Laboratory Facilities

Electrical Transport Measurement

This department has a DC transport rig. The resistance of a material can be measured using four probe technique with respect to temperature (300-77K) both in zero field and in presence of 0.6 T magnetic field. A home made liquid nitrogen cryostat is used for Colossal Magnetoresistance (CMR) and superconductivity studies. Also high resistivity (e.g. polymer, ceramic etc.) measurement facilities are available. Besides these, two Impedance Analysers model Agilent 4192 A (5 Hz to 13 MHz) and Agilent 4192 B (1 MHz to 1 GHz) are available for AC electrical and magnetic measurements.

Ferroelectric measurements

In Nanotechnology Research Laboratory there is a computer interfaced ferrolectric loop tracer system. The polarization vs electric field hysteresis loops at different temperatures can be measured directly using this loop tracer. Beside this the leackage current density also can be measured as a function of aplied electric field.

 UV visible spectrometer

In Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, recently an UV-2600 plus was installed which is a universal, research-grade spectrophotometer that can be used in a wide range of fields, and easily expanded to suit the measurement objective.By using the optional integrating sphere, the measurement wavelength range of the UV-2600 can be extended to the near-infrared region of 1400 nm.

 High power Xenon Lamp for Photocatalytic experiment

In Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, to conduct Photocatalytic experiments on a wide range of synthesized materials both at bulk and nanoscale, a 500 W Xenon lamp was installed and incorporated with required measurement facilities.

 Gas Chromatograph

In Nanotechnology Research Laboratory, a gas chromatograph(Shimadzu, Japan) was installed to measure the various components of gas particulalrly the amount of Hydrogen produced by water splitting.

 High temperature inert gas atmosphere furnace

A high temperature furnace controlled with modified atmosphere (Carbolite, UK) is available in Nanotechnology Research Laboratory,. This controlled atmosphere furnace with inert gases is a rare facility in BUET.

 Close Cycle Cryocooler

Two Close cycle cryocoolers are being added to the SSP group with the financial support of the Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. These apparatus will be used for low temperature (300 K-10K) transport and magnetic measurements. One cryocooler will be attached to a Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) and the other will be used in the transport measurements.

Torque Magnetometer

This magnetometer is used for the measurement of magnetic anisotropy (High temperature) and have the sensitivity of 10-9 N-m2.

Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM)

A sensitive (10-5 emu/g) vibrating sample magnetometer is in the process of being built up.

Plasma polymerization

A plasma polymerization system has been fabricated locally. It works at line frequency and at a chamber pressure of about 10-1 Pa. It is used to deposite thin organic films on to different substrates for various characterization.

Thin Film Deposition

Thin films are deposited by Vacuum evaporation technique using an Edward coating unit (Model 306) and a Hind High Vac evaporation unit.

High Temperature Furnace

This department has couple of tube and muffle furnaces. The maximum temperature that can be achieved in these furnaces are 1400° C. These furnaces are used for calcining and sintering magnetoresistive, superconducting and other samples.

Hydraulic pressing machine

A pressing machine with a mould is available in this department. This apparatus is used for the making of pellets of CMR, High Tc, polymer blend and composite samples.

Optical Polarizing Microscope

This department has two polarizing microscopes.

Crystal Growth

Crystal growth by solution growth technique is available.

Spray Pyrolysis Deposition Unit

Thin films are also deposited by Spray Pyrolysis deposition technique. The deposition chamber has been fabricated locally using simple and cheap experimental set up.

Modeling and Simulation facilities

Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) and Regional Climate Model (RegCM) are set up in the Atmospheric lab which are operates to simulate weather and climate phenomena like Tornado, Nor'wester, Cyclone, Mesoscale convection and Monsoon rain. WRF is mesoscale model which allows researchers to generate atmospheric simulations based on real data (observations, analyses) or idealized conditions. RegCM is a regional climate model, mostly applied in regional climate change and seasonal prediction around the world.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) & X-ray Diffractometer

SEM and X-ray facilities are available for structural studies in the Department of Materials and Metallurgical Engineering. Researchers of this department use them for their research purpose.

