Research Lab

The facilities available at RIC2D extend beyond the impressive physical suite of assets and sophisticated state-of-the-art equipment to reach into a full-on thorough and comprehensive service related to all advanced material innovation needs from idea screening all the way through to proof-of-concept development and all the characterization that comes along with it.
RIC2D itself expands over 600 m2 of floor space which comprises mainly of, Project labs, Clean-room & Offices and storage rooms.

The Research labs, where the researchers and users get the freedom and facilities to deploy their talents and engage in their work, comprise of (i) Advanced Materials Characterization and Preparation labs having Advanced Characterization equipment and fume hoods (ii) Project Labs and (iii) Clean-room.

Advanced Materials Characterization & Sample Preparation Labs

The Advanced Materials Characterization and Preparation Labs comprise of; (A) dry areas housing some of the more sophisticated surface and structural equipment; including:
Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) – FX40 – Park Systems	State-of-the-art AFM with integrated intelligence and robotics providing unparalleled autonomy and advanced technology for accelerating surface characterisation of materials at the forefront of groundbreaking research. Equipped with multiple topography modes, its capabilities include: • PeakForce Tapping • Tapping mode • Phase Imaging • Contact mode, non contact mode. Electrical modes • PeakForce Tunnelling AFM • Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy • Scanning Capacitance microscopy • Electric Force Microscopy • Scanning Tunnelling Microscopy, Magnetic Force Microscopy, PeakForce Quantitative, • Nanomechanical Mapping, Lateral Force Microscopy
Nanoindenter / Mechanical Tester – PB1000 – Nanovea	It enables researchers to measure mechanical properties such as modulus and hardness of materials in different shapes, sizes and scales. This instrument has the ability to determine the nano- and microscale properties of materials with complex microstructures as well as those of limited sample dimension. Offers utility in the characterization of structural tissues, hydrogels, polymers and composites.
Confocal Raman Microscope – InVia Qontor – Renishaw	Signature instrument for 2D materials characteriztion and fingerprinting. The inVia confocal Raman microscope delivers outstanding performance and best data in the shortest time. It provides highly specific identification, high spatial resolution, a range of microscope contrast techniques, advanced particle analysis and smart correlative imaging, enabling even the most challenging experiments.
FTIR with Microscope and PL Module – Vertex80v Hyperion II – Bruker	Vacuum FTIR spectrometer providing peak spectral resolution over the full spectral range. Its quality optics and innovative design enables demanding experiments such as high resolution, ultra fast rapidscan, step-scan or UV spectral range measurements. The Vertex 80v main unit is coupled with two additional breakthrough instruments: 1) Hyperion II FT-IR microscope combining Infrared Laser Imaging (ILIM) microscopy in a single device, offering all three measurement modes transmission, reflection and ATR. 2) PL II module for photoluminescence measurements.
Laser Profilometer with 3D Imaging – LEXT OLS 5100 – Olympus	A laser scanning microscope combining exceptional accuracy and optical performance with smart tools that make the system easy to use. Precisely measuring shape and surface roughness at the submicron level are fast and efficient, simplifying the workflow and delivering high-quality data.
Contact Angle and Optical Tensiometer – Theta Flow – Biolin	Optical tensiometer is capable of measuring contact angle measurements, and surface and interfacial tension using advanced optical technology. It is designed for dynamic analysis, offering real time insight into surface behavior with high accuracy and sensitivity.
Optical Surface Profiler – PS50 – Nanovea	Fast and accurate non-contact surface profiling utilizing visible white light and chromatic confocal technology. Offers faster scan speeds versus other laser and stylus techniques, without compromising lateral resolution or accuracy. Measures samples up to 50×50 mm scan areas.
Stereomicroscope – EasyZoom5 – MOTIC	A flexible, high performance digital microscope that is well suited for material inspection. The microscope offers 50x to 5800x magnification in a single zoom body, providing extreme versatility and making it a great fit for any application. The long working distance on the objectives, and high depth of field provides great visual clarity for parts with large height differences.
Optical Microscope – Axioscope – Zeiss	A complete material laboratory solution, this upright light microscope is designed to specifically meet the most comon optical imaging requirements for advanced materials. Offers modern light management in both Brightfiled and darkfield modes. Up to 50x objective magnification.
Multi-purpose FTIR Spectrometer – Nicolet is50 – ThermoFisher Scientific	Highly flexible and intuitive FTIR bench system. Offers measurements from mid to far-infrared, with an additional ATR module. Its small footprint makes it ideal for coupling and hyphenation upgrades.
UV-Vis Spectrometer – Specord 50 Plus – Analytik-Jena	This UV-Vis Spectrometer delivers high precision and versatility with a wide wavelength range and advanced optical design. It supports various analytical modes, including basic absorbance, quantitative analysis, and kinetics.

