roomtsc

Lab equipment and bill of materials

roomtsc lab is a physical lab where materials are physically tested. This page is its bill of materials: the equipment and stock a small lab needs to make a sample of a candidate superconductor and test it, 115 items in 7 groups. Each line gives the quantity, what the item is for, example models, and where it is sold.

The models are examples of each kind of instrument, chosen because they are on sale and documented, and other makes do the same job. A price is given only where the seller's page showed one on 8 October 2026, which it did for 100 of the 115 items. The rest, among them the diffractometer, the cryostats and the gases, are sold by quotation or through a local distributor. Prices are in US dollars unless another currency is shown. Items are marked core, useful or optional by how far a lab can get without them.

The same list as a spreadsheet: roomtsc-lab-bom-2026-10-08.csv.

Part of the labItemsWhat it does
Powder preparation and shaping16Turns precursor powders into pressed pellets and fired pellets into bars for measurement.
Furnaces, gas and vacuum18Fires samples in air, flowing gas or sealed ampoules and arc-melts intermetallics.
Cryogenics and measurement18Cools samples with liquid nitrogen and measures resistance, susceptibility and levitation.
Structure and composition8Identifies the crystalline phases in a sample and checks its density and microstructure.
General bench15Mixes solutions, dries and stores powders, cleans tooling and wires samples for testing.
Safety and the room23Extracts toxic dust and fumes, protects the worker and deals with spills, fire and waste.
Chemicals, gases and reference samples17Supplies precursor powders, process gases, liquid nitrogen and reference superconductors.

Powder preparation and shaping

Precursor powders are weighed on the analytical balance, ground in an agate mortar or the planetary mill and pressed into pellets in a die under the hydraulic press. After firing, the diamond saw and silicon carbide paper shape pellets into flat bars, and the caliper gives the dimensions for resistivity.

ItemWhat it is forExamples and where to buy
Analytical balance1 · core Weighs precursor powders to the stoichiometric ratio of the target compound. 0.1 mg readability with at least 120 g capacity, a draft shield and internal calibration.
Weighing paper2 × pack of 500 · core Holds each powder charge on the balance pan and lets it slide into the mortar without loss. Smooth low-nitrogen cellulose or glassine squares, 4 × 4 in (100 × 100 mm).
Micro spatulas2 × pack of 3 · core Transfers powder between bottle, weighing paper, mortar and die. Stainless steel, about 150 mm long, with a spoon end and a flat end, one spatula per toxic precursor.
Agate mortar and pestle2 sets · core Grinds and mixes precursor powders by hand and regrinds fired pellets between firings. Natural agate with a polished bowl, about 100 mm outer diameter for batches of a few grams, plus a 50 mm set for sub-gram samples. Grinding lead, barium, thallium or mercury precursors raises toxic dust, so do it in a hood or powder enclosure.
Planetary ball mill1 · useful Mills precursor batches more uniformly than hand grinding and mechanically alloys intermetallic powders. Benchtop mill with two to four stations for 50 to 100 mL jars, variable speed, a timer with reversing and a supply voltage that matches the room. Jars heat and can build pressure in long runs, so cool them first and open them in a hood if the powder is toxic or reactive.
Milling jars2 · useful Holds the powder and grinding balls while the planetary mill runs. Agate or yttria-stabilized zirconia, 50 to 100 mL, with lid and gasket, sized for the mill's clamps and bought in matched pairs so the mill stays balanced.
Milling media2 sets · useful Mixes the powder and reduces its particle size inside the jar while the planetary mill runs. Same material as the jar, in mixed diameters of about 3, 5 and 10 mm, one set per jar.
Test sieves1 set · optional Removes agglomerates and sets an upper particle size before pressing or powder X-ray diffraction. 3 in (76 mm) stainless steel frame and mesh certified to ASTM E11, one No. 200 (75 µm) and one No. 325 (45 µm) sieve, with a matching pan and cover. Sieving raises fine dust, so sieve toxic powders in a hood or powder enclosure.
Hydraulic pellet press1 · core Presses ground powder in a die into pellets for firing and for resistance and susceptibility measurements. Manual press rated 12 to 15 metric tons with a pressure gauge, a safety shield and enough opening height for the die with its plungers. Dies can crack or eject parts under load, so keep the shield closed, stay under the die's rated force and wear eye protection.
Pellet die sets2 sets · core Shapes the powder into a pellet of fixed diameter under the press. Hardened tool steel at HRC 60 or above with polished pressing faces, in 10 mm and 13 mm (or 12.7 mm) bore, or tungsten carbide for hard or abrasive powders. Loading past the rated force can fracture the sleeve or plungers.
Low-speed diamond saw1 · useful Cuts rectangular bars from sintered pellets for four-probe resistance measurements with little chipping or heating. Gravity-fed saw for 4 to 5 in (100 to 127 mm) blades with variable speed up to 300 to 600 rpm, a micrometer cross-feed and a vise or chuck for small pellets. Keep the cover on while the blade turns and treat cutting sludge from toxic samples as hazardous waste.
Diamond wafering blade2 · useful Cuts the sintered pellet with a thin diamond-edged rim when mounted on the low-speed saw. 4 in (102 mm) diameter, 0.3 to 0.35 mm thick, 0.5 in arbor, in a grade the maker lists for ceramics and other brittle materials.
Mounting wax1 × 90 g · useful Holds a pellet on the saw's mounting block during cutting and releases it when reheated. Thermoplastic wax or adhesive stick that melts on a hot plate at roughly 75 to 135 °C and dissolves in acetone.
Saw cutting fluid1 × 16 oz · useful Cools and lubricates the blade while a sintered pellet is cut into bars. Oil-based or otherwise water-free fluid, because YBCO and many other candidate phases degrade in water.
Silicon carbide abrasive paper3 × box of 25 · core Flattens pellet faces, trims bars to size and removes the reacted surface layer before electrical contacts are applied. Waterproof silicon carbide sheets or 8 in discs, plain or adhesive backed, in 240, 600 and 1200 grit, used dry or with alcohol when the sample reacts with water. Sanding dust from lead, thallium, mercury or barium compounds is toxic, so sand in a hood or enclosure.
Digital caliper1 · core Measures pellet and bar dimensions, needed to convert resistance to resistivity and to calculate geometric density. 0 to 150 mm range, 0.01 mm resolution and ±0.02 mm accuracy.

