Research Facilities

The Kolen’ko Research Group maintains state-of-the-art facilities for nanomaterial synthesis, characterization, and testing. Our laboratories are equipped with cutting-edge instruments that enable groundbreaking research in nanochemistry and materials science.

Synthesis Laboratories

Our lab combines expertise in inorganic and organic chemistry to develop unconventional nanomaterials. We enable precise synthesis and nanostructuring to tailor material properties. Bridging lab-scale research and industry, we are able to transition from lab-scale research to pilot-scale production without compromising material performance.

Key Features:

  • Controlled atmosphere for air- and moisture-sensitive reactions
  • High vacuum evaporators for solvent removal and purification
  • Batch reactors for scale-up synthesis
  • Ultrasonic bath and probe sonicator for dispersion and nanoparticle synthesis
  • Precision analytical balances for accurate material dosing
  • Centrifuges for nanoparticle separation and purification
  • High-temperature tube furnaces for calcination, hydrothermal synthesis, and thermal treatments (tubular and conventional)
Glovebox System
Reactor Systems
Thin Film Deposition
Synthesis Laboratory Overview

Major Equipments

Schlenk Lines

Schlenk Lines

Dual-manifold Schlenk line system, specifically designed to carry out air- and moisture-sensitive reactions under an inert atmosphere.

Automated Batch Reactor - Atlas HD Potassium - Syrris

Automated Batch Reactor - Atlas HD Potassium - Syrris

Automated reactor which provides full recipe control and real-time reaction monitoring and graphing for walk-away, scale-up chemistry.

Automated Parallel Synthesis - PolyBLOCK 4 - H.E.L.

Automated Parallel Synthesis - PolyBLOCK 4 - H.E.L.

A compact, four-reactor system that automates parallel synthesis, allowing independent control of temperature and stirring for rapid reaction screening and optimization in a single run with minimal manual effort.

Electrospinning - NE 300 - Inovenso

Electrospinning - NE 300 - Inovenso

Benchtop electrospinning system designed for continuous nanofiber production, offering precise control over voltage, flow rate, and collector distance for versatile material processing. It enables rapid prototyping and scalable research with interchangeable nozzle and collector configurations.

Extruder - MLX - Caleva

Extruder - MLX - Caleva

All-in-one bench-top mixer, extruder and spheronizer for wet granulation mixing, extrusion, and spheronization, enabling the production of extrudate and pellets (granules, beads or spheroids).

3D Printer - FNIS - Sygnis SA

3D Printer - FNIS - Sygnis SA

Benchtop 3D printer utilizing Direct Ink Writing (DIW) technology to extrude semi-liquid materials such as silicones, ceramic pastes, and gels via a precision pneumatic system. It features a heated build platform and UV curing, specifically designed as a simple research tool for science labs to prototype and prove concepts with non-filament, single-component pastes.

Microwave - MARS 6 - CEM

Microwave - MARS 6 - CEM

Microwave digestion system that batch-processes up to 40 samples simultaneously using automated technology and contactless temperature sensors to directly measure each sample.

Desktop Fiber Laser Cut - FMF30W-IE - Metaquip

Desktop Fiber Laser Cut - FMF30W-IE - Metaquip

Desktop fiber laser engraver with galvo scanning technology for high-speed marking and deep engraving on metals and plastics. Also applied for in situ synthesis of metal supports for water electrolysis.

Lyophilizer (Freeze Dryer) - LyoQuest - 55°C - Telstar

Lyophilizer (Freeze Dryer) - LyoQuest - 55°C - Telstar

Removes solvents by sublimation under vacuum, preserving the structure and composition of sensitive materials.

Sieve Shaker - EML 200 - Haver & Boecker

Sieve Shaker - EML 200 - Haver & Boecker

Electromagnetic digital sieve shaker designed for precise particle size separation and analysis of powders and granular materials.

Ball milling - 8000M Mixer/Mill - SPEX SamplePrep

Ball milling - 8000M Mixer/Mill - SPEX SamplePrep

The Mixer/Mill is a high-energy ball mill that grinds up to 0.2 - 10 grams of dry, brittle samples.

Planetary Mill - Pulverisette 5 - Fritsch

Planetary Mill - Pulverisette 5 - Fritsch

High-performance planetary ball mill for fast, loss-free fine grinding of hard, medium-hard, brittle, and fibrous materials down to 1 µm.

Roll Ball Mill - LBM-5 - TMAXCN

Roll Ball Mill - LBM-5 - TMAXCN

Lab-scale roll ball mill suitable for fine grinding, grinding, dispersing, mixing, material precipitation prevention and other process requirements of single tank material.