(B) Wet areas having additional characterization equipment, as well as other instruments for sample conditioning, preparation and fume-hoods for handling samples and carrying experiments safely. The equipment and facilities available in these sections of the research labs are listed below, further categorized based on function and use:

a) Thermal, Physical & Mechanical Characterization
Advanced Rheometer with Controlled Environemnt Testing – Discovery Hybrid HR30 – TA Instruments	A premier research-grade rheometer for scientists looking to advance the boundaries of material science by exploiting its unparalleled measurement sensitivity and accuracy. With integrated linear Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, the HR 30’s two-in-one instrument capabilities empowers users to explore entirely new possibilities for mechanical testing. The rheometer also features a temperature controlled environment expanding its capabilitieis to conduct measurements over a temperature range from -160 – 600 oC
Thermal Conductivity -High Temperature – LFA 467 HT – Netzsch	This instrument offers accurate and precise measurements for thermal diffusivity and thermal conductivity for a variety of different materials over a wide temperature range, from room temperature up to 1250oC, using the Laser Flash techique (LFA).
Dynamic mechanical Analyzer with Controlled Environment – DMA 850 – TA Instruments	This cutting-edge dynamic mechanical analyzer offers the full suite of viscoelastic measurements and finished component and product characteristics, enabling it to refelct the important contribution that processing has on end-use product performance. Coupled with an advanced environenmet control module, all measurements can be carried out at a wide tempereature range from -160 – 600 oC. Some of the measurement commonly performed include: – Glass transition (Tg) and secondary transition temperatures – Oreintation caused by processing – Cold crystallization – Cure optimization – Filler effects in composites – Other important properties such as damping, creep and stress relaxation Force range: 0.1 mN – 18 N
Thermal Conductivity Meter – DTC 300 – TA	DTC 300 is a research grade instrument for the direct determination of thermal conductivity of a wide range of low-to-medium thermal conductivity materials, including solid, liquid, paste, powder, thin film by using guarded heat flow method. It employs one calorimeter module, located in the bottom stack, for the measurement of thermal conductivity, and a side guard furnace to prevent edge heat loss. It provides measurements in compliance with ASTM E1530.
Capillary Flow & Liquid-Liquid Porometer in a Single Machine – INNOVA 500 – 3P Instruments	Pore size characterization instrument with 2-in-1 gas-liquid and liquid-liquid methods. It can accurately measure pore sizes from the nano to the ultra-micro range. Designed for pore structure characterization of materials such as hollow fiber and flat sheet membranes, filter media, lithium batteries, separators, fuel cell, paper, non-wovens, nano fibers, and ceramic membranes. Some of the possible parameters to measures include: – Mean pore size – Pore size distribution – Bubble point (largest pore) – Permeability (gas and liquid) – cumulative filter flow (%) It can measure pore sizes from as large as 500 um down to 2 nm.
Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer (TGA/DSC) -STA 449 F5 Jupiter – Netzsch	Verstaile instrument for high-performance simultaneous thermal analysis, including both Thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. With an SiC furnace reaching 1600 oC, and DSC capabilities, this instruments excels at typical applications like thermal stability, phase transitions, oxidation/reduction reactions, and decomposition processes across diverse materials and industries.
Dry Powders Particle Size Analyzer – Partica LA 960V2 – Horiba	Laser scattering particle size distribution analyzer for dry powders over a wide range of geometries from 5mm down to 10 nm.
Surface Area BET – Nova 800 – Anton Paar	High-throughput, all-in-one analyzer with 4 analysis and 4 degassing stations in a compact footprint. The Nova 800 BET supports simultaneous analysis of up to four samples, ensuring reproducibility within ±2% and accurate measurements of surface areas greater than 2 m². Measurements include: – Surface area (BET, NSA, STSA, and Langmuir). – Pore size (BJH, DFT). – Pore Volume
High-resolution Particle Size Analyzer – Zetasizer Advance Lab – Malvern Panalytical	Light scattering particle size analyzer for samples in suspension. It offers the following measurements: – Particle size (0.3 nm – 10 um) – Particle charge (zeta potential) (3.8 nm – 100 um) – Molecular weight
Thermal Conductivity Instrument (Multi-probe) – Trident – C-Therm	The Trident thermal conductivity meter encompasses an all in one modular package for thermal conductivity analysis combined with ease-of-use and quick measurement through the power of three different ransient methods. Multiple ISO and ASTM thermal conductivity tests are covered through this instrument.
Universal Mechanical Tester – X350-20 – Testometric	A compact and robust differential scanning calormiter for all DSC investigat including melting and glass transition temperatures, grade of crystallization, heat capacity, phase transitions, decomposition points, and other chemicl processes kinetic considerations. It uses the heat-flux method and conducts measurements from temperatures as low as -170 oC up to 600 oC.
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) – ThermoFisher
Wet Samples Particle Size Analyzer – Analysette 22 – Fritsch	Automatic laser particle sizer for large volume, wet samples, in solution or suspension. Covers a measurement range from 10 nm – 3800 um.
High-Temperature Differential Scanning Calorimeter – 404 F1 Pegasus – Netzsch	A highly versatile DSC designed for the exact determination of specific heat of high-performance materials at high-temperatures, and determination of thermodynamic properties of ceramics and metallic materials such as Mxenes.
Pycnometer – Ultrapyc 5000 – Anton Paar	This gas displacement pycnometer determines true density and true volume of solids, semi-solids, powders, foams and cellular materials

