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 Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (EPR) Facility at UT Austin's Department of Chemistry features a Bruker EMX Plus spectrometer equipped for X-band and Q-band EPR, as well as ENDOR and variable temperature studies. This facility supports a wide range of research applications by providing researchers access to sophisticated EPR instrumentation and expertise. The facility is committed to facilitating advanced investigations into paramagnetic species, enhancing the understanding of materials at the molecular level.

Services Offered

• EPR spectroscopy for paramagnetic sample analysis
• Custom EPR experimental design
• Sample preparation and support for paramagnetic studies
• Training in EPR data collection and interpretation
• High-resolution spectrometers for a range of biological and material applications

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

Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry EA-ISOLINK – Delta V IRMS

Carbon and nitrogen isotopic composition of solid samples (sediment, soil, nutrient filters, tissues)

GASBENCH – Delta V IRMS

• Carbon and oxygen isotopic composition of carbonates
• Oxygen and hydrogen isotopic composition of water
• Carbon isotopic composition of dissolved inorganic carbon. GC-ISOLINK – Delta V IRMS
• Compound specific carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of fatty acids, alkanes, alcohols, amino acids

LC-ISOLINK – Delta Q IRMS

Carbon isotope composition of liquid phased compounds

Mass Spectrometry LC-Ion-Mobility-Quadrupole-Time-of-Flight-Mass-Spectrometry

Provide accurate mass detection, molecular discovery, and quantification of analytes, including but not limited to, proteins, metabolites, lipids and carbohydrates. Agilent 6560 LC/MS IM-QTOF.

Elemental and Nutrient Analysis LACHAT QUIKCHEM

Quantify nutrients (ammonium, nitrate, silicate, phosphate) in aqueous samples (seawater, river water, groundwater)

TOC/TDN

Total organic carbon and total dissolved nitrogen abundance measurements in aqueous samples (seawater, river water, groundwater)

Services Offered

• Analytical services for marine and environmental samples
• Coastal and marine ecosystem monitoring
• Sample analysis for chemical and biological parameters
• Collaborative research in marine science and oceanography

The Bard Center for Electrochemistry maintains a unique user electrochemical research instrumentation facility, allowing researchers from the University of Texas and visitors access to instrumentation and expert help in electrochemical studies. In a single location, the facility makes available electrochemical instruments such as potentiostats, scanning electrochemical microscopes, impedance analyzers, optical profilers, etc., for studying intermediates on electrode surfaces and device test equipment

Services Offered

• Electrochemical analysis and testing
• Custom Electrochemical cell design
• Electrochemical data interpretation
• Training in Electrochemical techniques
• Advanced instrumentation for redox and reaction studies
• Access to high-precision Electrochemical measurement systems