University of Exeter Core Equipment Award 2022

保持尖端的研究设施和专业化的技术支持是中央埃克塞特的战略提供基础设施，支撑世界领先的（4*）研究的大学。埃克塞特在学术任命和研究设施方面投入了大量资金，以增加EPSRC面临的研究的数量和质量。本提案中要求的设备项目是通过一个战略过程选择的，用于维护，升级和更换我们EPSRC资助的学者所依赖的关键研究资产。这三个项目的共同要求大大提高了我们在关键EPSRC主题和领域进行研究的能力。E1：Sono-Cell SNR 300涂层系统Sono-Cell SNR 300超声喷涂技术可以为各种应用生产高度均匀的纳米级薄膜涂层。使用该系统的研究将引入一个快速处理平台，用于发现和纳米结构控制的纳米材料制造，用于一系列应用，包括制氢，储氢，热能和电能储存，太阳能转换和建筑节能。薄膜涂层技术的主要障碍之一是从非常小的涂层区域到更宽的区域获得尺度均匀性，而这种新设备将为这一障碍提供解决方案，能够在台式包装中均匀涂覆直径高达300 n x 300 mm的基材。这是一种通用的技术，因为它消除了其他物理和化学制造技术的停滞和复杂的要求。E2：氦泄漏检测设备真空，气体和低温设备的使用在整个科学和技术中无处不在，泄漏的检测和修复是其操作的一个重要方面。作为最小的惰性气体原子，氦可以通过最小的缝隙找到自己的路，并被广泛用于寻找泄漏。将要求的氦气检漏仪连接到待测系统，然后将可疑接头或密封件暴露于外部氦气。如果存在泄漏，氦原子进入系统并进入检漏仪。泄漏检测器可以确定存在的氦气量，从而确定泄漏的规模，并将发出声音信号，以便单个操作员可以专注于应用氦气，而无需查看仪器显示器。所请求的氦嗅探器以相反的方式操作。将氦气注入可疑管道或容器中，并使用嗅探器检测通过泄漏的氦气。E3：矢量网络分析仪（VNA）矢量网络分析仪（VNA）是RF和mm波段天线测量和材料表征的主力，可直接测量电磁波的振幅和相位。这款新型VNA可实现高达110 GHz的更高频率的测量，从而在技术上日益重要的毫米波频段的新应用领域开展研究。例如，6 G通信已被分配到>90 GHz的频率，而汽车雷达系统在76和81 GHz之间工作，用于自适应巡航控制/防撞（并且是所谓的自动驾驶汽车中使用的技术的一个方面）。毫米波还被用于高分辨率安全扫描仪和高数据容量卫星间通信，并可能用于下一代医学成像应用。

Maintaining cutting-edge research facilities and specialised technical support are central to the University of Exeter's strategy for providing an infrastructure which underpins world-leading (4*) research. Exeter has invested heavily in academic appointments and research facilities to increase the volume and quality of EPSRC facing research. The items of equipment requested in this proposal were selected via a strategic process for maintaining, upgrading and replacing key research assets that our EPSRC funded academics rely upon. The three items requested collectively greatly increase our capability in undertaking research in key EPSRC themes and areas.E1: Sono-Cell SNR300 coating systemThe Sono-Cell SNR300 ultrasonic spray coating technology can produce highly uniform nano-scale thin film coatings for a variety of applications. Research using the system will introduce a fast-processing platform for discovery and nanostructure-controlled fabrication of nanomaterials for range of applications including hydrogen production, hydrogen storage, thermal and electrical energy storage, solar energy conversion and building energy efficiency. One of the major barriers in thin film coating technologies is obtaining uniformity in scale from very small coating area to much wider areas, and this new equipment will provide a solution to this barrier, with capabilities for even coating of substrate diameters up to 300n x 300 mm in a benchtop package. This is a versatile technique as it eliminates the stagnant and complex requirement of other physical and chemical fabrication techniques.E2: Helium Leak Detection EquipmentThe use of vacuum, gas and cryogenic apparatus is ubiquitous throughout science and technology, and the detection and repair of leaks is an essential aspect of its operation. As the smallest inert gas atom, Helium can find its way through the smallest of gaps and is widely used to find leaks. The requested Helium leak detector is connected to the system that is to be tested and then the suspect joint or seal is exposed to Helium gas from the outside. If a leak exists, the Helium atoms enter the system and pass into the leak detector. The leak detector can determine the amount of Helium present, and hence the scale of the leak, and will emit an audible signal so that a single operator can focus on applying the Helium gas without needing to look at the instrument display. The requested Helium sniffer operates the other way around. Helium gas is bled into the suspect pipes or vessel and the sniffer is used to detect the Helium gas that escapes through the leak. E3: Vector Network Analyser (VNA)Vector Network Analysers (VNA) are workhorses of antenna measurements and material characterisation in the RF and mm-wave bands, enabling the direct measurement of the amplitude and phase of electromagnetic waves. This new VNA will enable measurements at higher frequencies, up to 110 GHz, enabling research in new application areas in the increasingly technologically important mm-wave frequency band. For example, 6G communications have been allocated to frequencies >90 GHz, whilst automotive radar systems operate between 76 and 81 GHz for adaptive cruise control / collision avoidance (and is one aspect of the technologies used in so-called self-driving cars). Mm-waves are also being employed in high-resolution security scanners and high data capacity inter-satellite communications and will likely be used in next generation medical imaging applications.