Furnaces, gas and vacuum

A box furnace fires pellets and powders in air, and a tube furnace with regulators, a flow meter and a rotary vane pump fires them in flowing oxygen or argon after pump-down. An arc melter and quartz ampoules sealed with a torch make intermetallics, which an oxide-only program can skip.

ItemWhat it is forExamples and where to buy
Box furnace1 · core Fires pressed pellets and loose powder in air for calcination and sintering. Continuous rating of at least 1100 °C, programmable ramp and dwell controller, 4 to 12 L chamber and a supply voltage the room has, as most units need 208 to 240 V. Hot surfaces and radiant heat at the open door cause burns.
Tube furnace1 · core Fires samples in flowing oxygen or argon, or under rough vacuum, inside a sealed work tube. Heated length of 150 to 300 mm with a uniform zone longer than the boat, a 50 mm work tube and a rating matched to the tube (1100 °C quartz, 1400 to 1500 °C alumina). A blocked gas outlet can burst the work tube, which is rated only for vacuum and slight overpressure, and the tube ends stay hot.
Furnace work tube2 · core Holds the sample and the gas atmosphere inside the tube furnace and is replaced when it cracks or devitrifies. Outer diameter and length matched to the furnace and flanges, in fused quartz for runs up to about 1100 °C or alumina of at least 99% purity above that.
Vacuum sealing flange set1 set · core Seals both ends of the work tube and carries the gas inlet, gas outlet, vacuum port and pressure gauge. Check whether the furnace includes a set before buying a stainless steel pair sized to the tube, with silicone O-rings, needle valves and preferably a KF25 pump port.
Alumina crucibles and boats20 · core Holds powder or pellets during firing, with boats for the tube furnace and crucibles for the box furnace. Dense high-purity alumina in 5 to 50 mL sizes, with boats narrower than the work tube bore and lids for charges with volatile components.
Crucible tongs2 · core Moves hot crucibles and boats in and out of the furnace. Steel tongs at least 280 mm long and a second pair of 450 to 500 mm that reaches the back of a box furnace.
Thermocouple probe and reader1 set · useful Measures the temperature along the furnace hot zone to check the controller reading and find the uniform region. Sheathed type K probe (type S above about 1200 °C) long enough to reach the tube center, with a handheld reader that resolves 1 °C or better.
Two-stage gas regulator4 · core Reduces cylinder pressure to a steady low delivery pressure for the furnace gas line or the torch. CGA inlet for the gas (540 oxygen, 580 argon, 350 hydrogen, 510 propane), delivery range of 0 to 15 or 0 to 50 psig, and oxygen-clean construction for oxygen service. A regulator that carries oil or was not cleaned for oxygen service can ignite on an oxygen cylinder.
Gas flow meter2 · core Sets and displays the gas flow through the work tube during a run. Range of about 10 to 500 mL/min with a needle valve, either a float meter calibrated for one gas with correction factors for others or a mass flow controller.
Gas tubing and compression fittings1 set · core Carries gas from the regulators through the flow meter to the furnace flange and on to the bubbler. 1/4 in outer diameter stainless steel or copper tubing with matching two-ferrule compression fittings, and an oxygen line cleaned for oxygen service. Oil, grease or thread lubricant inside an oxygen line can ignite.
Oil bubbler1 · useful Vents the furnace exhaust through oil so room air cannot diffuse back into the tube and the gas flow is visible. Glass bubbler with hose connections of about 8 mm and a reservoir head or check valve that stops oil being drawn back toward the furnace. Oil drawn back into a hot tube as the gas contracts on cooling can ignite or contaminate the sample.
Rotary vane vacuum pump1 · core Evacuates the work tube before backfilling with gas and pumps down quartz ampoules before sealing. Two-stage oil-sealed pump of about 4 to 10 m³/h with an ultimate pressure of a few mTorr, a KF25 inlet and an exhaust mist filter. Hydrocarbon pump oil must not be used to pump pure oxygen, and the exhaust oil mist needs a filter or a vent line.
Vacuum gauge1 · useful Reads the pressure in the tube or ampoule line to confirm pump-down and reveal leaks. Convection-enhanced Pirani gauge for 0.0001 to 1000 Torr with a KF16 or KF25 fitting and a display, calibrated for nitrogen so argon readings need the maker's correction.
Vacuum valve and KF fittings1 set · core Connects the pump to the furnace flange or ampoule and isolates the pump so the tube can be backfilled with gas. KF25 manual angle valve, flexible bellows hose, clamps and centering rings, plus an O-ring compression coupling sized to the quartz ampoule tubing.
Fused quartz tubing10 · useful Forms the sealed ampoules that hold air-sensitive or volatile reactions under vacuum or argon. Clear fused quartz of 10 to 16 mm outer diameter and 1 to 2 mm wall in 1219 mm (4 ft) lengths, with the outer diameter matched to the vacuum coupling. A sealed ampoule can burst in the furnace if its contents build vapor pressure, so calculate the charge and shield the ampoule.
Glassworking torch1 · useful Melts and collapses fused quartz tubing to seal ampoules while they are held under vacuum. Torch burning oxygen with hydrogen, propane or natural gas, tips sized for 10 to 16 mm quartz, flashback arrestors on both hoses and welding-shade eyewear. The flame runs on fuel gas and oxygen, hot quartz gives off intense glare, and glass that has stopped glowing still burns skin.
Fuel gas cylinder1 cylinder · useful Supplies the hydrogen or propane that the glassworking torch burns with oxygen to seal quartz ampoules. Hydrogen (CGA 350) for a hotter, soot-free flame or propane (CGA 510) at lower cost, in a small cylinder usually leased from a local distributor, with its own regulator. Hydrogen leaks ignite easily and burn with a nearly invisible flame, and fuel cylinders must be stored apart from oxygen.
Arc melter1 · useful Melts metal pieces together under argon on a water-cooled copper hearth to make intermetallic buttons. Non-consumable tungsten electrode, water-cooled copper hearth for charges of 5 to 20 g, pump-down and argon backfill, and a recirculating chiller. The arc emits intense ultraviolet light and draws up to a few hundred amperes, so check the viewing filter and water flow first.

Cryogenics and measurement

Cools a sample to 77 K on a dip probe, or lower in a closed-cycle cryostat, and measures four-probe resistance, AC susceptibility and magnet levitation. A current source and nanovoltmeter carry the resistance measurement, and a lock-in amplifier with a wound coil set carries the susceptibility.

ItemWhat it is forExamples and where to buy
Liquid nitrogen storage dewar1 · core Stores liquid nitrogen between deliveries and fills the benchtop flasks. A 25 to 35 L aluminum dewar with static evaporation near 0.2 L per day and a neck wide enough to pour from, such as the 64 mm neck of the LD25. Liquid nitrogen causes cold burns and displaces oxygen in a closed room, and a dewar sealed gas tight can burst.
Open benchtop dewar flask2 · core Holds 1 to 2 L of liquid nitrogen on the bench for dipping the probe and for the levitation check. A 1 to 2 L open-neck flask with an inner diameter and depth that take the dip probe, a loose lid and a carrying handle. Glass-lined flasks can implode if knocked, and splashed nitrogen burns skin and eyes.
Nitrogen dip probe or pour-fill cryostat1 · core Carries the sample, its four contacts and a thermometer into the nitrogen bath to record resistance from room temperature to 77 K. A lab-built probe has a thin-wall stainless tube, copper sample block, spring pins, eight or more leads and a vent hole, and a bought cryostat holds the sample in vacuum. A probe tube that takes in liquid nitrogen and then seals can burst as it warms.
Closed-cycle cryostat1 · useful Cools the sample below 77 K without liquid helium to measure transitions between about 4 K and 77 K. A two-stage Gifford-McMahon cold head reaching 10 K or 4 K with the sample in vacuum, a feedthrough for eight or more leads and cooling water if the compressor needs it. The compressor circuit holds helium at high pressure, and the vacuum shroud needs a working pressure relief.
Cryogenic temperature controller1 · core Reads the cryogenic sensors and drives the stage heater to hold or ramp temperature during a measurement. Two or more inputs for diode and resistance sensors, a PID heater output of 25 W or more and a computer interface for logging.
Cryogenic temperature sensors3 · core Measures the temperature of the sample stage and of the cold head. A silicon diode on a standard curve covers 1.4 K to 500 K without individual calibration, and a Pt100 platinum sensor suits work above about 30 K.
Precision current source1 · core Supplies a stable, reversible current through the outer two contacts of the four-probe sample. Output settable from about 1 µA to 100 mA with a compliance limit and computer-controlled reversal, and delta mode with a Keithley 2182A requires a 6220 or 6221. Compliance voltage on the Keithley sources can be set as high as 105 V.
Nanovoltmeter1 · core Measures the voltage across the inner two contacts, which falls to the noise floor when the sample superconducts. Nanovolt sensitivity, noise of a few tens of nanovolts peak to peak, two channels and triggering from the current source for current reversal.
Lock-in amplifier1 · core Reads the pickup-coil voltage for AC susceptibility and measures AC four-probe resistance at low current. A frequency range covering 10 Hz to 100 kHz, input noise of a few nV per root Hz, a sine output to drive the primary coil and a computer interface.
AC susceptibility coil set1 set · core Applies a small AC field and senses the sample's susceptibility, which turns diamagnetic at the transition, on two series-opposed pickup coils. Wound in the lab from 36 to 40 AWG enameled copper wire on a nonmetallic former sized to the probe, with pickup coils matched in turns and wound in opposite sense.
Gaussmeter with Hall probe1 · useful Measures the field of the levitation magnets and of the susceptibility coil so that fields reported with a result are known. DC and AC field reading with a transverse or universal Hall probe, a range to at least 20 kG and 0.1 G resolution.
Neodymium magnets10 · core Shows whether a pellet cooled in liquid nitrogen levitates a small magnet placed over it. Plated N42 to N52 discs from about 4 mm to 25 mm in diameter, the smallest under 1 g so that it can float over a 10 to 20 mm pellet. Large neodymium magnets pinch fingers, shatter on impact and must be kept away from pacemakers.
Digital multimeter1 · core Checks contact resistance and continuity before cooldown and reads a Pt100 thermometer by four-wire resistance. 6.5 digits with four-wire resistance and a USB, LAN or GPIB interface.
