Laboratory and computing resources

Non-destructive test equipment

• Proceq Canin+ (for on-site measurements of electrochemical potentials with a single or a wheel electrode in order to detect corrosion in a concrete structure).
• Proceq external page Profometer 650 AI (for on-site measurements of concrete cover and/or rebar dimensions).
• Proceq external page GPR Live – Ground Penetrating Radar (for on-site detection of rebars, delaminations, etc. in reinforced concrete at depths up to 70 cm)

Sample Preparation and Microscopy

Our laboratory has a comprehensive suite of equipment for the preparation and microscopic characterisation of cementitious, ceramic, rocks, wood and metallic materials. The sample preparation facility enable precise cutting, sectioning, embedding, grinding, and polishing of specimens for a wide range of microstructural analyses. These capabilities are complemented by advanced optical and electron microscopy, including SEM-EDS and EBSD, enabling detailed investigation of microstructure, composition, crystallographic features, and material degradation.

Sample Preparation

·      Struers Secotom-6: water free precision cutting and sectioning

·      Struers Accutom-100: precision cutting and preparation of thin sections

·      Struers CitoPress-15: hot mounting and embedding of samples

·      Struers CitoVac: cold mounting

·      Pheonix 4000: automated polishing

·      Struers LabForce 100: automated grinding and polishing

Microscopy and Microstructural Characterisation

·      HITACHI SU7000 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)

·      Bruker EDS detector: elemental analysis and chemical mapping

·      Bruker EBSD detector: crystallographic and orientation analysis (provided on our Hitachi SU7000 SEM by ScopeM)

·      Keyence VHX-X1 Digital Microscope: high-resolution optical/digital microscopy

Anaerobic Experiments and Biosafety Level 1 Infrastructure

Our laboratory provides dedicated infrastructure for conducting anaerobic, anoxic, and BSL-1 experiments under controlled and reproducible conditions. These facilities enable the handling and synthesis of oxygen- and redox-sensitive materials, preparation of biological samples, and investigation of electrochemical, corrosion, and microbially mediated processes. The infrastructure supports research relevant to deep geological repositories, cementitious materials, porous media, and other oxygen-depleted environments, where control of redox conditions is essential. Appropriate containment, sterilisation, and decontamination facilities are available for the safe handling of BSL-1 biological materials.

Anaerobic and Anoxic Experiments

MBRAUN LabMaster Pro Glovebox: controlled anaerobic and anoxic environment for oxygen-sensitive experiments, materials synthesis, sample preparation, and electrochemical and corrosion studies

Biosafety Level 1 Infrastructure

Thermo Fisher Scientific MSC-Advantage Biological Safety Cabinet: controlled workspace for handling and preparation of BSL-1 biological materials

Systec DX-65 Laboratory Autoclave: sterilisation and decontamination of laboratory materials and biological samples

Setup for electrochemical corrosion testing at elevated temperature and pressure

We have a high temperature (up to 220 °C) and high pressure (up to 70 bar) electrochemical autoclave (1-L volume), equipped with a external page magnetic stirrer, a external page pH sensor, and gas needle valves to inject different gases (N2, Ar, CO2, H2S). The autoclave setup also contains a reference electrode (Ag/AgCl/sat. KCl) and a counter electrode and allows for complete online electrochemical testing.
We used this setup primarily for corrosion studies in the context of deep geothermal energy installations.
 

Automated local electrochemical metal surface characterization

We have a self-developed robotic system that allows positioning a local electrochemical probe on pre-defined locations on metal surfaces. A particular advantage is that this can be applied to non-flat metal surfaces, including corrugated reinforcing steel bars, where the entire circumference of the bar surface can be electrochemically characterized. The setup consists of a 5-axes robotic arm, used to position a local electrochemical sensor. This sensor consists of a reference electrode and a counter electrode and an electrolyte compartment as well as a porous membrane tip (contacting area approx. 1 mm2) to locally bring the electrolyte into contact with the metallic specimen under test. The robotic setup has an interface to communicate with a potentiostat (Gamry Interface 1010) to fully automate the electrochemical mapping of the metal sample.

More detailed information about the local electrochemical characterization technique can be found in the following publication:

external page Lucas Michel, M. Ueli Angst: Automated local electrochemical characterization on metals with complex shape and practice-related surface state. Measurement 201, 2022