Multi-User Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) Core Equipment

通过这笔资本奖励拨款购买的多用户原子力显微镜(AFM)仪器将取代和增强阿尔斯特大学工程学院内的表征设施中的一个关键元素，该设施对于纳米级材料的研究至关重要，包括功能生物材料、太阳能材料、用于海洋研究的传感器材料、纳米药物输送系统和先进复合材料。它将支持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。阿尔斯特大学原子力显微镜仪器的主要学术用户社区已经建立起来，这项技术已经被视为产生高度影响的研究的核心设施。因此，现代、最先进的原子力显微镜仪器的可用性将直接影响提高研究成果的质量，因为它提供了关于材料特性如何影响其功能和后续应用的新数据。在这方面，原子力显微镜被视为一个基础完善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，这项资本购买也将显著增强我们对本土工业的研发支持，并通过提供设在这里的大公司预计大学部门可以获得的可用资源，帮助吸引外国直接投资到北爱尔兰(NI)。正如Invest NI(www.investni.com)所指出的那样，阿尔斯特大学的研究能力是我们提供的外来投资的主要部分。NI(草案)政府计划(2016-21)的核心目标之一是需要“通过解决不利因素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，只有通过一个强大、有竞争力和平衡的经济，该地区才会繁荣。人们还广泛认识到，北爱尔兰的大学部门通过提供熟练的劳动力及其对研究和开发的关键投入，为经济增长做出了实质性贡献。正如所指出的那样，后一种活动既支持本土产业，也支持那些由于拥有熟练劳动力和获得世界级资源而在这里落户的海外公司。

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.