Research project

UK XFEL: conceptual design and options analysis

Project overview

Funding:

£3.2 million over the next three years, £3.2 million from the Infrastructure Fund in total including future funding years.

Project start date: financial year 2022 to 2023.

About the project:

This conceptual design study will explore different options to provide access to a second generation XFEL capability for UK science and innovation.

XFELs are large machines that produce coherent X-rays and can be used to study matter simultaneously on spatial and temporal scales.

Such capability allows for a wide range of cutting edge multidisciplinary applications across science and technology, for instance:

- bioscience and healthcare: mapping atomic details of viruses and supporting drug discovery
- net zero growth: providing new approaches for low-cost energy generation and storage technologies
- technology: developing new and advanced materials with direct applicability to:
- industry
- mobility
- digital manufacturing
- nuclear energy
- defense
- fundamental science:offering new processes to study the interior of planets.

Staff

Lead researchers

Professor Russell Minns

Professor

Research interests

  • Photochemistry
  • Photoelectron Spectroscopy
  • Femtosecond Laser Spectroscopy
Connect with Russell

Dr Marcus Newton PhD, FInstP, FHEA

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Bragg coherent diffraction imaging (BCDI) of quantum materials
  • Synchrotron science and technologies for lens-less imaging at the nanoscale
  • Ultra-fast processes in quantum materials probed using X-ray Free Electron Laser (XFEL) facilities
Connect with Marcus

Collaborating research institutes, centres and groups

Research outputs