This USTAR-funded facility includes optical, electron, X-ray and ion microscopes, along with specialized analysis techniques to study surface topography, surface chemistry and even optical and dielectric properties of materials.  The suite co-locates the MRSEC shared user facilities, the instruments of the Surface Analysis Lab, and also the Health Sciences Center (HSC) Electron Microscopy Core (EM for clinical pathology).  Professional staff support includes PhDs in engineering, physics (laser optics, electron optics), physical & analytical chemistry, and cellular biology.

The ~5,300 square foot microscopy suite is the nexus point in the multidisciplinary facility, being strategically and metaphorically placed as a bridge between the engineering / science campus, and the medical school.  Within the building, it is located between the research tower and the cleanroom. The microscopy suite is where these diverse researchers from all over campus physically bump into each other in a suite of tools designed to serve both hard and soft materials. This is where problem-solving engineers and life science researchers working on micro-and nano-scale devices meet life scientists who have ideas for quality-of-life-improving applications; but who need engineered solutions. We engineer having these people run into each other, and look for the magic that results!