GORD Institute is dedicated to bridging the innovation gap by inviting companies to improve their research and development process. Through its state-of-the-art research facilities and in collaboration with its in-house expertise and partners, GORD Institute offers options for both academic and industry sectors to manage scientific and practical challenges.
Consultation Oriented Research
GORD Institute’s staff has the scientific and business expertise to provide strategic advisory in its areas of research. Our experienced staff of scientists and engineer have the right skillset and knowledge to performs complex studies and measurements on a sub-contractual basis. Our flexible model and services help academic and industry users solve problems at any scale.
Materials Characterization & Analyses
Equipped with state-of-the-art instruments, GORD institute has the capacity to measure and test energy systems for efficiency and performance, and materials for factors like compositional characterisation, microstructural analysis, mechanical compression testing, thermal analysis, and electrochemical analysis. To maintain impartiality, testing certificates are issued upon the completion of the test to reflect quality and performance of randomly selected samples.
Highlights of testing equipment are provided below:
Xray based Techniques
X-ray diffractometer (XRD)
X-ray Diffraction (XRD) leverages the power of x-rays to derive the diffraction patterns from crystalline phases within the sample material. It is thus a powerful tool for a rapid and reliable identification and quantification of phases for crystalline powders and solids. Variety of X-ray diffraction measurements on different types of polycrystalline material including inorganic, organometallic and organic substances can be performed at GORD Institute using Aeris X-ray diffractometer, by Malvern Panalytical. The diffractometer is equipped with a Cu radiation system and PIXcel 1D detector. The computer has a Highscore Plus software linked to the ICDD PDF databases.
X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (XRF)
X-ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF) is a powerful analytical technique for elemental analysis, contaminant detection, and material identification. Quantitative bulk compositional analysis of materials in different forms such as powders, liquids and solids can be directly analysed with high sensitivity (< 1 ppm) for elements. GORD Institute is equipped with a benchtop Panalytical Epsilon 3x Energy-Dispersive XRF spectrometer, by Malvern Panalytical, with a sample throughput for up to 160 per 8 hour working day and elemental range F-Am.
Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR)
The FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared) spectroscopy is a fast and accurate method with a wide range of applications including identifying product formulations, contaminants, and conducting elemental analysis to gain deeper insights into the properties of novel and advanced materials. At GORD Institute, we use the PerkinElmer SpectrumTwo™ equipped with a range of “plug-and-go” sampling accessories and application packages that ensure the best solution for a range of applications. Whatever your specific IR analysis requirements, the instrument delivers outstanding performance and reliability to provide high performance, dependable IR measurement solutions.
High-performance ion chromatography (IC)
Ion chromatography analysis applies the principle of molecular separation thus enabling the identification of molecular components of samples for many industries and applications. Our facilities offer routine and advanced analytical testing with trace level detection of different anions such as sulphate, nitrate, nitrite, bromate, chloride, and some organic acids as well as cations such as potassium, sodium, magnesium, and calcium.
Thermal Analysis
Simultaneous thermal analysis (thermogravimetry combines with differential scanning calorimetry)
We possess a simultaneous thermal analyser, SDT 650by TA instruments, used to study the changes that material undergoes during thermal decomposition. It operates at temperatures up to 1500°C, at heating rates within the range of 0.1 to 100 °C/min. The instrument is flexible and can run analyses under an inert atmosphere as well as an oxidative purge.
Isothermal calorimetry
At GORD Institute, a TAM Air 8-channel calorimeter is used to measure the heat evolution during the reaction. It operates at temperatures in the range of 5 °C – 90 °C. The instrument is equipped with an air-based thermostat and performs high accuracy twin-type analyses (sample and reference).
Electron microscopy
Phenom ProX Scanning electron microscope (SEM) with an optical magnification range up to 350,000x is used at GORD Institute. The instrument uses a focused beam of high-energy electrons which interact with the surface of solid specimens. The signals that derive from electron-sample interactions reveal information about the sample including external morphology (texture) of materials making up the sample. Backscattered electron images (BSE) can be used for rapid discrimination of phases in multiphase samples. An energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS) on the SEM gives elemental composition with excellent spatial resolution (~10 nm) and an information depth of ~ 5 microns. Sample composition can be found at a point, series of points, across a line or over an area.
Solar Simulators for PV Cell characterisation, Photodegradation & Weathering Study
Full Spectrum Solar Simulator
We have a standard full spectrum solar simulator chamber (Model: SEC 1100, Manufacturer: Atlas) with a simulation range of 0W/m2 to 1000 W/m2 solar irradiation, 20-90% relative humidity and ambient temperatures up to 70°C. The chamber, with a radiation area of 5600 cm2 has capacities to test multiple smaller modules at the same time or one large module. The chamber is equipped with features to control Black Standard temperatures, integrated DAQ system for measuring various temperatures and a Class 1 pyranometer to measure & control the incident radiation accurately