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Forscher im Analytiklabor der HSLU

Describe your requirements for us

Analytical laboratory for substance and material characterization Understanding materials and the precise characterization of material properties

Do you want to determine material properties, compare samples, identify an unknown chemical or better undestand the properties of a material?
We support companies and research partner with a wide array of analytical mathods and examine thermal, physical, and chemical material properties as well as particles and surfaces for you.

Describe your requirements for us

Service | Collaboration | Analythical methods | Kontakt

What do you want to find out about your material?

Your question is the starting point. Select the relevant analysis area below, and we'll show you which measurements and devices are available in our lab.

Thermal properties and reactivity

Determining phase transitions, enthalpy, heat capacity, thermal stability, thermal conductivity and temperature-dependent material behavior (using DSC, TGA/DSC, THB, DMA, or reaction calorimetry).

Particles, dispensions and emulsions

Determining particle size and investigating the stability, sedimentation, and creaming of dispersions and emulsions (using laser diffraction, PIDS, and analytical centrifugation).

Chemical composition and material identification

Identification and analysis of chemical compounds, functional groups, mixtures of substances, and dissolved or volatile substances (using FTIR, GC/MS, HPLC).

Rheology and physical material properties

Determining viscosity and flow properties as well as water content, moisture content, density and refractive index (using rheometry, Karl Fischer titration, moisture content determination, density measurement, refractometry).

Structure and surface analysis, microscopy

Characterization of crystalline phases and material structures, microscopic surface analysis, and evaluation of wetting behavior and surface properties (using XRD, digital microscopy, contact angle measurements).

Are you unsure what kind of analysis you might need?

No problem. You don’t need to know whether DSC, FTIR, XRD, GC/MS or any other method is right for your sample. Just describe your material, requirements, sample form, and number of samples for us. Our specialists will determine which method is best suited for your specific needs.

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Our service: What we deliver

  • Measurement data and material properties: We will provide the agreed measurement data. Depending on the method used, this includes particle size distributions, phase transition temperatures, enthalpies, thermal conductivities, water contents or rheological properties.
  • Plots, curves and spectra: Many analytical methods yield characteristic graphic results, e.g., DSC and TGA curves, particle size distributions, FTIR spectra, chromatograms, XRD diffractograms or rheological measurement curves.
  • Customized analysis: Upon request, we can format measurement results according to your specifications, compare different samples, or analyze parameters relevant to your research question.
  • Interpretation and consulting: Our specialists will be happy to help you interpret your results and determine further steps in the analysis. 

Collaboration: Here's how we conduct our analyses

Do you have a specific analysis in mind, or maybe just a question about your material? Just get in touch – we can help!

Submit your query now

Call or email us and tell us what you would like to analyze. We will be happy to help.  Get in touch now

Agreeing on a process

We discuss your requirements, your samples and the relevant analytical methods. You will then get a quote from us if necessary.

You submit the samples

You send us or bring in your samples after having discussed the required sample size and any necessary preparations with us.

We analyse

We conduct the agreed measurements and analyses. Depending on the method used, number of samples submitted and scope of the analysis, this can take a few days to several weeks.

You get the results

We send you the agreed measurement data, characteristic values and analyses. If you like, we can discuss and interpret the results together.

Our analytical methods and devices

Proben im Analytiklabor der HSLU

The choice of analytical technique depends on your requirements and type of sample. For technical details, refer to the drop-down sections.

Thermal properties and reactivity

Would you like to know how well a material conducts heat, at what temperature a phase transition occurs, or how a sample behaves when heated, cooled, or during a reaction? We have an array of thermal analytical techniques at our disposal for that.

DSC – Phase transitions, enthalpy, and heat capacity

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Devices: Mettler Toledo DSC 5+ and DSC 3+

Measurement range: -60 to 550 °C

Suitable samples: Organic and inorganic liquids and solids

Possible analyses: Phase transitions, melting and solidification behavior, heat capacity, and enthalpy

Typical results: DSC curves, transition temperatures, enthalpies, and, depending on the measurement, heat capacities.

