Technical Quality Assurance and Services

The Central Electronics Shop (CES) complies with ISO 9001:2015 certification requirements to ensure the right quality of service for industry and academia partners.

The Central Electronics Workshop provides services in the form of repairing, building and prototyping electronic items to support all the programs of Texas A&M University at Qatar. It also offers professional services to industry. Services include PCB fabrication and masking, professional soldering of electronic components, setup and troubleshooting of electrical and electronic equipment, and supporting industrial automation solutions. The workshop consists of multiple workstations equipped with useful measurement and testing devices, soldering stations, testing equipment and various tools to enable design and analysis of electronic circuits. Moreover, the shop is equipped with the latest technology of PCB prototyping machines to produce multi-layer printed circuit boards.

The Central Machines Shop at Texas A&M University at Qatar is a certified ISO 9001:2015 facility with more than two decades of expertise in serving the petroleum, aerospace, and educational sectors. Our machine shop specializes in providing prototyping, small volume production, machining, and repair services using both CNC (Computer Numerical Control) and conventional machines.

Our capabilities encompass a wide range of materials, including polymers, steels, stainless steels, aluminum alloys, carbon, magnesium, titanium, and superalloys. We utilize cutting-edge CNC machines, such as CNC laser cutting and CNC lathes with live tooling, as well as CNC 5-axis milling capabilities. To ensure precise operations, we employ state-of-the-art CAD (Computer-Aided Design) and CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing) software.

In addition to our CNC machines, our machines shop is equipped with a diverse selection of conventional machines that cover various services, including sheet metal shearing, drilling, cutting, bending, turning, and milling. This comprehensive range of machinery enables us to offer a wide array of services conveniently in one location.

At Texas A&M at Qatar's machines shop, we pride ourselves on our advanced machinery and software, which enable us to deliver high-quality, precision components for diverse industries.

List of equipment:

Machine	Type	Capacities
Lathe / Turning	CNC	Stock size: diameter 250mm, Lengths up to: 550mm depending on final part size.
Milling	CNC	3-Axes Stock size: up to 1000 x 500 x 400* mm
Mill-Turn	CNC	Stock size: Max. turning diameter 500mm, max part length 550mm.​
Lathe / Turning	Conventional	Stock size: up to 630 mm diameter x 2000 mm length
Milling	Conventional	Stock size: up to 1120 x 260 mm, weight: up to 300 kg. ​ Travel X, Y, Z: up to 800 x 300 x 400 mm​
Drilling	Conventional	Drilling diameter up to 50mm, Tapping up to M32. ​
Band Saw – horizontal	Conventional	Stock size: Round 320mm, Rectangle 350x320mm, Flat 320mm.​
Band Saw – vertical	Conventional	Stock size: 310x520mm​
Circular saw	Conventional	Stock size: Round 105mm, Rectangle 160x70mm, Flat 95mm.
Sheet metal Shear	Conventional	Sheet length up to: 1250mm Max. Thickness: 3mm material dependent.
Sheet metal folding	Conventional	Sheet length up to: 1854mm. Max. Thickness: Mild steel 2.7mm, Stainless Steel 1.2mm

To request machining/fabrication, click here. 

The Central Materials Facility at Texas A&M at Qatar is ISO 9001:2015 certified and houses high-end, state-of-the-art equipment employed for advanced micro and macro material characterization. Materials equipment present in the facility caters to multiple fields of scientific research including engineering, metallurgy, geology and medicine. This facility is capable of providing various material characterizations services, such as elemental and phase analysis, imaging, surface, microstructure and particle size analysis. Other technical capabilities include:

• Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS)
• X-ray Powder Diffraction (XRD)
• Wavelength Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF) analysis
• HeliScan Micro-computed Tomography (microCT)
• Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM)
• X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS)
• Rock Core Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
• Particle size analysis

Texas A&M at Qatar's ISO 9001:2015 certified Rapid Manufacturing lab provides designers, researchers, and engineers across disciplines with the capability to transcend virtual limitations and engage with tangible objects. This facility primarily focuses on manufacturing functional parts and prototypes with intricate geometries that would otherwise be challenging to produce using traditional methods.

Within the facility, a diverse array of 3D printers incorporating cutting-edge technologies is available, including SLS (Selective Laser Sintering), SLA (Stereolithography), PBF (Powder Bed Fusion), MJP (Multi Jet Printing), EBM (Electron Beam Printing), and FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) technologies. These machines offer a wide range of build volumes and materials. Additionally, the facility can perform 3D scanning for reverse engineering projects, creating digital replicas of existing parts.

To facilitate pre-processing and post-processing of CAD files, the facility is equipped with various software packages, ensuring quality control for newly printed components or reverse engineering of pre-existing parts.

