Facilities & infrastructure

Research laboratories

Specialised laboratories housing the equipment, instruments, and processing facilities that support 3Nano-SAE's research across energy conversion, energy storage, and the materials platform.

7
Specialised laboratories
80+
Major instruments
20+
Years of operation
Laboratories

Equipment & facilities for RD&I

Each laboratory specialises in a distinct domain of nanoscience and alternative energy research, with dedicated equipment, characterisation tools, and processing facilities.

Lab 01

Fuel Cells & Hydrogen Storage

Research and prototyping of electrochemical energy converters and hydrogen-based systems — from PEM fuel cells and electrolysers to battery testing and renewable energy demonstration systems.

Research focus
  • Solid acid & PEM fuel cells
  • Direct alcohol & miniaturised fuel cells
  • Hydrogen generation & storage
  • Li-ion battery development & testing
  • Renewable energy systems integration
Key equipment
  • Becktech fuel cell membrane test station
  • High-purity hydrogen generator
  • Battery tester with integrated potentiostat
  • Horizon Fuel Cell + OGO HHO generator kit
  • Argon glovebox for Li-ion battery assembly
  • VEVOR roll press / calender for electrodes
  • Infrared heater for electrode drying
  • Parabolic solar concentrator
  • Renewable energy demonstration system
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Lab 02

Polymer Nanotechnology

Synthesis, processing, and thermal/mechanical characterisation of polymeric materials and nanocomposites — including PEM membranes, functionalised nanotubes, and electrospun nanofibres.

Research focus
  • Polymer characterisation (thermal & mechanical)
  • Polymer-based nanocomposites & nanoparticles
  • PEM membranes for fuel cells
  • Nanotube functionalisation
  • Electrospun nanofibres for sensors, filters, biomedical use
  • Thermo-centrifugal processing, Dr. Blade coating
Key equipment
  • Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA)
  • Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA)
  • DLS / Zetasizer for particle size & zeta potential
  • Vibrational viscometer
  • Fungilab rotational viscometer
  • Electrospinning system for nanofibre production
  • Laboratory extruder (e.g. 3D filament)
  • Analog & digital dynamometer
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Lab 03

Materials Characterizations

A full suite of spectroscopic, microscopic, chromatographic, and optical measurement tools for analysing the composition, structure, and properties of advanced materials.

Capabilities
  • UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy & band gap analysis
  • FT-IR spectroscopy & microscopy
  • Raman spectroscopy
  • Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
  • HPLC & LC-MS chromatography
  • Optical thickness & interferometry
Key instruments
  • Jasco V-570 UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer (190–2500 nm)
  • Jasco FT-IR 6200 spectrometer
  • Jasco IRT-3000 FT-IR microscope
  • Jasco NRS-3100 Raman spectrometer (dual 532/785 nm)
  • Shimadzu UV-116A spectrophotometer
  • Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)
  • Mach-Zehnder Interferometer (MZI)
  • IKV-3 Optical Thickness Meter
  • LC-MS & HPLC systems
  • Malvern drying / heating oven (up to 200 °C)
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Lab 04

Nanomaterials Processing & Plasma Polymerization

Plasma-based synthesis and deposition facility combining RF and DC plasma reactors, vacuum systems, and residual gas analysis for thin films, nanocomposites, and plasma chemistry.

Research focus
  • Plasma polymerisation & thin polymer films
  • Nanoparticles synthesis via RF plasma
  • Thin film nanocomposites
  • Inorganic copolymers & hydride synthesis
  • Cathodic sputtering & vacuum deposition
  • Vacuum process monitoring
Key equipment
  • Vacuum plasma processing chamber
  • Diener RFG RF plasma generator
  • DC plasma generator (for sputtering)
  • Multi-stage vacuum pump system
  • Pfeiffer Residual Gas Analyzer (RGA)
  • Vacuum oven for thermal treatment
  • Temperature-controlled heating mantle
  • Fume hood for safe gas handling
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Lab 05

Nanoecobiotechnology

Bridges nanomaterials, biology, and environmental science — supercritical fluid synthesis, microwave-assisted reactions, fluid dynamics imaging, and centrifugation for biological and environmental applications.

Research focus
  • Microwave synthesis & sample digestion
  • Supercritical fluid synthesis & extraction
  • Photocatalysts & nanoparticle toxicology
  • Fluid dynamics & flow imaging
  • Microbial fuel cells (wastewater, biohydrogen)
Key equipment
  • Supercritical fluid reactor (SFR)
  • Milestone Stars S microwave digestion oven
  • Dantec PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry) system
  • Diacent 2000 benchtop centrifuge
  • Hettich Mycrorapid K high-speed microcentrifuge
  • Millipore Direct Q ultrapure water system
  • Water distiller
  • DroganLAB rotary evaporator
  • Ultrasonic cleaning bath
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Lab 06

Chemistry & Electrochemistry

Combined chemistry and electrochemistry facility for nanocatalyst synthesis, nanotube functionalisation, CO₂ conversion, and characterisation of electrode-electrolyte interfaces.

Research focus
  • Nanocatalysts for fuel cells
  • Polymer membrane synthesis
  • Nanotube functionalisation
  • Electropolymerisation of semiconducting polymers
  • CO₂ electroreduction to value-added products
  • EIS & nanoelectrochemistry
Key equipment
  • OrigaLys potentiostat/galvanostat workstation
  • CO₂ electrolysis system
  • 1000 W & 150 W ultrasonic processors (probe-type)
  • Ozone generator
  • Planetary ball mill
  • Pellet press for sample compaction
  • Sand bath (up to 400 °C)
  • Hot plate stirrers & benchtop pH meter
  • Drying oven, fume hood, precision balance
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Lab 07

Analytical Chemistry & Prototyping

A combined analytical and rapid-prototyping facility — elemental analysis at trace levels, sample preparation, additive manufacturing of components, and laser-based fabrication for custom experimental setups.

Research focus
  • Trace elemental analysis (ppb level)
  • CHNS organic composition analysis
  • Sample preparation & homogenisation
  • Rapid prototyping & 3D printing
  • Custom electronics & circuit fabrication
  • Precision laser cutting & engraving
  • Sample sectioning & metallographic preparation
Key equipment
  • Perkin Elmer Avio 200 ICP-OES spectrometer
  • CHNS elemental analyser
  • Silverson high-shear mixer
  • Overhead stirrer for viscous fluids
  • Ultramicrobalance & precision balances (0.01 g – 1 µg)
  • Creality 3D printers (FDM)
  • FormLabs resin 3D printer (SLA)
  • ArtisJET 3D circuit printer
  • Laser cutting & engraving CNC system
  • Presi Mecatore T180 precision cutter
  • Grinding & polishing machine
  • Hydraulic press & sieve shaker
  • Thin film coating system (slurry deposition)
  • Drop-casting deposition setup
  • Janetzki T24 high-speed centrifuge
Open infrastructure

Interested in using our facilities?

3Nano-SAE collaborates with academic institutions, industry partners, and research organisations on shared access to our equipment, contract research, and joint projects.

Contact our team