Download Factsheet DSC

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TGA/DSC – Thermal stability and decomposition

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Devide: Mettler Toledo TGA/DSC 2 LF/1100

Measurement range: Room temperature to 1,100 °C

Suitable for: Salts, oils, plastics, and crystalline materials

Possible analyses: Weight changes upon heating, thermal stability, decomposition, oxidation, loss of water and solvents, and quantitative composition analysis

Download the TGA/DSC factsheet

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THB – Thermal conductivity

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Device: Linseis THB 100

Thermal conductivity measurement range: 0,01 bis 100 W/(m·K)

Suitable for: Solids, powders, liquids, and pastes

Possible analyses: Thermal conductivity, thermal diffusivity, and volumetric heat capacity

Download the THB fact sheet

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DMA – Mechanical bevhavior as a function of temperature

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Devide: Mettler Toledo DMA 1

Temperature range: -190 to 600 °C

Suitable for: Solid materials such as thermoplastics, elastomers, ceramics and metals

Possible analyses: Material stiffness, damping, viscoelastic behavior, glass transitions, phase transitions, and stress–strain behavior

Download the DMA fact sheet

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EasyMax – Reaction calorimetry and temperature cycling

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Devide: Mettler Toledo EasyMax 102 with HFCal

Temperature range: -40 to 180 °C

Suitable for: Liquids and materials in solution or suspension

Use: Synthesis, reaction calorimetry, T-History measurements, and repeated heating and cooling cycles

Download EasyMax fact sheet

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Particles, dispersions and emulsions

Would you like to determine the particle size of a powder or investigate the stability of a dispersion or emulsion? We analyze particle sizes and size distributions as well as sedimentation, creaming and stability.

HELOS/KR – Particle size analysis

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Devide: Sympatec HELOS/KR with OASIS-module

Suitable for: Powders, granules, suspensions, and emulsions

Possible analyses: Particle size and size distribution

Measurement range: Dry dispersion: 0.1 to 3,500 µm; wet dispersion: 0.1 to 875 µm

Analysis: Fraunhofer or Mie; custom processing available upon request.

Download the HELOS/KR fact sheet

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Particle size analysis using PIDS

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Device: Beckman Coulter LS 13 320

Measurement range: 0,040 to 2000 µm

Suitable for: Emulsions and dispersions such as lotions, creams, and paints

Special feature: PIDS technology also enables the analysis of very small particles.

Download LS 13 320 fact sheet

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LUMiSizer – Dispersion and stability analysis

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Device: LUM LUMiSizer

Measurement range: 4 to 60 °C; 200 to 4,000 rpm

Suitable for: Particles in fluid systems and emulsions

Possible nalyses: Sedimentation, creaming, stability, particle size distributions and sediment properties

Download LUMiSizer fact sheet

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Chemical composition and material identification

Would you like to identify an unknown substance, investigate chemical compounds or detect specific components in a sample? Depending on the substance and your requirements, we have a range of spectroscopic and chromatographic methods at our disposal.

FTIR – Substance identification and functional groups

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Devide: Agilent Cary 630 FTIR

Measurement range: 4,000 to 600 cm⁻¹

Suitable for: Solids, liquids, gels and gases

Suitable for: Molecules, functional groups, qualitative and quantitative analyses and reaction monitoring

Download the FTIR fact sheet

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GC/MS – Organic substances and mixtures

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Device: PerkinElmer Clarus SQ 8S GC/MS

Technical limitations: Temperature program up to 325 °C; molar mass up to 700 g/mol

Suitable for: Organic substances that are sufficiently volatile for gas chromatographic analysis

Possible analyses: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemicals and mixtures down to the ppb range

Download the GC/MS fact sheet

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HPLC – Dissolved chemicals and active ingredients

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Device: Waters 2695 HPLC with UV/Vis and PDA-Detectors

Detection range: 190 to 800 nm

Suitable for: Organic substances that can be completely dissolved in a suitable solvent

Possible analyses: Qualitative and quantitative analysis of dissolved chemicals and active ingredients in the ppm to ppb range

Download the HPLC fact sheet

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Rheology and physical material properties

Do you want to investigate the flow behavior or viscosity of a sample or investigate properties such as water content, moisture, density or refractive index? We have a number of rheological and physical measurement methods for that.

