Supporting World-Class Labs at the University of Manchester (2022)

自2004年成立以来，曼彻斯特大学一直致力于建立其世界级研究的声誉，并在世界大学排行榜上迅速上升。它现在在世界排名前35位。我们的既定目标是提供最先进的设施和设备，并率先作出安排，以便更有效地使用这些设施和设备，包括共享。现在，我们建议使用我们的EPSRC核心设备资本奖来支持科学与工程学院以及生物、医学和健康科学学院的研究人员，通过在与曼彻斯特大学战略重点一致的领域提供最先进的设备。经过一轮竞标，我们选择投资的项目是：-高压通用材料试验机设备，具有可加热至600℃，可冷却至零下150℃的环境室。机械测试是结构材料研究的一项基本能力，这台新机器将用于测试从高级合金到聚合物和复合材料的所有材料，包括混凝土。物理学家、材料科学家、机械和土木工程师在他们的研究中都依赖于机械测试。-温控环境三轴自动化系统。了解温度和相对湿度变化对土壤和软岩行为的影响是关键基础设施设计的重要考虑因素，由于气候变化和极端天气的广泛影响，引起了科学家和工程师的注意。这些考虑已成为制定灾害管理战略和提供具有更好复原力的关键基础设施的关键因素。-等离子体辉光放电装置，用于“安装”低温电子显微镜样品的网格的清洁和表面制备。在部分真空等离子体中操作，其中包含可控的气体混合物，这可以在制备之前立即影响碳网格的表面特性。例如，氩改变表面电荷，而氢和氧反应形成等离子体过氧化氢。每个样品都有独特的物理行为，有多种制备网格的方法是解决质量问题和加快设备吞吐量的最有效方法。-单光子探测系统，对于开发依靠量子效应提供增强功能的新材料和设备至关重要。世界正在进入量子技术发展的新阶段，量子技术有望通过将感知环境的能力提高到更敏感的水平来改变我们的生活，并通过量子计算机实现前所未有的药物发现。实现这些新的量子技术依赖于专门为此目的设计的材料的发展，例如本系统将研究的单光子（光粒子）发射材料。总的来说，这些投资支持我们为曼彻斯特的研究人员提供世界一流的实验室，特别是确保他们能够提供国际领先的研究。在这个提案中，我们特别支持我们的早期职业研究人员和研究技术专家社区，让他们直接参与提案的准备和领导。

Since its creation in 2004, the University of Manchester has focussed on building its reputation for world-class research, and has risen rapidly in world university league tables. It now ranks within the top 35 institutions in the world. Our stated aim is to to provide state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, and pioneer arrangements for their more efficient use, including sharing.Now we propose to use our EPSRC Capital Award for Core Equipment to support researchers in the Faculty of Science and Engineering and Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Sciences, by providing state-of-the-art equipment in fields aligned with University of Manchester strategic priorities. Following a round of competitive bidding, the projects we have chosen for investment are:- a high-pressure universal materials testing machine equipment with an environmental chamber capable of heating to 600 degC and cooling to minus 150 degC. Mechanical testing is an essential capability for structural materials research, and this new machine will be used to test all materials from advanced alloys through to polymers and composites, including concrete. Physicists, materials scientists, mechanical and civil engineers all rely on mechanical testing in their research.- a temperature-controlled environmental triaxial automated system. Understanding the effects of changing temperature and relative humidity on the behaviour of soil and soft rocks is an important consideration for the design of critical infrastructure drawing the attention of scientists and engineers due to the wider impacts of climatic changes and extreme weathers. Such considerations have become critical for developing disaster management strategies and providing critical infrastructures with improved resilience.- a plasma glow discharging unit that will be utilised for the cleaning and surface preparation of grids used for 'mounting' cryogenic electron microscopy samples. Operated in a partial vacuum plasma which contains a controllable blend of gases, this can affect the surface properties of a carbon grid immediately before preparation. For example, Argon changes the surface charge, while Hydrogen and Oxygen react and form a plasma Hydrogen Peroxide. Every sample has a unique physical behaviour and having multiple ways of preparing grids is the most efficient way to address quality and speed up throughput from the facility.- a single-photon detection system that is essential for the development of new materials and devices that rely on quantum effects to provide enhanced functionality. The world is entering a new phase of quantum technology development which promises to transform our lives through the ability to sense our environment to ever more sensitive levels and through quantum computers enable drug discovery like never before. Realising these new quantum technologies depend upon the development of materials designed specifically for this purpose such as the single photon (light particle) emitting materials that this system will study.Overall, these investments support our world-class laboratories provision to researchers at Manchester, and from beyond who access them, and in particular ensure they are able to deliver internationally leading research. Within this proposal we have specifically supported our Early Career Researchers and Research Technical Specialist communities through their direct inclusion in the proposal preparation and leadership.