Canada’s Premier Surface Analysis and Materials Characterization Facility
SSW is a research and consulting laboratory specializing in the analysis and characterization of surfaces and materials. Since its inception in 1981, SSW has successfully served thousands of clients from across a diverse range of industry sectors, and in servicing this vast range of clients, from small manufacturing facilities to industrial giants, SSW has garnered a reputation for quality, innovation, and timely service.
Metrological Techniques at Surface Science Western
Surprising Images of Antimony Catalysts Helps With Recycling Polystyrene
At SSW, we sometimes make important discoveries from unexpected things. These images show the unexpected shapes and forms of halogen-enriched antimony powders, which are used as sunlight-activated nanoparticles to break down waste polystyrene.
Metrological Techniques at Surface Science Western
Metrological Techniques at Surface Science Western
Surface Science Western has a collection of metrological tools to measure, quantify, and analyze surface morphology of samples at various length scales, from nanometers to centimeters. Please see our technical note of these exciting techniques, which includes information on instrument selection, analysis requirements, and outcomes based on the surface finish.
Digitizing Lithium Ores to Help Transition to a Green Future
Global lithium demand is skyrocketing as we transition to the mass adoption of green technology and a carbon neutral economy. Understanding the nature of lithium’s mineralization is vital for its effective extraction from ores and the ability to accurately estimate future deposits.
SSW Researchers wanted to test some novel samples inside the Large Chamber VP-SEM, so they imaged a whole book – a 1909 copy of Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure.
Susanna’s Secret – A 12th Century German Palimpsest?
This 12th century 'Susanna and the Elders' medieval manuscript, dating from around 1125 in Germany, may have been a rare case of a "palimpsest". SSW researchers wanted to characterize this in detail.
SSW used our field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) to image Shewanella Oneidensis on a carbon felt electrode at low accelerating voltages.
Investigating a developing mouse skull using Micro-CT
Surface Science Western are using Micro-CT to image and analyze the bones and cartilages of developing mouse skulls to better understand skull development in normal and disrupted developmental conditions.
At SSW our SEM instruments are capable of CL imaging through a special light based detector called an Ultra Variable-Pressure Detector (UVD). This detector can produce stunning greyscale CL images of materials such as zircon.
Enjoying that Fufu? Investigating Corrosion in Cookware
Due to the global consumption of various foods, such as the West African food Fufu, there is a need to understand the role of cookware corrosion, so that the material choices for cooking can be improved to decrease the negative health risks from leeched metal ions.
When most people think of the source of the plastics in the environment, plastic bottles and litter are the first things that come to mind. However in actuality, many of the microplastics identified are tiny fibres from our clothes or small plastic beads from cosmetics, soaps, face washes and toothpastes.
We offer clients a range of high-quality services and cost-effective customized solutions, with access to the latest in analytical technology and techniques.
The high quality, reliable analytical services provided to our clients for over 30 years have facilitated development and production, decreased costly returns, innovated processes and increased profitability.
100%
Client Satisfaction
*Based on our annual customer survey
ISO 17025 Accredited
Our affiliations with experienced professionals from Western University and other complementary facilities extend our state-of-the-art capabilities.