Multi-User Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) Core Equipment

通过这笔资金拨款购买的多用户原子力显微镜（AFM）仪器将取代并增强阿尔斯特大学工程学院表征设施的一个关键要素，该设施对纳米级材料的研究至关重要，包括功能性生物材料、太阳能材料、海洋研究传感器材料、纳米颗粒药物输送系统和先进的复合材料。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。阿尔斯特大学AFM仪器的主要学术用户社区已经建立，该技术已经被视为产生高度影响力研究的核心设施。因此，现代最先进的AFM仪器的可用性将直接影响到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，AFM被视为一个基础良好的实验室中必不可少的核心研究设施，以确保阿尔斯特大学在获得高度竞争的质量相关研究（QR）资金方面具有竞争力。对这种工具的需求不仅限于学术活动，这笔资金购买还将大大加强我们对本土产业的研发支持，并通过提供位于这里的大公司期望在大学部门获得的资源，帮助吸引外国直接投资到北爱尔兰。正如Invest NI （www.investni.com）所示，阿尔斯特大学的研究能力是我们对内投资的重要组成部分。NI（草案）政府计划（2016-21）作为其中心目标之一，需要“通过解决劣势和推动经济增长来改善所有人的福祉”。在这方面，我们认识到，该地区只有通过强大、有竞争力、平衡的经济才能繁荣。人们也普遍认识到，北爱尔兰的大学部门通过提供熟练的劳动力和对研发的关键投入，为经济增长做出了重大贡献。如所指出的，后一种活动既支持本地工业，也支持那些由于有熟练的劳动力和获得世界一流资源而设在这里的海外公司。

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.