Business to Business, News & Updates

Latest news on Electron and Atomic Force Microscopy in Plymouth

Two pieces of news regarding microscopy facilities in Plymouth.

Firstly, Plymouth Electron Microscopy Centre (PEMC) at the University of Plymouth has secured EU funding to provide free access to small and medium enterprises within Devon and across the UK until June 2023, and reduced-cost access for large enterprises too.

This funding will allow unrivalled access to state-of-the-art instrumentation, including three brand new instruments in 2022, to help develop business and increase collaboration between the industrial and academic environment.

Join the PEMC team to find out exactly how this new round of funding can help your business now and in the future.

This launch of our successful ERDF funded project, Plymouth Materials Characterisation Network (PMCN) follows on from our extremely successful Plymouth Materials Characterisation Project (PMCP), which concluded last year.

This free online event will introduce PEMC, our facilities and team, and explain the new project in more detail; how exactly can businesses benefit from this funding? How can businesses get involved?

There will also be a live Q&A session delivered by our technical specialists where you can ask anything you might want to regarding the use of electron microscopy for industry on the following topics:

  • Materials or Engineering
  • Biological, Medical, or Marine Science
  • Geological or Environmental Investigations
  • Food Science
  • Space or Aerospace

Questions for the Q&A can be submitted here before the event, but live questions will also be taken on the day.

Target Audience

  • Devon-based companies looking to develop new products – particularly those who work in food, advanced engineering, photonics, microelectronics, manufacturing, composites, robotics or new energy.
  • Larger companies in the same sectors. Business groups (e.g. Plymouth Manufacturers Group, North Devon Manufacturing Association, Hi Tech Forum)
  • Business support organisations (e.g. HOTSW LEP Growth Hub)

There are no restrictions on attendance. Please book your place online, or by contacting either Tom O’Hanlon or Jen Mitchell.

Also, while writing …

On a related topic, the University of Plymouth is in the process of applying for an EPSRC equipment grant (deadline 7 Sep) for a specialised Nanosurf Atomic Force Microscope (details – https://www.stevegerryconsulting.co.uk/app/download/5818580059/Nanosurf-DriveAFM-Brochure.pdf ). They are interested to hear if anyone else could potentially make use of this piece of equipment in the future (if the bid were to be successful)?

They ideally need to demonstrate in the application that the equipment will be used extensively by different groups and external agencies (beyond academics within the university), hence my email!

Here is a brief description of the equipment and please see brochure with further info:

The Nanosurf Atomic Force Microscope has extensive range of capabilities for applications in material and life sciences, nanotechnology etc. On imaging mode the AFM can map surface topography, characterise electrical, magnetic, mechanical material properties. For life sciences the instrument can image down to atomic scale, i.e image DNA strands, molecules, proteins, cells and viruses. There is even a possibility to deposit such biomaterials locally or at a specific location on a substrate. Therefore, it is a very versatile instrument with a very broad range of applications.

If this could be of benefit to you/your business in the future, please contact Ewa Thompson , who would be very happy to provide more details and keep you updated on the grant application.

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