Service Center
The PERC Service Center is the user interface for the PERC Research & Development Facility.
Particulate materials impact a number of industries as a core technology, among these are ceramic, pharmaceutical, metallurgical, chemical, environ-mental, energy, agricultural, and biotechnology. They also play a major role in new and emerging applications in semiconductor processing and advanced materials development. In addition, in certain processes and applications (e.g., semiconductor processing, pharmaceuticals), particles can act as contaminants in the product. The properties of products manufactured from powder precursors are intimately linked with the characteristics of the specific particles as well as their assemblies. Some of the parameters of interest for singular particles and particulate assemblies include particle size, density, concentration, shape/morphology, surface charge, inter-particle forces, viscosity, specific surface area, pore size, chemical composition, surface properties, microstructure, flowability, and cohesion.
The Research & Development Facility is an integral part of the Particle Engineering Research Center (PERC) at the University of Florida. It includes state-of-the-art instrumentation for particle characterization and analysis. The 17,000 square foot space includes six analytical laboratories, two processing labs and a 5000 square foot testbed with a high bay area, a two-ton crane, a loading dock, compressed air, and other necessities required to conduct pilot scale experiments. The testbed and laboratories house equipment for assisting research groups with routine measurements as well as validation and demonstration of process and product ideas developed by research teams and the PERC's Industrial Partners. The Research & Development Facility creates the centerpiece of a world-class operation in particle science and technology.