The ACE-FUELS General Purpose Research Laboratory (GPRL) is a 380 m² shared research facility that underpins all MSc, PhD, and Executive programmes at ACE-FUELS, while serving 13 partner departments across the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO).
GPRL provides the essential foundation for high-quality, reproducible research across a wide range of scientific and engineering disciplines. It supports materials synthesis, baseline characterization, and sample preparation, while serving as a gateway to advanced device fabrication and testing at ElectroLab X.
GPRL serves as the entry point for experimental work, enabling a structured workflow:
Synthesis → Basic Analysis → Sample Preparation → ElectroLab X (Advanced Fabrication & Testing)
By providing shared, high-quality laboratory infrastructure, GPRL strengthens interdisciplinary research across materials science, engineering, environmental systems, and related fields. It supports hands-on training, enhances research productivity, and expands access to scientific facilities for academia and industry.
To be Africa’s leading shared research infrastructure platform, enabling multidisciplinary innovation across science and engineering through accessible, high-quality foundational laboratory services
To deliver reliable, cost-effective synthesis, characterization, and process support services that enable high-impact research across ACE-FUELS programmes and FUTO partner departments, while ensuring sustainable laboratory operations and optimal resource utilization.
www.acefuels-futo.org/lab-access for booking & rates
GPRL is organized into seven specialized research zones, each supporting core aspects of materials synthesis, analysis, and process development across multiple disciplines.
GPRL is organized into seven specialized research zones, each supporting core aspects of materials synthesis, analysis, and process development across multiple disciplines.
Equipment: Planetary ball mill; ultrasonic processors; hydrothermal reactors; rotary evaporator; muffle and vacuum furnaces
Applications: Powder processing; catalyst synthesis; CO₂ sorbents; biomass-derived carbons
Equipment: BioLogic SP-200 potentiostat; portable electrochemical workstations; hydrogen generator; adsorption units; salt spray chamber
Applications: Electrocatalyst screening; corrosion rate analysis; hydrogen storage studies; CO₂ adsorption
Equipment: Contact angle goniometer; scratch tester; metallographic microscope; polishing systems
Applications: Surface wettability; coating performance and durability; microstructural analysis
Equipment: Water quality analyzers; pH, conductivity, and turbidity meters; salt spray chamber
Applications: Electrolyte and process fluid analysis; corrosion testing; environmental monitoring
Equipment: Biomass processing unit; Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor (CSTR); fixed-bed adsorption systems; calorimeter
Applications: Waste-to-energy conversion; sorbent performance evaluation; reaction kinetics studies
Equipment: Laboratory ovens; water/oil baths; hot plates and magnetic stirrers; analytical balances; centrifuges
Applications: Routine synthesis; thermal ageing; sample preparation; quality control across all research activities
GPRL supports a wide range of academic programmes and departments, providing shared laboratory access for interdisciplinary research, training, and innovation.
(MSc/PhD) Future Energies · Electrochemical Technologies · Nanotechnology · Corrosion Technology · Executive MSc Programmes
Chemistry · Chemical Engineering · Materials & Metallurgical Engineering · Polymer & Textile Engineering · Physics · Mechanical Engineering · Electrical/Electronic Engineering · Petroleum Engineering · Biological Sciences · Environmental Management · and other allied science and engineering disciplines
Photo Gallery of our ElectroLab-X
✅ ACE-FUELS students – Free during programme
✅ FUTO departments – Nominal fees
✅ External researchers – Hourly/daily rates
✅ Industry – Contract R&D
ACE-FUELS ElectroLab X
ACE-FUELS Complex
Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Nigeria
