The Rice University Shared Equipment Authority (SEA) provides a level of excellence in advanced research equipment and facilities at an affordable cost to all members of the Rice University community. SEA also provides support and open instrumentation usage to outside companies, Nano/bio/enviro start-ups, and other universities upon availability.
Created in 2001 by the Provost, and the Deans of Natural Science and Engineering, the SEA is headed by Dr. Vicki Colvin and Dr. Wade Adams with the support of a faculty committee. The SEA will soon expand its operations to the BioScience Research Collaborative (BRC). The SEA has enabled Rice and its faculty to become innovative leaders in the fields of photonics, bioinformatics, nanotechnology, and environmental systems. Currently the Rice SEA supports over 80 instruments that are maintained by full-time, professional technical staff of nine research scientists and lab managers that provide support in operation, training, maintenance, sample preparation, and safety procedures to all users upon availability.
Specifically, SEA includes a broad range of instrumentation including:
- X-ray diffraction (GADDS, Powder, CCD, SmartLab, 2 D/Max)
- Microscopes (AFM, Fluid AFM, JEOL 2010 TEM, 1230HC, 2100F w/GIF and EDS, Cryo-TEM, Polarizing microscope, Confocal, ESEM w/nanomanipulator, Inverted fluorescence configured for TIRF, Fluorometer)
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (2 Bio, 3 Chem)
- Mass spectrometry (RAMAN, FTIR, MALDI-TOF, LTQ-OT MS, micro-TOF, Reflex, Spectropolarimeter, XPS)
- Thermal analysis (TGA-IR)
- Clean room class 100/1000 (RIE, PECVD, Photolithography aligner, Mask Masker, E-Beam evaporator, Critical drying system, Ellipsometer, Profilometer)
- Preparation and separators (LEO Ebeam, Sputter coater, Spin coater, Wire bonder, Plasma cleaner, Ultramicrotome)
- Other: Surface analyzer, Zetasizer, Vibrating Microtome, Invivo imaging system, Gradient fractionator, Laser engraving/cutting system, SQUID
For more information and a complete, current list of SEA instrumentation and fees, please visit the SEA Web site.