Amity Materials Research Facility (AMRF), established at Amity University Gurugram in 2020, with funding from Department of Science and Technology (DST-FIST) Govt. of India and Amity University Haryana, is open to usage by scientific community and industry people.
The purpose of establishing this facility is to provide the scientific community (within Amity University and external researchers, both academia and industry) with state-of-the-art Particle Size & Zeta Potential Measurement, Thermoanalysis and Spectroscopy Facility for material science research in diverse fields of Applied Sciences.
Objectives
- To provide latest and advanced analytical instruments for Nanomaterial Characterization and thereby facilitate postgraduate teaching and research in Materials Science
- To provide specialized training to students, researchers and technical personnel on these instruments
- To develop national and international networking and collaborations for Nanomaterial Research and to augment the research infrastructure by competing for further grants and projects
- To develop as a platform for organizing National and International courses and workshops on various aspects of Dynamic Light Scattering, Thermoanalysis and Spectroscopic techniques
Particle Size & Zeta Potential Measurement (Dynamic Light Scattering) Facility
RDET 48125 Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern)
Features:
- Zetasizer Nano ZS can measure hydrodynamic size, zeta potential and molecular weight in particle dispersions, emulsions and molecular solutions
- Works in size range maximum (diameter) 0.3nm - 10 microns even at a minimum sample volume of 12μL
- Temperature control range is 0°C - 90°C +/- 0.1°C
- It has a Reusable Dip Cell for zeta potential measurements
Zetasizer can be useful for
- Estimating particle size distribution of the nanoparticles (crystalline and amorphous)
- Calculating surface charge in terms of electric potential (V) of the nanoparticle system
- Determining the nature of drug-receptor interactions
- Understanding the aggregated state of various biomolecules like protein, lipids etc.
Samples
Samples used for DLS should be dispersed in a liquid phase, in the case of dry samples (powders) solvent addition is necessary prior to measurement. Solvent used should be of high purity and should not contain large molar mass impurities (e.g., dust). Filtration can be used as well to remove undesired large molar mass species prior to measurement. Samples should be well dispersed and suspension should be homogenous. Concentrations between 1-10 mg/ml are a good starting point for the determination of the proper sample concentration.
Charges*
| Users types |
Zetasizer Nano ZS (Malvern) |
| Amity University |
Rs 150/hour |
| Academic & Research Institutions |
Rs. 500/sample^ |
| Private Industries/Other Laboratories |
Rs. 800/sample^ |
^Additional Rs. 100/- for particle size and zeta potential measurement for each sample
*Inclusive Charge - 18% GST
Thermoanalysis Facility
Simultaneous Thermal Analyzer 8000 (Perkin Elmer)
Features:
- STA 8000 has a sensor with a pure platinum/alumina pan holder and there is a separate platform for sample and reference
- Balance design is top loading, single beam with a resolution of 0.2 μg
- Balance measurement range is up to 1500 mg and temperature range is 15˚C to 1600 ˚C
- Temperature accuracy is from ambient to 1000˚C ±0.5 ˚C and 1000 ˚C to 1600 ˚C ±1.0 ˚C
- Runs on an Advanced Pyris Software
STA can be useful for
- Measuring thermal stability of nanomaterials, polymers, plastics, ceramic, glass, biopolymer and their hybrids and composites
- Identifying phase transition point of the materials
- Determining the residual water/organic solvents/fillers present in materials and to understand weight loss or degradation of materials with respect to temperature
- Studying protein unfolding and formation of their oligomeric states
Samples
Sample used for STA should be in solid state as a fine powder, minimum 10 mg is required for a single run. It should be non-reactive with the material of sample pan (alumina). Should be non-flammable, non-volatile and not explosive in nature
Charges*
| Users types |
STA (Below 1000°C) |
STA (Above 1000°C) |
| Amity University |
Rs. 200/sample |
