Performance Materials Laboratory (EPIC Hall, Room 3186)
The Performance Materials Laboratory (PML) develops advanced materials and analytical methods in service of two overarching goals: enabling next-generation manufacturing through high-performance material solutions, and protecting environmental and human health through rigorous chemical analysis and materials innovation.
Active research programs span sustainable ceramic coatings, bio-derived composite materials, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) detection and transport, microplastics characterization, and ocean water quality. The biocomposites program investigates renewable, plant-derived matrix and reinforcement systems for structural and functional applications, with an emphasis on replacing petroleum-based materials in manufacturing supply chains. The lab maintains a strong emphasis on translating fundamental materials discoveries into practical applications, drawing on a 25-year tradition of industry partnership and technology transfer.
The PML is home to graduate and undergraduate researchers working across materials science, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, and environmental science. Collaborative projects extend to university partners, federal sponsors including the National Science Foundation, and field research conducted aboard the research vessel R/V Dawn through the Sustainable Seas Institute.
Some of our shared equipment for research includes:
Trace Chemical Analysis
- Thermo Vanquish UHPLC with Altis Plus triple quadrupole mass spectrometry
- Agilent 1100 liquid chromatography with 6410 triple quadrupole mass spectrometry
- Mitsubishi AQF-2100H furnace system for combustion ion chromatography
- Two Shimadzu 2014 gas chromatographs with electron capture, flame ionization, and thermal conductivity detectors
- Metrohm 930 ion chromatographs
- Shimadzu TOC-LCPH/CPN total organic/inorganic carbon and nitrogen analyzer
- Agilent 5100 inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry
Optical and Spectroscopic Characterization
- Agilent 1100 high-performance size exclusion chromatography with fluorescence spectroscopy and UV/Vis spectrophotometry
- Agilent Cary 60 UV/Vis spectrophotometer
- Hach DR2800 spectrophotometer
Sample Preparation and Extraction
- Biotage Horizon SmartPrep automated cartridge extractor
- Dionex ASE 350 accelerated solvent extractor
- Organomation N-EVAP 111 12-position nitrogen evaporator with heating
Water Quality and General Analysis
- Hach 2100N turbidimeter
- Biosafety Level 2 Laboratory (x2)
- General laboratory apparatus: titration, COD/BOD, pH and conductivity meters, centrifuge, pumps, analytical balances, grinder, freezers, refrigerators, ovens, furnaces, incubators, shaking tables, vortex mixers, rotators, ultrasonic baths, and hot water baths
University shared resources
- UNC Charlotte Cleanroom and MEMS Fabrication Facility: A class 100 clean room is available for all micro- and nano-optics fabrication requirements. A portion of the facility will be class 1000 for experimental work with less stringent requirements. Total clean room space is approximately 3,000 sq. ft. The clean room includes necessary facilities, such as advanced lithography and processing, for the fabrication of complex optoelectronic devices and integrated circuits
- UNC Charlotte Super Fab Lab: UNC Charlotte is the first public university in the U.S. to establish a Super Fab Lab, a distinction recognized by The Fab Foundation, a non-profit based out of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Center for Bits and Atoms. The facility includes precision CNC mills, CNC routers, a variety of 3D printers including for carbon-fiber and composite parts, precision/laser cutters, embroidery machines, and many other tools.
- MEES Recharge Unit – Machine Shop: A wide range of equipment is available for conventional machining, precision machining, and superfinishing processes, all equipped with advanced acquisition systems for monitoring forces, temperatures, strains, and chatter analysis during the process.
- University Research Computing (URC): The University Research Computing (URC) Group was established in 2003 to promote research on campus through integrating leading-edge HPC for the faculty, staff and students of UNC Charlotte.