Environmental Science applications of synchrotron light

Synchrotron based techniques have made a major impact in the field of environmental science in the last ten years. High resolution allows the study of ultra-dilute substances, the identification of species and the ability to track pollutants as they move through the environment. Diamond is playing an important role in monitoring and predicting the effects of human activities on local and global environments.  This knowledge will enable the development of strategies to reduce our overall environmental impact.

To discuss possible environmental science experiments at Diamond, please contact the relevant beamline scientist or Andy Dent.

Potential industrial users should contact Elizabeth Shotton.

Listen to Diamond scientists and users talk about environmental applications in the Diamond podcast.

Environmental Science Highlights

• Studying dust frozen in time
  08 Dec 2011
  Ice cores drilled from the frozen Antarctic landscape are made up of layer upon layer of frozen snow, dating back hundreds of thousands of years. Trapped within the ice are minute dust particles which Read more...
• Protecting herbarium staff from mercury contaminated specimens
  22 Aug 2011
  The University of Manchester museum herbarium was founded in 1860 and contains over a million specimens from all over the world, with collections spanning hundreds of years. The challenge of how to preserve Read more...
• Electric-field-induced phase transformations in lead-free piezoelectric ceramics
  01 Jun 2011
  Piezoelectric materials are mainstream components for both consumer and industrial applications in a market worth an estimated $10.7 billion annually. The vast majority of this realm is served by the Read more...
• Nanoscale morphology development in polymer:fullerene photovoltaic blends during solvent casting
  01 Jun 2011
  Growing concerns about fuel security and global warming have made the development and use of sustainable (low carbon) sources of energy an increasingly attractive proposition. Harvesting energy from sunlight Read more...
• Complex metal hydrides show promise for hydrogen storage
  26 May 2011
  Combinatorial high-throughput screening at Diamond may prove useful in discovering novel bulk hydrogen storage materials, according to new research published this month in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Read more...