Cockrell School of Engineering

The Nuclear Engineering Teaching Laboratory is an innovative facility with unique capabilities. Services provided by the NETL are available to researchers and clients both within and outside The University of Texas at Austin including international clients. Services include education and training, nuclear and radiation related research, nuclear analytical services, radioisotope production, and specialized technical services. With the varied areas of specialty of NETL staff, NETL welcomes all nuclear and radiation related inquiries.

Services Offered

• NETL research areas are typically related to nuclear forensics but also include robotics applications along with other areas.
• Trace element analysis using neutron activation analysis and prompt gamma activation analysis. Measuring distribution of elements in material using neutron depth profiling. Imaging materials with neutron radiography.
• The NETL can produce a variety of radioisotopes for use in research, nuclear medicine, and industrial processes.
• The NETL staff have a variety of areas of specialty to aid in design and development of experiments, processes, and products.

The Ferguson Structural Engineering Laboratory (FSEL) at UT Austin is one of the largest structural research facilities globally, located at the Pickle Research Campus. It features extensive loading equipment for large-scale studies of structural behavior, supporting innovative research in structural engineering. FSEL emphasizes collaboration between faculty and students, providing graduate research assistants with hands-on experience and mentorship opportunities.

Services Offered

• Structural testing for large-scale infrastructure
• Custom experimental setups for materials and load testing
• Seismic simulation and impact studies
• Consulting on construction materials and structural design optimization
• Research support for civil engineering projects

The Center for Electromechanics (CEM) at UT Austin specializes in the development and application of advanced electromechanical and energy storage systems. CEM conducts cutting-edge research in high-power energy conversion, transportation electrification, and grid-scale energy storage. The center provides expertise in system modeling, prototyping, and performance testing for applications ranging from defense and aerospace to renewable energy integration. With state-of-the-art facilities and interdisciplinary collaboration, CEM supports industry and government partners in advancing next-generation technologies through research, development, and commercialization.

Services Offered

• Design and testing of electromechanical systems
• High-power energy storage research
• Prototyping and custom engineering solutions
• System modeling and simulation
• Electric vehicle and grid-scale storage technologies
• Advanced manufacturing support for energy applications

The Fluid Inclusion Analysis Laboratory at UT Austin's Structural Diagenesis Initiative is dedicated to studying fluid inclusions, which serve as natural time capsules revealing the history of minerals and rocks. The lab employs advanced techniques like microthermometry and Raman spectroscopy to analyze fluid properties and their evolution. Researchers investigate the mechanisms of fracture formation and cementation, contributing to a deeper understanding of subsurface processes and resource management. This facility is essential for interdisciplinary studies in geochemistry and geology.

Services Offered

• Fluid inclusion analysis for geological research
• Microthermometry measurement and interpretation
• Sample preparation and petrographic analysis
• Training in fluid inclusion microscopy
• Collaborative research in mineral and hydrothermal systems

The Nuclear and Radiation Engineering Program at UT Austin advances nuclear science through research and education, with a focus on radiation effects, radioisotope production, and environmental applications. Based in the Nuclear Engineering Teaching Lab, the program provides hands-on experience with a TRIGA reactor and advanced nuclear facilities. Services include Neutron Activation Analysis, Prompt Gamma Activation Analysis for element concentration mapping, Neutron Radiography, and sample irradiations. The program prepares students for impactful careers in nuclear technology and promotes public understanding through outreach and tours.

Services Offered

• Access to nuclear reactor for research and education
• Neutron activation analysis
• Radiotracer studies and isotope production
• Training and safety protocols for reactor use

The Environmental and Water Resources Engineering Analytical Service Center provides a unique facility for determining concentrations of environmental contaminants in soil, air and water samples. The lab operates as a user facility where researchers can come in to use the requested equipment.

The facility helps address state, national, and international research project needs. This can include specialized analyses from outside firms that are within our areas of expertise but are not commercially available.

Students across the university can have the opportunity to learn how to use environmental analytical instrumentation, become familiar with quality control procedures, and help analyze the numerous samples typically required for research projects.

Services Offered

• Water quality and contaminant monitoring
• Hydrologic and environmental modeling
• Resource management and policy consulting
• Sustainable water solutions for urban and agricultural use
• Research partnerships on climate and ecosystem impact on water resources

Services Offered

• Large-scale structural testing for natural hazards
• Wind, earthquake, and wave simulation
• Data collection and analysis for structural resilience
• Collaboration for engineering and safety research

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