Extrusion and Injection Molding

Polymer blends and composites, which are emerging as advanced polymeric materials for their superior properties and have potential applications, are prepared with these machines.

Plasma Surface Modification Unit

Plasma surface modification techniques has been established to functionalize nanomaterials especially carbon nanotubes.

Chemical Bath Deposition Setup

To deposit inorganic thin films, a chemical bath deposition (CBD) unit is established. Using this setup semiconducting thin films can be deposited onto different substrates controlling different deposition parameters.

Nanoparticle Synthesis Setup

Microwave assisted hydrothermal unit has been fabricated locally to synthesis nanoparticles for the advanced technology, especially ZnO nano-rods.

Ultrasonic Bath and Probe Sonicator

Both ultrasonic bath and probe sonicator (Model: 150 V/T, 150 W, 20 Hz, Biologics Inc., USA) is available in the PPC Lab, which can be used to clean different substrates and to disperse nanoparticles.

Hot Air Oven

A hot air oven is available in the PPC Lab to dry and heat sample up to 300 °C.

High Temperature Furnace

A Muffle Furnace (Model: MF 306, Brand: NUVE, Origin: Turkey) is operative in the PPC Lab. The maximum temperatures that can be achieved in this furnace is 1300 °C. These furnaces are used for annealing and sintering ceramic samples, nanoparticles, etc.

Interferometric technique

Thickness measurement of thin transparent thin films is possible by interferometric technique.

Hydraulic pressing machine

A locally fabricated hydraulic press machine is established to press polymeric material under room temperature and elevated temperature also.

DC Electrical Measurement Unit

DC electrical measurement setup is available where a regulated DC power supply (Model: 6545A, Agilent, Japan) and Electrometer (Keithly 197A, Keithley Instruments, USA) is used to measure current, resistance and voltage across polymeric materials.

Vacuum Evaporation Techniques

Metallic thin films are deposited by Vacuum evaporation technique using an Edward coating unit (Model 306) and a Hind High Vac evaporation unit.

Other Instruments

A hotplate with magnetic stirrer (Labtech, LMS-1003, Korea), an analytical balance of accuracy 0.0001 g (Model: ALN-220, Axis, Poland), a filtration system with Millipore filter (Germany), a Dehumidifier are available in the PPC Lab.

Dip Coating technique for thin film deposition

A Micro-controller Controlled,  Multi-vessel Dip Coating System for the deposition of thin film is available in the department. This is a state-of-the-art instrument is very sophisticated, versatile, fully Micro-Controller controlled and user-friendly. This unit is also capable of synthesis of thin film by Successive Ion Layer Adsorption and Reaction (SILAR) Coating.

Nanoparticle and nanostructured materials synthesis technique

The nanocomposite lab is equipped with facilities required for the synthesis of zero dimensional (0 D)nanostructured materials and  two dimensional (2D) graphene. This includes, Oven, Autoclave, pH meter, variable temperature water bath, Heater with magnetic stirrer etc.

High speed centrifuge machine

The table top high speed (a maximum speed of 16,500 rpm) centrifuge machine is capable of separating the nanostructured materials from fluid. The centrifuge machine has different rotor size so it is capable of working with material of different volume.

Contact Angle meter

A contact angle measurement system is also available in the department. With this instrument Dynamic Contact Angle as well as Surface Parameter Measurements, where Contact Angle (both Static & Dynamic) can be measured & analyzed accurately, even while the Substrate Stage is Tilting with precision controlling. Measurement & Analysis of Surface / Interfacial Tension and Surface Free Energy can also be performed with much desired precision.

ATR-FTIR Spectrometer

An Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) (Shimadzu IRSpirit) spectrophotometer is available.

