Research & Applications

How to extract structural information from FT-IR spectroscopy?

Advancing Science Across Disciplines

The Advanced FT-IR User Facility serves as a critical bridge between fundamental molecular science and real-world technological applications. By offering a comprehensive suite of infrared spectroscopy and time-resolved laser techniques, our facility empowers researchers to decode complex molecular structures, monitor dynamic functional changes, and characterize novel materials.

We actively support a wide spectrum of interdisciplinary research, fostering robust collaborations across physics, structural biology, chemistry, engineering, and materials science.

1. Biophysics & Structural Biology

Our facility is uniquely equipped to tackle complex questions in structural biology, particularly concerning protein folding, stability, and light-driven functional dynamics.

Photoreceptor & Photocycle Dynamics:

Utilizing our nanosecond tunable laser systems coupled with Step-Scan and Rapid-Scan FT-IR, researchers can capture the ultrafast structural transitions of photoactive proteins (such as Photoactive Yellow Protein, PYP) from the microsecond to the second timescales.

Protein Secondary Structure Analysis:

Using the strictly fixed optical length of our AquaSpec transmission cells, we can accurately subtract water/buffer backgrounds to determine the precise secondary structures of soluble proteins and enzymes in their native aqueous environments.

Thermal Stability & Denaturation:

With our temperature-controlled ATR setups, we conduct real-time monitoring of temperature-induced conformational changes and aggregation, providing vital data for understanding protein stability.

2. Materials Science & Nanotechnology

Infrared spectroscopy is an indispensable tool for the development and characterization of advanced materials.

Polymer Characterization:

Identifying chemical compositions, analyzing polymer blends, and monitoring curing processes or degradation over time.

Surface & Thin-Film Analysis:

Utilizing our FT-IR microscopy (HYPERION) and specialized reflection accessories (like Grazing Angle Incidence - GIR) to investigate surface coatings, thin films, and microscopic defects with high spatial resolution.

Semiconductor & Device Materials:

Supporting the microfabrication and engineering communities by providing chemical verification of novel materials destined for functional devices.

3. Chemistry & Chemical Engineering

We provide essential analytical support for synthetic chemists and chemical engineers looking to understand reaction pathways and molecular interactions.

Reaction Kinetics:

Employing Rapid-Scan FT-IR to monitor non-cyclic chemical reactions and catalytic processes in real-time, capturing transient intermediates.

Molecular Fingerprinting:

Routine but highly sensitive structural confirmation of novel synthesized compounds, organic molecules, and functionalized nanomaterials.

Fostering Collaboration: Academic & Industry Partnerships

The Advanced FT-IR User Facility is dedicated to accelerating scientific discovery by providing expertise and state-of-the-art infrastructure to the broader research community.

University Researchers

We welcome collaborations with research groups across all university departments. Whether you require routine material characterization or complex, laser-triggered time-resolved experimental design, our facility staff is here to advise and assist.

Industry & Commercial Partners

We offer competitive access to our instruments for external and industry users. Our precise analytical capabilities are ideal for quality control, failure analysis, pharmaceutical R&D, and the characterization of proprietary biomedical devices.