EPSRC Core Equipment Award 2022: University of Warwick

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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.