GPIB to USB interface1 · core Connects instruments without USB or Ethernet, such as the nanovoltmeter, to the data acquisition computer over GPIB. An IEEE 488.2 controller with drivers for the computer's operating system and a VISA library so that Python or LabVIEW can address each instrument.
Silver paint, silver epoxy and indium1 set · core Makes the four electrical contacts between fine wire and the sample as painted or cured silver joints or pressed indium pads. Air-drying silver paint for quick contacts, two-part silver epoxy for cured contacts and 99.99% indium foil or wire for pressed contacts and thermal joints. Silver paint carries flammable solvent, and uncured epoxy can sensitize skin.
Cryogenic lead wire and fine contact wire1 set · core Carries signals down the probe with little heat leak and joins the sample contacts to the stage pads. 32 or 36 AWG insulated phosphor bronze for the probe leads and 25 µm gold or 40 AWG copper for the sample contacts.
Cryogenic varnish, grease and polyimide tape1 set · core Anchors leads and sensors with varnish, joins the sample thermally to the stage with grease and insulates pads with tape. GE 7031 type varnish, Apiezon N grease in a 25 g tube and 1 mil polyimide tape with silicone adhesive in 6 to 25 mm widths. The varnish contains flammable solvents and ships as a hazardous chemical.
SQUID magnetometer or PPMS (facility access)1 · optional Measures DC magnetization and shielding fraction, or resistance in fields of several tesla, to confirm a transition seen on the bench. Sold by quotation at a cost beyond a small lab budget, so small labs usually buy measurement time on one at a university facility.

Structure and composition

A benchtop powder X-ray diffractometer with analysis software, a reference database and a silicon standard identifies the crystalline phases in a fired or melted sample. A stereo microscope, a density kit and an optional electron microscope check its microstructure and density.

ItemWhat it is forExamples and where to buy
Benchtop powder X-ray diffractometer1 · core Records the powder diffraction pattern of a ground sample so its crystalline phases can be identified and lattice parameters refined. Bragg-Brentano benchtop unit with a copper tube of 300 to 600 W, a 1D strip detector and single-phase power, with no plumbed cooling water. Produces X-rays inside an interlocked cabinet and must be registered with the state radiation control agency in the United States.
Zero-background sample holders4 · useful Holds a few milligrams of powder in the diffractometer without adding substrate peaks or an amorphous hump to the pattern. Single-crystal silicon cut off-axis, with no peaks from 20 to 120 degrees 2-theta under Cu K-alpha, sized for the diffractometer's holder, flat or with a shallow cavity.
Phase identification and Rietveld software1 · core Matches a measured pattern against reference patterns to name the phases and refines lattice parameters and phase fractions by the Rietveld method. Must read the diffractometer's data format and the chosen reference database, which for the free programs is CIF files from COD.
Reference pattern database1 · core Supplies the reference patterns and crystal structures that a measured diffraction pattern is matched against to name the phases. Needs inorganic phases in a format the analysis software reads, CIF for the free databases or a licensed install for the ICDD Powder Diffraction File.
Silicon powder line position standard1 × 7.5 g · useful Calibrates the diffractometer's 2-theta scale, run alone or mixed into a sample, so the lattice parameters of a new phase can be trusted. Certified lattice parameter with a stated uncertainty, for SRM 640g a = 0.5431144 nm at 22.5 °C with an expanded uncertainty of 0.000008 nm.
Stereo zoom microscope1 · useful Magnifies pellets, arc-melted buttons and fracture surfaces for inspection and for placing four-probe contacts on small samples. Look for zoom of about 7x to 45x, a working distance of 100 mm or more, a ring light and a trinocular port if photographs are wanted.
Density determination kit1 kit · useful Weighs a pellet in air and immersed in a liquid on the analytical balance, giving its Archimedes density to compare with the X-ray density. Must match the make and model series of the balance, which should read to 0.1 mg for pellets of about 1 g.
Desktop scanning electron microscope with EDS1 · optional Images grain size, porosity and second phases at the micrometer scale and measures the elemental composition of each region by EDS. Look for a backscattered electron detector, 5 to 20 kV and integrated EDS, or buy hourly time on a university SEM as most small labs do.