This is among the smallest (installation footprint) and lightest FTIR spectrophotometers in the world. This also include with 23 application-specific workflows that can be utilized without involving any complicated parameter setup process.

Dual beam UV-VIS spectrophotometer

A dual beam UV-VIS spectrophotometer is available in the department. This instrument is capable of analyzing the optical absorbance and transmittance of thin film and nanoparticles.

Photocatalytic properties measurement chamber

A Photocatalytic properties measurement chamber has been developed using locally available materials for studying the photodegradation performance of thin films and nanoparticles.

Electrochemical Workstation/Potentiostat/Galvanostat with EIS

A CS310 electrochemical workstation (corrtest, china) is available in the nanocomposite lab.This is a fast digital function generator, high-speed data acquisition circuitry, a potentiostat and a galvanostat. With high performance in stability and accuracy with advanced hardware and well-functioned software, it is a comprehensive research platform for corrosion, batteries, electrochemical analysis, sensor, life science and environmental chemistry etc.

High Temperature Furnace

This department has couple of tube and muffle furnaces. The maximum temperature that can be achieved in these furnaces are 1400° C. These furnaces are used for calcining and sintering magnetoresistive, superconducting and other samples.

Hydraulic pressing machine

A pressing machine with a mould is available in this department. This apparatus is used for the making of pellets of CMR, High Tc, polymer blend and composite samples.

Optical Polarizing Microscope

This department has two polarizing microscopes.

Crystal Growth

Crystal growth by solution growth technique is available.

Spray Pyrolysis Deposition Unit

Thin films are also deposited by Spray Pyrolysis deposition technique. The deposition chamber has been fabricated locally using simple and cheap experimental set up.

Modeling and Simulation facilities

Weather Research and Forecasting model (WRF) and Regional Climate Model (RegCM) are set up in the Atmospheric lab which are operates to simulate weather and climate phenomena like Tornado, Nor'wester, Cyclone, Mesoscale convection and Monsoon rain. WRF is mesoscale model which allows researchers to generate atmospheric simulations based on real data (observations, analyses) or idealized conditions. RegCM is a regional climate model, mostly applied in regional climate change and seasonal prediction around the world.

High-End Servers and Online Storage

This department has two Dell PowerEdge servers: 4U rack-mounted server (Processor: 80, RAM: 192GB, HDD: 3.3 TB) and 2U rack-mounted server (Processor: 32, RAM: 128GB, HDD: 7.2 TB), and data storage facilities (48 TB SATA HDD). Different types of weather simulations such as tropical cyclones, severe thunderstorms, mesoscale convective systems, etc. can be performed and analyzed with these facilities.

Blitzortung Lightning Detector

This department has a Blitzortung Lightning Detector. Blitzortung is a project run by Germany that connects a network of hundreds of lightning sensors around the world to track lightning strikes within seconds of their striking the surface of the earth.

Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) & X-ray Diffractometer

SEM and X-ray facilities are available for structural studies in the Department of Glass and Ceramic Engineering, BUET. Researchers of this department use them for their research purpose.

Inverted Phase Contrast Fluorescence Microscope

Inverted phase contrast fluorescence microscope (IX 73, Olympus, Japan) is used to investigate the static and dynamic nature of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and cells. The differential interference contrast (DIC) mode is attached to the microscope. The charged coupled camera-CCD (DP22, Olympus, Japan) is also attached to the microscope for recording the images with speed 25 fps.

Irreversible Electroporation (IRE) instrument

IRE instrument is a device that can generate pulsating DC filed with ultra-short electric pulses. For the ablation of tumor/cancer cells along with the rupture of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), the IRE device is potentially used. A high voltage power supply of 100 – 800 V/cm is attached to the IRE device. The microcontroller-based IRE device and the high voltage power supply are designed and fabricated locally.

