Join us for the May Characterization User Forum focused on nanoindentation techniques.
DATE: Wednesday, May 20, 2026
TIME: 4:00 p.m. — 5:00 p.m. ET
LOCATION: 12-0168 (MIT.nano basement teaching space)
- Get to know your Characterization community.
- Bring questions about your data.
- Share your feedback in a user-led town hall.
- Stay up-to-date with facility news.
- Food and drink will be provided.
Each user forum also includes a spotlight talk by a graduate student, postdoc, or researcher. The May forum will feature:
Bruker’s Hysitron TriboIndenter 950 nanoindenter: Its capabilities with examples
Speaker
Alan Schwartzman
Research scientist, MIT.nano
Abstract
This presentation reviews the nanoindentation techniques that are available here at MIT.nano. As an example, below are property maps of an epoxy composite. These maps, created in 16 minutes, consist of 1936 indents and generated by the accelerated property mapping (XPM) method. Prior to the development of XPM, 1936 indents would have taken 4 days using the quasi-static (QS) method. Other capabilities, along with examples, will be discussed.
Biography
Alan is a research scientist at MIT.nano, who specializes in mechanical properties of surfaces at the nanometer length scales. In this respect, he oversees a nanoindenter and AFMs, housed at MIT.nano. With respect to AFM, in addition to nanomechanical characterization, he also provides support for magnetic, electrical and topographical measurements.