University Instrumentation Center

Sagittal view of the wasp Philolema latrodecti, a parasitoid of the eggs of widow spiders (Latrodectus), found inside the egg sac of a brown widow (L. geometricus) along with about a dozen of its siblings. This image was captured using the UIC’s Zeiss Xradia 610 Versa x-ray microscope, which allows for fast, sub-micron, non-destructive imaging and analysis of various specimens. Learn more about the UIC’s Zeiss Xradia 610 x-ray microscope and other instruments here. Specimen and Photo Credit: Mark Townley, UIC.

This fungus was found on American beech (Fagus grandifolia) bark collected in the UNH College Woods. Many beech trees in our area have beech bark disease caused by a combination of insects and fungi, but the fungus pictured here is not the fungus causing the bumpy bark. This photo was taken using the University Instrumentation Center’s (UIC’s) Tescan Lyra3 Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). SEM produces detailed magnified images of an object by scanning its surface to create a high resolution image using a focused beam of electrons. Learn more about the UIC’s scanning electron microscopes and other instruments here: https://www.unh.edu/research/welcome-university-instrumentation-center
Specimen Credit: Caroline Kanaski, Department of Natural Resources and the Environment, for an undergraduate laboratory in Monitoring Forest health, UNH. Photo Credit: Nancy Cherim, UIC.

Mass spectrometers are like scales: They measure the weight of molecules. Those weights help reveal complicated, sophisticated processes inside the cell. With grants to several faculty members, UNH’s University Instrumentation Center recently acquired two new mass spectrometers that will advance our understanding of Alzheimer’s disease, soil microbes and contaminants like PFAS, addiction and more.

“We can use mass spectrometry for almost everything related to biology, from environmental biology to medicine,” says Feixia Chu, professor of molecular, cellular and biomedical sciences, who will use one for her research on the underlying mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease.

These two instruments will serve dozens of UNH researchers spanning multiple departments and colleges. Researchers outside UNH can also access the mass spectrometers. Learn more at the University Instrumentation Center: https://www.unh.edu/research/welcome-university-instrumentation-center

The 50th Anniversary Ice Cream Celebration was a success! 🥳

Check out the awesome snake skeleton cake that also made an appearance! 🐍🎂

Here's to many more years of UIC excellence!

Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the University Instrumentation Center! 🔬

On October 3rd, from 12-1PM, we will be gathering in the Southwest Lobby of Parson's Hall. 🥳🎉

Rumor has it, there may be ice cream! 🍦🍧

(Pictured below is a photo of Nancy Cherim on the old SEM!)

What better way to spend a Friday afternoon than learning about 2D NMR in the University Instrumentation Center!

Congratulations to Pat, Kristin, and John! Today their dedication and service was applauded at the 2023 Staff Recognition Program!

Time flies when you work somewhere great! ⏰

How long have they worked at UNH for? 🤔
Pat Stone: 15 years
Kristin Blackwell: 20 years
John Wilderman: 25 years

Here's to many more! 🥳🎉

Procrastinators rejoice on the final day of the (603) Challenge!

Today is the Grand Finale Bonus Challenge (aka The Procrastinators’ Bonus). Every donor who makes an online gift today, and hasn’t already given during this year’s challenge, will get an equal portion of $90,000 added to their gift – regardless of the amount of their gift. That means you can give $10, $100 or $1,000 and your gift will still receive the same portion of today’s bonus challenge funds! 🎉

Donations made to the University Instrumentation Center will help fund the future acquisition of a tabletop XRF! Supporting the UIC aids in future instrumentation endeavors! 🔬🧪

UIC Sponsored Challenge: TIME IS RUNNING OUT! The first 25 donors to the UIC will receive a copy of the 2023 AND 2024 Calendar! Pictured below are the magnified gills and spores of a Russula mushroom! This image was captured using the Tescan Lyra 3 SEM and is featured in the 2023 UIC calendar- make your donation today! 🍄

To donate directly to the University Instrumentation Center, use the following link:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/34956/donations/new?tc=5969&a=6427872&designation=universityinstrumentationcenter

Today the NH Numbers Bonus Challenge is back! The first 1,000 donors who make a gift online in a total amount containing the numerals 6, 0 and 3 (in any order) will earn a $50 bonus on their gift. Please consider supporting the University Instrumentation Center with a gift that could be boosted! 🍀⏰

Your donation will help support the UIC’s purchase of a tabletop X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometer! XRF is used as a non- destructive elemental analysis technique on many diverse types of materials. 🔬🔍

UIC Sponsored Challenge: The first 25 donors will receive a copy of the 2023 AND 2024 UIC calendar! Pictured below is Echinophthirius horridus, known to parasitize subarctic seal species across the globe. This image was captured using the UIC’s Nikon A1R confocal laser-scanning microscope system and is featured in the 2023 UIC calendar! 🗓📸

Follow this link to donate directly to the UIC today:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/34956/donations/new?tc=5969&a=6427872&designation=universityinstrumentationcenter

It’s the UIC’s 50th Anniversary this year! Kick off the celebration with us by participating in the 603 Challenge. Your donation will help us acquire a benchtop X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) Spectrometer. 🥳🎉

XRF is a non-destructive method used to characterize metals and metal alloys, polymers, petroleum-based products as well as environmental samples and will greatly enhance our elemental analysis capabilities as a complementary test to our XPS and EDS spectrometers. 🔬📊

Pictured below is an image featured in the 2023 UIC calendar! This magnified image of a Leafcutter ant’s leg is just one of many fantastic displays of our instrumentation capabilities. The first 25 donors to UIC will be entered to receive a copy of the 2023 AND 2024 UIC calendars! 🐜📆

Donate today to aid in future instrumentation endeavors!

https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/34956/donations/new?tc=5969&a=6427872&designation=universityinstrumentationcenter

The Tescan Lyra 3 scanning electron microscope and EDAX equipment join forces to create this gorgeous Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) inverse pole figure (IPF) generated from a four-phase metastable high entropy steel alloy! 🌈 Featured in the awesome 2023 UIC calendar!

Support future instrumentation adventures by helping us fund a tabletop XRF and celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the UIC- 🥳

The first 25 donors will receive a copy of the 2023 AND 2024 UIC calendars! Donate NOW for your chance to be a recipient. We appreciate your support!

Follow this link to donate to the UIC today:
https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/34956/donations/new?tc=5969&a=6427872&designation=universityinstrumentationcenter