The Materials Characterization Facility (MCF) will be moving soon to its new location in 146-147 Stepan Chemistry Hall. Currently under construction, the new site is expected to be ready for move-in starting Monday, July 23. Instruments will be housed in both locations and will be moved in phases to ensure continuous availability. All instruments are expected to be in place by August 10. Users should expect little to no interruption in the MCF services and instrument use during this time. Current users will have automatic access to the new location. Dr. Ian Lightcap's office will be located in 146 Stepan Chemistry Hall. 

An open house will be held on August 23 and 24 from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. for the Notre Dame community to tour the new facility and view some of the newest capabilities in the MCF.

Currently housed in 132 Nieuwland Science Hall with extended services in Stinson-Remick Hall, the MCF is a core research facility of the University of Notre Dame. It is part of the Center for Sustainable Energy (ND Energy) and provides world-class, state-of-the-art equipment and instrumentation with major capabilities in the following areas to support scientific advancements and new or improved sustainable energy technologies and systems. The MCF welcomes users from Notre Dame and other academia and industrial institutions.

• General Materials Characterization - Modern instrumentation and expertise for solid, liquid, and gas characterization by spectroscopic, thermal, X-ray, BET, and spectrometric analytical methods.
• Photovoltaic and Electrocatalyst Characterization - Two catalyst and photovoltaic testing stations include solar simulators, automated gas sampling loops for in-line GC evolved gas detection, and a potentiostat with eletrochemical impedance and rotating disc electrode capabilities.
• Crystallographic Characterization - Powder and single crystal x-ray diffractometers are available for a wide range of structural characterization. 

For more information, please contact Dr. Ian Lightcap.


ND Energy is a University Research Center whose mission is to build a better world by creating new energy technologies and systems and educating individuals to help solve the most critical energy challenges facing our world today. For more information, visit the ND Energy website at energy.nd.edu or contact Barbara Villarosa, Business and Communications Program Director, at bvillaro@nd.edu or 574-631-4776.