Wolfson boosts Liverpool nanoscience with £0.8 million
4 Feb 2024
The Wolfson Foundation has given an £800k grant to enable the University of Liverpool to boost its nanoscale and materials science capability with the purchase of key technology.
It will allow the institution to purchase a Nano Atomic Force Microscopy−Infrared (nanoAFM-IR) platform, enhancing research in critical areas such as advanced surfaces, materials, energy and global health.
Able to analyse the structure, chemistry and properties of matter to nanoscale level, it will boost Liverpool’s work in surface, interfacial and materials science. The platform will also support collaborative research across existing national Centres of Excellence.
These include the Surface Science Research Centre, the Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces, the Stephenson Institute for Renewable Energy, the Materials Innovation Factory, the Leverhulme Research Centre for Functional Materials Design and the National Biofilm Innovation Centre.
Department of Chemistry professor Rasmita Raval’s responsibilities include three of the sites, as director of the University’s Surface Science Research Centre and the Open Innovation Hub for Antimicrobial Surfaces, and also co-director of the National Biofilm Innovation Centre.
She commented: “This new state-of-the-art instrument represents a ground-breaking development for research scientists working in advanced surfaces, materials and interfaces.
“For the first time, nanoscale structure-chemistry-performance properties will become accessible, which will be transformational across all our major research themes supporting outputs and driving innovation.”
Chief executive of the Wolfson Foundation Paul Ramsbottom said Liverpool had assembled an impressive roster of materials scientists and chemists developing next generation medical devices, energy storage technologies and antimicrobial surfaces.
Enabling the nanoAFM-IR instrument purchase would enable better understanding of the interaction of surfaces and materials at nanoscale :in exciting and novel ways,” he stated.
Created in 1955 The Wolfson Foundation allocates more than £30 million annually and during its current lifetime has funded an estimated £1 billions-worth of grants to around 14,000 science, education and arts projects.
Pic: Chokniti Khongchum
