Multi-User Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) Core Equipment

多用户原子力显微镜（AFM）核心设备

• 批准号: EP/V034359/1
• 负责人: Brian Meenan
• 金额: $ 52.88万
• 依托单位: University of Ulster
• 依托单位国家: 英国
• 项目类别: Research Grant
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 英国
• 起止时间: 2020 至 无数据
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://gtr.ukri.org/projects?ref=EP%2FV034359%2F1
• 关键词: Multi; User; Atomic; Force; Microscope

The multi-user Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) instrument to be purchased via this capital award allocation will replace and enhance a key element of the characterisation facilities within the School ofEngineering, Ulster University that is critical for the study of range of materials at the nanoscale, including functional biomaterials, solar energy materials, sensor materials for Ocean research, nanoparticle drug delivery systems and advanced composite materials. It will underpin an array of sophisticated modern World Class Lab standard equipment including Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and Time-of-Flight Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry. The main academic user community for the AFM instrument at Ulster University is well established and the technique is already seen as a core facility for the generation of highly impactful research. Hence, the availability of a modern, state-of-the-art AFM instrument will directly impact on enhancing the quality of research outputs by the provision of data that breaks new ground regarding how material properties effect their function and subsequent application. In this regard, AFM is seen as an essential core research facility within a well-founded laboratory in order for Ulster University to be competitive in securing highly competitive Quality-related Research (QR) funding.The need for such an instrument is not limited to academic activities and this capital purchase will also significantly enhance our R&D support for indigenous industry as well as helping to attract foreign direct investment to Northern Ireland (NI) by making available resources that major companies locating here would expect to be available within the University sector. The research capabilities of Ulster University are then a major part of our inward investment offering, as indicated by Invest NI (www.investni.com).The NI (draft) Programme for Government (2016-21) has, as one of its central goals, the need to "improve wellbeing for all by tackling disadvantage, and driving economic growth". In this regard, it is recognised that the region will only prosper through a strong, competitive, balanced economy. It is also widely recognised that the University Sector in Northern Ireland contributes substantively to economic growth via the provision of a skilled workforce and the critical input it makes to Research & Development. As indicated, the latter activities support both indigenous industry and those overseas companies who locate here due to availability of a skilled workforce and access to world class resources.

多用户原子力显微镜（AFM）仪器将通过这一资本奖分配购买将取代和加强表征设施的关键要素内的工程学院，阿尔斯特大学，这是至关重要的研究范围内的材料在纳米尺度，包括功能性生物材料，太阳能材料，传感器材料的海洋研究，纳米颗粒药物输送系统和先进的复合材料。它将支撑一系列先进的现代世界级实验室标准设备，包括透射电子显微镜（TEM），X射线光电子能谱（XPS）和飞行时间二次离子质谱仪。阿尔斯特大学AFM仪器的主要学术用户社区已经建立，该技术已经被视为产生高度影响力研究的核心设施。因此，一个现代化的，最先进的AFM仪器的可用性将直接影响到提高研究成果的质量，通过提供数据，打破了新的领域，有关材料性能如何影响其功能和随后的应用。在这方面，委员会注意到，AFM被视为一个基础雄厚的实验室内必不可少的核心研究设施，以使阿尔斯特大学在获得极具竞争力的质量相关研究（QR）资金方面具有竞争力。对这种仪器的需求不仅限于学术活动，而且这笔资本购买也将大大提高我们的R& D支持本土工业，以及帮助吸引外国直接投资到北方爱尔兰（NI），提供资源，主要公司位于这里将期望在大学部门内提供。阿尔斯特大学的研究能力是我们的外来投资产品的重要组成部分，正如Invest NI（www.investni.com）所指出的那样。NI（草案）政府计划（2016-21）的核心目标之一是“通过解决劣势和推动经济增长来改善所有人的福祉”。在这方面，人们认识到，该地区只有通过强大、有竞争力和平衡的经济才能实现繁荣。人们还普遍认为，北方爱尔兰的大学部门通过提供熟练的劳动力和对研究与开发的关键投入，为经济增长做出了实质性贡献。如前所述，后一种活动既支持本地工业，也支持那些由于拥有熟练劳动力和获得世界级资源而设在这里的海外公司。