General bench

Heating, drying, cleaning and storage, with the hand tools and soldering gear for wiring samples. The drying oven and vacuum desiccators keep water out of the precursor powders, and the notebook and label printer keep each sample traceable.

ItemWhat it is forExamples and where to buy
Hot plate stirrer1 · useful Heats and stirs solutions for wet-chemical precursor routes such as nitrate or citrate gels and dries small batches of slurry after wet grinding. Ceramic top of about 130 x 180 mm (5 x 7 in) or larger, plate temperature to at least 500 °C and closed-loop stirring speed control. The plate stays hot after it is switched off and can ignite flammable solvents.
Drying oven1 · core Dries precursor powders before weighing, and dries glassware and pressed pellets, so absorbed water does not shift the stoichiometry. Gravity convection bench oven of about 20 to 65 L that reaches at least 200 °C, as powders do not need forced air. These ovens are not rated for flammable vapors, so solvent-wet powders must be air-dried before they go in.
Vacuum desiccator2 · core Stores dried precursors, hygroscopic oxides and finished samples under vacuum or over desiccant so they take up no water or carbon dioxide. Chamber with a plate of about 190 to 250 mm that holds vacuum for 24 hours and has a stopcock for a pump line. An evacuated vessel can implode if the wall is cracked or scratched, so inspect it before pumping.
Indicating desiccant2 × 1 lb · core Takes up water vapor inside the desiccators and changes color when it is spent and needs drying out in the oven. Indicating calcium sulfate of about 8 mesh or indicating silica gel, enough to cover the well of each desiccator. The blue indicator in these grades is cobalt chloride, classified as a carcinogen by inhalation, so avoid raising dust.
Ultrasonic cleaner1 · useful Cleans dies, crucibles, tweezers and sample holders in water or in a solvent-filled beaker, and breaks up powder agglomerates before inspection. Stainless steel tank of about 2 to 3 L running at 37 to 40 kHz with a timer and, as an option, a heater. Flammable solvents must not be poured into the tank, so hold them in a beaker standing in the water bath.
Deionized water supply1 · useful Supplies low-ion water for rinsing glassware and tooling and for making precursor solutions without adding sodium, calcium or chloride. Type II water with resistivity above 1 MΩ·cm at a few liters per day, from a cartridge deionizer on tap water or a compact tap-fed purifier.
Borosilicate beakers2 sets · core Holds precursor solutions, rinse baths and powders during weighing, mixing and cleaning. Graduated low-form borosilicate beakers in sizes from 50 mL to 1 L.
Wash bottles6 · core Dispenses deionized water, ethanol, isopropanol and acetone for rinsing mortars, dies and glassware. 500 mL LDPE squeeze bottle with a draw tube, one bottle per liquid and each labeled with its contents. Bottles filled with solvent hold flammable liquid and must be kept away from furnaces and hot plates.
Lint-free wipes1 × pack of 12 boxes · core Wipes mortars, dies, spatulas, tweezers and sample holders with solvent between batches without leaving fibers. Low-lint tissue wipers of about 110 x 210 mm in dispenser boxes.
Tweezers and hand tools1 set · core Handles pellets, wires, foils and small samples, and drives the fasteners used to assemble probes, dies and fixtures. Non-magnetic stainless steel tweezers in fine-point and flat-tip styles, plus a precision bit driver set.
Soldering station1 · core Solders the wiring, connectors and sample-holder leads used for four-probe resistance and susceptibility coil measurements. Temperature-controlled iron of 65 W or more with interchangeable tips, adjustable to at least 400 °C. The tip causes burns and flux fumes irritate the airways, so solder with ventilation or a fume extractor.
Solder wire1 × 100 g · core Joins probe wiring, connectors and coil leads away from the sample's voltage path, because tin-lead solder superconducts below about 7 K. Flux-cored Sn63/Pb37 wire about 0.8 mm in diameter for joints that will be cooled, since tin-rich lead-free alloys can turn brittle at cryogenic temperatures. Tin-lead solder contains lead, so wash hands after handling it and keep food away from the bench.
Handheld digital multimeter1 · core Checks continuity and two-wire contact resistance on sample wiring, thermocouples and heater leads before a cooldown or a furnace run. True-rms handheld meter with 0.1 Ω resistance resolution, a DC millivolt range and a continuity beeper.
Label printer1 · useful Prints labels for sample vials, bags, crucible trays and reagent containers so each sample keeps its identifier through firing and measurement. Thermal transfer printer that takes laminated tape 12 to 24 mm wide.
Lab notebook3 · core Records each batch's masses, firing schedule, sample identifier and measurement files so a result can be traced and repeated. Bound paper notebook with grid pages, or an electronic notebook that timestamps entries and exports to open file formats.

