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Welcome
to NorECs Norwegian Electro Ceramics AS
NorECs
specializes in characterization of electrical properties
of materials at high temperatures
and under controlled atmospheres.
We have
representatives in many countries;
contact them or us directly.
Our main
product, The ProboStatTM sample holder system is
in use in highly recognised universities, institutes, and industries in
more than 20
countries worldwide, notably USA and Japan, and in EU.
To make an
enquiry or order, contact us directly or use the Enquiry page, or
see the bottom of this page.
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for electrical
characterisation etc. at high temperatures and in controlled
atmospheres.
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RT-1600°C |
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Almost any
atmosphere (single or dual) |
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Disk (10-24
mm) or bar samples |
The cell consists
of a base unit with 16 electrical feedthroughs, 4 gas
feedthroughs, fixtures for sample support tube, outer tube,
spring load, and cooling water.
Samples of
various geometries rest on the support tube, is contacted
via various electrode connects, and held in place with a
ceramic spring load.
Additional
equipment usually comprise tube furnace with power supply
and coontroller, electrical characterisation (impedance
spectrometer, voltmeter, potentiostat, etc.) and atmosphere
control unit (e.g. gas mixer).
One cell; many accessories, methods, properties:
| Electrical conductivity vs T, pO2, pH2O, etc.
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| DC, AC, impedance spectroscopy |
| Dielectric properties, loss, etc. |
| Disk, van der Pauw, and bar geometries |
| 2, 3, and 4 electrodes |
| Ionic transport numbers |
| Seebeck coefficient |
| I-V;
Fuel cell components and single cells |
| Electrode kinetics |
| H/D isotope effects |
| Electrochemical pumping, gas permeation, etc. |
| Sensor testing |
The ProboStat works with all impedance spectroemeters,
potentiostats, and multimeters. Our philosophy is to
keep it versatile and with user-replaceable parts (that the
user can also manufacture) for good lifetime and long-term
economy.
Various standard packages or select a custom package of
accessories. Ask us if in doubt or for a suggestion. |
Typical view
Inside the enclosing tube: Support tube, sample (hidden),
electrode connects, spring load, and gas supply tube.
Typical setup with furnace. Courtesy of S. Duval, EMPA,
Switzerland.
The base unit is the main part of the
ProboStat system; all versions compatible with all
accessories and methods (except kV version). |
Accessories and
options for ProboStat
Standard
furnishments: TCs, electrode contacts, etc.
Crucible
holder accessories for sample or powder annealing
Stainless
Steel base unit option for corrosive gases
Stainless
Steel outer tubes for shielding or high pressures
High voltage
(kV) version for poling, breakdown, etc.
Liquid cell
for dielectrics of liquids
Melting solid
cell for molten salts |
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We can manufacture
sintered samples of selected materials, with or without
electrodes. We may also provide certain third-party samples
(e.g. SOFC button cells) suitable for ProboStat dimensions. |
 
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We manufacture a
temperature controller custom-made for the ProboStat's 1-3
internal thermocouples + external (furnace) thermocouple. |
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We re-sell or recommend furnaces or heating mantles for
ProboStat from third-party manufacturers. |
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Measurement
services
We have some
capacity to measure conductivity or do impedance
spectroscopy
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on customer's
samples |
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on our own
samples before shipment, as reference curves for tests
and training |
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News
SOFC button cell
testing.
More and more
laboratories are seeing the ProboStat as a cost-effective
possibility for testing SOFC button cells. For this purpose
we now improve the accessories to meet the special needs
involved:
A new wider (multibore)
alumina inner gas tube assembly , giving a larger area
pressing onto the lower electrode. A "hand" electrode
contact (INH2) is used for the contact, if required with a
current collecting mesh towards the sample electrode. This
systems helps decrease in-plane current collection
resistance in the lower electrode, and distributes
mechanical stress. This inner gas tube + INH2 electrode
contact replace the simple alumina tube + IN2 in new systems
with 20 mm or larger diameter support tubes. It can also be
ordered separately for use with existing systems.
A new spring-load
top plate allows the use of samples up to 24 mm diameter. |
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Detachable gas hose stubs
for gas supply tubes in the cell. This is standard in
ProboStat deliveries from version 6. Allows user to attach
custom-made arrangements, e.g. sensor and pump tubes, or
simply use silicone hose connections as before. |
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In stock: Test
samples:
SOFC MEAs from InDEC, for testing in ProboStat with 20 mm support
tube. Also other types of samples are available. |
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allows higher pressures at temperatures up to
1100°C. |
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For minicontact feedthroughs that are broken or
otherwise need replacement. |
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Up to 10 kV at selected feedthroughs. For poling piezo/ferroelectrics, plasma electrodics
etc.
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Test of feedthrough junction temperatures and potential
effects of thermals offsets on thermocouple readings. |
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Melting solid cell
For measuring the conductivity of a solid, through
melting, and into the liquid state. |
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to 200°C, for dielectrics
of liquids. Geometric factor up to
0.4 m. New version with < 0.4 pF parasitic capacitance. |
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Inexpensive, small annealing crucibles for ProboStat
For annealing of powders or small samples. Utilises
existing support tubes (20 mm diameter or larger). |
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Our recommendation:
If you need to do electrical characterization at high temperatures and
in controlled atmospheres, we suggest a ProboStat Normal System package.
It includes what you need to get started with one method (e.g. 2 and
3-electrode measurements on disks. More methods can be added by adding
components later on - the ProboStat base
unit is ready for them all. The ProboStat can do RT-1600°C and can be
used with any tube furnace of 30-50 cm length and 40-50 mm working
diameter. Ask for a
quotation of the ProboStat Normal System package with or without a furnace.
See our overview of this and other
example packages. An
email is all it takes!
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The founders of NorECs AS at the University of Oslo are working on a project
developing a database for extracted materials properties, including high
temperature defect-related and transport properties, never before recorded in
databases. We encourage you to contribute and take advantage from the early
start. Visit their intro page or go
directly to the database.
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Japanese? Visit the 
