World’s first liquid surfaces X-ray machine

Author:Science and Technology Division, UK
Article Source:Adapted from: EPSRC _ 31 May 2012
Publish Date:2012.08.05

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The University of Nottingham will be the base for the world's first Liquid Phase Photoelectron Spectroscopy (LiPPS) machine, a high performance tool that will increase the UK's competitiveness in a range of high-value industrial sectors including semiconductors, aerospace, pharmaceuticals and automotives.

Funded by a £675,000 grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), LiPPS is a unique X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) machine which allows researchers to take atomistic measurements of the surface of liquids for the first time. Current instrumentation in the XPS field allows only for the analysis of solid substances. LiPPS will be easier to operate, able to deal with a wider range of sample types.

LiPPS will be sited within the Nottingham Nanotechnology and Nanoscience Centre (NNNC) at University Park. The Centre will collaborate with other leading centres of Photoelectron Spectroscopy, particularly the national facility (NEXUS) hosted at Newcastle University. Other universities including Imperial College, York, Leicester and Queen's University Belfast will also benefit from its use.

The University of Nottingham also secured a major EU nanotechnology research project with an overall value of €9.7 million in April. The project, known as SHYMAN (Sustainable Hydrothermal Manufacturing of Nanomaterials), will take place over the next four years and includes partner universities and businesses from 12 European countries.