Micro/Nano Bio-Mechanical Characterization Lab
243A Forsyth Building
73 Forsyth St, Boston, MA, 02115
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Agilent T150 Universal Testing Machine (UTM)
The UTM is a state-of-the-art testing machine capable of nano-Newton and nanometer precision, offering a wide variety of means of nanomechanical characterization. Tensile, indentation, shaft-loaded blister are a few types of methods that can be used to characterize metals, biomaterials, gels, etc. to extract their mechanical properties.

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Agilent Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
This high precision AFM is capbable of nanometer force and spacial resolution in contact, MAC, AAC modes. The AFM is also equipped with an evironmental chamber to control temperature and humidity. Currently the AFM is used to characterize biological cells, gels, and graphene thin films.

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Microscopes
Our lab hosts two high powered Olympus microscopes (GX & BX series). These microscopes can be used in conjunction with our AFM, micormanipulators, and are also capable of Differential Interference Contrast microscopy (DIC).

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Micromanipulator
The micromanipulator allows movements of four degrees of freedom (x, y, z, and theta) at a spatial resolution of one micron. This machine is currently used to help design custom made AFM tips with microspheres.

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TA.XT Texture Analyzer
This versitile machine can perform virtually any mechanical characterization test, whether from standard accessories or custom rigged fixtures. It is capable of tensile, fracture, adhesive, three-point-bending, indentation, blister, peel, and needle tests on a wide variety of materials. Currently we utilize this machine to investigate hydrogels and biological samples.