Shared Resources

Centralized materials user facilities on the Georgia Tech campus support a broad range of fabrication and characterization activities. These include a broad range of tools in the joint IMat-IEN Materials Characterization Facility (MCF), and mechanical testing within the Mechanical Properties Characterization Facility (MPCF).

These facilities provide overarching policies for access, scheduling and billing, as well as enhanced user support and technical assistance, increasing equipment utilization, reducing redundancy of capabilities and expensive acquisitions.

Materials Characterization Facility

Available to academic, industry, and government users 24 hours a day with a uniform set of fees and policies, the MCF offers access to the latest in imaging and analysis technology and tools. Additionally the MCF employs a highly-skilled technical staff to support your research needs.

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Researcher working on the Instron 5982 Universal Materials Testing System

Mechanical Properties Characterization Facility

MPCF provides training on the use of a variety of mechanical test systems, and helps coordinate the usage. MPCF staff can provide support in setting up test programs, designing accessories and adapters, developing new protocols, integrating new sensors and transducers, developing control algorithms, and more.

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Accessing IMat Shared Resources

For access to the MCF, please contact:

Walter Henderson | Senior Research Scientist
Georgia Tech Materials Characterization Facility
Phone: 404.309.8023
E-mail Walter Henderson

For access to the MPCF, please contact:

Richard W. Neu | Director: Mechanical Properties Characterization Facility (MPCF)
Professor: Georgia Institute of Technology, Mechanical Engineering & Materials Science and Engineering
Phone: 404.894.3074
E-mail Rick Neu

Student users receive a tutorial on the Renishaw Qontor Raman Microscope, part of the Shared User Equipment for use by GT faculty & research associates.

Shared Resource Application (ShaRA)

The Institute for Materials developed Shared Resource Application (ShaRA) to facilitate searching of all equipment items valued at $3,000 or more that has been registered and tagged through Georgia Tech's Property Control Department. This capability is presently available to Georgia Tech faculty, staff and students. This database is intended to enhance the collaborative environment for materials research and education by: increasing the utilization rate, reducing redundancy of capabilities and expensive acquisitions, and informing coordination hiring and retention packages in terms of information regarding existing capabilities/facilities. Equipment details (equipment name, tag number, description, manufacturer, Principal Investigator (custodian), and location (home department) are directly queried from information registered in Georgia Tech Capital Assets and Sponsored Property databases. Faculty and stat in Georgia Tech academic units should report any inaccuracies to their Property Coordinator.

While this tool can aid in searching for materials equipment on campus, the Principal Investigator (custodian) associated with each equipment item will determine the mechanism, if any, by which the equipment may be offered for shared usage.

Additional details regarding ShaRA can be found by visiting our Frequently Asked Questions.