U16. Surface Characterisation and Bacterial Colonization Unit

U16-S09. Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

Electrical properties of solid surfaces using Kelvin Probe Force Microscopy (KPFM) and mechanical and topographical quantification using Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)

The AFM Dimension Icon-PT has a microscopy method that allows to obtain the electrical properties of the surface of a material in air or liquid. In addition, the mechanical and viscoelastic properties of these surfaces can be determined and their morphology and topography can be studied qualitatively and quantitatively through images and 3D roughness parameters. The measuring range of this equipment reaches tenths of nanometres in height and hundreds of nanometres in spacing.

Customer benefits

The service will be provided by specialists in characterisation of materials in micro-nanoscopic dimensions.
The service works in accordance with ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR standards. In addition, it can also provide detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Target customer

The service can meet the needs of companies by providing support for their ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR controls. In addition, it can also service research groups with detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Additional information

U16-S08. Electrical characterisation of surfaces through the determination of zeta potential

Electrical characterisation of surfaces through the determination of zeta potential

This service allows the determination of the electrical interaction potential or zeta potential of large surfaces with different geometries and sizes such as flat solids, powders, fibres, foils or porous materials. It allows working with conductive and non-conductive materials. By determining the zeta potential, this service can determine the surface electrical properties of these materials. It also makes it possible to monitor the electrical changes that a surface may undergo during adsorption-desorption processes of different molecular species. The electrical effects of physical or chemical treatments applied to the surface of materials can be known. The removal of trace impurities present on the surface of a sample during a cleaning process can be monitored electrically.

Customer benefits

The service will be provided by specialists in materials characterisation and works in accordance with ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR standards. In addition, it can also provide detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Target customer

The service can meet the needs of companies by providing support for their ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR controls. In addition, it can also service research groups with detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Additional information

U16-S07. Evaluation of the adhesion capacities and formation of biolayers of microorganisms on materials. Evaluation of bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic responses of materials. OUTSTANDING

Description:

Evaluation of the adhesion of microorganisms to surfaces, including the evaluation of their viability. Adhesion can be studied under flow or static and at different contact times. Study of biolayers formed on materials after different growth times. Evaluation of bactericidal and/or bacteriostatic responses using viability kits or plate growth.

Applications:

Testing of materials with anti-infective objectives. Testing of compounds with antibacterial purpose.

U16-S06. Topographical characterisation service using optical profilometry

Topographical characterisation service using optical profilometry

This service makes use of a non-invasive optical method to determine the 3D texture of surfaces using spatial, volumetric and height parameters, from the millimetre to the nanometre range. Confocal profilometry can be used to obtain a complete surface characterisation with roughness parameters, as well as a dimensional characterisation of living microorganisms and their structures. In addition, this service has a high-resolution technique for the characterisation of surfaces with roughness in the nanometre range, such as interferometry, and a fast technique for surfaces with roughness of hundreds of microns, such as focus variation.

Customer benefits

The service will be provided by specialists in characterisation of materials in macroscopic dimensions and in living micro-organisms.
The service works in accordance with ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR standards. In addition, it can also provide detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Target customer

The service can meet the needs of companies by providing support for their ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR controls. In addition, it can also service research groups with detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Additional information

U16-S05. Contact angle goniometry characterisation service

Contact angle goniometry characterisation service

This service permits the determination of the surface tension of both solids and liquids under controlled conditions of temperature and humidity, including locally by means of deposited droplets of a volume of the order of 10-12 pL. The service offers the possibility to perform static, advancing and receding contact angle measurements between different liquids and a solid surface. Surface tension and liquid-liquid interfacial tension measurements can also be carried out using the pendant drop method. All these measurements can be carried out in a humidity and temperature controlled environment.

Customer benefits

The service will be provided by specialists in characterisation of materials in macroscopic dimensions or in colloidal systems.
The service works in accordance with ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR standards. In addition, it can also provide detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Target customer

The service can meet the needs of companies by providing support for their ISO, ASTM, ASME and EUR controls. In addition, it can also service research groups with detailed reports according to the needs of the study.

Additional information