Video showing students and faculty in the Materials Science and Engineering department engaged in research, lab work, and classroom activities.
Home of UT
Materials Science and
Engineering
Core Faculty
TMI's core faculty lead cutting-edge research by running their grants through the institute, fostering collaboration and resource sharing.
Learn More
Graduate Program
Our Materials Science and Engineering program is one of the best in the nation, and our graduates go on to be leaders in their fields.
Learn More
Research
TMI supports interdisciplinary research at UT Austin, with over 100 faculty focusing on clean energy, nanotechnology, and advanced materials using our state-of-the-art facilities.
Learn More
Home
Kratos X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer - Axis Ultra DLD
Information the Equipment Can Provide
This multi-technique with photoelectron and ion spectroscopies, including surface-mapping capabilities, was purchased from Kratos Analytical in 2007 to determine surface elemental and composition analysis. Most samples can be analyzed in a non-invasive or non-destructive method. This instrument is equipped with additional techniques:
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) provides information on elemental composition and chemical bonding states of materials
- Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) provides information on valence levels and work function measurements of materials
- Low energy Ion Scattering spectroscopy (ISS) provides provide evaluation of the elemental composition and structure of solid surfaces
- XPS mode is also capable of surface mapping to provide lateral distribution maps of elemental and chemical species at the surface
Key Features
- Signal detected: Photoelectron from near surface atoms
- Elements detected: From Lithium to heavy metals
- Detection limits: 0.1 to 1 atomic %.
- Depth resolution: 2 to 8 nm
- Depth Profile: 0.5 nm/second using Argon ions
- Lateral resolution: 15 to 500 microns
The Kratos XPS is also equipped with a set of chambers and a capsule (collectively called ROX interface) to transfer air sensitive samples from an argon (or nitrogen) filled glove box to the XPS surface analysis chamber, which is under ultra-high vacuum (UHV). The Rox Interface was designed and developed at the Texas Materials Institute (U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/445,650 filed July 29, 2014). Unlike commercial interfaces, the Rox interface was designed with a unique innovation, as it has a built-in semi-quantitative method to monitor sample transfer reliability and validity.
Fees and Policies
- UT Users: $60/hour
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $212/hour
- Corporate/External Users: $293/hour
To become a new user of this facility, please read the Instrument Reservation Information page. If you are already a user you can make a reservation in FBS.
HF Hood
Information the Equipment Can Provide
Hydrofluoric acid is a clear, colorless liquid which is an extremely dangerous material in all forms, including vapors and solutions.
Chemicals approved for use in the TMI’s cleanroom HF hood:
- Buffered oxide etchant (BOE), Buffer HF improved, solution UN2817, Transcene (mixture of ammonium hydrogen difluoride, hydrofluoric acid and water)
- Hydrofluoric acid (48 wt. %), 7667-39-3
Usage of any other mixtures with HF will have to be approved by the facility manager.
Supporting Documents:
Fees and Policies
Cleanroom Entry fee:
- UT Users: $6
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $10
- Corporate/External Users: $10
There are no fees associated with using the HF Hood, except the cleanroom entry fee.
Do not attempt to use the HF hood without prior training.
Hydrofluoric acid-based processes can be performed only between 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Always work in pairs, reserve the HF hood in FBS and start timer.
To become a new user of this facility, please read the Instrument Reservation Information page. If you are already a user you can make a reservation in FBS.
To become a user of this instrument you must first complete the Cleanroom Safety Class. Please contact the facility manager to schedule a training session.
Rigaku Miniflex 600 Diffractometer I
Information the Equipment Can Provide
The MiniFlex 600 is a fast, powerful, compact benchtop x-ray diffraction system. Its capabilities include identification of crystalline phases, crystallinity, crystallite size, crystal structure determination. Sample holders for air/moisture sensitive sample are available.
Fees and Policies
- UT Users: $7/hour
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $45/hour
- Corporate/External Users: $45/hour
To become a new user of this facility, please read the Instrument Reservation Information page. If you are already a user you can make a reservation in FBS.
Rigaku Miniflex 600 Diffractometer II
Information the Equipment Can Provide
The MiniFlex 600 is a fast, powerful, compact benchtop x-ray diffraction system. Its capabilities include identification of crystalline phases, crystallinity, crystallite size, crystal structure determination. MiniFlex 600 II is equipped with an automated 6 position sample changer with sample spinning capability.
Fees and Policies
- UT Users: $7/hour
- Higher Education/State Agencies: $45/hour
- Corporate/External Users: $45/hour
To become a new user of this facility, please read the Instrument Reservation Information page. If you are already a user you can make a reservation in FBS.
Page 1 of 53
Texas Materials Seminar Series
The Texas Materials Seminar Series features MSE 397 Seminars, TMI Distinguished Lectureships, and TMI Special Seminars, where leading faculty and professionals from around the world share cutting-edge innovations and advancements in materials engineering with our students.
Learn More
$12M+
In Grant Funding
20+
Research Patents
10K+
Sq. Ft. of Research Labs
News
Terry Zheng Awarded UT Chevron Energy Graduate Fellowship
Tianrui (Terry) Zheng, a Materials Science & Engineering graduate student working with Dr. Guihua Yu, is a recipient of the 2026-2027 UT Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows Award from UT's Energy Institute.
NSF Graduate Research Fellowship Program Awardees
We are excited to announce that two MS&E students, Arvin Sharma and Aisha Lizaola, have been awarded the prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (NSF GRFP).
Two New Publications Advance Innovative Synthesis Methods for Next-Generation Battery Materials
We are excited to share updates on two recent publications in Nature Energy and Nature Communications from Dr. Yijin Liu and his group, highlighting breakthroughs in battery material synthesis aimed at improving cathode performance, durability, and manufacturability.
Recent Advances from Dr. Manthiram
We are excited to highlight a new publication from Dr. Arumugam Manthiram and his team, recently featured in ACS Energy Letters.
Subhashini Sugumar Wins in Empower Your Research Pitch Finals
Subhashini Sugumar, a Materials Science & Engineering graduate student, won the Overall Excellence in Research Communication award for her talk, "Reading a Battery's Mind."
© The University of Texas at Austin | Privacy Policy | Web Accessibility