Centrifuges

Centrifuges

From lab routine separations at 4,400 rpm and 14,000 rpm to high-performance fractionation at 30,000 rpm (Beckman Coulter Allegra 64R), our three centrifuges deliver reliable sedimentation across every speed and application.

MQ Water Purification System

MQ Water Purification System

Compact benchtop water purification system that produces 16 L/day of Type 1 ultrapure water directly from tap water, eliminating the need for pretreatment or storage tanks.

Drying Ovens

Drying Ovens

Six drying chambers from vacuum ovens to conventional units, delivering gentle, programmable drying up to 200°C across all sample types and sensitivities.

Muffle Furnaces up to 1000°C

Muffle Furnaces up to 1000°C

Essential for calcination, annealing, and solid-state synthesis under controlled conditions, precise thermal treatment of materials up to 1000°C.

High Temperature Furnace - SX2-2-17TP - TMAXCN

High Temperature Furnace - SX2-2-17TP - TMAXCN

Muffle furnace with a 2-liter chamber, capable of reaching 1700°C for high-temperature sintering, annealing, and heat treatment of materials.

Schlenk Lines

Schlenk Lines

Dual-manifold Schlenk line system, specifically designed to carry out air- and moisture-sensitive reactions under an inert atmosphere.

Specifications:

  • High-purity inert gas (argon or nitrogen) supply
  • Vacuum control
Automated Batch Reactor - Atlas HD Potassium - Syrris

Automated Batch Reactor - Atlas HD Potassium - Syrris

Automated reactor which provides full recipe control and real-time reaction monitoring and graphing for walk-away, scale-up chemistry.

Specifications:

  • Volume Range: up to 2L
  • Temperature Control: Operates from RT to +250 °C
  • Automation: Control of temperature, stirring, and reagent dosing
  • Applications: Crystallization, reaction optimization, process development, and scale-up
Automated Parallel Synthesis - PolyBLOCK 4 - H.E.L.

Automated Parallel Synthesis - PolyBLOCK 4 - H.E.L.

A compact, four-reactor system that automates parallel synthesis, allowing independent control of temperature and stirring for rapid reaction screening and optimization in a single run with minimal manual effort.

Specifications:

  • 4 independent reactors
  • Parallel synthesis capability
  • Independent temperature and stirring control
  • Rapid reaction screening and optimization
Electrospinning - NE 300 - Inovenso

Electrospinning - NE 300 - Inovenso

Benchtop electrospinning system designed for continuous nanofiber production, offering precise control over voltage, flow rate, and collector distance for versatile material processing. It enables rapid prototyping and scalable research with interchangeable nozzle and collector configurations.

Specifications:

  • Continuous nanofiber production
  • Precise voltage and flow rate control
  • Interchangeable nozzle and collector configurations
  • Rapid prototyping and scalable research
Extruder - MLX - Caleva

Extruder - MLX - Caleva

All-in-one bench-top mixer, extruder and spheronizer for wet granulation mixing, extrusion, and spheronization, enabling the production of extrudate and pellets (granules, beads or spheroids).

Specifications:

  • Wet granulation mixing
  • Extrusion and spheronization
  • Production of extrudate and pellets
  • Bench-top design for laboratory use
3D Printer - FNIS - Sygnis SA

3D Printer - FNIS - Sygnis SA

Benchtop 3D printer utilizing Direct Ink Writing (DIW) technology to extrude semi-liquid materials such as silicones, ceramic pastes, and gels via a precision pneumatic system. It features a heated build platform and UV curing, specifically designed as a simple research tool for science labs to prototype and prove concepts with non-filament, single-component pastes.

Specifications:

  • Direct Ink Writing (DIW) technology
  • Precision pneumatic extrusion system
  • Heated build platform
  • UV curing capability
  • Designed for scientific research and prototyping
Microwave - MARS 6 - CEM

Microwave - MARS 6 - CEM

Microwave digestion system that batch-processes up to 40 samples simultaneously using automated technology and contactless temperature sensors to directly measure each sample.

Specifications:

  • Batch processing of up to 40 samples
  • Automated technology
  • Contactless temperature sensors
  • Direct sample temperature measurement
Desktop Fiber Laser Cut - FMF30W-IE - Metaquip

Desktop Fiber Laser Cut - FMF30W-IE - Metaquip

Desktop fiber laser engraver with galvo scanning technology for high-speed marking and deep engraving on metals and plastics. Also applied for in situ synthesis of metal supports for water electrolysis.

