The MIT DMSE Breakerspace is a materials exploration lab open to all undergraduates.
HomeThe Breakerspace Lab is a growing suite of materials characterization instruments, located in 8-102A (accessed through the Breakerspace Lounge). In addition to the instruments, we have cameras, microphones, tripods, lighting, and other equipment that can be used to document projects.
Hours: The Breakerspace Lab is open 10 AM to 10 PM weekdays, and 12 PM to 5 PM weekends for trained users.
The Phenom XL SEM (scanning electron microscope) has a large sample area, BSD and SED detectors, EDS, and is hugely popular.
The Phenom Pure can load a single sample, and BSD and SED detectors but no EDS. We have a temperature-controlled sample stage with a range of -25° C to 50° C, and a low-vacuum, charge dissipating stage. ___
See images in full color at high magnifications, capture 3D data, and stitch together large images with this easy-to-use digital microscope offering six observation modes.
Use the XRD (X-ray diffractometer) to analyze properties such as phase composition, crystal structure, and orientation of solid samples.
Duetta can be used as a fluorometer, as a UV-Vis-NIR spectrometer to measure absorbance, or as an instrument that measures true molecular fingerprints, which require the acquisition of fluorescence and absorbance, correcting for IFE in real time.
Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) provides an infrared spectrum of absorption or transmission of a solid, liquid, or gas, for identification, primarily, of organic or polymeric materials.
Our test frame is equipped with 50 kN and 5 kN load cells, with fixtures for tensile, compression, and flexure testing.
Collect Raman spectra to idenfity compounds and observe other characteristics of a range of materials on our instrument, which is configured with 532nm, 638nm and 785nm lasers, and 600, 1200, 1800, and 2400 gr/mm gratings.
Our ion mill enables damage free sample prep for SEM imaging. It is equipped with two ion guns: a high-energy gun with a 2-16 keV range, and a low-energy gun with a 0.1-2 keV range. We have sample holders for polishing, and for 30° and 90° slope cutting, with a handy microscope to help with sample alignment. Our LN2 cooling option allows milling of heat-sensitive samples with good temperature control.
This hardness tester has a 9-position turret to automatically swith between indenters and objectives, and uses a load cell to measure applied load. It also has an XY stage, and can be programmed to run test patterns. The Breakerspace system is equipped with indenters for Vickers, Rockwell, and Brinell, and can run a range of scales.
This instrument gives particle size distribution data for dry powder samples with particles between 0.01 and 4,000 microns using laser diffraction.