
Fine wire braiderManufacturing of composite structures
Nanofibre electrospinning unitManufacturing of fibre structures
Atmospheric plasma unitCoating of surfaces