Equipment, Lab Facilities and Services - Chemistry and Chemical Engineering

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering offers a full suite of laboratory equipment capable of supporting advanced characterization research methods in materials science, organic and inorganic chemistry, chemical engineering, and nuclear engineering. RMC personnel and students are trained to use these instruments to advance their research, and non RMC personnel can inquire about the analysis.

First Year Lab

The cutting-edge undergraduate laboratories, which were newly renovated in 2018, are used in the development of practical, hands-on laboratory skills.

Our labs ensure that the students work in an efficient, modern and very safe environment. Check out the photo gallery below that showcases our lab equipment that fosters hands-on experiential learning.

Outside of the regular courses of instruction, when the equipment is idle, some instruments can be accessed by researchers provided that the user has obtained adequate training.

Biology Lab

The Biology Laboratory is a common space used by the undergraduate students who have enrolled to take the life science courses during their time at RMC. The courses included are the biology of organism lab and the biotechnology lab. Here students will learn about varying subject covering the biological functions of plants as well as micro and macro-organism. With a variety of well-designed labs students will get to experience how bacteria function and react in different environments, learn anatomy with the fetal pig dissection and how plants develop over time. The lab is equipped with all the protective gear needed to guarantee student safety as well as plenty of glassware, pipettes and microscopes for students use.

Organic Lab

The Organic Chemistry Laboratory is a commonly used lab for development and teaching of the undergraduate student in both the Chemistry and Chemical Engineering department. Examples of classes which often us this laboratory are organic chemistry I & II as well as inorganic chemistry and transition metal chemistry. The lab is well equipped with fume hoods, glassware and protective equipment to ensure the safety of students, providing them an environment to be properly educated in the many fields of chemistry.

Volumetric Gas Adsorption Analyzer

The Quantachrome Autosorb iQ3 is a 3 sample port system that is capable of characterizing porous materials by multi-point BET surface area determination, pore size distribution range, and pure component gas volumetric adsorption under a range of temperatures and pressures.

Personnel can be trained to use the Quanta or have the analysis completed by trained staff. Non-RMC personnel can contact Dr. Kennedy with inquiries about the analysis.

Contact Information:

Dr. Dean Kennedy
Email:dean.kennedy@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 613-541-6000 ext 6049, CSN: 271-6049

Scanning Electron Microscope

The Quanta 250 environmental SEM is capable of imaging micro- and nanostructures with a variety of detectors for both secondary and backscattered electrons. The SEM is equipped with an EDAX EDS detector for elemental x-ray analysis.

Personnel can be trained to use the Quanta or have the analysis done by the SEM technologist. Non-RMC personnel can contact Dr. Snelgrove with inquiries about the analysis.

Contact Information:

Dr. Jennifer Snelgrove
Email:jennifer.snelgrove@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 1-613-541-6000 ext 6053, CSN: 271-6053

Thermal Analyzers

Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC)

The TA Instruments Discovery DSC 25 measures temperatures and heat flows associated with thermal transitions as a function of time and temperature.

Thermalgravimetric Analyzer (TGA)

The TA Instruments Q50 TGA is capable of measuring mass change with a precision of +/-0.01% with set heating rates fo 0.1 to 100oC/min to temperatures of up to 1000oC. The system is capable of controlling flow under pure and mixture gas conditions.

Personnel and students can be trained to use these instruments for research purposes. Non-RMC personnel can contact Dr. Snelgrove with inquiries about the analysis.

Contact Information:

Dr. Jennifer Snelgrove
Email:jennifer.snelgrove@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 1-613-541-6000 ext 6053, CSN: 271-6053

Mass Spectrometer

This Agilent 7850 quadrupole ICP-MS instrument performs multi-elemental trace level analysis with wide dynamic range, high matrix tolerance, and effective control of polyatomic interferences.

Personnel and students can be trained to use this instrument for research purposes. Non-RMC personnel can contact Dr. Samuleev with inquiries about the analysis.

Contact Information:

Dr. Frank Zeman
Email: frank.zeman@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 613-541-6000 ext 6272, CSN: 271-6272

Nuclear Magnetic Resonance

The Avance III HD 400MHz Bruker Nuclear Magnetic Resonance instrument is equipped with multinuclear broadband Fluorine Observe Smart Probe (5 mm sample diameter) with digital tuning.  It is capable of running various 1D analyses such as:  1H NMR, 13C NMR, 19F NMR, 15N NMR, and 31P NMR (with 1H decoupling capability) as well as 2D experiments such as: COSY, HETCOR, HSQC and HMBC etc.  The high temperature analyses can be performed up to 150°C using Bruker Smart Variable Temperature (BSVT) control unit, with digital control module for various polymeric and glass samples.

RMC personnel can be trained to run their analyses or have the analysis done by the NMR technologist. Non-RMC personnel can contact Dr. Bavarian with inquiries about the analysis.

Contact Information:

Dr. Neda Bavarian
Email:neda.bavarian@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 613-541-6000 ext 6051, CSN: 271-6051

FTIR Spectrometer 

Located in the organic chemistry lab the FT-IR spectrometer is often used by the undergraduate students, who after having completed the synthesis of their compounds, utilize the machine to characterize their samples. The spectrometer is capable of producing a spectrum indicating the different chemicals and bonds present in a sample. It does so by exposing it to an infrared beam, this causes the sample to emit specific energy signals correlated to the compounds and bonds present in the samples. This creates a spectrum based on the intensity of the energy signals over the wavelength of the beam. Using this data the students are able to determine if their samples correspond with what they intended to synthesize.