Here are brief definitions of the available technologies:

• SLS (Selective Laser Sintering): A 3D printing technique that employs a high-powered laser to fuse small particles of plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass powders, creating solid 3D structures.
• PBF (Powder Bed Fusion): A 3D printing process that builds parts by selectively melting layers of metal powder using a laser or electron beam until the final part is completed.
• FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling): A 3D printing technology that constructs parts by melting and extruding layers of thermoplastic material, gradually building a 3D structure. Our fleet of FDM printers includes desktop models, industrial-grade models, large volume models, and continuous-fiber composite machines.
• MJP (Multi Jet Printing): A 3D printing technique that employs multiple jet print heads to deposit droplets of material onto a build platform, enabling the creation of a 3D structure.
• EBM (Electron Beam Printing): A 3D printing process that utilizes an electron beam to melt metal powder, resulting in a solid 3D structure.
• SLA (Stereolithography): A 3D printing technology that produces precise, non-porous parts with excellent surface finish. Belonging to the Vat Polymerization family, this technology, also known as resin printing, employs a laser to cure the polymer resin layer by layer.
• List of equipment:

3D printing technology	Build volume (mm)	Resolution* (max.- micron)	Materials (depends on availability)
FDM	Up to: 1200 x 1200 x 1000	50	ABS, PLA, PETG, CPE, ASA, TPU, Nylon, Fiberglass, Kevlar, Carbon fiber.
SLS	Up to: 130 x 180 x 330	75	Solid: PA, PP – Flexible: TPU-based.
SLA	Up to: 335 x 200 x 300	25	Solid: opaque, clear. Flexible and Bio-compatible.
EBM	Up to: 200 x 200 x 380	250	Titanium Alloy Ti6Al4V
PBF	Up to: Ø 100 x 95	100	Stainless Steel, Titanium, Cobalt-Chromium
MJP	Up to: 298 x 185 x 203	16	UV curable plastic: Solid, semi-clear.

To request 3D printing, click here.

The ISO 9001:2015 certified Engine Research and Testing Laboratory (ERTL) at Texas A&M University at Qatar provides state-of-the-art research services that promote the detailed investigation of gas mixtures and the performance of internal combustion (IC) engines. Industrial and research activities at ERTL focus on improving fuel economy and reducing emissions through the in-house development of bespoke experimental setups. 

Fundamental understanding of the properties of engine systems is possible, allowing the optimum design of industrial processes. Analysis capabilities at the ERTL provide a better understanding of engines’ performance, which allows the improvement of the final products such as fuel blends and emission reductions.

This facility is equipped with versatile gasoline and diesel engines inventory, engine dynamometer setups, data acquisition, and emission analysis benches with fast response for analyzing cycle-by-cycle measurements of emissive gases: CO, CO₂, NO, NO_X.

The ERTL provides certified quality-controlled services that include measurements of: 

• Power output and RPM
• Torque output and RPM
• Specific fuel consumption
• Exhaust gas temperature
• Brake mean effective pressure
• Brake thermal efficiency
• Temperatures of exhaust gases, coolant and oil
• fuel and air flow rates
• Emission analysis for gases — CO, CO₂, O₂, NO, NO₂, and hydrocarbons
• In-cylinder pressure
• In-cylinder temperature

Texas A&M at Qatar’s Fuel Characterization Lab is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and is built to built to support both research and teaching activities in the area of fuels and value-added chemicals formulation and characterization. This laboratory is currently used for the development of future generations of synthetic fuels obtained from natural gas via the gas-to-liquid technology. This lab is equipped with advanced analytical equipment to measure both physical and chemical properties of fuels and value-added chemicals. It also equipped with number of advanced gas chromatographs that are capable of identifying chemicals composition of all species existing in fuels. Furthermore, this lab equipped with necessary blending accessories to formulate new generations of fuels. The work conducted in this lab adheres to a sophisticated data control quality system and safety regulations, developed with the support of our industry partners. This system ensures equipment, testing procedures and data recording comply with industry and international standards of the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM). This lab hosts number of projects representing unique collaboration between world-leading companies in fuels and engine manufacturing and academic institutions around the globe.

The Petro-physics Laboratory is one of the Petroleum Engineering Program labs. It is furnished with equipment for the tests related to the reservoir rock properties. Major equipment in this lab includes:

• Three sieve analysis units for grain-size distribution measurement
• Five core-flooding units
• One centrifuge for capillary pressure measurements
• One solvent-extraction unit with multiple extractors for core cleaning and fluid saturation measurement
• Core sample cutting and preparation
• Helium Porosimeters for Porosity measurement
• Resistivity meters for Archie’s parameters determination

The Petro-physics Laboratory can provide the following technical services to oil companies:

• Core cutting and preparation
• Dean stark core cleaning and rock fluid content
• Rock thin section
• Helium Porosity measurement
• Electrical measurement and determination of Archie’s parameters (a, m and n)

Research Computing aims to foster research at Texas A&M at Qatar by providing researchers with advanced High Performance Computing (HPC) technologies, including computational platforms, data storage systems, a visualization facility, specialized scientific and engineering software, and relevant user training. Research Computing provides technical support and training for the Linux operating system, Python programming, critical system software such as the GNU, Intel, and PGI compilers and the SLURM batch scheduler, as well as for the use of GPUs for machine learning and artificial intelligence workloads.

