The Research and Innovation division has announced the establishment of Missouri S&T’s Core Facility for Advanced Materials Characterization.

The core facility integrates more than $15 million worth of cutting-edge instrumentation previously housed in the Advanced Materials Characterization Laboratory, along with additional instruments from various S&T research centers.

Unlike a physical location, the core facility serves as an umbrella organization that consolidates advanced materials characterization instrumentation across campus under a unified organizational structure. This aims to streamline access for both internal and external users seeking specific instruments for their research and scheduling instrument time.

Dr. Monday Okoronkwo, associate professor of chemical engineering, has been appointed as the interim director. He will report to the future associate vice chancellor for research and innovation, a position currently being advertised nationally. Dr. Okoronkwo will be supported by a laboratory manager and over 10 staff members who will oversee daily operations.

“The Advanced Material Characterization Core Facility is crucial for the success of several researchers on campus working in advanced materials,” said Dr. Okoronkwo. “The facility is supported by highly skilled and dedicated staff members. To improve the accessibility of the core facility and relevant resources to internal and external users, we will launch a new website showcasing the capabilities of our existing and new advanced materials characterization core facilities and commence awareness campaigns in the coming months.”

“The core facility is a major step towards strengthening Missouri S&T as a key player in research and innovation,” says Dr. Kamal Khayat, vice chancellor for research and innovation. “It will ensure that Missouri S&T will continue to support faculty from different disciplines in their research endeavors, at S&T and beyond. I look forward to working with Dr. Okoronkwo in this new role.”