Materials Characterization

Materials Characterization Division (MCD) offers comprehensive techniques and capabilities that are crucial to modern materials research and analysis to draw composition-structure-property correlations in ceramics, glass, metals, and composite materials important for both academic Institutes and Industry. Facilities at MCID can provide information about the thermal and physical properties and chemical state of elements in a wide variety of materials. The Division houses various state-of-the-art instruments for characterizing various aspects of materials. These include Atomic and molecular spectroscopy based techniques like Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES), Flame Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (FAAS), UV-Visible Spectrophotometry, CNO analyzer. There are various other instrumented characterization techniques like Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Thermo-Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Dilatometry, Themal Conductivity, Rheometry, Porosimetry, Particle Size Analysis, Gas Pycnometer, etc. which are employed by the Division for characterization of the various thermo-physical properties of materials to contribute to the institute’s various R&D activities on wide variety of materials. The Division has a major activity for the development of analytical methods for chemical characterization of glass, ceramic and allied materials, metals and environmental samples related to all the projects of the institute as well as different glass, ceramic and other industries, universities, research organizations etc. Primary objective of Materials Characterization Division is to develop analysis tools and methodologies to promote multidisciplinary research for better understanding of composition-structure-properties correlation.

• Development of atomic and molecular spectroscopic techniques using Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP MS), Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP AES), Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (FAAS), UV-VIS Spectrophotometry.
• Development of solid phase extraction technique using polyurethane foam (PUF) for separation, pre-concentration and analysis of trace and ultra trace elements
• Development of chemical processes for separation and removal of toxic elements from waste water.
• Development of analytical methods for the extraction of precious metals from waste materials.
• Study of Rheological and magnetoreological properties of Ferro fluids and MR fluids.
• Study of thermal (DTA, TGA, DSC, Thermal Conducvity) and physical characteristics (Particle Size, Surface Area, Porosimetry) of different glass and ceramic materials and evaluation of specific heat, phase transitions, softening point and glass transition temperatures, viscous and elastic modulus, creep and yield study and pore size and its morphology thereof.
• Analysis of C/N2/O2 content (ppm to percentage) in any type of solid sample by CNO analyzer and measurement of true density of any shape of porous or solid sample by Helium Gas Picnometer.
• Development of measurement set-up comprising of different type of platinum electrodes for study of electrical conductivity of lead glass systems and borosilicate glass beads in molten as well as solid conditions.
• Development, characterization, calibration and telemetry of sensors for bio medical applications.
• Synthesis and characterization of nanostructured ZnO thin films for dynamic strain sensing.

Completed Projects

Dr. Tarun Kumar Kayal
Chief Scientist and Head