EPSRC Core Equipment Award 2022: University of Warwick

我们能够快速和常规地获得有关实验室或自然产生的分子，材料和设备的组成，结构，形态和功能的信息，是工程和物理科学（EPS）的许多进步和突破的核心。为了实现这一目标，本提案中要求的资金将在我们的聚合物表征和光谱研究技术平台（RTP）内提供新的多用户设备，并增加现有设备的改进和寿命，以确保沃里克大学（UoW）的研究人员能够获得最先进的EPS基础设施。UoW在EPS方面的长期卓越表现深深植根于对设备，基础设施，人员和培训的战略投资。所需设备包括：1。两台最先进的凝胶渗透色谱（GPC）仪器，具有多检测器升级和高通量自动进样器，这对于支持UoW研究小组进行的高通量/在线监测研究至关重要。2.一种高功率脉冲白光超连续照明源，具有在400 - 1000 nm范围内选择任意波长的能力。该系统将能够通过铠装光子芯光纤将高功率光安全地传输到多个光谱仪。拟议的设备将用于促进和加强广泛的EPS研究在UoW，福尔斯属于EPSRC的战略职权范围，并符合UoW的研究战略。新设备将支持来自化学，物理，工程和WMG的超过65个学术团体的研究，这些学术团体在不同领域工作，包括催化，能源材料，制造，医学成像，药物输送和制药，纳米颗粒，纳米复合材料，聚合物材料，汽车和高效运输，个人护理和卫生，农业科学/食品安全，电力电子和半导体。大部分研究是在来自两个或更多科学部门的跨学科团队中进行的。这项投资也将是促进许多M级本科生，硕士和博士生，以及早期职业研究人员的培训的基础。我们的RTPs拥有完善的用户培训计划，并由我们专门的研究技术专业人员（RTProfs）提供支持，这些计划也提供给外部学者和许多行业合作伙伴。UoW致力于确保所要求的设备得到有效的管理和维护，并最大限度地利用。将通过内部、电子方式和机构网页以及沃里克科学服务部对外公布访问权限。此外，获得我们的RTProfs提供的设备和专业知识将在全国范围内传播，作为EPSRC资助的沃里克分析科学中心的一部分，并在米德兰创新（MI）作为“技术人员领导的设备共享”的人才链的一部分，由英国研究所资助。

Our ability to rapidly and routinely obtain information about the composition, structure, morphology and function of molecules, materials and devices produced in the laboratory, or by nature, is central to many advances and breakthroughs in the Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). To enable this, the funds requested in this proposal will provide new multi-user equipment, and add improvements and lifetime to existing equipment, within our Polymer Characterisation and Spectroscopy Research Technology Platforms (RTPs), to ensure that researchers at the University of Warwick (UoW) have access to a state-of-the-art infrastructure for EPS. UoW's long-term excellence in EPS is firmly rooted in strategic investment in equipment, infrastructure, people and training. The equipment requested includes: 1. Two state-of-the-art gel permeation chromatography (GPC) instruments, with multi-detector upgrades and a high through-put auto-sampler, which are essential to underpin the high-throughput/on-line monitoring research taking place in the research groups at UoW. 2. A high-power pulsed white-light super-continuum illumination source with ability to select arbitrary wavelengths in the range 400 - 1000 nm. The system will be capable of safe delivery of high-powered light to multiple spectrometers via an armoured photonic core fibre. The proposed equipment will be used to facilitate and strengthen a wide range of EPS research at UoW that falls within EPSRC's strategic remit and aligns to the UoW research strategy. The new equipment will underpin the research of >65 academic groups from Chemistry, Physics, Engineering and WMG, working in diverse fields that include catalysis, energy materials, manufacturing, medical imaging, drug-delivery and pharma, nanoparticles, nanocomposites, polymer materials, automotive and efficient transport, personal care and hygiene, agroscience/food security, power electronics, and semiconductors. Much of this research is carried out in interdisciplinary teams from two or more of the science departments. This investment will also be fundamental in facilitating the training of many M-Level undergraduates, MSc and PhD students, and early career researchers. Our RTPs have well established programmes of user training and support from our dedicated Research Technical Professionals (RTProfs), and these are also offered to external academics and many industry partners. UoW is committed to ensuring that the equipment requested is effectively managed and maintained, and that usage is maximised. Access will be advertised internally, electronically and via the facility webpages, and externally through Warwick Scientific Services. In addition, access to the equipment and expertise provided by our RTProfs will be disseminated nationally as part of the EPSRC funded Warwick Analytical Science Centre and across Midlands Innovation (MI) as part of the 'Technician Led Equipment Sharing' strand of TALENT, funded by Research England.