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Research Cores

The School of Engineering and Applied Science’s core scientific facilities, located in the Allston-SEC (Science and Engineering Complex) at 150 Western Avenue, provide researchers with an array of specialized, equipment technologies, and services to support innovative research. Our cores offer a wide variety of services and instruments that cater to the specific needs of the diverse research conducted in SEAS, at Harvard, and beyond. Fees, access, and required training vary by core. Please be in touch with the contacts below to inquire further.

3D Printing

Physical size: 1,000  SF
Location: SEC 2.121

The 3D Printing core is managed by SEAS Science Operations. Engineering researchers in the Allston-SEC rely heavily on rapid prototyping tools. The mission of the 3D Printing Core is to primarily assist the Harvard research community in rapid prototyping and high-quality part production. We provide expert services for design, material selection, and production for any project.

View the Price List

If you would like to provide the 3D Printing facility and manager feedback, please fill out our survey. The survey provides us a useful way to record and track your feedback and also allows you to submit it anonymously if you choose. You are also welcome to email Ted Sirota or Michelle Macleod (mmacleod@seas.harvard.edu, Director of Science Operations) with feedback.

 

Molecular and Cellular Biology Core

Physical size: 1,800 SF
Location: SEC LL2.232

The Allston-Science and Engineering Complex’s Molecular and Cellular Biology core provides a Cytek Aurora cell spectral analyzer, a plate reader, centrifuges, 96-well and 384-well plate rtPCRs, a cryostat, a lyophilizer, a rotovap (rotary evaporator), a Nanodrop spectrophotometer, an IVIS Spectrum Imager, UV-VIS spectrophotometer, tissue culture BSCs and incubators, and an Evos optical microscope. In addition there are process and analytical HPLCs, GPC, GC-MS, and LC-MS available for usage. The core offers staff support (from SEAS Science Operations and the Harvard Center for Mass Spectrometry) for training and service. 

Accessing the MCB Core and Service Fees

 

Optical Imaging (Light & Fluorescence Microscopy)

Physical size: 600 SF
Location: SEC 2.124

The Optical Imaging Core is a satellite of the FAS Division of Science’s Harvard Center for Biological Imaging (HCBI) and utilizes the HCBI’s unique lease-based procurement model. All systems will be replaced every 3 years and adapted to the needs of our community over time. The Optical Imaging Core currently houses upright (materials) and inverted (biological) Zeiss LSM 900 microscopes that can operate in widefield or confocal modes. The core also provides a Zeiss Axioscan high-throughput slide scanner capable of imaging up to 100 slides in brightfield, fluorescence or polarized light modes. Additionally, two high-end image workstations are available for analysis by researchers.

For more information about instruments, fees, and support staff, visit the Optical Imaging Core website and/or contact the following people:

 

Imaging & Analysis Suite (Electron Microscopy)

Physical size: 4,000  SF
Location: SEC LL2.301

The Imaging & Analysis Suite is a satellite of the CNS (Center for Nanoscale Systems), a shared-use core facility. This Allston-SEC core provides researchers with access to a Zeiss SEM, a TEM, and processing equipment including ultra-microtomes, a sputter coater, polishing wheels, ion mills, and more. The CNS is a member of the National Science Foundation’s National Nanotechnology Infrastructure Network (NNIN) initiative to create a national network of world-class facilities available to all researchers.

For more information about instruments, usage, and fees please visit the CNS home website and/or email the following people:

 

Material Characterization & Analysis

Physical size: 3,000  SF
Location: SEC LL2.226

The Material Characterization & Analysis core is a satellite of the Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS), a shared-use core facility. The research equipment provided in the Materials Characterization & Analysis Core includes tools for analyzing microstructure, optical, chemical, mechanical, and particle analyses. The Core includes the following instruments: AFM, DMA, electrophoretic light scattering instrument, impedance analyzer, FTIR, interferometer, nanoindenter, particle counter, probe station, Raman, rheometer, TGA, and more.

For more information about instruments, usage, and fees please visit the CNS home website and/or email the following people:

 

Soft Lithography

Physical size: 430 SF
Location: SEC 2.125

The Soft Lithography core is a satellite of the Center for Nanoscale Systems (CNS), a shared-use core facility. This facility provides access and support for plasma etching, surface profilometry, and UV exposure for optical lithography. Available instruments include a Keyence optical microscope, a speed mixer, plasma etching system, spin coater, surface profilometer, and a mask aligner. The core works in conjunction with the Material Characterization & Analysis Core on Level 2 of the SEC.

For more information about instruments, usage, and fees please visit the CNS home website and/or email the following: