Research and Expertise
University of Bath
Department of Biology and Biochemistry
One of Britain's top Biological Science Departments - a vibrant and ambitious research-based Department with strong industry links. Rated Grade 5 in the Higher Education Funding Council (HEFCE) Research Assessment Exercise.
Department of Chemistry
Research within the Department spans all sub-disciplines from theoretical physical to biological chemistry. A significant degree of interdisciplinary research is undertaken.
Rated Grade 4A in the most recent Research Assessment Exercise.
Department of Physics
The David Bullet Laboratory is researching the behaviour of materials made up of ultra-small components whose dimensions approach the scale of a nanometre (one billionth of a metre). Scientists at Bath's new major nanofabrication facility are looking closely at the physics associated with the quantum behaviour of electrons confined in ultra-small structures, often carrying out their experiments at high magnetic fields and very low temperatures,
Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology
The Department was graded 5A in the latest research assessment exercise carried out by the HEFC, recognising the international excellence of ongoing research in the department.
Centre for Extremophile Research (CER)
The Centre for Extremophile Research at the University of Bath brings together interdisciplinary expertise on extremophilic micro-organisms and provides a platform from which the biotechnological potential of these organisms and their products can be commercially exploited.
Optical Spectroscopy Group
The Optical Spectroscopy Group has research interests including the optical spectroscopy of semiconductors and, especially, the use of Raman scattering and magneto-Raman scattering to investigate electronic states in semiconductor heterostructures based on both II-VI and III-V compound semiconductors. Samples have been supplied for these studies by many academic and industrial groups world-wide and the phenomena investigated include the special properties of dilute magnetic semiconductors, the optimisation of the growth and doping of epilayers and the behaviour of carriers confined in low-dimensional structures.
Optoelectronics Group
Research into the physics and applications of semiconductor lasers, the properties of microstructured porous silicon, photonic crystal fibres and other photonic band gap materials, and optical fibre devices for telecommunications.
Univeristy of Bristol
Department of Biochemistry
One of the leading Biochemistry departments in the UK, providing excellence in both teaching and research. Achieved a Quality Assurance Agency score of 24 out of 24 and a Research Assessment Exercise grading of 5A.
Department of Pharmacology
One of the UK's top departments of pharmacology, with a research grade of 5A. Very actively engaged in fundamental and applied research, recognized nationally and internationally and supported by funds from Research Councils, from Charitable Foundations and, importantly, from the Pharmaceutical Industry. In addition, the department has two externally funded research units, bringing further expertise into the Department and allowing them to forge even closer links with the industrial pharmaceutical sector.
Department of Physics
Research activities in the department include astrophysics, particle physics, microstructural physics, polymer and biophysics, solid-state and liquid-state physics and a broad range of theoretical physics. While the emphasis is very much on developing fundamental understanding, several groups are concerned with applications and have cooperative projects with industry. Awarded Grade 5 in the 1996 national research assessment exercise.
The Interdisciplinary Research Centre (IRC) in Nanotechnology Structures and Devices
The IRC draws together experts from the University of Bristol, the University of Cambridge and University College, London. The University of Bristol has committed funding of £9 million to construct a highly distinctive state-of-the-art research centre in which physicists, biologists, chemists, engineers, mathematicians, and medics can interact creatively.
Interface Analysis Centre (IAC)
A semi-commercial, multi-disciplinary department hosting a range of surface analytical techniques which allow the investigation of surfaces and interfaces in solid-state materials. The IAC offers a wide range of services to industry and other research institutions, including, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Auger Electron, Spectroscopy (AES), Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry (SIMS), X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Micro-Raman Spectroscopy.
Microstructures Group
Their research covers a wide range of topics, but the common theme is understanding how structure on a length scale from 1 angstrom to 10 micrometres affects the physical behaviour of solids, and how this structure may be controlled to create new materials. Research interests in the Microstructures Group, Electron diffraction, Semiconductor and optoelectronics research, Electrodeposition, Diamond and novel forms of carbon, structural materials, laminates and coatings
Polymer Physics Group
Members of the group now work on the relationships between molecular structure and macroscopic morphology in condensed, liquid crystalline and liquid polymeric systems, encompassing blends, transition dynamics in flow and polymer composites as well as rheology, modelling and scanning probe microscopy of polymers.
Centre for Organized Matter Chemistry.
An interdisciplinary research centre focusing on the development of new science and new applications in the emerging field of materials chemistry. Exploring new areas of world-class chemistry at the interface with colloids, polymers, biomaterials and functional inorganic solids such as catalysts, fillers and porous materials.
The Bristol Colloid Centre (BCC)
The BCC is a well-equipped, industry-facing, open access facility, employing a large group of expert scientists providing solutions for formulations and processing problems for companies worldwide. It operates by technology and knowledge transfer of colloid science into commercially viable technology leading to new and innovative products.
www.thebcc.co.uk
University of Exeter
Physics Research Groups
The School has five major research groups, Magnetic Materials, Medical Physics, Quantum Fluids, Semiconductor Physics, Thin Film Photonics. The group has a strong emphasis on both computer modelling and experimental research, allowing interactive comparison between experiment and theory. From this work, new avenues of research and device potential are continually being uncovered, much of which they are now exploring as pioneers.
Researchers in Electromagnetic Materials are leading two large European programmes investigating applications of thin film and surface photonics, leading to improved efficiency for LEDs and energy transfer. The group collaborates with DSTL at Porton Down in developing molecular biosensors. Their work in optical biomimetics - on butterfly wings and other natural optical structures - is helping QinetiQ to develop new counterfeit structures.
www.exeter.ac.uk
University of Plymouth
There are three distinctive strands to Plymouth's work relating to nanotechnology:
Centre for Research in Information Storage Tech. (CRIST)
In conjunction with global businesses such as Sony, CRIST is developing leading edge memory and nanotechnologies. There are research projects on magnetic dis drives, magnetic tape storage systems, magnetic random access solid state memories and magneto-optical memories.
The Clinical Microvascular Research Group
The Clinical Microvascular Research Group is internationally renowned for its work investigating the normal function of the smallest human blood vessels. Situated in a custom-built physiology centre, this group harnesses a considerable number of platform technologies. These include: laser Doppler fluximetry; capillary microscopy; measurement of dynamic capillary pressure and wave form analysis; application of pharmacological agents by iontophoresis and microinjection; and assessment of the permeability of the microcirculation using computerised capillary filtration co-efficient measurements.
The Electron Microscopy Centre
An imaging and analysis laboratory housing three scanning electron microscopes and a 120Kv transmission instrument. With comprehensive digital imaging and image analysis capability together with the latest Oxford Instruments EDS microanalysis system for materials characterisation, the facility is widely used by advanced engineering companies including those in the semiconductor and aerospace sectors.
www.plymouth.ac.uk/businessservices
University of West of England
The Advanced Sensor Research Group
The huge implications of nanotechnology within the biotechnology industry, represents a key specialism of the University. Research in the Faculty of Applied Sciences is advancing nanotechnological developments in the fields of biomedicine, materials and sensor sciences. The Advanced Sensor Research Group is recognised by the DTI as a National Centre of Excellence. Its ground-breaking work on spheroids - spheres of the brain, skin, heart or liver cells that can be developed in the laboratory - is presenting quick, inexpensive and humane ways of screening drugs.
