Small Items of Research Equipment at the University of Surrey

This application for small scale equipment was developed from responses elicited from ECRs, defined as EPSRC funded postgraduate researchers and postdoctoral researchers, fellows (funded as independent researchers through a range of fellowship grants) and new members of staff (recruited at lecturer grade within the past academic year) and EPSRC first grant holders. The internal process involved emails and briefing meetings for ECRs, culminating in the submission of a one page proposal for the small scale equipment item(s) they had identified. The result was overwhelming, with approximately £2m of eligible applications submitted for this call. This proposal has been constructed using the top quartile of these applications, with funding allocated to defined areas of research excellence which are largely, but not exclusively, in proportion to the current EPSRC funding portfolio of the University of Surrey.

This proposal seeks to demonstrate how our proposed small scale equipment allocation maps on to the EPSRC shaping capability exercise and addresses the grand challenges facing the economy and society as a whole. In constructing this proposal we have used the input from ECRs and have indicated how the investment supports their research and career development. We have used mini case studies to demonstrate the depth and breadth of activities planned, how the funding will be used and which ECRs it will benefit. These case studies also show, where possible, how the funds will be used innovatively to achieve a greater value from the equipment base. Examples include, developing national capability through funding for an EPSRC national centre and medium scale facility, developing characterisation capability for EPSRC Research Engineers in an EPSRC Industrial Doctoral Centre and improving equipment sharing across the University.

The purchase of equipments will not only enhance the research capacity of the ECRs directly involved but further encourage the whole research community at the University to work collaboratively across research groups and centres to utilise the new equipment and enhance capabilities.

To further support the ECRs, the University of Surrey will provide training tailored to the development needs of the individual including workshops in leadership development, bid writing and research impact. The effectiveness of the training will be seen as all supported ECR will produce a mini case study to demonstrate the impact of the purchased equipment on them as researchers, their associated research group and the wider community. These case studies will be sent to EPSRC in the autumn of 2013.

To ensure maximum benefit to ECRs, all of the £622k (£498k requested from EPSRC as an 80% contribution) will be used to finance small "equipment" with the University bearing the FEC costs associated with technician and academic time to run the grant and install and maintain the small "equipment" and train and develop those who will use it being borne by the University (this accounts for an additional £86k of added value).

We believe that we have strong project management and financial controls in place to ensure that the majority of the funding will be spent within 3 months of the start of the grant, with all items having been delivered by 31st March 2013.

The EPSRC Small Scale Equipment call has the potential to significantly impact on a number of beneficiaries as a result of the investment in the research base and associated ECRs. Due to the scale of equipment to be purchased, it is not possible to demonstrate the impact on all beneficiaries however, the below groups have been identified to provide a flavour for the scale and type of impact, other examples are given in boxes 1-6 of the Case for Support.:-

Academic: Career Development
Early Career Researchers (ECR) across the EPSRC domains will benefit from the Small Scale Equipment Funding Support. The call has enabled them to independently participate, or lead small groups in the development of a research bid. The call has provided the support to enable them to consider their future research direction and to begin to develop their leadership skills required for independent research. The purchase of these small scale equipments will allow the ECRs the freedom to validate their own hypothesis in a supportive and nurturing environment to foster new collaborations and launch a new generation of research leaders.

Business/Industry: Technology Development
Funding to support small scale equipment in the pursuit of research excellence has the potential to create technologies for commercial applications. Specifically equipment requested by the Chemistry ECRs will enable test pouch cells for super capacitor devices to be scaled up for industrial use. There is the potential to engage industry partners in the development of the test pouches. Specifically such industry testing will ensure sector relevance and provide an independent set of results relating to energy and power densities which may lead to novel technology with a commercial value.

Business/Industry: Commercialisation
The Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) has asked for small scale equipment to enhance the current organic photovoltaic device characterisation asset base. Research within organic photovoltaics is currently a key area, with EPSRC recognising it as an area of growth within their portfolio. The proposed equipment will enable a better understanding of how to enhance the light absorption of fabricated devices enabling the ATI to achieve efficiency levels that are commercially viable. The proposed equipment and subsequent research will provide the necessary breakthroughs to propel the UK to forefront of organic photovoltaic technology development and commercialisation.

Public Sector (National, Regional and Local): Police
Small Scale Equipment funding from EPSRC will be used to augment the current equipment base within the Ion Beam Centre (IBC). Funding will be used to increase the sample accuracy, scanning capabilities and sample processing speeds to develop new knowledge in fingerprint chemistry. This will have a significant impact on police and anti-terror investigations, leading to faster and a greater number of detections of crime in the UK as well as abroad. It is important to note with the recent closure of the Forensic Science Service, investment is key to ensuring the UK retains its sector lead. The improved technological capabilities will also enable the researchers to continue their excellent research in forensic science which will be invaluable in advising criminal investigation practices and policy.

Public Sector (National, Regional and Local): NHS
Small Scale Equipment has been requested by the Department of Computing to enable the development and prototyping of software to facilitate Human Computer Interaction (HCI) studies involving clinicians and patients within the NHS utilising patient records. The equipment will enable large scale analysis of longitudinal datasets to support NHS clinicians manage patients with chronic diseases.