b) Material Synthesis, Preparation & Conditioning
Spray Dryer – S-300 Advanced – Buchi	Used for forming a dry powder from a liquid or slurry by rapidly drying with a hot gas.
Freeze Dryer – LS300 – Buchi	Freeze-dryer is used to remove residual solvent from a material to produce a dry powder that can be easily loaded into a cell. The material is dissolved in solvent and frozen in a dry-ice bath. The solvent sublimates and is removed by vacuum, leaving a dry powder.
High-speed Centrifuge – Himac CR22 N – Hitachi	High-speed refrigerated centrifuge, spinning up to 35,000rpm, this centrifuge delivers the speed and performance required for high performance processing applications. Plus lightweight and fatigue-resistant rotors that do not need to be derated over time, and an intuitive, easily accessible touch screen interface and imbalance tolerance to accelerate run set-up.
High Precision Mass balance Sartorius Cubis MCA 10.6 – 2S00	Weighing balance with high-precision down to the micrograms scale.
Microwave Digestion System – Anton Paar – CEM	Microwave digestion is used to decompose sample materials into a solution suitable for quantitative elemental analysis.
Argon Single Zone Split Tube Furnace1 – Gero TS1 – Carbolite	Used for heat treatment processes in Ar, including annealing, hardening, and tempering of metals and alloys.
Nitrogen Single Zone Split Tube Furnace2 – Gero TS1 – Carbolite	Used for heat treatment processes in N2, including annealing, hardening, and tempering of metals and alloys.
High-efficiency Vacuum Oven – VO101 – Memmert	It used for drying, curing, and heat treatment processes under reduced pressure conditions. Features a large capacity volume of 100 L and accurate temperature control up to 100 oC.
Climate Chamber – 111Eco – Climacell	Used for providing simulated environmental conditions (temperature and relative humidity)
Rotary Evaporator – Hei-Vap Expert RE212B-O – Heidolph	Used to separate and purify compounds, such as solvents, inorganic salts, and acids. Features precise setting of rotation speed and heating bath temperature.
Speedmixer – DAC 150 – FlakTek
Inert Atmosphere Glovebox – 4-Hands – Vigor	This 4-hands (2 pairs) glovebox is initialize with an Ar atmposphere making it idea for battery research. It contains a balance for weighing nano/micro powder materials. Loading of containers is done via a loadlock. The glovebox has a nanoparticle filter and an extractor for the safety of the operator.

