SPINlab Centre for Microscopic Studies on Matter

Centre for Microscopic Studies on Matter

SPINlab Centre for Microscopic Studies on Matter (SPINlab CMSM) is an interdepartmental organisational unit of University of Silesia in Katowice specialising in correlative investigations of matter, in particular soft matter, using microscopic methods.

The activity of SPINlab CMSM is a part of intensive progress in the fields of exact and natural sciences, engineering and technical sciences, medical sciences and health sciences, connected with the development in the area of microscopic imaging of matter on a molecular scale, including studies in cryogenic conditions, correlated with spectroscopic imaging. SPINlab CMSM are modern laboratories adapted to the requirements of the latest electron and atomic force microscopes. They are also rooms for scientific and research and development work, as well as for services and projects.

Implementation of the SPINlab CMSM project, among others through participation in the global trend of microscopic research development concerning biological, biochemical, engineering, medical and pharmaceutical materials, allows for running a centre of excellence in the area of „soft matter” research.

SPINlab CMSM unique research equipment:

– Transmission electron microscope (200 kV) with a field emission gun allowing for observation of all kinds of samples with the possibility of cryogenic „soft matter” studies, tomography and transmission-scanning image registration;

– Scanning electron microscope for environmental and low vacuum (30 kV) studies, with the capability of cutting ultra-thin slices inside the microscope chamber and sequential image registration to create 3D object reconstructions;

– Scanning electron microscope coupled to a Raman spectroscope and equipped with a wave-dispersive secondary X-ray detector (WDX) and an energy-dispersive secondary X-ray detector (EDX) for topographic-spectroscopic correlation studies of matter;

– Atomic force microscope with the possibility of mechanical and electrical measurements in micro-areas also under environmental conditions;

– High-resolution confocal microscope for biological and material research;

– X-ray microtomograph for spatial imaging of matter.

Activities of SPINlab Centre for Microscopic Studies on Matter

– conducting scientific and research work at University of Silesia in Katowice in the fields of biology, chemistry, physics, biotechnology, nanotechnology, materials engineering, medicine, pharmacy, environmental protection and geology, etc.;

– creation of a centre of competence in microscopic examination of „soft matter”, allowing for specialised research and training services for national and international entities;

– conducting research and development work on complex challenges of correlating molecular structure with properties of matter, carried out in national and international groups;

– creating the Silesian Voivodship as a centre of integrated competence in the area of microscopic examination of „soft matter”.

Within SPINlab, it will be possible to carry out a wide range of services, including research and research-implementation activities performed in cooperation with and at the request of industry, e.g. in the field of:

– carrying out research and development work, including areas related to the automotive, medical, pharmaceutical, aerospace, chemical, food, machine-building and power industries, as well as seeking new material, technical and IT solutions for the development of microscopic characterisation of matter;

– performing research services in the scope of transmission and scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, fluorescence and confocal microscopy, X-ray microtomography of polymeric, metallic, biological and medical materials and nanomaterials;

– carrying out research tasks commissioned by national and foreign entities;

– supporting entities in the development and substantive verification of research and development applications submitted.

University of Silesia in Katowice

ul. Bankowa 12, 40-007 Katowice

tel. +48 32/359 20 81, 359 22 71, 359 15 21

transfer@us.edu.pl

www.us.edu.pl

Co-financed by the programme „Social Responsibility of Science” of the Minister of Education and Science