Safety and the room

Hoods remove toxic dust, acid fumes and furnace off-gas, and eye, hand and body protection covers chemical, furnace and liquid nitrogen work. An oxygen monitor, cylinder brackets and storage cabinets guard the room, and the eyewash, extinguishers, spill kit and waste containers cover accidents and disposal.

ItemWhat it is forExamples and where to buy
Fume hood1 · core Pulls powder dust and acid fumes away from the worker while toxic precursors are weighed, ground and dissolved. Ducted benchtop hood about 4 ft wide for acids and mixed work, or a ductless hood with a HEPA filter for powders and a carbon filter matched to the vapors used. Lead, thallium and barium compounds are toxic when inhaled as dust.
Canopy exhaust hood1 · useful Captures heat, metal oxide vapor and nitrogen oxides that rise from box and tube furnaces during firing and ducts them out of the room. Fiberglass or stainless steel canopy wider than the furnace it covers, ducted to an exhaust blower sized by the installer. Thallium and mercury compounds are volatile at firing temperature and are fired only in sealed tubes or inside the fume hood.
Inert-atmosphere glovebox1 · useful Keeps air-sensitive metals, hydrides, pnictides and chalcogenides under argon for weighing and ampoule loading, which oxides fired in air do not need. Acrylic evacuate-and-backfill box for occasional use, or a stainless box with a purifier holding oxygen and water below 1 ppm for routine work with reactive metals. Argon or nitrogen vented from the box can lower the oxygen level in a closed room.
Oxygen depletion monitor1 · core Sounds an alarm when boil-off from liquid nitrogen or a leak of argon or nitrogen lowers the oxygen level in the room. Fixed wall unit with a first alarm at 19.5% oxygen, audible and visual alarms, a relay output and a stated sensor life, mounted near the dewar and cylinders. Nitrogen and argon displace oxygen without smell or warning, and air below 19.5% oxygen is treated as oxygen deficient.
Gas cylinder wall bracket3 · core Holds each argon and oxygen cylinder upright against the wall so it cannot fall and break its valve. Steel bracket bolted to the wall structure with a strap or chain for cylinders 4 to 12 in in diameter, one position for every cylinder in use or in storage. A falling high-pressure cylinder can shear its valve and become a projectile.
Flammable liquids safety cabinet1 · useful Stores the ethanol, isopropanol and acetone used for wet grinding and cleaning. Double-wall steel cabinet, FM approved and meeting NFPA 30 and OSHA rules, where 12 gallons of capacity covers a few liters of solvent. Solvent vapors can ignite near furnaces and hot plates.
Corrosives cabinet1 · useful Stores nitric, hydrochloric and other acids used for dissolving precursors and cleaning labware, apart from solvents and metal powders. Polyethylene body, or steel with polyethylene trays and sump liner, sized for the few bottles kept and with acids and bases on separate trays. Acid vapor corrodes metal and nitric acid reacts violently with organic solvents.
Emergency eyewash and safety shower1 · core Flushes the eyes and skin after a splash of acid, base or powder. ANSI/ISEA Z358.1 equipment with an eyewash giving at least 0.4 gpm for 15 minutes and a 20 gpm shower, within about 10 seconds of where corrosives are handled. Corrosive splashes damage the eye permanently unless flushed at once.
ABC fire extinguisher2 · core Puts out small solvent, paper and electrical fires at the bench, furnace or instrument rack. Rechargeable 5 or 10 lb monoammonium phosphate unit rated at least 2A:10B:C, wall mounted by the exit and near the furnaces. Dry chemical must not be used on burning metal, which needs a Class D agent.
Class D fire extinguisher1 · optional Smothers burning magnesium, sodium, zirconium or titanium powder, and is needed only where reactive metals or metal powders are kept. 30 lb sodium chloride dry powder unit with a soft-flow applicator, with a copper powder agent used instead for lithium fires. Water and ordinary extinguishers must never be used on a burning metal.
First aid kit1 · core Treats cuts and minor burns until medical help is reached. Wall kit meeting ANSI Z308.1-2021 Class A, with burn dressings added for furnace and cryogen work. Broken quartz and ceramics cut, and hot or cryogenic surfaces burn.
