The development of Transmission Electron Microscopes (TEM's) has made tremendous progress in the last few years and these instruments are now routinely used in laboratories across the world to obtain structural data from many materials at resolutions beyond 100pm. However the detectors that are essential for digital recording of images, diffraction patterns and spectra are still based on old technology which limits the performance of these instruments (the detector gap ). The basic problem lies in the construction and operation of detectors which are based on Charge Coupled Devices (CCD's) similar to those used for optical imaging. CCD's are damaged if directly exposed to the electron beam and must be coupled to a scintillator which converts the beam electrons into photons. These photons are then recorded by the CCD. Previous research under an EPSRC funded project has developed an entirely new type of sensor that can be directly exposed to medium energy electrons as an alternative to indirect detection. This sensor has been shown to have a far greater sensitivity than indirectly coupled CCDs (it is capable of detecting single electrons) and has far higher resolution. In addition it can be operated in a counting mode providing an infinite dynamic range. These significantly improved characteristics will enhance the output from TEM's by providing less noisy digital images and spectra enabling materials to be studied with less radiation exposure. This is vitally important when the TEM is used to study many modern materials, such as semiconductors, catalysts and carbon based nanostructures which are often damaged in the electron beam. It will also be critical for imaging biological materials which are extremely electron sensitive and where the enhanced sensitivity will be of considerable benefit. We now intend to develop the commercial potential of this novel the 1D sensor through the construction of a functional 2D imaging as a commercial prototype. This will require fabrication of a large array 2D sensor using our existing technology, the integration of suitable readout electronics and the design and construction of a suitable mechanical / vacuum interface to form a prototype imaging system. We will then use this to demonstrate to investors the clear advantages of this technology over existing detectors in a range of application examples from both biology and materials science. All of these steps have been demonstrated to be technically feasible within the orginal project and are essential steps in realising the commercial potential of the sensor.

Our proposal requests five distinct bundles of equipment to enhance the University's capabilities in research areas ranging across aerospace, complex chemistry, electronics, healthcare, magnetic, microscopy and sensors. Each bundle includes equipment with complementary capabilities and this will open up opportunities for researchers across the University, ensuring maximum utilisation. This proposal builds on excellent research in these fields, identified by the University as strategically important, which has received significant external funding and University investment funding. The new facilities will strengthen capacity and capabilities at Glasgow and profit from existing mechanisms for sharing access and engaging with industry. The requested equipment includes: - Nanoscribe tool for 3D micro- and nanofabrication for development of low-cost printed sensors. - Integrated suite of real-time manipulation, spectroscopy and control systems for exploration of complex chemical systems with the aim of establishing the new field of Chemical Cybernetics. - Time-resolved Tomographic Particle Image Velocimetry - Digital Image correlation system to simultaneously measure and quantify fluid and surface/structure behaviour and interaction to support research leading to e.g. reductions in aircraft weight, drag and noise, and new environmentally friendly engines and vehicles. - Two microscopy platforms with related optical illumination and excitation sources to create a Microscopy Research Lab bringing EPS researchers together with the life sciences community to advance techniques for medical imaging. - Magnetic Property Measurement system, complemented by a liquid helium cryogenic sample holder for transmission electron microscopy, to facilitate a diverse range of new collaborations in superconductivity-based devices, correlated electronic systems and solid state-based quantum technologies. These new facilities will enable interdisciplinary teams of researchers in chemistry, computing science, engineering, medicine, physics, mathematics and statistics to come together in new areas of research. These groups will also work with industry to transform a multitude of applications in healthcare, aerospace, transport, energy, defence, security and scientific and industrial instrumentation. With the improved facilities: - Printed electronics will be developed to create new customized healthcare technologies, high-performance low-cost sensors and novel manufacturing techniques. - Current world-leading complex chemistry research will discover, design, develop and evolve molecules and materials, to include adaptive materials, artificial living systems and new paradigms in manufacturing. - Advanced flow control technologies inside aero engine and wing configurations will lead to greener products and important environmental impacts. - Researchers in microscopy and related life science disciplines can tackle biomedical science challenges and take those outputs forward so that they can be used in clinical settings, with benefits to healthcare. - Researchers will be able to develop new interfaces in advanced magnetics materials and molecules which will give new capabilities to biomedical applications, data storage and telecommunications devices. We have existing industry partners who are poised to make use of the new facilities to improve their current products and to steer new joint research activities with a view to developing new products that will create economic, social and environmental impacts. In addition, we have networks of industrialists who will be invited to access our facilities and to work with us to drive forward new areas of research which will deliver future impacts to patients, consumers, our environment and the wider public.