The Imaging and Characterisation research area provides a technique focus, which complements the application-based approach for most of Royce’s other research areas.
The Imaging and Characterisation research area aims to provide and support access to the cutting-edge techniques applicable across the entire scope of Royce’s research areas.
This includes the specific expertise needed to describe and quantify the structure and properties of such a broad range of advanced materials. These techniques provide vital information to accelerate and support materials optimisation to improve performance, production, functionality and sustainability.
Vision
The Imaging and Characterisation research area provides a technique focus, which complements the application-based approach for most of Royce’s other research areas. We aim to:
Support Royce and partners in providing state-of-the-art equipment and facilities for the imaging and characterisation of a diverse set of advanced materials; including: X-Ray imaging, diffraction and spectroscopy, photoelectron spectroscopy, electron microscopy and diffraction, optical microscopy, mass spectrometry, atomic force microscopy and more.
Champion our technical staff by developing and supporting a comprehensive national network of imaging and characterisation researchers to improve cohesion, support accessible training in communication, management and technical skills, and promote wider understanding of techniques and their capabilities
Increase external engagement across academia and industry with Royce imaging and characterisation technologies by organising workshops and other networking events
Current and Future Research
The applications of the Imaging and Characterisation capability across the partner institutes spans the entire scope of Royce’s research areas from 2D materials, advanced metals processing, atoms to devices, biomedical materials, chemical materials design, electrochemical systems, materials for demanding environments, nuclear materials and modelling and simulation.
Key areas for growth include:
Streamlining of equipment access – making it easier to find an expert in your research area and collaborate with them
Technical support – supporting our technical staff in training and development opportunities to maximise the support they can provide
Showcasing our equipment – supporting open days, workshops and conferences to highlight our equipment and engage new users from across academia and industry
The Imaging and Characterisation Research Area encompasses Royce’s elemental mission pillars by providing capability and expertise to describe the behaviour of a wide range of advanced materials. Many of the imaging and characterisation techniques are one-of-a-kind and can provide novel understanding of the performance of materials in different environments.
The insights gained through these techniques are essential across academia and industry to accelerate material development. These facilities have the scope to provide enhanced optimisation in a host of applications.
This research area will support and foster relationships across the UK’s pre-existing imaging and characterisation community. To grow and support the community further, the research area will establish new partnerships with learned societies to pursue scientific understanding across the remit of Royce’s materials challenges.
