.::: Materials and Energy Research Center :::.

Major Research Facilities

MERC possesses different laboratories equipped with rich sets of research facilities in both materials and energy fields:

Equipment for growing, cutting and polishing silicon wafers up to a diameter of 10cm.

Crystal growth units employing Czochralski, Verneuil, Hydrothermal and Bridgman techniques.

Vacuum vaporization unit

Scanning high Energy Electron Diffraction (SHEED)

Various diffusion furnaces

Deposition of thin films by the sputtering method

Monochromator

Measuring devices for thermal and electrical conductivity at different temperatures

IR spectrometer with cryostat

Measuring devices for the Hall Effect between 80-500°K

X-Ray Diffraction unit (XRD)

Thermal analysis instruments including Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), Simultaneous Thermal Analysis which includes DTA and thermogravimatric analysis (TGA), Dilatometer (thermal expansion)

Powder characterization instruments including Laser Particle Size Analyzer, Surface Area Analyzer (BET method), Electrophoresis instrument (zeta potential for colloids)

Gas pvcnometer for the determination of density of powders and ceramic samples.

Various types of furnaces up to 1600 ° C under normal atmospheric conditions (higher temperatures under vacuum) and controlled atmosphere furnaces

INSTRON for the measurement of mechanical properties of ceramic materials up to 1500°C

Vickers Micro hardness tester

Rotary viscometer for measurement of viscosities of up to 100,000 poise

Optical and Polarized light microscopes equipped with Image Analyzer

Uniaxial presses, Isostatic press and hydraulic two-way press (200 tons)

Sample preparation devices including jaw crushers, ball mills, sieves, sieve shakers, balances, sample cutting machine, etc.

Educational Activities at MERC

MERC is now running postgraduate programs leading to MSc and PhD degrees in materials and energy. The postgraduate degree course in ceramics engineering (MSc) was first started in collaboration with the Iran University of Science and Technology in 1986. Since 1992, MERC has started its own MSc degree course in ceramics and many students have graduated under this program. The MSc course in the field of exchange and conservation of energy has started with new student’s entrance in September 2007.
The PhD course in materials engineering was also started in 1991 and continues with regular participation of research candidates. Several candidates have successfully defended their theses for the award of degree of PhD under this scheme.

Short Term Courses
These programs are organized every year to cover mainly instrumental and technical training which is offered to students and/or workers from other institutions under specific mutual agreements.

Scientific Collaboration with other Organizations
MERC has signed agreements of mutual collaboration with the intention of exchanging or transferring its scientific/research experience with several domestic organizations among which the fallowing are noteworthy: Iran University of Science and Technology, Mazandaran University, Isfahan University of Technology, Kerman University, Tehran University, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), Iranian Standards Institute, Environmental Protection Organization, Ministry of Mines and Metals, Optical Fiber Co. of Iran, …
MERC has also entered into bilateral agreements with foreign organizations in order to facilitate exchange of research workers and training of PhD students as well as participating in joint research projects, e.g. The Shanghai Institute of Ceramics (China), National Institute of Silicon Technology (Pakistan), Center for Scientific Research and Development (New Zealand), …
Administration Structure
The organization of MERC consists of Director General; Assistant Director for Research; Assistant Director for Administration & Finance, Departmental Heads and Group Chiefs.

The Director General is appointed by the Ministry of Sciences, Research and Technology and lays down the policy and guidelines in consultation with the Research Council which consists of 12 faculty members and senior scientists.

Assistant Director for Research supervises the research programs which are carried out by members of various research groups working in the Departments of Ceramics, Semiconductors, Energy and New Materials.

Assistant Director for Administration & Finance supervises the procurement, purchasing, financial, and administrative support of the center educational and research departments, execution of all civil development and maintenance affairs and also personnel welfare concerns.

Administration Members

President: Prof. S.K. Sadrnezhaad

Assistant Director for Research: Dr. E. Keshavarz Alamdari

Assistant Director for Administration & Finance: Dr. A. Salardini

Research Council
Preparation of research plans and programs and presenting them to the MERC administration, cooperation and giving consultation to the research director, preparation of research activity rules and regulations and approval of the faculty research plans and projects is some of duties of the council.
The Research Council consists of the Director General, the Assistant Director for Research, the Assistant Director for Administration & Finance, representatives of research departments and three to five members of the faculty who have research experience.
Manager of the Presidents Office, Public Relations and International Affairs
Coordination and administration of the affairs of the president's office, information dissemination inside and outside of the center, publication of the university bulletin and magazine, cooperation and execution of relations with the national and international scientific and Educational Centers, conducting the affairs and procedures for participation of the faculty members in national and international conferences are the main responsibilities of this department.