c) Fabrication & Prototyping
High-precision 3D Printer – Microarch S240 – BMF	Novel 3D printer with micro-precision designed to meet the needs of short-run industrial production. It boasts a larger build volume and up to 10X faster print speeds, all while utilizing the patented Projection Micro Stereolithography technology. It is the ultimate tool in the researcher’s prototyping kit, enabling idea to functional concept in very short period. Can create models using both photosensitive resin and ceramics.
Electrohydrodynamic Printing Machine (EHD) – MXII Eco – ENJET
Integrated Melt Extruder, Electrowriter and Spinner – Domobio4A – IT3D	An integrated workstation equipped with a variety of tools that enable precise layering and patterning of nanocomposites. Its Syringe Extruder enables controlled deposition of nanomaterial inks, which is crucial for experimenting with composite thickness and composition. Melt Electrowriting allows for high-resolution patterning, enhancing the mechanical and electrical properties of nanocomposites. The Pellet Printhead facilitates direct processing of polymers mixed with nanomaterials, expanding material compatibility. Finally, the Sol-Electrospinning Extruder produces nanofibers, providing a matrix for embedding 2D nanomaterials, which is vital for developing composites with superior mechanical strength and electrical conductivity. The combination of these multi-tools allows for the fabrication of hierarchically different materials in a single platform.

d) Electrical & Electrochemical Characterization
Thermoelectric Analyzer (Seebeck) – SBA 458 nemesis – Netzsch	This instrument is tailored to measure the Seebeck coefficient, the ratio of induced thermoelectric voltage to the temperature difference between two points at an electrical conductor, which is a detrimental property for materials shaping the future of high-performance thermoelectric generators
Potentiostat – Biologic – VSP-3e	3 channels EIS potentiostat, with additional 3 booster channels up to 20 Amps.
Complete 16 Channels Electrochemical Workstation – VMP-300 – Biologic	Multichannel modular potentiostat with 14 EIS capable channels and ultra-low current sensitivity down to 10nA. Comes with additional 2 boosters up to 20 Amps. Equipped with RRDE attachement for cell measurements and a special sample holder for controlled environments.
Vector Network Analyzer – ZNA43 – Rohde & Schwarz	Enables the measurement of electrical network parameters, including transmission, reflection, impedance and S-parameters measurements in the wide frequency range of KHz-GHz.
Scanning Probe Electrochemical Microscope – M470 – Biologic	canning Electrochemical Microscopy (SECM) is a scanning probe electrochemistry technique capable of measuring the activity of a sample with chemical selectivity. This versatile technique can be used in a wide variety of applications including: materials, catalysis, and battery research.
Four-Point Probe and Resistivity Meter – Loresta GX2 – NH Instruments	The Loresta GX II is a high-precision measuring device for determining the resistance of conductors and semiconductors in the range of 10-4 – 107 Ω and it is ideal for precise resistance measurements of a wide variety of substances and materials of all shapes and sizes.
Potentiostat – IviumStat – Ivium	This potentiostat is well suited for applications requiring a wide dynamic range, such as battery testing, corrosion measurements and electrochemical research applications. Capable of ±5A/±10V and low current ranges, down to 1pA full scale.
Potentiostat – Reference 3000 – Gamry	A high-performance potentiostat/galvanostat/ZRA recommended for battery, capacitor, or fuel cell development, as well as general electrochemical measurements requiring higher currents. Key features include: – High-current, high-performance for researchers studying batteries – Maximum Applied Potential – Up to +/-32V@+/-1.5A or +/-15V@+/-3A – EIS – 10 μHz – 1 MHz For techniques including: – Physical Electrochemistry – Pulse Voltammetry – DC Corrosion
Precision Electrometer for I-V Characterization – Keithley 2400 SMU – Tektronix	Standard Source Measure Unit (SMU) Instrument offering four-quadrant precision voltage and current source/load coupled with measurement. It is both a highly stable DC power source and a true instrument-grade 6½-digit multimeter. The power source characteristics include low noise, precision, and readback. The multimeter capabilities include high repeatability and low noise.

Laboratory Bookings

To reserve time and access to our facilities and equipment please use our laboratory booking system here

For RIC2D research facilities inquiries, please contact the RIC2D Labs Team at

ric2d.labs@ku.ac.ae

Finally, the RIC2D labs also have a dedicated chemicals storage room, where all the chemical materials are stored in bulk, and dispatched to users in needed quantities.
Consumables rooms, where general inventory and essential items are kept in stock.
Office spaces, where the specialist lab staff reside.