College of Engineering
Department of Materials Science and Engineering
Search
Close Search
Toggle Menu
Department of Materials Science and Engineering

Centers and Laboratories

MSE’s large and diversified program of research is carried out in outstanding research facilities in the MSE Department and in a cluster of separate materials research centers located on the Iowa State University campus, including the Quad Cities Smart Design and Manufacturing Lab and Ames National Laboratory (USDOE).

Lab Equipment

Some lab equipment is available to use on a fee-for-service basis and requires in-person training. To sign up for training, please visit our Lab Equipment Training, Access & Cost webpage.

MSE Research and Teaching Labs (Shared Spaces)

The Department of Materials Science and Engineering laboratories are located in Hoover Hall and Gilman Hall. Labs in Gilman are used strictly for research, whereas labs in Hoover are used for both research and teaching. These laboratories contain test equipment and facilities to investigate thermal, mechanical, and chemical properties of various materials, as well as teach the physical concepts and illustrate the important processing operations involving materials.

Some equipment is available to use on a Fee For Service basis and requires in-person training. To sign up for training, please visit our Equipment Training & Cost page at the button below. Direct questions to mselabs@iastate.edu.

  • The interior of the Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab with table, chairs, and equipment.

    Materials Synthesis and Processing Lab

    3347 Hoover Hall

  • 3355 Hoover Metallography Lab with tables, chairs, cabinets and equipment.

    Metallography Lab

    3355 Hoover Hall

  • 3355A Hoover Hall Polishing Lab with lab equipment, cabinets, a long work table and a chair.

    Polishing Lab

    3355A Hoover Hall

  • 3362 Hoover Hall view of the lab with tables, chairs, and furnace equipment.

    Furnace Lab

    3362 Hoover Hall

  • 3364 Hoover Hall lab with two long tables and a dozen or so chairs pulled up to the tables. There are computers and equipment surrounding the tables.

    Thermal Analysis/Mechanical Testing Lab

    3364 Hoover Hall

  • 3365 Hoover Hall, Electron Microscopy and X-ray Diffraction Lab with electron microscope, lab equipment, monitors, tables and chairs.

    Electron Microscopy/X-Ray Diffraction Lab

    3365 Hoover Hall

  • 3113 Gilman Hall lab space with large nitrogen tanks and other tanks of gas along with other equipment and tables.

    Thermal and General Analysis Lab

    3113 Gilman

Computer Labs

The department maintains an excellent state-of-the-art computer and study facility (~700 sq. ft.) for its students in 3337 Hoover Hall. The area is accessible 24 hours a day via a proximity card (see MSE staff for details) and includes:

  • 23 PCs, all equipped with the latest technology
  • scanners, laser printers (color and B&W), and other peripherals
  • latest software for use in classwork
  • numerous reference materials: ASTM Handbooks, Journals, etc.
  • large tables for workspace and group collaboration
  • space for personal storage

For more detailed information on the computer lab, see the ITS lab database entry.

Students often meet in the student room to work on homework and labs together. The student room is accessible 24 hours/day with a coded ID card. (See the MSE staff for access)

Computer Support

Go to the College of Engineering IT website for computer support, or email your question to msetech@iastate.edu.

MSE-affiliated centers and laboratories

Other centers