Central Laboratory Infrastructure and Institutional Capability of AUST

The African University of Science and Technology (AUST) hosts a world-class, multidisciplinary research and instrumentation ecosystem. Supported by international development funding from the African Development Bank (AfDB) and partner agencies, AUST’s research infrastructure provides an exceptional platform for cutting-edge scientific discovery, industrial R&D, and technological innovation across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Our state-of-the-art laboratory facilities bridge fundamental research and commercial application across five primary scientific pillars:

1. Advanced Materials, Nanotechnology and Functional Thin Films
2. Energy Storage, Battery Fabrication and Micro/Nanodevices
3. Petroleum Geosciences, Reservoir Physics and Complex Drilling Fluid Dynamics
4. Analytical Spectroscopy, Elemental Characterization and Nanomechanics
5. Mineral Processing, Extractive Metallurgy and Civil Engineering Materials

AUST offers a comprehensive end-to-end research pipeline, ranging from raw material extraction, sizing, and synthesis to ultra-precision nano-characterization, thin-film deposition, prototype assembly, and simulated downhole reservoir testing. This integrated infrastructure positions AUST as a premier institutional partner for competitive international research grants (e.g., AfDB, World Bank, Horizon Europe, TETFund, USAID, NSF, and industrial consortia).

Overview of Core Research Laboratories and Facilities 

Laboratory 3: Materials Science and Energy Device Fabrication Laboratory

Lab 3 is fully equipped for solid-state synthesis, thin-film casting, controlled-atmosphere heat treatment, and precision battery/electrode prototyping. 

• Key Capabilities: Precision tape-casting coater, disc cutters, digital pressure-controlled crimpers, electrode punching, and laminated film formers for energy storage/battery research. 
• Controlled Environment and Processing: PLAS LABS inert-atmosphere glove boxes, vacuum ovens, Centorr high-vacuum furnace, and Thermo-Scientific Lindberg/Blue M tube/box furnaces. 
• Electrochemical and Structural Integrity: Gamry Reference 600 Potentiostat/Galvanostat, DCM MPI 2400 magnetic particle non-destructive defect inspection, and Milli-Q ultrapure water systems. 

Laboratory 4: Mineral Processing and Material Preparation Laboratory

Lab 4 serves as the primary gateway for beneficiation, extractive metallurgy, comminution, and mechanical preparation of mineral resources and industrial waste. 

• Key Capabilities: Heavy-duty crushers, planetary ball mills, gyratory shakers, linear compactors, liquid-liquid and solid-liquid extraction units, precision specimen saws, high-temperature muffle and tubular furnaces, and sonicators. 

Laboratory 5: Advanced Materials Characterization and Nanomechanics Laboratory

Lab 5 delivers high-end analytical spectroscopy, elemental determination, surface topology, and nanomechanical testing. 

• Key Capabilities: Hysitron TI 950 TriboIndenter for nanoscale hardness, elastic modulus, and nanoscratch response; HORIBA Partica LA-960 Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer (0.01 µm to 5000 µm); Analytik Jena novAA 350 Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS); Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS5 FT-IR Spectrometer; Analytik Jena SPECORD & Jenway 6850 UV/Vis Spectrophotometers; Drawell DW-TY-9800L XRF Spectrometer; BioLogic SP-300 Electrochemical Workstation; Instron 3345 Universal Testing Machine; and Buehler PlanarMet 300 metallographic preparation suite. 

Laboratory 7: Petroleum Geosciences, Core Analysis and Bio-Environmental Laboratory

Lab 7 bridges core petrophysical characterization, reservoir fluid dynamics, molecular bio-incubations, and structural crystallography. 

• Key Capabilities: Core Lab ULTRAPERM L-500 permeability systems, Bruker X-ray Diffractometer (XRD), ASTM D1160 Vacuum Distillation apparatus, SHELL LAB SCO2W water-jacketed CO₂ incubator, Consort EV215 electrophoresis systems, cryogenic storage, low-pressure filter presses, OFITE mud balances and resistivity meters, and Yakos 65 vertical laminar flow work environments. 

Laboratory 8: Nanotechnology, Advanced Energy Materials and Thin-Film Laboratory

Lab 8 provides a clean, controlled environment dedicated to solar cell fabrication, nanofiber synthesis, functional coatings, and thermal characterization. 

• Key Capabilities: Electrospinning unit for nanofiber production, Thermal Evaporator for vacuum thin-film deposition, DX-27 Mini X-ray Diffractometer, Thermogravimetric Analyzer (TGA) for thermal stability, Precision Spin Coaters, 4-Point Probe electrical resistivity stations, high-temperature HPLC, Soxhlet extraction, inert glove boxes, and vertical laminar flow stations. 

Laboratory 10: Drilling Fluids, Cementing & Petroleum Engineering Laboratory

Lab 10 specializes in high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) simulation of drilling fluids, oil-well cement setting, and downhole fluid mechanics. 

• Key Capabilities: OFITE Single Cell Ultrasonic Cement Analyser (UCA), HTHP Filter Presses, HTHP Permeability Plugging Testers, HTHP Dynamic Filter Press, Atmospheric Consistometer, Swell Meters, EP & Lubricity Testers, Capillary Suction Timers, Emulsion Stability Meters, Garret Gas Train for H₂S detection, 8-Speed Viscometers, and Stuart RE300 Rotary Evaporators. 

Asset and Equipment Capability Register

Table 1: Materials Fabrication, Energy and Battery Prototyping (Lab 3 & Lab 8)

Table 2: Analytical Characterization, Spectroscopy and Nanomechanics (Lab 5 & Lab 8)

Table 3: Geosciences, Drilling Fluids & Petroleum Engineering (Lab 7 & Lab 10

Table 4: Mineral Processing, Extractive Metallurgy and Synthesis (Lab 4)