Nano and Pico Characterization (NPC) Laboratory
The NPC Technology Center offers a curated collection of high-end scientific instrumentation to enable the physicochemical characterization of nanoscale materials, devices, and systems under a wide range of experimental conditions. Our technical capabilities and expertise include surface analysis by Scanning Probe Microscopy (SPM); hydrodynamic size and surface charge analysis by Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Zeta Potential (ZP) measurements; elemental and chemical analysis by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).
Application Areas:
- Biomaterials
- Semiconductors and devices
- Energy harvesting/storage
- (Nano)drug delivery
- Environment
- Food
Physicochemical Properties:
- Surface analysis
- Topography & roughness
- Electrical & magnetic
- Mechanical
- Shape, size, dispersity
- Dissolution kinetics
- Compositional and isotopic analysis
Available Instruments:
- Scanning Probe Microoscopy
- Optical Profilometry
- Dynamic Light Scattering
- Electrokinetic Analysis
- Zeta Potential
- ICP – Optical Emmision Spectrometry
- ICP – Mass Spectrometry
Featured News
March 19, 2026 | How UCLA researchers cleared the nanoscale bottleneck holding back next-gen electronics
Researchers at UCLA have discovered a way to dramatically improve how electrical current enters perovskite semiconductors, an emerging class of materials with enormous potential for next-generation electronics. A longstanding challenge has been the metal–perovskite…
June 18, 2024 | Capture data on nanoparticle size, distribution, and concentration with newly added instrument
Researchers in the biomedical sciences and materials science can derive important insights from visualizing, sizing and counting nanoparticles, with applications from developing lentiviruses for gene therapy to tuning the composition of advanced materials. Those studying proteins, extracellular vesicles (EV), liposomes, lipid nanoparticles, and viruses will all find advantages with a technique called nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA)…
NPC DLS Event 2/12/2024
Dynamic light scattering (DLS) is a light scattering measurement that measures the diffusion behavior of nanoparticles and macromolecules and is a valuable rapid screening tool for size, aggregation, and interaction parameters. This event will review the theory behind DLS and how to apply the theory practically to nanoparticle analysis.
November 29, 2023 | Shared resources for analyzing elements and hydrodynamic size at UCLA CNSI Technology Center
Now, instruments for ICP-OES and DLS are online at the Nano and Pico Characterization (NPC) Laboratory, an open-access Technology Center of the California NanoSystems Institute at UCLA. The Shimadzu ICPE-9000 multitype ICP-OES and the Wyatt Technology DynaPro Plate Reader are the only instruments of their types on UCLA’s campus that are available for shared use. At the NPC Lab, these devices, along with assistance from expert staff, are available to researchers from UCLA, other academic institutions and industry partners.
CNSI NPC and Anton Parr Present: Rheology and Solid Surface Zeta Potential Theory and Applications
Rheology is simply defined as the study of flow and deformation behaviors. This field is used to describe a vast array of materials, ranging for ideal liquids to semi-solids to ideal solids. Liquids or visco-elastic liquids, are materials that flow when subjected to a deformation or flow condition.
March 23, 2023 | CNSI adds new capabilities to probe the mechanical properties of materials
An Anton Paar Modular Compact Rheometer 302 (MCR 302) has been recently validated and added to the resources at the Nano and Pico Characterization Laboratory, one of six open-access CNSI Technology Centers. The MCR 302 is available to researchers from UCLA, other...