Member Article

NanoKTN help secure funding for academic research facility

The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network has helped one of its members to secure £3.2m to establish NEXUS.

NEXUS is the leading EPSRC X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) training and research facility at Newcastle University.

It is one of a series of “mid-range facilities” for UK-based academics, comprising of a high-tech suite of XPS and associated facilities for open-access use.

NEXUS provides equipment and facilities in support of XPS, one of the principal methods of probing the composition and electronic structure of surfaces.

Project leader, Professor Peter Cumpson, believes support and advice offered by the NanoKTN throughout the application process played an important part in securing the funding.

Throughout the planning and application process he worked with NanoKTN theme manager Dr James Johnstone, who provided advice and guidance.

Professor Cumpson said: “Dr Johnstone’s wealth of knowledge was invaluable to us whilst putting together the funding application for the NEXUS facility.

“He not only provided key information about the current market but also put me in contact with potential academic users and partners, information I would just not have access to without his support.”

“Being a member of the NanoKTN was a huge benefit to us when entering a new market and looking for potential users for the NEXUS facility.

“Attending events has enabled us to connect with companies and individuals with similar interests, as well as providing us with up-to-date relevant information on the market.”

Dr Jonhstone, added: “The EPSRC NEXUS facility is an important new addition to the UK’s nanometrology capability.

“It helps provide easy access to advanced quantified surface analysis equipment and expertise that is both established for routine analysis and bespoke investigations.

“The NanoKTN is proud to support this by linking and connecting UK SMEs who may require its capability to find answers to very difficult problems for a wide range of industries such as electronics, catalysis, healthcare and materials. Few techniques can provide such robust answers.”

The NanoKTN’s primary aim is to encourage and support UK organisations to collaborate and share knowledge with key partners in attractive end user markets to achieve growth of the UK micro and nanotechnology sector.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .