Transcat Rentals: Precision Test Equipment for Organic Semiconductor Research Case Study

Loyola University Chicago’s Department of Chemistry is home to innovative research. One of its PhD candidates, Matthew Williams, focuses on organic semiconductor materials—such as solar cells, LEDs, and transistors—conducting research that requires specialized equipment to fabricate, test, and improve device performance. His work involves fabricating organic field-effect transistors, running nanoscale current measurements, and analyzing results that contribute to both scientific publications and his doctoral dissertation.

Williams needed a highly sensitive Source Measure Unit (SMU) to measure extremely low currents—down to the nanoamp level—while staying within the lab’s budget. After reaching out to more than 20 companies, he encountered two major obstacles: 
1. Finding the right equipment with the necessary performance capabilities, within budget. 
2. Overcoming Canadian tariffs and cross-border shipping delays.

Initially searching for a specific model, Williams ran into logistical challenges. That’s when Transcat | Axiom Rentals stepped in to help. Understanding the urgency and technical requirements, the team quickly identified a superior SMU alternative—one that met the sensitivity and programming needs while staying within budget. 
 
The chosen unit offered dual-voltage capability, reducing the amount of equipment needed, and was fully programmable via MatLab for automated voltage sweeps to capture precise output and transfer curves. The Rentals team also navigated shipping and pricing considerations to ensure the equipment arrived on time and ready for use. 
 
“The customer service was excellent,” said Williams. “Joe (our Rentals Rep) really cared about solving my problem. He was responsive, communicated clearly, and worked through every obstacle to get me what I needed.” 

Key Project Details

• Test over 100 devices with nanoscale measurement precision.
• Determine key performance parameters, including mobility, threshold voltage changes, and conductance improvements in organic field-effect transistors.
• Gather high-quality data now being prepared for publication in a scientific journal and inclusion in PhD dissertation.
• Reduce complexity and cost by leveraging the SMU’s dual-voltage capability instead of renting multiple units.
• Complete the project without delay, allowing research to continue on schedule.
• "Everything fell into place—the right product, the right price, the right time." Williams said.