Engineering Labs
The Engineering Analytical facilities based at London South Bank University (LSBU) is a research organisation undertaking innovative, cutting-edge, multi-disciplinary research.
The School of Engineering is proud to offer access to our analytical facilities for material and device characerisation.
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Scanning electron microscopy uses a focused beam of high-energy electrons to produce detailed, high-magnification images of objects. This technique is widely used in materials science to identify properties such as particle size, particle morphology and film thickness.
X-ray Diffraction (XRD)
X-ray diffraction is one of the most important tools for materials characterization. It allows for the identification and quantification of crystalline phases, and can be used to determine specimen purity. XRD can also provide microstructural information such as crystallite size, microstrain and disorder.
Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA)/Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)
TGA measures the change in the mass of a sample over time during temperature changes. DSC measures the heat flow to and from the sample over time during temperature changes.
Fourier-transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy
FTIR measures the absorption and transmission of infrared radiation through a sample. The signal gives a spectrum representing the molecular “fingerprint” of the sample, enabling the identification of chemical structures.
Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-vis) Spectroscopy
UV-vis is a widely used technique that measures the absorption, transmission or reflection of light from a sample over a wide range of wavelengths in the visible and ultraviolet regions of the electromagnetic spectrum.
Raman Spectroscopy
FTIR measures the absorption and transmission of infrared radiation through a sample. The signal gives a spectrum representing the molecular “fingerprint” of the sample, enabling the identification of chemical structures.
Ellipsometry
Ellipsometry is an optical technique for measuring the dielectric properties of materials (complex refractive index or dielectric function). It measures the change in polarisation of light as it is reflected or transmitted through a material structure.
Photoluminescence Spectrometry
Photoluminescence is the emission of light from materials following the absorption of light. These luminescence processes can be subdivided into fluorescence and phosphorescence and provide a wealth of information about the properties of molecules and materials.
Hall Effect
Hall effect measurements are widely used for the characterisation of materials, including identifying properties such as the charge carrier density, the charge carrier polarity, the charge carrier mobility, and the material conductivity.
3m shielded anechoic RF test chamber
Suitable for tests:
- EMC pre-compliance
- Wireless OTA testing
- Antenna pattern measurement
15 kVa 3-phase hardware-in-the-loop
For testing low-carbon technologies (such as electric vehicle charger, solar inverters, mains batteries, flywheel energy storage, and smart appliances) under various grid operating conditions
GNSS (GPS) satellite navigation and timing emulator for testing consumer and industrial devices
GNSS (GPS) satellite navigation and timing emulator for testing consumer and industrial devices under various:
- Signal strengths
- Satellites in view
- Atmospheric conditions
- Jamming attacks
- Spoofing attacks
Private 5G network for testing User Equipment
Private 5G network for testing User Equipment under:
- Proximity to human phantoms (head/torso)
- Jamming