Video showing students and faculty in the Materials Science and Engineering department engaged in research, lab work, and classroom activities.

Home of UT
Materials Science and
Engineering

Hugo Celio and the Kratos XPS

Core Faculty

TMI's core faculty lead cutting-edge research by running their grants through the institute, fostering collaboration and resource sharing.

Learn More
two female students standing and holding fabricated project

Graduate Program

Our Materials Science and Engineering program is one of the best in the nation, and our graduates go on to be leaders in their fields.

Learn More
woman in front of classroom speaking to class

Research

TMI supports interdisciplinary research at UT Austin, with over 100 faculty focusing on clean energy, nanotechnology, and advanced materials using our state-of-the-art facilities.

Learn More

Instrument Capabilities

The VersaProbe 4 XPS is a highly versatile and automated multi-technique surface analysis system equipped with a monochromatic, micro-focused X-ray source and a 180° hemispherical electron energy analyzer. The system is optimized for high-sensitivity, spatially resolved chemical-state analysis and provides excellent micro-area spectroscopy with adjustable spot sizes from 7 to 300 µm.

Key features:

  • Micro-focused monochromatic X-ray source with adjustable spot sizes from 7–300 µm.
  • Al and Zn/Mg X-ray sources, with the Zn/Mg source providing up to 600 W.
  • Argon ion cluster gun, operating from 2.5–20 kV, for surface cleaning and depth profiling.
  • Ultraviolet Photoelectron Spectroscopy (UPS) for electronic structure and valence-band analysis.
  • Reflection Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy (REELS) for characterization of electronic excitations and surface properties.
  • Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES) for high-resolution surface imaging and chemical analysis, with a beam diameter down to approximately 150 nm.
  • Heating/cooling stage with a temperature range of approximately −140°C to 800°C.
  • Depth resolution: approximately 2–8 nm.
  • Lateral resolution: approximately 10 µm for XPS micro-area analysis.

The combination of XPS, AES, UPS, REELS, ion-beam depth profiling, and variable-temperature analysis enables comprehensive investigation of surface chemistry, chemical states, electronic structure, thin films, interfaces, coatings, and depth-dependent composition.

Fees and Policies

  • UT Users: $60/hour
  • Higher Education/State Agencies: $212/hour
  • Corporate/External Users: $293/hour

Training

Users should register for the required in-person training course through UTLearn.

TMI: Basic training on the VersaProbe 4 XPS
TMI: Basic training on electron spectroscopic techniques on the VersaProbe 4

Texas Materials Seminar Series

The Texas Materials Seminar Series features MSE 397 Seminars, TMI Distinguished Lectureships, and TMI Special Seminars, where leading faculty and professionals from around the world share cutting-edge innovations and advancements in materials engineering with our students.

Learn More
classroom with students and teacher

$12M+

In Grant Funding

20+

Research Patents

10K+

Sq. Ft. of Research Labs

News

Zhantao Chen Publishes New Article on AI-assisted Tool

Zhantao Chen, an Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering and a TMI-affiliate, has published an article on an AI tool in Nature Machine Intelligence. The article used AI to help researchers in ways that would assist in experimental tasks that are often labor-intensive and tiresome.

Read more …

Terry Zheng & Yu Group Publish New Work on Water-Based Electrolytes

Materials Science and Engineering graduate student Tianrui (Terry) Zheng, under the supervision of Dr. Guihua Yu has published research in Advanced Materials introducing a biphasic electrolyte architecture that combines the strengths of water-based (aqueous) and organic-based electrolytes for long-duration, high-rate zinc metal batteries.

Read more …

Get Better Sleep With Ultrasound Patch That Boosts REM Rest

A wearable bioelectronic device increased REM sleep in real-world trials, without invasive surgery or medication.

Published by UT News.

Yuebing Zheng Awarded 'New Directions' Seed Funding from UT OVPR

Yuebing Zheng was awarded seed funding through the University's Office of the Vice President for Research, Scholarship and Creative Endeavors. The 'New Directions in Research' grants are one time payments that give faculty an opportunity to obtain proof-of-concept or pilot data for future, larger grants.

Read more …

Terry Zheng Awarded UT Chevron Energy Graduate Fellowship

Tianrui (Terry) Zheng, a Materials Science & Engineering graduate student working with Dr. Guihua Yu, is a recipient of the 2026-2027 UT Chevron Energy Graduate Fellows Award from UT's Energy Institute.

Read more …