Multidisciplinary Research Equipment Investment: Coherence Scanning Interferometer (CSI) and Vector Network Analyser (VNA)

哈德斯菲尔德大学将利用这笔资金购买两个关键的技术实验室设备，这些设备的使用和应用涵盖了从新型功能材料到先进计量的广泛研究领域。该设备将用于支持广泛的研究人员和学科，并有助于确保高利用率。申请人寻求购买先进的相干扫描干涉仪（CSI）表面计量系统，以评估材料的表面特征（地形）的排列和分布到纳米尺度，因此是理解纳米功能表面的重要工具，纳米功能表面是许多新技术的基础材料，从医疗诊断到太阳能发电。CSI仪器的收购对于制定独特的面向计量的超精密结构和自由曲面制造能力至关重要。核心设备将促进新型涂层和薄膜的自由形状和微/纳米结构表面测量领域的科学和创新研究。此次收购的结果将包括为功能化生物植入物提供支持技术，下一代新型光学器件，新的功能表面，以及促进下一代功能几何产品的ISO标准的发展。第二种仪器是矢量网络分析仪（VNA），用于支持在以下领域工作的研究人员；材料表征、测量和传感、超材料和综合技术，为EPSRC确定的关键优先研究领域提供研究，如材料表征、功能材料、测量和传感、光子材料、超材料和等离子体、综合技术（从移动技术到雷达技术）和制造业ICT。了解材料的电磁特性对于开发用于天线、无源和有源组件（线性和非线性）以及高速串行互连等设备的下一代材料至关重要。这两种仪器都将作为一个平台，在哈德斯菲尔德大学各院系之间开展跨学科合作研究，并与外部合作者合作，为成熟的研究人员、早期职业研究人员和研究生提供支持。

The University of Huddersfield will use this award to fund the acquisition of two key pieces of technical laboratory equipment, whose use and application cover a broad range of research areas spanning novel functional materials to advanced metrology. The equipment will be used to support a broad range of researchers and disciplines, as well as help ensure high utilisation rates. The applicants seek to purchase an advanced Coherence Scanning Interferometer (CSI) surface metrology system to assess the arrangement and distribution of surface features (topography) of materials down to the nano-scale, and so is an essential tool for the understanding of nano-functional surfaces which are the underpinning materials of numerous new technologies ranging from medical diagnostics to solar power. The CSI instrumentation acquisition will be critical to formulate a unique metrology-orientated ultra-precision structured and freeform surface manufacturing capability. The core equipment will facilitate scientific and innovative research in the area of freeform and micro/nano-structured surface measurement of novel coatings and thin films. The outcomes from this acquisition will include the provision of enabling techniques for functionalised bio implants next generation novel optics, new functional surfaces, and facilitation of the development of ISO standards for next generation of functional geometrical products. The second instrument is a Vector Network Analyser (VNA) to support researchers working in the areas of; materials characterisation, measurement and sensing, metamaterials and integrative technologies to deliver research against key identified EPSRC Priority Research areas such as materials characterisation, functional materials, measurement and sensing, photonic materials, metamaterials and plasmonics, integrative technologies (from mobile technologies to radar technologies) and ICT for manufacturing. Understanding the electromagnetic properties of materials are essential for developing the next generation of materials for devices such as antennas, passive and active components (both linear and non-linear) and high-speed serial interconnects.Both instruments will be used as a platform to develop interdisciplinary collaborative research across faculties at the University of Huddersfield and with external collaborators and to support established researchers as well as early career researchers and research students.