Chemical spill kit1 · core Absorbs and contains a spilled acid, base or solvent and provides a bag or bucket for the used absorbent. Hazmat-grade pads and socks rated for acids, bases and unknown liquids, with capacity above the largest bottle kept and with acid and base neutralizer on hand. A dropped bottle can spread acid or solvent across the floor or bench.
Hazardous waste containers and labels1 set · core Collects spent powders, contaminated wipes and waste acids or solvents in separate closed containers until a licensed hauler removes them. UN-rated HDPE pails or carboys with screw lids, one per waste stream, each carrying a hazardous waste label that names the contents and the start date. Lead, thallium and barium residues are regulated toxic wastes that must stay out of the trash and the drain.
Safety glasses6 pairs · core Protects the eyes from pellet fragments and flying powder during grinding, pressing and furnace loading. Impact-rated eyewear marked ANSI Z87.1+ with side coverage, one pair per person plus spares for visitors. Brittle pellets and die parts can throw fragments under press load.
Chemical splash goggles4 pairs · core Seals around the eyes against liquid splashes when acids, bases and solvents are poured, diluted or used to dissolve precursors. Indirect-vent goggles marked ANSI Z87.1+ with the D3 droplet and splash rating, in a style that fits over prescription glasses where needed. Safety glasses do not seal against liquid, and an acid splash can damage the eye permanently.
Lab coat4 · core Keeps powder and splashes off street clothes so that toxic dust stays in the lab. Knee length with long sleeves, in cotton blend for general work or flame-resistant fabric for work at the furnace and with flammable solvents. Toxic dust can be carried home on clothing, and ordinary fabric can catch fire near furnaces and solvents.
Nitrile gloves4 × box of 100 · core Keeps toxic precursor powders and solvents off the skin, and skin oils off the samples, during weighing, grinding and pellet handling. Powder-free nitrile, 4 to 6 mil, in each wearer's size, changed after contact with lead, thallium or barium compounds. Toxic powders reach the mouth from contaminated hands, and thin nitrile resists acids and solvents only briefly.
Chemical-resistant gauntlet gloves2 pairs · useful Protects the hands and forearms when concentrated acids are poured or labware is cleaned in acid. Reusable neoprene or butyl gloves 12 in or longer and about 15 mil thick, checked against the seller's chemical resistance chart for nitric and hydrochloric acid. Concentrated nitric acid attacks nitrile rubber and causes deep skin burns.
Half-mask respirator with P100 filters3 · useful Backs up the fume hood when fine oxide powders are handled outside it, for example during spill cleanup, furnace cleaning or die loading. NIOSH-approved elastomeric half facepiece in the wearer's size with a pair of P100 particulate filters, fit tested for each user. Thallium, lead and barium compounds are toxic when inhaled as fine dust.
Heat-resistant gloves2 pairs · core Protects hands from radiant heat and brief contact when crucibles, boats and tubes are moved in and out of a hot furnace with tongs. Aramid or felt-insulated gloves 13 in or longer with a stated contact heat rating, used with tongs because furnace ware can come out hotter than the glove rating. Crucibles and furnace doors cause contact burns.
Cryogenic gloves, apron and face shield1 set · core Protects hands, body and face from splashes and cold surfaces when liquid nitrogen is poured and samples are lowered into it. Insulated gloves and apron rated for splash and contact down to -196 °C but not for immersion, with a full face shield worn over safety glasses. Liquid nitrogen at 77 K causes cold burns on contact.
Lab bench with chemical-resistant top2 · core Provides a rigid surface for weighing, grinding and pellet pressing that acids and solvents do not attack. Phenolic or epoxy resin top about 1 in thick on a steel frame rated above the weight of the press and balance table.
Uninterruptible power supply1 · useful Carries the temperature controller, current source, voltmeter and computer through short outages and sags so that a cooldown run is not lost. Line-interactive unit of about 1500 VA with sine wave output, sized for the electronics only, with furnaces and the cryocooler compressor on their own circuits.

