VESTAL - Small businesses looking for high-tech equipment or research expertise can tap into the resources available at the Analytical and Diagnostics Laboratory at Binghamton University.

With more than $21 million in equipment and four full-time Ph.D.-level staff members, the laboratory is poised to help companies trouble-shoot problems or develop new products.

"We can help them do a lot of that preliminary research that helps them become more competitive," said Mary Beth Curtin, associate director of BU's Small Scale Systems Integration and Packaging Center.

Representatives of nearly two dozen companies from throughout the region Wednesday toured the laboratory - located in the Innovative Technology Complex - hoping to get an idea of what's available.

Lab researchers work with about a dozen companies on a regular basis, and want to raise awareness of the center.

Linda Hartsock, director of the Syracuse-based Center for CleanTech Entrepreneurship, said she's hoping to connect emerging companies in the clean technology field with the support available at BU.

"I'm just very excited about how this center and the programs have grown," Hartsock said.

The laboratory opened in 2007. Since then, it has acquired many more pieces of equipment.

While its main function is offering technology and expertise that might be beyond the financial reach of new companies, the larger purpose is to establish long-term partnerships between companies and university researchers.

The cost of services varies depending on many circumstances, lab staff said.

For more information about the Analytical and Diagnostics Laboratory, visit s3ip.binghamton.edu/ADL or call (607) 777-6841.