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External Users

WVU's Shared Research Facilities (SRF) provide external users—from startups to industry leaders—with access to state-of-the-art equipment, expert staff, and collaborative opportunities to advance their research goals.

Whether you need specialized instruments or expert consultation, our labs and staff are here to support your innovations.

State-of-the-Art Equipment

At WVU Shared Research Facilities, we offer access to some of the most advanced research instruments across multiple disciplines. Whether you're working in life sciences, materials science, or nanotechnology, we have the tools to support your innovation.

Here are some of our signature instruments from each core facility:

  • Electron Microscopy Facilities
    • JEOL JEM-2100 Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM)
    • JEOL JSM-7600F Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM)
    • Zeiss Crossbeam 550L Focused Ion Beam Scanning Electron Microscope (FIB-SEM)
  • Bio-Nano Research Facilities
    • Thermofisher Scientific Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer
    • Cell Culture Facilities
  • Materials Characterization Facilities
    • Physical Electronics PHI 5000 VersaProbe X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
    • PANalytical X'Pert Pro X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD)
  • Cleanroom Facilities
    • Multiple locations with clean space from Class-100 to Class-10,000
    • Comprehensive fabrication capabilities, including photolithography, wet chemical processing, metallization, reactive ion etching (RIE), thermal processing, sample packaging, molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) for crystal growth, and wafer dicing.

Explore our full list of instruments to find the right tools for your research.

Expert Staff and Support

At WVU Shared Research Facilities, our team of PhD-level experts is dedicated to supporting your research at every stage. From experiment design to data interpretation, you’ll have access to world-class expertise that ensures your projects are efficient and successful.

  • Technical Consultation
    Our PhD-level staff will work closely with you to design experiments, select the most appropriate instruments, and troubleshoot any technical issues that arise.
  • Hands-On Training
    We provide personalized, hands-on training, guiding you through the operation of our advanced equipment to ensure you can independently and confidently conduct your research.
  • Analysis Assistance
    Our experts are available to help you with advanced data analysis, including complex molecular analysis, image processing, and statistical interpretation, providing you with the insights you need.

With our team of PhD-level professionals, you can trust that you’ll have the highest level of support for your research needs.

Collaborative Opportunities

At WVU Shared Research Facilities, we serve as a central hub for collaboration, bringing together academic researchers, industry leaders, and cutting-edge facilities. Our extensive knowledge and network enable us to connect you with the right people and resources to accelerate your research and innovation.

  • Academic-Industry Partnerships
    We facilitate partnerships between industry and academia, helping you tap into the latest research and technology while providing access to our state-of-the-art facilities and expertise.
  • Joint Research Projects
    Our team can help you collaborate with WVU faculty, external researchers, and other institutions to engage in multidisciplinary joint research projects, enhancing the impact and scope of your work.
  • Cross-Facility Connections
    With deep connections across WVU and beyond, we can link you to specialized resources, research centers, and experts that match your project’s unique needs, extending the reach of your research through strategic partnerships.

By serving as a hub for collaboration, WVU SRF can connect you with the people, knowledge, and tools needed to drive innovation and achieve your research goals.

Flexible Access Options

At WVU Shared Research Facilities, we offer flexible access models to meet the specific needs of your research project. Whether you prefer to work independently or need expert assistance, our options ensure you get the most out of our facilities.

  • Independent Use
    After receiving hands-on training from our PhD-level staff, you can choose to operate the equipment independently, allowing you to perform your measurements and experiments on your own schedule.
  • Pay-Per-Service
    If you prefer, our experienced facility managers can perform the measurements on your behalf, ensuring precise and reliable results without requiring you to operate the instruments directly. This option allows you to focus on analyzing your data while our experts manage the technical aspects of your research, delivering accurate and timely results.
  • Short-Term and Long-Term Access
    We offer both short-term and long-term access agreements. Whether you need to complete a one-time project or have ongoing research, we can accommodate your requirements.

With these flexible options, you can engage with our facilities in the way that best suits your research objectives and timeline.

At WVU Shared Research Facilities, we make it easy for external users to access our state-of-the-art equipment and expertise. Follow these simple steps to begin working with us:

  1. Contact Us

    Reach out to our team to discuss your research needs, and we’ll help match you with the right equipment and expertise for your project. Our staff will guide you through the options available based on your research goals.

    Contact Us
  2. Tour and Consultation

    Schedule a virtual or in-person tour of our facilities to explore the available instruments. During this tour, you'll meet with our PhD-level experts to discuss your project in detail and fine-tune your research plan based on our resources.

  3. Set Up Access

    Once the equipment and support plan are confirmed, sign the necessary access agreements and receive the required training. You can then schedule time on the equipment, whether you plan to use it independently or request Pay-Per-Service.

    We manage agreements, instrument training, reservations, and billing through the Agilent iLab system. 

    Register at iLab
  4. Conduct Your Research
    With everything in place, you can begin your research. Utilize our advanced equipment and expert assistance to complete your project efficiently and effectively.

By following these straightforward steps, you’ll be on your way to leveraging WVU SRF’s world-class resources to achieve your research goals.