The ISO 9001:2015 certified Sustainable Energy and Clean Air Research laboratory (SECAReLab) was established within Texas A&M University at Qatar with the rationale that many environmental, health, energy, safety, and process industry related matters are interdependent and rely on understanding and exploiting the science of chemical engineering. Acknowledging the potential of this diverse set of applications and their basis on common principles, SECAReLab conducts basic and applied research, and develops new technological products and processes in these niche areas. Thus, we recognize and respond to social and market needs in the field of clean air and sustainable energy.

SECAReLab provides quality-assured and quality-controlled services related to the:

• Measurement, modeling and control of indoor and outdoor air quality. These include the collection and measurement of gaseous and particulate atmospheric pollutants mass using screening and standardized methods and equipment. Following data interpretation and source apportionment we can develop emission models and air pollution control processes and strategies.
• Development, modeling and testing of solar-driven chemical processes. These include the characterization of solar simulators; optical and thermal characterization, and solar aging of materials for energy production and storage; characterization of photo and concentrated light processes and materials.

The Thermophysical Properties Measurement Laboratory provides services related to the measurement, modelling, characterization and training on Modulated Digital Scanning Calorimetry and Xenon Flash Analysis. The capabilities of this laboratory include measuring the specific heat, latent heat, and thermal conductivity of materials.

Texas A&M has more than 6,000 square feet of world-class water and environmental research laboratories that are continuously upgraded and expanded. Our water and environmental research laboratories are ISO 9001:2015 certified, and contain a wide range of state-of-the-art analytical equipment. Laboratory analytical capabilities include all inorganic, organic and physical parameter testing of samples with a variety of matrices, including water, wastewater, soils and sludges. The laboratories maintain comprehensive quality assurance and quality control programs. The sources of analytical procedures include, but are not limited to, USEPA methods, standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater (APHA), and ASTM methods. A set of standard operating procedures is available for each of the laboratory areas and contain clear, complete written instructions for completing each standard test performed by lab personnel.

The laboratories include well-trained and highly qualified staff and state-of-the-art lab facilities. In addition to analytical equipment, these facilities include constant temperature rooms, chemical storage, autoclaves, cold storage, anaerobic chambers, laminar flow benches, exhaust hoods, ovens, furnaces, etc. With current R&D water and environmental research and technical service projects worth more than $10 million, the research team builds upon a strong scientific and technological base related to the sustainable utilization of water and environment of direct relevance to Qatar.

The lab is well equipped to conduct:

• Identification of various rock-fluid interaction parameters for wettability
• Relative permeability and capillary pressure
• Perform thin-section analysis
• Studies of rock-fluid compatibility issues for various applications including acid stimulation, water flooding and enhanced oil recovery
• Reservoir fluid characterization and phase behavior studies

This lab is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to conduct flow tests and perform flow measurements through rock-cores at reservoir conditions. It includes the capabilities to measure various petro-physical properties of rocks. It has fully operational flow setups for different fluid injections in reservoir and outcrop cores. It also includes a Goniometer for wettability studies.

A Foam Loop and Core Flow Tester is available. The system combines the functionality of a foam loop rheometer with a core flow tester. Foam can be created, measured (flow, rheology, density), modified, and passed through a core flow system for complete core flow analysis, including temperature, pressure, and viscosity parameters. Foam rheometry is hence accomplished and offered as service. The core flow system accurately measures any permeability changes of the various core formation samples when they are exposed to different injected fluids, including acids. Cores that can be handled can be of 1-in. or 1.5-in. diameter and of length up to 6-in. with temperatures up to 1760C and pressures of up 350 bar. Acidization and any other core-flooding studies can be performed.

A benchtop Magnetic Resonance Imager (MRI) for EOR studies and rock characterization is expected to be operational by end of March 2015. The proposed instrument is expected to provide unique information on rock cores, well construction and drilling materials, the interaction between chemicals and reservoir fluids, all in two- and three-dimensional maps. MRI is an excellent tool for 3-D analysis of the microstructure of porous media, multiphase flow processes, and chemical interactions at fluid-grain interfaces. It offers notable advantages over traditional core analysis methodologies as it is capable of high spatiotemporal resolution of the full 3-D volume, including the interior of the sample.

The equipment available to support the activities includes:

• HPHT rheometer
• Thin section
• Foam rheometer and acid core flooding system
• Research-grade PVT