Rheometry – Viscosity and flow behavior

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Device: Anton Paar MCR 302

Temperature range: -40 to 200 °C

Suitable for: Low- and high-viscosity liquids, oils, coatings, dispersions, paints, pastes, and selected solid materials

Possible analyses: Viscosity, shear rate, shear stress, flow behavior as well as elastic and viscoelastic properties

Factsheet Rheometer herunterladen

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Karl-Fischer titration – water content

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Device: Metrohm 915 KF Ti-Touch

Measurement range: 0,1 to 100 %

Suitable for: Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, salt hydrates, and gels

Analyzed property: Water content

Download the Karl Fischer fact sheet

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Halogen moisture analysis

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Device: Mettler Toledo HX204

Measurement range: 0.1 to 200 g; 40 to 230 °C; moisture content from 0.01%

Suitable for: Solids and liquids

Analyzed property: Moisture content determined through controlled drying and measurement of weight loss

Download the moisture determination fact sheet

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Density measurement

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Device: Mettler Toledo DM40

Measurement range: 0 to g/cm³; 0 to 91°C

Suitable for: Liquids

Analyzed property: Density

Download the density measurement fact sheet

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Refractometry

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Device: Mettler Toledo RM40

Measurement range: Refractive index 1.3200 to 1.7000 nD; 5 to 100 °C; Brix 0 to 100%

Possible analyses: Refractive index, Brix, HFCS and derived concentrations

Please note: Even turbid and dark samples can be measured

Download the refractometry fact sheet

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Structure and surface analysis, microscopy

Would you like to determine crystalline phases, microscopically examine surfaces and structures or characterize the wetting behavior of a surface? We achieve this by combining structural, microscopic and surface analyses.

XRD – Crystalline phases and polymorphism

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Device: Bruker D8 Advance

Measurement range: 1° to 100° 2θ

Suitable for: Powders such as salts, rocks, ceramics, and glass

Possible analyses: Crystalline phases, polymorphism, purity, and changes in crystal structure

Special feature: The measurement is non-destructive; characteristic diffraction patterns can be compared with database references.

Download the XRD fact sheet

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Digital microscopy – Surfaces, structures and particles

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Device: Keyence VHX-7000

Magnification: 0,1× to 1000×

Suitable for: Surfaces, grain sizes, particles, and geometric structures in 2D and 3D

Available options: Bright-field, dark-field, polarized light, differential interference contrast, MIX illumination and automated particle analysis

Download the digital microscopy fact sheet

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Contact angle and surface tension

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Device: KRÜSS DSA25S Drop Shape Analyzer

Temperature range: 5 to 120 °C

Suitable for: Liquids on solid surfaces

Possible analyses: Contact angle, roll-off angle, wettability, surface tension, surface free energy, and surface cleanliness

Download the Drop Shape Analyzer fact sheet

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Analytical expertise and state-of-the-art lab infrastructure

The HSLU's Analytical Laboratory went into operation in 2014 and has been continually developing ever since. Thanks to the lab’s expansion in 2022 and the periodic addition of new analytical and measurement equipment, the range of material characterizations offered keeps growing. Today, we combine state-of-the-art analytical infrastructure with extensive experience in applied research and services for industry clients. 
If a task proves more complex, we either combine several analytical methods or work with project partners to further investigate the issue in the framework of an applied research project.

Our analytical services in practice

Recycling plastics dumped in landfill over 60 years ago: Is that even possible? We looked into the matter with Jura Materials. We took plastic samples from sorted waste fractions and analyzed, sorted and cleaned them in our lab. We then teamed up with the Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT) to conduct a recycling test using leading-edge recycling methods. The result is a report on the general feasibility of recycling plastics recovered from remediated landfill sites.

Watch our video about the project

Get in touch to get your analysis

Rebecca Ravotti, Co-Leiterin Analytiklabor

Your contact

Rebecca Ravotti

Co-Head of the Analytics Lab

+41 41 349 34 06

rebecca.ravotti@hslu.ch

Davide Toniolo, Co-Leiter Analytiklabor

Your contact

Davide Toniolo

Co-Head of the Analytics Lab

+41 41 349 38 24

davide.toniolo@hslu.ch

Are you looking for conventional materials testing?

For conventional materials testing such as mechanical materials testing, hardness testing, chemical analysis or metallography, the specialists and infrastructure of the HSLU’s Materials Testing Laboratory are always at your disposal.