College of Natural Sciences

Services Offered

• Custom scientific instrument design and fabrication
• Repair and calibration of laboratory equipment
• Electronics modification and custom configurations
• Consultation on instrument design for specific research needs

The X-ray Diffraction Facility at UT Austin’s Department of Chemistry offers comprehensive X-ray diffraction services for single crystal and powder samples. Equipped with advanced diffractometers, the facility supports both academic and external research needs, providing options for user-operated and lab-assisted analysis. Through rigorous safety and instrument training, graduate-level researchers can gain access for independent sample analysis, contributing to studies across chemistry and materials science.

Services Offered

• Crystallographic analysis of solid materials
• Phase identification and quantification
• X-ray powder diffraction for materials research
• Training in XRD data interpretation and analysis

The Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Facility at UT Austin provides researchers with high-resolution spectroscopic capabilities for structural analysis of organic, inorganic, and biomolecular compounds. Equipped with a range of state-of-the-art NMR spectrometers, the facility supports applications in chemistry, materials science, and pharmaceutical research. Services include routine and advanced NMR experiments, data interpretation, and user training. The facility also offers expert consultation for customized experimental setups, ensuring researchers have the tools and expertise needed for detailed molecular characterization.

Services Offered

• High-resolution NMR spectroscopy
• Analysis of molecular structure and dynamics
• Customizable NMR experimental setups
• Training in NMR data interpretation and experimental design

The Physics Machine Shop provides essential assistance in the design, construction, and repair of scientific instruments utilized in the research efforts of the College of Natural Sciences departments. This center is dedicated to ensuring that researchers have access to reliable and efficient equipment, facilitating innovative research across various scientific disciplines.

Services Offered

• Custom design and fabrication of scientific instruments
• Repair and maintenance of research equipment
• Precision machining and prototyping
• Consultation on mechanical and instrument design

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

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 Advanced Protein Therapeutics (APT) Core at UT Austin supports the development of therapeutic proteins through a suite of cutting-edge services. Specializing in protein engineering, production, and biophysical characterization, the APT provides researchers with access to high-throughput phage, bacteria, yeast, and mammalian library platforms and state-of-the-art analytical tools. Core services include custom protein expression, discovery, engineering, purification, and characterization of next generation antibodies and enzymes. APT staff work closely with investigators, offering technical expertise and collaborative support to advance therapeutic innovations.

Services Offered

• Strategic protein library design & screening
• Custom protein expression & purification
• Biophysical & mechanistic characterization
• Collaboration on therapeutics development
• Training on protein engineering techniques