Facilities & Equipment

In addition to a departmental computer lab with 13 work stations, we offer:

Additional analytical facilities are available through collaboration with the Department of Earth Sciences in Minneapolis as well as St. Anthony Falls.

Ground-Penetrating Radar- (GPR) is a geophysical method that uses radar pulses to image the subsurface. This nondestructive method uses electromagnetic radiation in the microwave band (UHF/VHF frequencies) of the radio spectrum, and detects the reflected signals from subsurface structures. GPR can have applications in a variety of media, including rock, soil, ice, fresh water, pavements and structures. In the right conditions, practitioners can use GPR to detect subsurface objects, changes in material properties, and voids and cracks.

Scanning Electron Microscope - (SEM) The scanning electron microscope is a high resolution imaging and micro-analytical platform. It produces a magnified image of a sample b scanning a focused electron beam across the surface of a sample and observing various signals produced when electrons interact with the sample.

Terrestrial Laser Scanner – (TLS) is a ground-based, active imaging method that rapidly acquires accurate, dense 3D point clouds of object surfaces by laser range finding.
Trimble GPS - (GPS) is a space-based radio navigation system. It is a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) that provides geolocation and time information to a GPS receiver in all weather conditions, anywhere on or near the Earth where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites.

X-Ray Diffractions - (XRD) Single crystal x-ray diffraction allows for the precise determination of the atomic structure of crystalline materials.