Diamond Synchrotron Facilities for Industry
Industrial Liaison Office
Industry Research Using Diamond
- Aerospace
- Automotive
- Catalysis
- Chemicals
- Consumer Products
- Electronics
- Drug Development
- Drug Discovery
- Energy
- Engineering
- Environment
- Food
- Healthcare
- Nuclear
- Oil
Aerospace Research Using Diamond
A detailed understanding of the properties and behaviour of advanced materials in extreme conditions is of fundamental importance for the aerospace industry. The ability to assess the structural weakness of devices and materials on a microscopic scale is required for ensuring safety whilst boosting performance of engineering components.
Diamond's facilities are unique in the world for the non-destructive detailed analysis and modelling of strain, cracks and corrosion as well as in situ study of materials during processing, providing valuable tools for aerospace research and development.
Read more...Automotive Research Using Diamond
To keep ahead of the competition, the automotive industry needs to identify and realise innovative research developments in chemistry, materials science and engineering. A deep understanding of fundamental processes such as catalysis and detailed knowledge of material properties on the molecular scale is vital to developing and maintaining competitive advantage and minimising impact on the environment.
Diamond provides specialist synchrotron analytical techniques for the atomic to microscale characterisation of materials ranging from catalytic materials and novel advanced components through to coatings and motor oils.
Read more...Catalysis Research Using Diamond
Catalysis is estimated to be involved in 90% of all chemical processes and in the creation of 60% of the chemical products available on the market, but still it is rarely analysed at the atomic scale. The need to understand catalysis at this level is driven by both economic and environmental concerns; therefore there is a global interest in optimising the synthesis of new catalytic materials and in understanding the fundamental process of catalysis.
Chemicals Research Using Diamond
Unravelling the chemical and electronic properties of compounds is a real challenge due to chemical heterogeneity, sample nature and sensitivity to various conditions (gas flow and composition, temperature, pressure). Operando studies on chemical processes is crucial to design new reactions and manufacturing processes and it provides fundamental insights into the science of chemistry.
Consumer Products Research Using Diamond
Innovation and sustainability are two of the key drivers for the consumer products industry in today’s marketplace. With sustainability high on the consumer agenda and with rising raw material, water and energy costs, the development of efficient and “green” products, packaging and processes is vital to long term business success.
Electronics Research Using Diamond
The electronics sector continuously strives to develop and launch new high technology products that advance society. Being able to manipulate nanoparticles and studying magnetism on the nanoscale have potential for building materials atom by atom, allowing engineering with unprecedented precision. Therefore, understanding matter at the nanometre scale is crucial for design of electronic materials and devices with finely tuned properties and behaviours for a huge range of applications.
Drug Development Research Using Diamond
Discovering a potent and highly selective drug is of course only part of the story of creating a new medicine. Careful consideration of the appropriate dosage form for the patient is essential for effective treatment. Of course, different dosage forms present a wide range of technical challenges with product solubility and long term stability paramount to the ultimate success of the therapeutic treatment. Specific pharmaceutical formulation challenges include investigating the dissolution process, particle size, drug and excipient phase behaviour, along with the effects of polymorphism, solubility and oxidation among others.
Drug Discovery Research Using Diamond
One of the most significant challenges facing modern society is to balance the growing demand for power with the dwindling supply of fossil fuels, our primary energy supply. Meeting this challenge will require a combined approach ranging from making better and more efficient use of existing resources, improving the cost and energy efficiency of existing processes, developing new processes and technologies and exploring alternative sources of power.
Scientists researching future energy solutions use Diamond’s facilities to develop and refine new energy technologies.
Read more...Engineering Research Using Diamond
Innovation and advanced design approaches by engineers can solve complex real world problems. Novel concepts are needed to push performance boundaries and greater scientific insight is often needed to fully realise the design. Increased insight can be achieved by improving the materials and processes used in the manufacturing route or measuring parameters such as stress and strain directly to validate computational models. Additionally, in the event of catastrophic failure of the engineering system, a forensic method is often needed to re-engineer the component or system.
Diamond provides specialist analytical techniques for the atomic to microscale characterisation of materials ranging from high performance components and devices through to diagnostic tools and drug delivery technologies.
Read more...Environmental Research Using Diamond
Environmental Research Using Diamond
A detailed understanding of environmental issues such as pollution, climate change and environmental remediation plays an important role in protecting human health, the environment and preparing land for redevelopment. Therefore, there is a high demand to find long term solutions to environmental problems we are currently facing. In order to overcome these issues it is crucial to use advanced analytical techniques to study various materials in the areas of microbiology, geology and geochemistry.
Food Research Using Diamond
With rising raw material costs around the world and increasing pressure for local food supplies, sustainability and waste reduction are key drivers for the food industry, particularly for global supply chains. Following food scares, consumers are demanding higher levels of quality control and traceability for food security, of vital importance in a very competitive market with new products frequently introduced. Changing consumer trends, particularly the focus on health and nutrition, also represent research and development challenges for the food industry and meeting these diverse requirements is key to long term business success. Innovation requires a fresh approach, a good understanding of the science behind the product or process and access to the widest possible variety of research and development tools.
Diamond provides specialist analytical techniques for the atomic to microscale characterisation of materials ranging from food ingredients and formulations through to packaging and food processing components.
Healthcare Research Using Diamond
Innovative use of technology, together with rigorous controls to ensure product security, is needed to meet demanding requirements for healthcare technology development particularly around cost, portability and usability. As the focus moves from the hospital to the home, healthcare research and development is increasingly driven by the needs of the patient end users rather than clinicians. The requirement to develop robust, reliable, lower energy and cost-effective point-of-care devices is more important than ever before. While it remains essential to business strategy to balance the needs and opportunities in both developed and emerging markets, increasingly complex regulatory frameworks are delaying the time to market, so a good understanding of the science behind the product and access to the widest possible variety of research and development tools is vital to ensure success.
Diamond provides specialist analytical techniques for the atomic to microscale characterisation of materials ranging from high performance components and devices to through to diagnostic tools and drug delivery technologies.
Read more...
Nuclear Research Using Diamond
The use of nuclear power presents numerous challenges with safety and radioactive waste management key considerations. An area of nuclear research of particular importance in the UK is the field of nuclear decommissioning and radioactive waste management. As a nation, we have accumulated radioactive waste from a variety of sources including nuclear power stations and the use of radio-active materials in medicine, industry and research which needs to be disposed of in a safe and secure manner.
Diamond provides specialist analytical techniques for the atomic to microscale characterisation of materials relevant to all stages of the nuclear fuel cycle.
Oil Research Using Diamond
We remain reliant on fossil fuels for our current and future energy supply and one of the greatest challenges facing scientists today is to make the most efficient use of our resources. This drive for increased efficiency affects all aspects of the oil industry from upstream enhanced oil recovery technologies to downstream refining processes through to lubricants, additives and coatings.