Welcome to the Materials Characterization and Imaging Facility

The Materials Characterization and Imaging Facility (MatCI) is a core facility at Northwestern University which is part of the Materials Research Science and Engineering Center (MRSEC).   This facility is partially funded by the National Science Foundation through their MRSEC program.

The Materials Characterization and Imaging Facility offers a broad range of characterization and sample preparation equipment for use by internal as well as external users to Northwestern University.  Characterization techniques include optical microscopy, thermal imaging, thermal analysis (DSC, TGA), hardness testing (Vicker’s, Knoop, Rockwell), electronic characterization (Hall Effect, Impedance Spectroscopy, Kelvin Probe, Charge Transport) and rheological characterization.  Sample and surface preparation capabilities include mounting (castable mounts, hot pressure mounting, vacuum impregnation), cutting, sectioning and wafer dicing, polishing/grinding, electropolishing, ion beam milling and cross-sectional polishing. Tube and box furnaces are available with temperature range up to 1700C for thermal processing.