Shared Use Instrumentation Facilities
Open to Boise State and External Users
MSMSE operates and participates in shared-use instrumentation facilities open to research across Boise State and to external academic and industry users. Each facility offers specialized equipment, trained staff support, and fee-for-service access.
Boise State Center for Materials Characterization (BSCMC)
The BSCMC is Boise State’s primary hub for materials characterization, housing two specialized labs with complementary capabilities. Whether you need to image a surface at the nanoscale or probe the chemical composition of a thin film, BSCMC has the tools and expertise to support your research.
Surface Science Lab (SSL)
Surface and thin film characterization including XPS, AFM, and related techniques. Supports research in semiconductor processing, coatings, corrosion, and surface chemistry.
X-Ray and Electron Microscopy Lab (XEML)
Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Used for microstructure characterization, phase identification, and defect analysis across all material classes.
Idaho Microfabrication Laboratory (IML)
A shared-use advanced manufacturing facility supporting research, development, and prototyping across Boise State and with industry partners. The IML houses equipment for additive manufacturing, machining, and materials processing.
Looking for a specific piece of equipment?
Browse the full MSMSE Equipment Database to search by instrument type, capability, location, and availability across all MSMSE facilities.
View the Equipment DatabaseServices
MSMSE offers fee-for-service access to analytical, testing, and processing capabilities across multiple facilities on campus and at partner sites. Services are available to Boise State researchers, external academic institutions, and industry partners.
Structural Characterization
Boise State Researchers have access to a range of equipment and techniques including:
- Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)
- X-ray diffraction (XRD)
- Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)
- Systems equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD)
- X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS)
- Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
- Isotope dilution thermal ion mass spectrometer (ID- TIMS)
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM)
- Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICPMS)
- Raman spectroscopy
Electrical and Magnetic Characterization
Boise State’s unique electrical properties characterization relies on an several semiconductor characterization set-ups, one of which allows testing at temperatures under 20 K. For magnetic property measurements, Boise State has a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) with temperature control and thin film capabilities.
Materials Processing
Boise State has a number of unique materials processing facilities including spark plasma sintering, hot pressing, a rapid prototype lab, a ceramic MEMS processing lab, a microfabrication center for semiconductor processing, numerous sputtering systems for thin film processing, high energy ball milling for powder processing, a tape casting setup, several high temperature controlled atmosphere furnaces, and inert atmosphere gloveboxes.
Mechanical Testing
Boise State’s mechanical testing capabilities include a hydraulic MTS load frame with high temperature testing capabilities, a bench-top hydraulic MTS load frame, a Zwick test bench for low load testing, microhardness systems, and nanoindentation. At CAES, several hydraulic load frames, a drop weight impact testing system, and microhardness
indenter are available.
Thermo-physical Property Measurement
Thermo-physical properties can be studied at Boise State using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), differential thermal analysis (DTA), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), combustion element analysis, and electrochemical corrosion analysis
Thin Film Characterization
To characterize thin film properties, Boise State researchers use optical profilometry and an x-ray reflectometry system for substrate curvature measurement device.
Do you need access to MSMSE equipment or services?
Are you interested in the services we provide? Please contact the Micron School of Materials Science and Engineering at materials@boisestate.edu. We are happy to point you in the correct direction so you can get started.
Find MSMSE on the Boise State Campus
MSMSE faculty, staff, and research labs are distributed across four buildings on the Boise State campus. Use the links below to find the right building for your visit, class, or research group.
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Micron Center for Materials Research
The Micron Center for Materials Research houses the MSMSE main office (Suite 207), the majority of faculty and staff offices, and several research labs in the new facility, opened August 2020.
1435 University DriveThe Micron Center for Materials Research houses the MSMSE main office (Suite 207), the majority of faculty and staff offices, and several research labs in the new facility, opened August 2020.
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Charles P. Ruch Engineering Building
The RUCH Engineering building is the location of several College of Engineering departments. Many engineering classes are taught in this building that brings together classrooms, offices, and research labs. Portions of the Boise State Center for Materials Characterization along with other research facilities can be found here.
1375 University DriveThe RUCH Engineering building is the location of several College of Engineering departments. Many engineering classes are taught in this building that brings together classrooms, offices, and research labs. Portions of the Boise State Center for Materials Characterization along with other research facilities can be found here.
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Micron Engineering Center
One of the four main buildings on campus for engineering students, this building also hosts many engineering classes, as well as several MSE research groups and staff/student offices.
1020 S. Manitou AvenueOne of the four main buildings on campus for engineering students, this building also hosts many engineering classes, as well as several MSE research groups and staff/student offices.
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Environmental Research Building
The Environmental Research Building is home to Boise State’s departments of Geosciences, Civil Engineering, Public Policy and Administration, and Political Science. Research labs including the CMELab, ANML, and MML utilize this facility.
1295 University DriveThe Environmental Research Building is home to Boise State’s departments of Geosciences, Civil Engineering, Public Policy and Administration, and Political Science. Research labs including the CMELab, ANML, and MML utilize this facility.