Fluorescence Spectrometer

Fluorescence Spectrometer (F-7000, Hitachi, Japan) capable of performing many new functions such as sensitivity (S/N 800: RMS) and ultra-high-speed (60,000 nm/min) at the highest level. The wavelength scan speeds are 30, 60, 240, 1,200, 2,400, 12,000, 30,000, 60,000 nm/min. Among various applications, the instrument is used to investigate the leakage of internal fluorescent content from the inside of vesicles to the outside environment.

Refrigerated Centrifuge

Refrigerated centrifuge (NF 1200R, NUVE, Turky) controls a wide range of temperatures from -9 °C to +40 °C. For heat sensitive samples, it can sustain +4 °C even at maximum speed to protect biologically active samples. The maximum speed for Angle Rotor is14000 rpm.

Diaphragm Vacuum Pump

Diaphragm pump (MVP 015-2, PFEIFFER, Germany) is connected with a desiccator (DURAN, Germany). The lipid sample is kept into the desiccator for its fine dry. Final pressure with gas ballast is 4.5 hPa/3.38 Torr/4.5 mbar.

Mini Extruder

The Avanti Mini-Extruder allows researchers and scientists to prepare large unilamellar vesicles (LUVs) by extrusion in an efficient, rapid manner.

Peristaltic Pump

Dual channels compact peristaltic pump (SP-Minipump, Good pump, China) is used to flow the solution with a flow rate 0.0024-190 mL/min. The tubing of 1D 1mm controls the flow rate 0.25 - 15.01 mL/min.

Laboratory Freezer

Tall Freezer (SS), SIEMENS No Frost (GS36NVI30G) is used to preserve the lipids at -26 °C. In addition, refrigerator is used to preserve the chemicals and reagents in the laboratory.

Laboratory Oven

The drying oven Ecocell (MMM Group, Germany) protecting the internal chamber aggressive substances like acids or alkaline liquids. This device ensures an optimal goods temperature equalization. Ideal for acidic and alkaline hydrolysis, extraction of non-flammable substances and heat decomposition. The chamber volume is 111 L and the temperature range is 5 °C - 300 °C.

Incubator

The incubator controls the temperature at 37 °C precisely. It is used to grow the lipid vesicles and cells in the laboratory.

Analytical Balance

Analytical balance (4 digit, AS 220.R2 Plus, RADWAG, POLAND) with a readability ranging between 0.0001g - 220 g is used to measure the sample correctly. It provides the best weighing parameters, intuitive operation and a number of unique functions.

Vortex Mixer

Vortex Mixers both Test Tube and Flat Head (250VM and 260VM, Hwashin Technology Co., South Korea) are general laboratory equipment and intended for applications where vortexing of single or multiple tubes is required. It can adjust speed by a toggle switch.

Magnetic Stirrer with Hot Plate

Motor drive magnetic stirrer (MSH 420, Boeco, Germany) with all-in-one glass-ceramic hot plate for simultaneously stirring and heating of chemical reagents. The glass-ceramic top plate is easy to clean, chemical-resistant, corrosion-resistant and scratch resistant. It provides LED indicators for power, heating and stirring. Ambient temperature to 450 °C.

pH Meter

pH bench top meter (BT-675, Boeco, Germany) is used to control the pH of buffer preciously.

Bath Sonication

Bath sonicator (POWERSONIC 520, Hwashin Technology Co., South Korea) is used to clean the glass vial precisely. It is also used to mix the samples. It can easy to adjust time and temperature setting with a number key. 

Nitrogen Gas Cylinder with Multistage Regulator

Nitrogen gas cylinder with multistage regulator (Linde, Bangladesh) is used to dry the dissolve chloroform from lipid solution.

Fume Hood

Fume hood (FH 1200 E, Biobase, China) is used to protect lab environment and operator during general chemical applications. It actively protects operator from inhaling toxic vapors and dramatically reduces the risk of fire and explosion.

Various Volumes Single Channel Micro-Pipettes

Various volume Single Channel Micro-Pipettes are available in the laboratory which can measure the sample precisely.