The A. J. Clark Hall Materials Characterization Lab (MATCL) is a space devoted to materials testing. We maintain 20+ characterization instruments and tools distributed in two labs, AJC1123 and AJC1224. The MATCL is a primary teaching facility for students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering where teaching faculty can utilize the resources available to design and perform lab sessions and experiments. In addition to providing support for required curriculum classes, the MATCL supports investigators in their characterization and sample preparation needs.

To request a tour, please send your availability to aldop@umd.edu

Access to rooms and equipment
The MATCL is managed by Dr. Aldo Ponce, and he is the primary contact person for the rooms and equipment. Please contact Dr. Ponce to receive training on the equipment, and to have access to the rooms and the online scheduler.

Fees
The services provided by the MATCL are free of charge, and currently there are no funds allocated to run this lab. The MATCL encourages users to provide their own consumables and donations are much appreciated to keep the lab running. A list of needed items can be found here.

User Agreement
After contacting Dr. Ponce, new users are required to submit a signed user registration form in which the user agrees to:
• Have the right to receive training to use the desired equipment
• Use the scheduler to reserve the room and/or equipment
• Justify the use of the equipment and/or rooms
• Provide consumables required to run the equipment and/or use the lab
• Adhere to safe practices when operating the equipment and/or using the lab
• Notify the lab manager if the room and/or equipment is not in working conditions before start using it
• Notify the lab manager of any problem encountered while using an equipment
• Only operate equipment that the user has been trained on
• Be aware of the limitations and sample requirements of the equipment in use
• PAY FOR ANY REPAIRS needed as a consequence of improper use of the equipment