Equipment Type:

Cleanroom Instrumentation

Nano and Micro Fabrication

Instrument Capabilities

The Quorum Technologies Polaron CPD7501 Critical Point Drier is used for controlled drying of delicate samples prior to microscopy and other materials characterization techniques. Typical applications include SEM sample preparation, biological and soft-material specimens, MEMS and microfabricated structures, porous and fragile materials, aerogels and other high-surface-area structures, and other samples where preservation of surface morphology and dimensional integrity is important.

Key capabilities and features:

• Chamber capacity suitable for multiple small specimens. Dimensions: 29 mm internal diameter × 56 mm tall
• Stacking holder with increased capacity to eight specimen baskets
• Vertical pressure chamber designed for efficient solvent drainage
• Built-in thermoelectric heating and cooling
• Viewing window for monitoring the fluid level and drying process
• Dedicated inlet, flushing, and controlled gas-venting functions
• Fine control of CO₂ venting to minimize specimen damage 

Fees and Policies

Cleanroom Entry fee: (The cleanroom entry fee is charged in addition to the cleanroom facility usage fee)

• UT Users: $6
• Higher Education/State Agencies: $10
• Corporate/External Users: $10

Cleanroom Facility

• UT Users: $35/hour
• Higher Education/State Agencies (Assisted): $92/hour
• Corporate/External Users (Assisted): $94/hour
• Higher Education/State Agencies (Unassisted): $64/hour
• Corporate/External Users (Unassisted): $65/hour

Please contact Dr. Raluca Gearba and/or James Smitherman to schedule a training session.