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Funding boost for X-ray work on the chemical make-up of materials

December 19, 2000

A Durham University research team is preparing to extend basic understanding of chemical systems using new equipment originally developed for use in space.

The Chemistry Department project, led by Professor Judith Howard, has secured £188,000 of key funding towards the cost of an ultra-high-tech X-ray facility.

The new facility is based on a state-of-the-art X-ray source developed recently by the County Durham company Bede plc - formerly Bede Scientific set up in 1978 by colleagues in the University's Physics Department. It will enable Prof Howard and her team to extend their work on analysing the structure and properties of materials. Their research helps to unravel basic knowledge about chemical or biological materials and contributes widely to developments in communications, optics, ceramics, liquid crystals, bio-sensors and many branches of industry and healthcare.

Professor Howard explained: "This type of X-ray generator was developed originally for use by NASA in experiments in space. It uses very little energy, unlike standard equipment that needs masses of power. It produces a highly collimated, high-intensity X-ray beam and, linked with a new large detector, it means that we can work on smaller samples and also study materials under more extreme conditions, such as very low temperatures and high pressures."

The research is one of 32 projects at universities around the country in the latest £15.6 million strategic package to upgrade the UK's research infrastructure. The awards are made by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (Hefce) and the various Research Councils under the Joint Research Equipment Initiative (JREI). The JREI funding is based on bids which include contributions both from external sponsors, such as industry, and the universities themselves.

Further information:
X-ray chemistry: Professor Judith Howard 0191 374 4647

Durham, University of