The Materials Characterization Facility, opened in 1998, is a world-class, multi-user facility for the structural and chemical characterization of materials using methods including electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy, and x-ray diffraction. The software developed in this facility enables researchers across the globe to quantitatively analyze their data.
Located on the first floor of Carnegie Mellon University’s Roberts Hall of Engineering, The Materials Characterization Facility (MCF) supports the cutting-edge research of nearly 100 groups at Carnegie Mellon University and across the region, enabling enhanced data analysis for researchers in 30 countries.
Within its facilities, the MCF houses 18 state-of-the art characterization tools maintained by highly qualified technical staff members. At the center of the Materials Characterization Facility is the Digital Microscopy Classroom. Unlike many other characterization facilities, the classroom enables students to remotely operate microscopy tools. It is also used extensively for both undergraduate and graduate courses, as well as special seminars and instrument manufacturer tutorials.
Researchers at CMU and across the region can be trained by our staff to operate instruments independently.
Around the world, researchers utilize EMsoft, an open-source software package created at MCF, for the simulation of electron microscopy imaging and diffraction modalities. It consists of a library with core routines for crystallography, symmetry, dynamical scattering, Monte Carlo simulations, and so on, plus a series of programs for different imaging and diffraction modalities.
Source: College of Engineering
Roberts Engineering Hall and Hamerschlag Hall from across Panther Hollow.
The Materials Characterization Facility is located on the first floor of Roberts Engineering Hall on Carnegie Mellon’s campus.