GC/MS

Located in the organic chemistry lab the Agilent 8890 is the residential gas chromatography machine used by students and staff for chemical characterization. This analytical technique can determine the presence or absence of the different elements in a volatile sample well also providing their ratios. This functions by passing the gas through 2 phases, the mobile and stationary phase. The phases affect the time it takes for certain molecules to be pick up by the GC’s detectors. Based on that info the GC is able to create a graph which indicate the intensity of the detect molecules over time. This identifies which molecules are present in the sample as each one has a specific retention time. Thus, the intensity at a set time determines what molecule is present and how much of the samples composition it comprises.  

High Performance UV Cabinet

Located in the biology laboratory the cabinet provide a dark environment which can be used to observe different materials and contaminants. The comfortable soft rubber viewport utilizes a contrast control viewing filter. This filter protects the eyes from harmful shortwave radiation and blocks the "blue haze" associated with longwave UV.  

Fluorescence and Absorbance Spectrometer

Located in the biology laboratory the Duetta is a dual capable spectrometer allowing for measurements of any materials absorbance or fluorescence, which can be done either simultaneously or separately as needed. Due to the Duetta high speed and advanced detectors it’s able to acquire a full spectrum from 250nm to 1100nm in an instant. The device is also designed with automatic real-time inner filter effect correction which helps combat a loss of observed fluorescence caused by the absorption of light by the tested sample. This help prevent primary and secondary IFE, giving true molecular fingerprints with simultaneous measurement.

Gravity Convection Incubator

Located in the biology laboratory, the incubator provides a reliable heated environment with a consistent airflow ideal for delicate samples, microbiology, bacterial research, as well as food and beverage testing. The incubator also features microprocessor temperature controls, allowing you to set the units in 0.1°C increments up to 75°C. The gravity convection feature distribute heat to the chamber without a blower to minimize sample dry-out and maintains temperature within tolerances of ±3°C. This Built-in safety exist in case main controller fails.

Cary 60 UV-Vis spectrophotometer

Located in the organic laboratory, the UV-Vis is an instrument used by the undergraduate student for sample analysis regarding their interaction with emissions of electromagnetic radiation. This instrument specializes in measuring light absorption, transmission and reflection across a range of wavelengths. Designed to scan samples across 190-1100nm in wavelength in under three seconds, covering not only the visible spectrum but also the infrared and ultraviolet spectrums. Along with that it requires zero warm up time and prevents photodegradation of the sample.
 

Injection Moulder

The injection molder operates by using plastic granules and heating them up until they are molten, then the machine will mold the plastic into the desired shape and cool it to solidify. Once the mold is complete, the part is ejected. This way, the injection molder can produce high volumes of parts efficiently. Students use it to understand how to produce a plastic mold which they then tested by using an impact pendulum the Instron flex. 

Fluid Flow

The fluid flow lab familiarizes students with different types of fittings and how materials and fittings affect fluid flow and pressure drop. They learn to measure flow and pressure drop across fittings or valves to determine fluid friction. This knowledge helps in calculating overall pressure drop in a system to make necessary adjustments.

Instron

The Instron flex machine is used to test materials by subjecting them to tensile or flexion forces. In the 3rd year ductility lab, students have metal samples pulled apart to study their non-linear force response, while the 4th year process engineering lab students flex injection-molded samples until they fail. Glass-reinforced plastic, known for its brittleness, is commonly used in these tests.

Process Control

The process control system provides hands-on experience with proportional integral derivative (PID), focusing on level control due to its visual and rapid feedback. Students experiment with different values to tune the system in order to compare their theoretical calculations to experimental data. This refines their understanding to stabilize and optimize the control loops for real-world applications.

Heat Pump

The heat pump is used to measure pressures and temperatures under variable conditions in multiple locations such as the pressure inlet/outlet, the condenser and the evaporator. Students can observe these results on a pressure-temperature chart as well as measure efficiencies and the amount of power that was utilized.

Bomb Calorimeter

A bomb calorimeter is used to measure the heat of combustion of substances. Students use it to determine the internal energy and enthalpy of combustion of benzoic acid, naphthalene, and Coffee Mate by burning these samples in a high-pressure, oxygen-rich environment and analyzing the resulting temperature changes. This allows them to calculate the energy content and thermodynamic properties of the materials.

Mechanical Shop

The Chemistry and Chemical Engineering mechanical shop offers a broad range of machine shop services that support undergraduate and graduate students.  Some of the services include feasibility evaluation, conception, development, production, planning, and fabrication of experimental prototypes or scientific mechanical components.  

Expertise is available in the following areas:

  • Precision machining and sheet metal fabrication
  • Cad Cam programming
  • CNC Mill and lathe capability
  • Rapid prototyping (3D Printer)
  • Laser cutting and engraving
  • Specialised welding techniques 
  • Laboratory vacuum systems design and repair
  • High pressure systems and helium leak testing
  • Scientific equipment installation  and maintenance
  • Lab equipment service and repair

Contact Information:

Clarence McEwen
Email: clarence.mcewen@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 613-541-6000 ext 6606, CSN: 271-6606

Electronic Shop

The Electronics Shop in the Chemisty and Chemical Engineering Department offers service and repair to equipment and electronic devices that support undergraduate and graduate research. Some of the services include planning, design, development, prototyping and end product.  

Services Provided

  • Repair of all laboratory equipment
  • Design and manufacture of custom laboratory equipment
  • Computer repairs and upgrades to both hardware and software 
  • Electronic diagnostics and component level repairs

Contact Information:

Michael Libbey-Griffin
Email: michael.libbey-griffin@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 613-541-6000 ext 3711, CSN: 271-3711

Chemical Storeroom

The Chemical Storeroom maintains a stock of commonly used chemicals, solvents and laboratory supplies and consumables required for teaching laboratories and research.  

Contact Information:

Dave Twigg
Email: dave.twigg@rmc-cmr.ca
Phone: 613-541-6000 ext 3890, CSN: 271-3890
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