Rs. 300/sample |
| Academic & Research Institutions |
Rs. 500/sample |
Rs. 700/sample |
| Private Industries/Other Laboratories |
Rs. 800/sample |
Rs. 1000/sample |
*Inclusive Charge - 18% GST
Spectroscopy Facility
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer Lambda 365 (Perkin Elmer)
Features:
- Lambda 365 is a Double Beam UV/Vis spectrophotometer which has an interface of Tungsten-Halogen and Deuterium lamps
- Operating range is 190 - 1100 nm and temperature range is 15°C to 35°C
- The system delivers a variable spectral bandwidth capability from 0.5 nm to 20 nm
- It has a wide range of accessories, including multicell changers and a solid sample accessory for transmission and reflectance
UV-Vis Spectrophotometer can be useful for
- Characterizing nanoparticles/chromophores in suspensions/solutions and determining their concentration, can also be used to determine the absorption properties of metallic nanoparticles (through plasmonic absorbance)
- Studying the sorption, diffusion and release properties of nanoparticles/nanomaterials
- Pre-measurement of absorption spectrum of protein which enables exact determination of protein concentrations down to the micromolar level and also its purity (absence of undesirable protein aggregates) thus ensuring consistency in data generation in DLS measurements
Samples
UV-Visible spectroscopy is used primarily to measure absorbance of liquids or solutions. Samples must always be clear solutions and not suspensions as particles will scatter the incident light and therefore give erroneous results. The solvent (spectroscopic grade) used must be optically clear in the region of study. Lambda 365 can also be used for material characterization due to its special accessory, which is an area dominated by solid samples.
Charges*
| Users types |
Lambda 365 (Solid Samples) |
Lambda 365 (Liquid Samples) |
| Amity University |
Rs. 150/hour |
Rs. 100/hour |
| Academic & Research Institutions |
Rs. 500/hour |
Rs. 300/hour |
| Private Industries/Other Laboratories |
Rs. 800/hour |
Rs. 600/hour |
*Inclusive Charge - 18% GST
Spectroscopy Facility
RIUS Modular Spectrometer (RIII India)
Features:
- A Modular Spectrometer with 3648 pixels CCD linear array detector that has a high resolution of up to 0.03 nm (FWHM)
- System includes an incident slit, collimating mirror, dispersion element (grating), focusing optical system and a detector
- Light is collected through the optical fiber into the spectrometer slit then the spectral information can be read out by an advanced software
Modular Spectrometer can be useful for
- For various spectroscopic applications as in different modular setups, user can perform Fluorescence, Photoluminescence, Absorbance, Transmittance, Reflection and Irradiance
- Analyzing the information obtained from the Zeta sizer. The optical properties of metal oxides (absorbance, transmission) depend on their surface defects, their prior knowledge using a Modular Spectrometer will supplement the Zetasizer data
Samples
Modular Spectrometer is used primarily to measure optical properties of liquids or solutions. Samples must always be clear solutions and not suspensions as particles will scatter the incident light and therefore give erroneous results. The solvent (spectroscopic grade) used must be optically clear in the region of study.
Charges*
| Users types |
Modular Spectrometer |
| Amity University |
Rs. 150/hour |
| Academic & Research Institutions |
Rs. 500/hour |
| Private Industries/Other Laboratories |
Rs. 800/hour |
*Inclusive Charge - 18% GST
Bookings and Payment Process
- 1. Book slot with Manager-CIRF (amrfauh@gmail.com, kpandey@ggn.amity.edu, 0124-2337015, Ext1210), A-block - 2nd Floor
- 2. Make online payment (bank details in User Form) to confirm the slot
- 3. Fill-up User Form (download from AUH website or Collect from Manager-CIRF/ASAS Office 3rd Floor, D-block)
- 4. Collect Payment Receipt from Accounts Office (A-block, GF) by showing payment screenshot
- 5. Submit the filled form and original receipt to Manager-CIRF
- 6. Give your sample and collect the measurements in a formatted Pen-drive
Note: Steps 4-6 can be done on the same day. Payment can also be made in person through Credit/Debit cards.
Bookings & Payment Process