Chemicals, gases and reference samples

Oxide and carbonate powders are the precursors for YBa2Cu3O7 and the bismuth cuprates, with magnesium and boron for MgB2. Oxygen and argon supply the furnace and arc-melting atmospheres, liquid nitrogen cools samples, and known superconductors (a YBCO disk, a Bi-2223 bar, niobium, lead) check the measurement setups.

ItemWhat it is forExamples and where to buy
Yttrium oxide powder1 × 100 g · core Supplies the yttrium for YBa2Cu3O7, the standard test compound, fired from Y2O3, BaCO3 and CuO in a 1:4:6 molar ratio. Buy 99.99% on a rare earth oxide basis as a fine powder, of which 100 g makes more than 500 g of YBa2Cu3O7.
Barium carbonate powder1 × 250 g · core Supplies the barium for YBa2Cu3O7 and releases CO2 as it decomposes during calcination. Buy 99.9% or better on a metals basis and allow about 0.6 g per gram of YBa2Cu3O7, the largest share of any precursor by mass. Harmful if swallowed (GHS H302) because stomach acid converts it to soluble barium.
Copper(II) oxide powder2 × 100 g · core Supplies the copper for YBa2Cu3O7 and for the bismuth cuprates. Buy 99.9% or better on a metals basis with low iron, nickel and zinc on the certificate, because they substitute on the copper site and lower Tc. Very toxic to aquatic life (GHS H410) and labeled harmful if swallowed by some suppliers, so collect waste for chemical disposal.
Bismuth(III) oxide powder1 × 250 g · useful Supplies the bismuth for Bi2Sr2CaCu2O8 (Bi-2212) and Bi2Sr2Ca2Cu3O10 (Bi-2223). Buy 99.9% or better on a metals basis and run the first calcination below its melting point near 817 °C.
Strontium carbonate powder1 × 100 g · useful Supplies the strontium for the bismuth cuprates Bi-2212 and Bi-2223. Buy 99.9% or better on a metals basis with barium and calcium stated on the certificate, because strontium salts carry both.
Calcium carbonate powder1 × 100 g · useful Supplies the calcium for the bismuth cuprates Bi-2212 and Bi-2223. Buy 99.95% or better on a metals basis.
Lead(II) oxide powder1 × 50 g · useful Replaces about 10 to 20% of the bismuth to speed formation of the 110 K Bi-2223 phase. Buy 99.9% or better in a 50 g pack, which covers many batches because each one uses little. Reproductive toxin that damages organs on repeated exposure, so weigh it in a fume hood and keep lead waste separate.
Magnesium and boron powders1 set · optional Supplies the elements for MgB2 (Tc 39 K), reacted at about 650 to 900 °C in argon or a sealed metal tube because magnesium vapor attacks bare quartz. Buy magnesium of 99.8% at -325 mesh and amorphous boron of 95% or better at micron size or finer, because boron purity and particle size limit MgB2 quality. Fine magnesium powder is flammable and releases hydrogen on contact with water, so keep a class D extinguisher or dry sand near.
Weighing boats1 × pack of 500 · core Holds precursor powders on the balance and during transfer to the mortar. Choose antistatic polystyrene of 20 to 100 mL, because fine oxide powders cling to untreated plastic.
Solvents (ethanol, isopropanol, acetone)3 × 1 L · core Wets precursor powders for grinding and mixing (ethanol or isopropanol) and cleans dies, mortars and sample surfaces (acetone, isopropanol). Buy ACS reagent grade at 99.5% or better, which limits water to 0.5% in acetone and 0.2% in isopropanol, and denatured 200 proof ethanol for grinding. Highly flammable liquids and vapors, so store in a flammables cabinet away from furnaces and hot plates.
Oxygen and argon cylinders2 cylinders · core Supplies oxygen for the anneal that sets the oxygen content of YBa2Cu3O7 and argon for arc melting, intermetallic firing and purging. Order argon at 99.999% and oxygen at 99.5% or better in rented cylinders of about 300 cubic feet, with a CGA 580 regulator for argon and CGA 540 for oxygen. Oil or grease on oxygen fittings can ignite, argon displaces air in a closed room, and cylinders must be chained upright.
Liquid nitrogen1 × 180 L · core Cools samples to 77 K for resistance measurements and the levitation check, and precools the cryostat. Order a rented low-pressure (about 22 psi) liquid cylinder of about 180 L or collect it in a dewar, on a schedule because the cylinder loses liquid to boil-off. Causes cold burns and displaces oxygen in a small room, so wear a face shield and cryogenic gloves and never seal the container.
YBCO levitation disk with magnet1 set · core Provides a known 90 K superconductor to confirm that the levitation check and the susceptibility coil respond before a new sample is tested. A sintered YBa2Cu3O7 disk about 20 mm across with a small NdFeB magnet shows the Meissner effect, and only strong flux-pinned levitation needs a melt-textured disk. Used in liquid nitrogen, so cold burn precautions apply.
High-temperature superconductor bar or tape1 · useful Provides a known transition (Bi-2223 near 108 to 110 K, REBCO near 90 K) for validating four-probe resistance against temperature. Choose a bar or tape with solderable silver ends and a stated Tc, and ask REBCO makers for a short length without copper stabilizer, which masks resistance above Tc. Bi-2223 contains lead, so do not sand or grind it dry.
Niobium foil1 · useful Checks the cold end of the resistance and susceptibility setups with its 9.2 K transition and supplies niobium for arc-melted intermetallics. Buy 99.8% or better, annealed, 0.1 to 0.25 mm thick so that strips can be cut with scissors.
Lead, tin and indium metal1 set · useful Checks thermometry at the 7.2 K transition of lead, and supplies tin for Nb3Sn and indium for pressed contact pads. Buy 99.99% or better as shot for melting and 1 mm wire for contacts, and note that tin (3.7 K) and indium (3.4 K) transitions need a stage that cold. Lead metal is a reproductive toxin, so handle it with gloves and wash hands afterward.
Sample vials, sealing film and labels1 set · core Stores pellets, powders and offcuts between firings and measurements, sealed against humidity and labeled with composition and date. Choose glass vials of 5 to 30 mL with PTFE-lined caps, laboratory sealing film 4 inches wide and moisture-resistant labels.

How the list was made

Each link was opened on 8 October 2026 and leads to the maker's or the seller's own page for that product. None of the links is an affiliate link. To correct a line or suggest a better source, use the contact page.