Finding atoms and probing bonds
(research tools and facilities)

The University of Iowa Chemistry Department has a strong research infrastructure giving individuals easy and assisted access to state-of-the-art research instrumentation and analysis tools. The university maintains the Central Microscopy Research Facility (electron and scanning probe microscopy; Mössbauer), which enables nanoscale imaging and compositional analysis on a variety of inorganic materials and biological samples. The Center for Biocatalysis and Bioprocessing provides fermentation and bioseparation expertise to the university and industrial community. The Protein Structure Facility provides custom peptides, DNA sequencing, and protein analysis. The Department of Chemistry has extensive capabilities in the areas of X-ray diffraction (single crystals and powder or films) for the structural characterization of crystalline solids including a new Nonius KappaCCD single crystal diffractometer and a Siemens D5000 powder/thin film diffractometer. A wide variety of NMR (solution and solid-state) and mass spectrometry (EI, CI, electrospray) are also available within the Chemistry building. Equipment in individual group completes most instrumentation needs and includes UV-vis and IR spectrometers, thermogravimetric/differential thermal analyzers, BET surface area systems, inert atmosphere glove boxes, Schlenk lines, and fluorescence and circular dichroism spectrophotometers.