Chemistry at Birmingham: a Response to the EPSRC Call: Core Capability for Chemistry Research

该提案的总体目标是通过购置新设备来加强伯明翰大学化学学院(SOC)教职员工的研究活动。这些设备包括具有基质辅助激光解吸电离(MALDI)和电喷雾电离能力的行波离子迁移质谱计(IM-MS)、具有1H和X核能力(即19F、31P)的300 MHz核磁共振显微成像系统(Micro-MRI)的多核扩散探针(Micro-MRI)，以及两台同时分析晶体和非晶体样品的X射线衍射仪。这项研究支持了SOC旗帜下的化学促进健康和可持续发展，该旗帜描绘了全球问题，并反过来构成了EPSRC研究议程的重要组成部分。特别是，我们的优先事项映射到EPSRC研究主题的优先领域，包括制造未来、能源和医疗技术，以及物理科学重大挑战，拨号分子。这项投资是由大华大学(GB 530k)承诺的财政支持支持的，是在人员(自2007年以来有10名新人)和基础设施方面的扩展投资计划的一部分，其中详细的计划是对哈沃斯大楼(UOB的化学中心)进行3000万GB的整修。由我们的设备投标支持的研究跨越：(I)化学和生物医学成像，在那里建议的仪器将使成像和离子化学方面的开创性研究成为可能，并将支持我们EPSRC博士培训中心(DTC)的研究和培训。这门科学与EPSRC在医疗技术领域的优先领域非常一致，包括生物医学背景下的动态成像，例如涉及成像药物在组织中的分布，以及探测小分子(包括新药)与生物分子受体(如蛋白质或DNA)的相互作用。我们正在寻求采购的所有设备都将对我们各个研究生群体产生立竿见影的影响。特别是，通过伯明翰大学以化学科学为基础的博士培训中心(PSIBS-生物系统和氢、燃料电池及其应用的成像物理科学)注册的学生将可以获得这些课程。这两个DTC都将能够培养出更高质量的博士毕业生，以帮助满足英国对生物技术和低碳能源技术日益增长的需求，并进行设备投资。(Ii)合成和催化--我们的研究为EPSRC的重大挑战做出了贡献，Dial-a-分子，关键活动与EPSRC为支持增长而指定的优先领域密切相关，从药物输送到催化。合成项目的重点是开发新的化学，为工业提供获得高价值中间体的途径，例如使用过渡金属催化、有机催化和级联反应。超分子化学、化学生物学、药物化学以及传感器、探测器和纳米颗粒的合成也是重要的领域。(Iii)材料化学和能源--在能源旗帜下包括许多重要领域的研究，EPSRC强调将成形能力作为增长领域，包括能量储存和提高能源效率。我们的研究涵盖氢存储、电池新材料、燃料电池、新型纳米材料、核能和太阳能电池研究。这项工作是高度跨学科和协作性的，并得到了大华大学氢燃料电池DTC的支持。

The overarching objective of the proposal is to enhance the research activities of the staff of the School of Chemistry (SoC) at the University of Birmingham (UoB), through the acquisition of new equipment. The items of equipment sought include a travelling-wave ion mobility mass spectrometer (IM-MS) with both matrix assisted laser desorption ionisation (MALDI) and electrospray ionisation capabilities, a multinuclear diffusion probe for 300 MHz NMR microimaging system (micro-MRI), with 1H and X-nucleus capability (i.e. 19F, 31P), and two X-ray diffraction instruments to analyse both crystalline and non-crystalline samples.This equipment will powerfully enable a range of diverse research within the SoC, and involving many collaborations in academia and industry. The research supported falls under the SoC banner of Chemistry for Health and Sustainability, which maps onto global issues, and in turn forms crucial parts of the research agenda for EPSRC. In particular, our priorities map onto priority areas of EPSRC Research Themes including Manufacturing the Future, Energy, and Healthcare Technologies, and also the Physical Sciences Grand Challenge, Dial-a-Molecule. The investment is underpinned by committed financial support from the UoB (£530k), and is part of an extended programme of investment in staff (10 new appointees since 2007) and infrastucture, where detailed plans are in place for a £30m refurbishment of the Haworth building - the home of Chemistry at the UoB.Research supported by our equipment bid spans:(i) Chemical and Biomedical Imaging, where the proposed instruments will enable pioneering research in imaging and ion chemistry, and will underpin research and training in our EPSRC doctoral training centre (DTC). The science strongly aligns with EPSRC priority areas in Healthcare Technologies, including dynamic imaging in a biomedical context, for example involving imaging drug distribution in tissues, and probing the interactions of small molecules (including novel drugs) with biomolecular receptors, like proteins or DNA. All of the equipment we are seeking to procure will have an immediate impact on our various cohorts of postgraduate students. In particular they will be available to students enrolled through the University of Birmingham chemical science based Doctoral Training Centres (PSIBS - Physical Sciences of Imaging in the Biological Systems and Hydrogen, Fuel Cells and their Applications). Both DTCs will be able to deliver even higher quality PhD Graduates to help meet the growing demand in the UK in the biotechnology and low carbon energy technologies with ths equipment investment.(ii) Synthesis and Catalysis - where our research contributes to the EPSRC grand challenge, Dial-a-Molecule, and key activities correspond closely to priority areas earmarked by EPSRC Shaping Capability for growth in support, ranging from drug delivery to catalysis. Synthesis projects are focused on the development of new chemistry that provides access to high value intermediates for industry, for example using transition metal catalysis, organocatalysis, and cascade reactions. Supramolecular chemistry, chemical biology, medicinal chemistry, and synthesis of sensors, probes and nanoparticles, are also important areas.(iii) Materials Chemistry and Energy - includes research in many important areas under the Energy banner, and highlighted by EPSRC Shaping Capability as growth areas, including energy storage and improving energy efficiency. Our research spans hydrogen storage, new materials for batteries, fuel cells, novel nanomaterials, nuclear and solar cell research. This work is highly interdisciplinary and collaborative, and is underpinned by the UoB DTC in hydrogen fuel cells.