Material Characterisation
When used in material science, characterisation refers to the use of external techniques to probe into the internal structure and properties of a material. This can take the form of actual material testing, or analysis, for example in some form of a microscope. Analysis techniques are used simply to magnify the specimen, to visualise its internal structure, and to gain knowledge as to the distribution of elements within the specimen and their interactions. Those features of composition and structure (including defects) of a material are studied since they are considered significant for a particular preparation, study or use, which suffice for the reproduction of the material.
National User Facility for the Study of Nano-scale Materials
