Analytical Ultracentrifuge (AUC): Beckman Coulter Optima AUC – Absorbance, Interference
Location: Goodyear Polymer Center 1107
Analytical ultracentrifugation is the most rigorous and versatile technique for accurately determining the molecular weight, hydrodynamic and thermodynamic properties of proteins or other macromolecules, offering a breadth and precision of information unmatched by any other method. The Beckman Coulter Optima AUC – Absorbance, Interference in our lab equipped with absorbance optical detection system and supports a maximum speed of 60,000 RPM, enabling simultaneous multi-wavelength and high-resolution data acquisition across a broad concentration range. These powerful capabilities enable the precise characterization of macromolecules directly in solution under native conditions, providing detailed insights into the size, shape, interaction, and aggregation behavior with high accuracy.
SLS/DLS/DWS System: Brookhaven Instruments BI-200SM Research Goniometer, LS Instruments LSI Correlator, and Coherent OBIS LS 532 nm 50 mW Laser
Location: Goodyear Polymer Center 1108
Our group utilizes the Brookhaven Instruments BI-200SM Research Goniometer and Coherent OBIS LS 532 nm 50 mW Laser for studies of both Static Light Scattering (SLS) and Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS). The OBIS LX lasers and BI-200SM Goniometer System together provide superior beam quality, wide angular range, and temperature-controlled measurements, enabling accurate characterization of nanoparticle size, molecular weight, and polymer behaviors. To support DLS and DWS (diffusing wave spectroscopy), we employ the LS Instruments LSI Correlator, a digital correlator designed for computation of auto- and cross-correlations, allowing reliable particle sizing for both fast- and slow-dynamics samples. This SLS/DLS/DWS system in our lab supports the determination of key parameters such as weight average molecular weight, radius of gyration, hydrodynamic radius, and second virial coefficient.
Isothermal Titration Calorimetry (ITC): TA Instruments Nano ITC Standard Volume
Location: Goodyear Polymer Center 1110
The Nano ITC Standard Volume isothermal titration calorimetry from TA Instruments integrates high-sensitivity calorimeter, enclosed adiabatic shield in vacuum-tight chamber, flexible titration assembly, as well as accurate and stable control system, enabling high-sensitivity thermodynamic analysis of molecular interactions in solution. It allows the determination of Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, entropy, binding equilibrium constant, binding stoichiometry and binding mechanism in a single experiment.
Zeta Potential: Wyatt Technology Möbius DLS Zeta Potential
Location: Goodyear Polymer Center 1110
The Möbius from Wyatt Technology equipped with the Atlas option, is a high-performance instrument for measuring the zeta potential and hydrodynamic radius of nanoparticles and polymers in solution. Zeta potential is determined using massively parallel phase analysis light scattering, while particle size is measured via dynamic light scattering. The integrated Atlas flow cell pressurization system effectively suppresses bubble formation, enabling accurate and reproducible measurements even at high salinity conditions. The system provides high-sensitivity measurements over a broad particle size range, supports stable operation across a controlled temperature range of 4 to 70 °C, and ensures accurate performance in high-salinity environments up to 100 mS/cm, making it well-suited for the analysis of charged macromolecules under complex solution conditions.