TMI is the administrative unit responsible for providing state-of-the-art instrumentation and infrastructure to support materials research at UT-Austin. TMI oversees a variety of specialized facilities, each managed by Ph.D.-level experts, that offer resources for thin film and nano/micro fabrication, x-ray scattering, electron and atomic force microscopy, surface and bulk spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and electronic and optoelectronic testing. TMI staff provide essential support to researchers across these facilities, ensuring access to advanced tools and expertise for innovative materials research.

Services Offered

• Materials synthesis and characterization
• Access to microscopy and spectroscopy facilities
• Thin-film and nanomaterials research
• Consulting on material properties and testing

Services Offered

• Characterization of materials via spectroscopy
• Access to X-ray diffraction, Raman, and infrared spectroscopy
• Thermal and mechanical analysis of materials
• Consultation on material selection and characterization techniques

The Texas Materials Institute Electron Microscopy Facility provides user access to the University of Texas at Austin community for state-of-the-art atomic scale characterization. Established in 2020, this new facility hosts advanced instruments for the analysis of materials and their preparation. This includes a low-voltage aberration corrected JEOL neoARM TEM that can operate from 30 – 200 kV, equipped with EDX and EELS, a Thermo Fisher Scios FIB:SEM, and several SEMs. Located in the ground floor (level 0) of the Engineering Education and Research (EER) Building. The facility consists of a suite of specially designed low-vibration rooms with precise temperature and humidity control. Operation of TEM is done remotely in a separate room to remove the impact of people on the room stability. An array of specialized holders and detectors are available for state of the art in-situ capabilities and imaging.

Services Offered

• High-resolution electron microscopy (SEM, TEM)
• Sample preparation for imaging and analysis
• Elemental and structural analysis
• Advanced imaging for biological and material sciences
• Training in electron microscopy techniques
• Consultation on microscopy experiment design and data interpretation

The Cleanroom Nanofabrication Facility at UT Austin provides state-of-the-art resources for micro- and nanoscale device fabrication. Equipped with advanced tools for photolithography, etching, thin-film deposition, and metrology, the facility supports research in electronics, materials science, and biomedical engineering. Users have access to a controlled cleanroom environment for developing semiconductor devices, MEMS, and other nanoscale technologies. The facility offers training, technical support, and process consultation, enabling researchers to refine fabrication techniques and advance next-generation materials and devices.

Services Offered

• Nanofabrication and microfabrication tools
• Device prototyping and custom fabrication
• Lithography, etching, and thin-film deposition
• Electron beam lithography and nanoscale patterning
• Training and support in cleanroom protocols
• Advanced materials testing and characterization

The Multiphoton/Confocal Microscope is a state-of-the-art, high-resolution imaging system designed for multi-platform applications. This advanced microscope is particularly well-suited for the bioscience and biomedical engineering fields, enabling high-speed, high-resolution image capture in various modes without disturbing the sample. Its versatility and precision make it an invaluable tool for researchers conducting detailed studies in dynamic biological environments.

Services Offered

• High-resolution 2-photon and confocal microscopy
• Imaging of live cells and tissues
• Multi-modal fluorescence capabilities
• Support for biomedical and life sciences research

Services Offered

• Chemical analysis of geological and environmental samples
• Elemental and isotopic composition measurement
• Custom geochemical analysis and method development
• Collaboration on environmental and earth sciences research
• Access to advanced geochemistry instrumentation

The Mass Spectrometry Imaging Facility at UT Austin enables high-resolution molecular imaging for biomedical research, using Matrix Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization (MALDI) techniques to map biomolecules in tissues. With capabilities in Histology-Guided Mass Spectrometry (HGMS) and biofluid profiling, the facility supports research in cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and more. Staff provide specialized imaging, data analysis, and training, advancing insights in cellular and molecular pathology.

Services Offered

• High-resolution mass spectrometry for chemical and biological samples
• Quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Proteomics and metabolomics studies
• Method development for custom mass spectrometry applications
• Data interpretation and consultation

The STEM Stockroom is a self-service facility that provides a wide range of stock items for purchase, including chemicals, laboratory supplies, hardware, and office supplies. This convenient resource is designed to support the diverse needs of researchers and students, ensuring easy access to essential materials for scientific inquiry and experimentation.

Services Offered

• Inventory of lab supplies and consumables
• Chemicals, hardware, and glassware for purchase
• Access to office and laboratory materials
• Convenient self-service for researchers and students

The Genomic Sequencing and Analysis Facility (GSAF) offers next generation sequencing (NGS) services focusing on short read sequencing platform ranging from whole genome sequencing to single cell application. The facility provides the community with technical expertise and experience to support ongoing research projects.

Services Offered

• High-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing
• Sanger sequencing for longer DNA reads
• Quality control and data validation
• Bioinformatics support for data analysis
• Consultation on experimental design for genomics research
• Access to sequencing instrumentation and software