EPSRC Core Equipment 2022 - Royal Holloway, University of London

本提案中要求的设备项目是通过战略流程选择的，以创建新的能力，并升级我们EPSRC资助的学者所依赖的关键研究基础设施。布鲁克D8 DISCOVER是一款用于材料研究应用的先进X射线衍射系统，其设计灵活，可对从粉末、非晶和多晶材料到外延多层薄膜的各种材料进行结构表征。选择该系统的部分原因是其开创性的即插即用衍射仪设计，使该仪器成为多用户环境的理想选择。操作的简单性使我们能够将用户群扩大到XRD的新研究人员（包括ECR，博士后研究人员和博士生），同时保持专家用户所需的功能。D8 DISCOVER补充了现有的用于大块单晶样品的高度专业化XRD表征设备。通过额外的机构支持，我们将这些仪器放在一起，以创建一个可访问的多用户X射线表征套件。皇家霍洛威的实验研究得到了机械和电气车间熟练的精密工程师和技术人员的支持。与研讨会团队的互动促进了早期职业参与研发。快速原型制作和设计支助对于发展研究技能基础至关重要。一个由科技和金融公司和内部供资的升级方案已开始用计算机数控工具取代手工操作的车间工具。CNC刀具提高了制造效率并确保可持续性（在与未来劳动力技能兼容方面）。在本提案中，我们继续这一进程，并通过购买5轴数控铣削系统来提高能力。5轴（正常的X，Y，Z，加上围绕两个额外的轴A和B的刀具旋转）CNC系统允许更快速的生产，更高的精度，更好的质量完成，并有能力加工零件，这是不可能使用3轴系统。这些设施将加强现有的研究在皇家霍洛威，伦敦大学，在关键的战略领域，这些领域得到了大量内部和外部投资的支持，包括开发用于计量，传感和量子计算的新量子技术，低温量子材料研究，自旋电子学，能源应用材料（电池和热电材料）。

The items of equipment requested in this proposal were selected via a strategic process for creating new capabilities, and upgrading key research infrastructures that our EPSRC-funded academics rely upon. The Bruker D8 DISCOVER is an advanced X-ray diffraction system for material research applications, it has a flexible design that allows for structural characterization of the full range of materials from powders, amorphous and polycrystalline materials to epitaxial multi-layered thin films. The system was chosen in part for its pioneering plug & play diffractometer design which makes the instrument ideal for a multi-user environment. The simplicity of operation allows us to broaden the user base to researchers new to XRD (including ECRs, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students) while maintaining the features required by the expert users. The D8 DISCOVER complements existing highly specialized XRD characterization equipment for bulk single crystal samples. Using additional institutional support we will co-locate these instruments to create an accessible multi-user x-ray characterization suite.Experimental research at Royal Holloway is supported by skilled precision engineers and technicians in the mechanical and electrical workshops. Interactions with the workshop team promotes early career involvement in R&D. Rapid prototyping and design support are essential for the development of the research skills base. A programme of upgrades with STFC and internal funding has begun to replace manually operated workshop tools with computer numerical controlled (CNC) tools. The CNC tools increase the efficiency of manufacturing and ensure sustainability (in terms of being compatible with the skills of a future workforce). In this proposal, we continue this process and enhance the capability through the purchase of a 5-axis CNC milling system. The 5-axis (the normal X, Y, Z, plus tool rotation around two additional axes A and B) CNC system allows for more rapid production, more accuracy, better quality finish, and the ability to machine parts that are not possible using the 3-axis systems.These facilities will enhance existing research at Royal Holloway, University of London, in key strategic areas which are supported by significant internal and external investment, including the development of new Quantum technologies for metrology, sensing and quantum computing, cryogenics quantum materials research, spintronics, materials for energy applications (battery and thermoelectric materials).