The Microscopy and Characterization Suite (MaCS) is a state-of-the-art materials characterization laboratory that provides cross-cutting capabilities that support the Center for Advanced Energy Studies' (CAES) mission in multiple initiative areas. MaCS is largely made possible through its partnership with the Nuclear Science User Facilities (NSUF).
MaCS is complementary to the Boise State Center for Materials Characterization (BSCMC) that was established by the Idaho State Board of Education in August 2006 to provide a state-of-the-art characterization facility in order to attract more students into science and engineering careers, to improve science and engineering education at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and to foster leading research and interaction with local industry.
Collectively, MaCS and BSCMC provide the organization and infrastructure to make various materials characterization tools available for research, academia, and regional companies.
Staff and Contacts
Dr. Yaqiao Wu
MaCS Director & Instrument Lead, AML Lead
CAES Office: (208) 533-8112
Instruments:
Local Electrode Atom Probe (LEAP), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
Affiliated with:
Boise State University
*MaCS lab contact
Dr. Ching-Heng Shiau
Postdoctoral Researcher
CAES Office: (208) 533-8210
Instruments:
TEM, SEM
Affiliated with:
Boise State University
*MaCS lab contact
Dr. Yu Lu
Senior Research Associate, Instrument Lead
CAES Office: (208) 533-8160
Instruments:
FIB, LEAP, Nanoindenter and XRD
Affiliated with:
Boise State University
*MaCS lab contact
Jeremy Burgener
MaCS Business and Operations manager
Jana Howard
MaCS Research Associate
Sidharth (Sid) Sukumaran Nair
Research Associate, Sample Preparation Lead
sidharthsukumara@boisestate.edu
CAES Office: (208) 533-9326
Affiliated with:
Boise State University
*MaCS lab contact
Quick Facts
- MaCS has the capabilities to characterize a wide range of materials, including metals, semiconductors, ceramics, coal and minerals in bulk or powder forms, as well as some organic cellular materials.
- It can provide 2-D/3-D morphology, chemical information, and mechanical testing data from micron to atomic scale.
- Research includes analysis of nuclear fuels and materials, geological samples, feedstocks for biofuels, stainless steel alloys, ceramics and more.
- Lab Layout (click on image to enlarge):
Working in MaCS
MaCS Operating Envelope
Nonradioactive Samples
- Equipment: All imaging instruments and sample prep equipment may be used in MaCS for nonradioactive materials.
- All imaging and sample prep activities shall be performed in accordance with CAES Operating Procedures.
Radioactive Samples
Materials: Radioactive material requests are evaluated as they are made, with consideration given to 1) whether the cumulative CAES inventory limit will be exceeded and 2) changing the CAES operating envelope for radiological materials.
The current rad operating envelope includes depleted uranium, solid activated ceramics, and fixed radiation sources. Depleted uranium may be in solid forms. Fixed radiation sources include activated metals: solid, non-dispersible, smearably clean (i.e., considered to be free of removable radioactive contamination) samples of activated metal and solid ceramic materials that are prepared to minimize sample mass and have a gamma dose rate of less than 70 millirem per hour at 30 centimeters are generally acceptable for analysis and testing in CAES.
- Sample Receipt: Every effort should be made to send samples as clean as possible (i.e. minimize the removable contamination). The shipper must follow all applicable DOT shipping requirements, and inner containers including sample holders will be less than 7 dpm/100 cm2 alpha and 70 dpm/100 cm2 beta/gamma. If the measured activity levels of materials are not consistent with the types and levels specified in the shipping manifest and approved RPR13, if the sample containers are at all compromised, or the number of, or labeling of samples no not match the information provided by the researcher/shipper, the materials will be immediately returned to the shipper.
- Sample Preparation: Minor sample touch-up is the only sample prep activity allowed for radioactive samples. Touch-up shall be performed in accordance with CAES Operating Procedures, with each activity planned and approved on a project-by-project basis. Some nuclides may prove to be unacceptable for sample preparation until Phase 2. This reinforces the need to fully vet sample prep activities in the service request step of the process.
- Equipment: All imaging equipment may be used for radiological sample analysis.
Rates
| Equipment | Internal Rate (A)* | Academy/Government Rate (B) | External Industry Rate (C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| LEAP | $145 | $204 | $250 |
| Tecnai F30 S-TEM | $130 | $183 | $250 |
| FIB | $130 | $183 | $210 |
| SEM | $70 | $98 | $150 |
| Nanoindenter AFM | $100 | $141 | $180 |
| XRD | $50 | $70 | $100 |
| Spectra 300 S-TEM | $250 | $351 | $400 |
| Open Additive Panda Metal 3D Printer | $154 | $217 | $250 |
| Sample Preparation (Per Sample) | $75 | $105 | $120 |
| Instrument lead rate (if needed) | $100 | $141 | $150 |
| Surcharge for radiological samples | $40 | $56 | $60 |
*Sponsored projects will have F&A added on top of the rate on a project-by-project basis per the current F&A rate agreement, which can be found linked in our Budget Development Guide
How to Request Services
Click to enlarge
Brief Overview of MaCS Protocols and Training Requirements
Complete the following:
- CAES Facility Orientation
- Core Lab Training
- MaCS Specific Lab Training
- The Lab Lead walk through will be conducted before you begin working in MaCS by the Lab Lead or Alternate Designee.
The MaCS lab is a radiological laboratory, therefore radiological and non radiological MaCS workers must complete Idaho State University (ISU) radiological training.
Guidelines and Agreement for MaCS Usage
Service Requests, Tracking System and Calendar
View the MaCS Calendar.
Equipment
Resources
MaCS Virtual Tour
Virtual Tour
Fact Sheet | MaCS
MaCS
CAES Lab Research FAQs
Lab Research FAQs
Equipment Standard Operating Procedure
ESOP Template
Readiness Verification
Readiness Verification Checklist
CAES-030 Project Plan
CAES-030 Project Plan Template
Publications, Papers, and Proceedings
Effects of Sintering Aides on Hydrothermal Corrosion Behavior of Si3N4 Ball Bearings
Presented at the 11th Annual Boise State University Undergraduate Research Conference
- April 21, 2014
Ferritic Oxide Dispersion Strengthen Alloys by Spark Plasma Sintering
J. Nucl. Mater
- Accepted 2014
Initial Kinetics of Oxide Dispersion Strengthened Alloys Consolidated by Spark Plasma Sintering
143rd Annual TMS 2014 Conference
- February 16—20, 2014
Microstructural Stability of a Self-Ion Irradiated Lanthana-Bearing Nanostructured Ferritic Steel
J. Nucl. Mater., 465, 191-204
- 2015