Specifications:

  • Galvo scanning technology
  • High-speed marking and deep engraving
  • Works on metals and plastics
  • In situ synthesis applications
Lyophilizer (Freeze Dryer) - LyoQuest - 55°C - Telstar

Lyophilizer (Freeze Dryer) - LyoQuest - 55°C - Telstar

Removes solvents by sublimation under vacuum, preserving the structure and composition of sensitive materials.

Specifications:

  • -50 °C condenser temperature for effective solvent trapping
  • Vacuum system for sublimation under reduced pressure
  • 8 drying chambers and ports for simultaneous processing of various samples
  • Compatibility with round-bottom flasks, vials, and custom containers
Sieve Shaker - EML 200 - Haver & Boecker

Sieve Shaker - EML 200 - Haver & Boecker

Electromagnetic digital sieve shaker designed for precise particle size separation and analysis of powders and granular materials.

Specifications:

  • Electromagnetic digital operation
  • Precise particle size separation
  • Analysis of powders and granular materials
  • Digital control for accurate results
Ball milling - 8000M Mixer/Mill - SPEX SamplePrep

Ball milling - 8000M Mixer/Mill - SPEX SamplePrep

The Mixer/Mill is a high-energy ball mill that grinds up to 0.2 - 10 grams of dry, brittle samples.

Specifications:

  • Programmable electronic timer up to 30 min cycles
  • 0.2-10 g per vial
  • Clamp movement amplitude: ~5.9 cm back-and-forth
Planetary Mill - Pulverisette 5 - Fritsch

Planetary Mill - Pulverisette 5 - Fritsch

High-performance planetary ball mill for fast, loss-free fine grinding of hard, medium-hard, brittle, and fibrous materials down to 1 µm.

Specifications:

  • Fast, loss-free fine grinding
  • Grinds materials down to 1 µm
  • Handles hard, medium-hard, brittle, and fibrous materials
  • Planetary ball mill design
Roll Ball Mill - LBM-5 - TMAXCN

Roll Ball Mill - LBM-5 - TMAXCN

Lab-scale roll ball mill suitable for fine grinding, grinding, dispersing, mixing, material precipitation prevention and other process requirements of single tank material.

Specifications:

  • Lab-scale roll ball mill
  • Fine grinding and dispersing
  • Mixing and material precipitation prevention
  • Single tank material processing
Centrifuges

Centrifuges

From lab routine separations at 4,400 rpm and 14,000 rpm to high-performance fractionation at 30,000 rpm (Beckman Coulter Allegra 64R), our three centrifuges deliver reliable sedimentation across every speed and application.

Specifications:

  • Speed range: 4,400 rpm to 30,000 rpm
  • Lab routine separations to high-performance fractionation
  • Three centrifuges available
  • Reliable sedimentation for various applications
MQ Water Purification System

MQ Water Purification System

Compact benchtop water purification system that produces 16 L/day of Type 1 ultrapure water directly from tap water, eliminating the need for pretreatment or storage tanks.

Specifications:

  • Produces 16 L/day of Type 1 ultrapure water
  • Direct from tap water
  • No pretreatment or storage tanks required
  • Compact benchtop design
Drying Ovens

Drying Ovens

Six drying chambers from vacuum ovens to conventional units, delivering gentle, programmable drying up to 200°C across all sample types and sensitivities.

Specifications:

  • Six drying chambers
  • Vacuum and conventional ovens
  • Programmable drying up to 200 °C
  • Suitable for all sample types and sensitivities
Muffle Furnaces up to 1000°C

Muffle Furnaces up to 1000°C

Essential for calcination, annealing, and solid-state synthesis under controlled conditions, precise thermal treatment of materials up to 1000°C.

Specifications:

  • Maximum temperature: 1000 °C
  • Programmable temperature profiles
  • Precise thermal treatment
  • Muffle furnace configuration
High Temperature Furnace - SX2-2-17TP - TMAXCN

High Temperature Furnace - SX2-2-17TP - TMAXCN

Muffle furnace with a 2-liter chamber, capable of reaching 1700°C for high-temperature sintering, annealing, and heat treatment of materials.

Specifications:

  • Maximum temperature: 1700 °C
  • 2-liter chamber capacity
  • High-temperature sintering and annealing
  • Heat treatment of materials

Facility Access and Policies

Access Information

Our facilities are available to group members, collaborators, and in some cases, external users. Access is managed through our online booking system and is subject to training requirements and usage policies.

User Categories:

  • Group Members: Full access after required training
  • External Services: Access through service agreements or partnerships

Training and Safety

All users must complete appropriate training before accessing facilities. Training includes both general laboratory safety and equipment-specific instruction.

Training Requirements:

  • General laboratory safety orientation
  • Equipment-specific training sessions
  • Hazardous materials handling (where applicable)
  • Emergency procedures and protocols