Yesterday the MSL unboxed a brand new ultrasonic processor! The high shear mixing capabilities of this homogenizer is perfect for the dispersion of nanoparticles in a semi-viscous media such as an uncured thermosetting polymer. It can also be used to disperse the sugar granules in your morning coffee, but you definitely want to sanitize the probe before submerging it in your drink!

This week Professors and students from the MSL and the Nanomaterials and Characterization Lab worked together in preparing the previous MTEL lab for new flooring! This preparation involved the relocation of various lab equipment, storage units, and heavy testing equipment.

The images above show the relocation process for the largest tensile testing unit in the lab. This unit is capable of applying a tensile force of 55 kip while weighing just a little less than 1 ton! 

This pair of images shows a before and after view of the space. Now it's time for renovations. Special thanks go out to all those who assisted in the cleanup as well as those who took extra care to ensure the safety of the helpers.

Smells like fresh paint! Facilities completed painting a K-State purple accent wall in our lab today.

Setting up all 3500 lbs of the MOAT (Mother of all Tables) was a group effort, but we got it done. This is a 5'x12'x18" Newport optical table that is self leveling and floats on air to help isolate vibration. Pretty neat! Thank you, Professor Leseman and his students for the extra muscles.