Advanced Characterization of Infrastructure Materials Lab (ACIM)
Summary
The Advanced Characterization of Infrastructure Materials (ACIM) lab is unique among industry and university-based labs as it incorporates advanced characterization of the materials used to build the single and composite materials that support infrastructure. Using advanced micro/nano-analytical techniques and non-destructive evaluation, the ACIM lab provides equipment and computational power for the characterization of aggregates, bitumen, cement, asphalt and cement composites, soil and other related construction materials.
Research
- Using advanced micro/nano-analytical techniques and non-destructive evaluation, for the characterization of aggregates, bitumen, cement, asphalt and cement composites, soil and other related construction materials.
Capabilities
- Differential Scanning Calorimeter/Thermogravimetric Analyzer (DSC/TGA) to observe glass transition temperatures, melting points, and crystallization events.
- Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) to observe topographic information.
- Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer (DMA) to study viscoelastic properties.
- ElectroForce Dynamic Mechanical Analyzer and Universal Testing Machines to perform mechanical tests (small scale).
- Microcalorimeter to monitor the heat flow change due to chemical and/or physical processes.
- Sessile Drop Device to measure contact angles.
- Wilhelmy Plate Apparatus to measure surface free energy of binders.
- Digital Holographic Microscope (DHM) for real-time surface nano-topography analysis
- Mixed flow reactors for controlled characterization of chemical reaction kinetics in granular suspensions
Lab Supervisors:
Dr. Edith Arámbula-Mercado
CIR Deputy Director | TTI Research Engineer
[email protected]
(979) 317-2299
