The A. James Clark Hall Materials Characterization Laboratories (MATCL) serve as a shared facility dedicated to materials testing and analysis. The MATCL is operated by the Department of Materials Science and Engineering and the Chemical and Biomolecular Department of Engineering and is also a Maryland NanoCenter partner lab. The MATCL houses over 20 instruments and tools, distributed across two laboratories: AJC1123 and AJC1224.
As a primary teaching resource for the A. James Clark School of Engineering, MATCL supports hands-on instruction by providing faculty and students with access to advanced characterization tools. When not in use for scheduled coursework, the facility is available to support research activities, including sample preparation and analysis.
Facility Access and Equipment Use
The MATCL is managed by Dr. Aldo Ponce, who is the primary point of contact for all matters related to lab access, training, and equipment scheduling.
- To schedule a tour or to use the labs for teaching activities, please contact Dr. Ponce at aldop@umd.edu.
- To gain access to the facility and begin using the equipment for non teaching purposes, the users must registered with the MATCL and the Nanocenter with an associated billing account.
Fee Structure
The MATCL has become a NanoCenter lab partner to ensure the sustainability of the facility through equipment maintenance, repairs, and consumables (e.g., gases).
The lab and equipment use is free of charge for teaching or academic purposes. But, If you are interested in using the instruments in the lab please complete the steps under the User Registration section. In addition, a list with the equipment fees can be found here.
User Registration
All users must must have an active NanoCenter account and billing account. If you do not already have one please setup below (steps 1 and 2). All users should also have submitted a signed MATCL User Agreement (step 3).
- Register on the NanoCenter website
The Equipment Scheduler system is integrated with this website allowing 24/7 access to make reservations. Click here to Register.
- Set up your NanoCenter billing account
Billing information is required prior to making any reservations or working in the labs.
Users of the MATCL fall under two categories:
Internal – UMD-College Park Faculty, Staff, Student
External – Other Maryland System Universities, Outside Universities, Government Agencies, Private Companies and non for profits
Internal Billing Account Setup Form
External Billing Account Setup Form
- Download, Read, Sign and email the MATCL User Agreement.
All new users must complete and sign a User Registration Form. This form outlines the responsibilities of the user and their PI, including the following:
- Users have the right to receive training on equipment they wish to use.
- Use of lab spaces and equipment must be justified and scheduled in advance via the Google calendar system.
- Users are responsible for bringing any consumables required for their experiments (excluding gases).
- Users must follow all laboratory safety protocols when operating equipment or working in lab spaces.
- Users must immediately notify the lab manager if equipment or rooms appear damaged or non-functional before use.
- Users must report any problems encountered during use.
- Users may only operate instruments for which they have received formal training.
- Users are expected to understand the limitations and sample requirements of each instrument prior to use.
- Users and their PIs will be held financially responsible for any equipment damage resulting from improper use or unsuitable samples.
- Users must acknowledge the MATCL in all publications and presentations that utilize the facility.
- Suggested acknowledgment: “We acknowledge the support of the Clark School of Engineering’s Materials Characterization Lab.”
- Please provide a copy of the citation to the MATCL manager.
Thank you for supporting the shared mission of the MATCL. Your cooperation ensures a safe, functional, and inclusive environment for both teaching and research.
For questions or additional information, please contact Dr. Aldo Ponce at aldop@umd.edu