Inside ISM’s Shared Soft Matter Facility at Georgetown University
Posted in ISM Stories News Story
The Institute for Soft Matter Synthesis and Metrology (ISMSM) at Georgetown University is home to two state-of-the-art shared facilities designed to advance discovery in soft matter research. By opening these labs to academic collaborators, industry partners, and Georgetown scientists, ISMSM provides the tools, expertise, and collaborative environment needed to tackle challenges in materials science, physics, chemistry, and beyond.
ISMSM Characterization Lab
Located in Regents Hall Room, the Characterization Lab is equipped with an array of precision instruments for studying materials at every scale. Researchers can perform advanced measurements in:
- Microscopy – including atomic force microscopy (AFM) for probing surface morphology with nanometer resolution and fluorescence imaging with a wide collection of filter cubes
- Rheometry – detailed analysis of viscoelastic materials
- Light Scattering – particle sizing for dilute as well as concentrated solutions and molecular mass measurements
- Microcalorimetry – including low volume isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) for binding studies and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for phase transition measurements
- Spectroscopy – including absorption measurements across UV to near-infrared ranges and ellipsometry for obtaining thin film thickness and optical properties
- Mechanical Testing – tensile and compression studies
As a Mid-Atlantic reference site for Anton Paar and LS Instruments, the lab houses unique capabilities such as the MCR702 TwinDrive rheometer that enables unusual test modes and dual-beam light scattering for precise particle characterization.
Expertise Meets Collaboration
Beyond equipment, ISMSM offers consulting support to guide experiments and help researchers design systematic measurements tailored to their needs. The institute’s affiliated faculty bring deep expertise in polymers, colloids, gels, and other soft matter systems—making these labs not just spaces for measurement, but hubs for innovation and partnership.
Access and Opportunities
Located in Georgetown’s Regents Hall, the ISMSM shared facilities are open to Georgetown researchers as well as external academic and industrial partners. Each year, more than 50 researchers from roughly 20 different groups make use of the labs’ resources. Whether you’re developing new materials, exploring fundamental physics, or seeking high-precision characterization, the labs provide the infrastructure and insight to accelerate your work.
Xinran Zhang, Assistant Director of the ISMSM and is responsible for the technical and scientific operation of the instrumentation associated with ISMSM claims the importance of the lab is beyond measure. He says, “By training users in the nuances of material measurement, we help them take home a deeper understanding of what they bring over.”
View the full equipment list here.
General Inquiries: xz247@georgetown.edu