Services

The NRRC is a comprehensive testing, research, consulting and training center for the economic development of Southern Arkansas.

• NRRC can run a multitude type of samples and test ( including environmental, petroleum, water and metals)
• NRRC has an experienced staff ready to consult in the fields of environmental, analytical, organic, energy and engineering
• NRRC provides instrument training ( at NRRC or industry site)
• Instrument method development

The NRRC at SAU is known for its analytical chemistry support for R&D and as one of few ADEQ certified laboratories in water and soils. However, the NRRC at SAU is significantly increasing its range of services to the public. The new services will include consulting and research in Engineering simulation, 3D printing, Information assurance and security services.  The NRRC will begin offering these services in September. Please contact us if we can be of help.

Engineering Simulation & 3D Printing Lab

• Solid modeling
• 3D printing
• Finite element analysis
• Computational fluid dynamics simulation
• Engineering facilities that we can offer for your company.
• Southern Arkansas University engineering lab can make the prototype of your products. Our experts can convert your ideas in to the CAD models and then turn them into the prototypes.

Elemental Analysis

Characterization of materials for elemental content such as heavy metals, organics, sulfur, etc.

• ICP – Quantitation of all metals plus sulfur and phosphorus after complete sample dissolution for samples such as water, plants, minerals, soils, etc. by exposing the samples to very high temperature conditions. Utilization of ultrasonic nebulization allows for analyses in the 10-100 parts per trillion concentration range.
• EDX – Semiquantitation of most elements with little or no sample preparation for samples such as soils, minerals, rock, etc. by their exposures to incident X-rays. This instrument is capable of determining elemental content to 0.01% in just a few minutes.
• TOC/TN – Quantitation of organic carbon, inorganic carbon, and nitrogen in liquid samples, particularly water samples by combustion analysis. Capable of quantitation at and below the parts per million level.
• UV-Vis – Quantitation of certain metal species in solution by their ability to absorb ultraviolet and visible energies.

Materials Analysis

Characterization of materials by their transition, combustion, and decomposition temperatures.

• TGA – Identification of molecular properties as the materials are heated under controlled conditions. Capable of discerning changes in sample mass of only a few micrograms during analysis.

Speciation of organics in solutions and solids

• FTIR – Identification of specific portions of organic molecules by their abilities to absorb heat energies. In some cases, molecular identification is possible.
• UV-Vis – Quantitation of organic/inorganic substances in solution by their ability to absorb ultraviolet and visible energies.
• GCMS – Separation, identification, and quantitation of volatile organic compounds in liquid mixtures. Aqueous solutions require purge and trap sample introduction. Quantitation at or below the parts per million level.
• HPLC – Separation and quantitation of typically nonvolatile organic substances in solution. Quantitation at or below the parts per million level.
• LCMS – HPLC in tandem with a mass spectrometer to determine molecular identities as well as to quantitate at very low concentrations.