FLUENCE: Felix Light for the UK: Exploiting Novel Characteristics and Expertise.
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
The FLUENCE proposal is a response to a request from the EPSRC to develop those aspects of the ARTFUL Statement of Need (SoN) for a mid range facility (MRF) that would facilitate a significant increase in the number of UK scientists having access to the FELIX suite of accelerator driven light sources. The EPSRC contract with FELIX has been renewed from the 1st of January 2017 for five years. However if the UK is to obtain the benefits of its subscription to FELIX it will be important to significantly expand and broaden the user community seeking access to these light sources. This follows from the feed-back provided by the panel assessing the last annual report on the FELIX MRF. The panel commented "However the current UK usage as reported is small and could be expanded" and concluded "There is great potential through this subscription, with UK academics being offered access to world-leading facilities. However greater engagement with the broader UK academic community is needed to ensure that this potential is fully realised." This proposal addresses these concerns and demonstrates that the ARTFUL SoN can be refocused to significantly increase the number of UK scientists using FELIX and ensure that the UK gets the full benefits of the renewed access contract.
The MRF capabilities proposed in ARTFUL and the consequent cost to the EPSRC hinged on existing facility infrastructure maintained by two external bodies, the STFC-funded ALICE facility and the Radboud University FELIX Facility. Since the submission the STFC has withdrawn support for ALICE, in the form of a promised £6M capital upgrade, in order to concentrate the available human and capital resources at Daresbury for the new CLARA X-Ray machine. This proposal will facilitate the transfer of a significant fraction of the community that sought access to ALICE to FELIX and familiarise this community, and new users identified in the ARTFUL proposal, with its capabilities. The programme will also provide support for the experimental programmes of early career scientists and new users of FELIX.
The ARTFUL statement of need lists 116 scientists from 59 departments in 33 UK Universities, Hospitals and Companies seeking to exploit the unique capabilities of the FELIX and ALICE light sources in a diverse research programme. The FLUENCE proposal is supported by a significant fraction of the ARTFUL community and it is expected that the research of 74 scientists from 39 departments in 27 Universities and Companies will benefit from access to FELIX. This is a significant expansion of the current use of FELIX by UK scientists. It is possible that this community can be expanded in the future if it is established that an imaging capability can be established on FELIX. A partial survey of the scientists supporting ARTFUL showed that they have produced over 2440 publications in referred journals in the previous 5 years and currently hold 233 research grants of value £ 358M. ARTFUL received excellent referee reports with all four reports giving the highest grade of 6. There were no negative comments and aspects of the capabilities and potential to support scientific research of both ALICE and FELIX were rated as "unique" and "world leading". The statement of need was the top-rated proposal at the Panel.
The proposal is lead by Prof. Weightman who lead the INSPIRE and ARTFUL proposals and will have an Advisory Board to advise the PI and the EPSRC on the progress of the MRF and on how to bring the potential of the MRF to the attention of the UK scientific community.
The MRF capabilities proposed in ARTFUL and the consequent cost to the EPSRC hinged on existing facility infrastructure maintained by two external bodies, the STFC-funded ALICE facility and the Radboud University FELIX Facility. Since the submission the STFC has withdrawn support for ALICE, in the form of a promised £6M capital upgrade, in order to concentrate the available human and capital resources at Daresbury for the new CLARA X-Ray machine. This proposal will facilitate the transfer of a significant fraction of the community that sought access to ALICE to FELIX and familiarise this community, and new users identified in the ARTFUL proposal, with its capabilities. The programme will also provide support for the experimental programmes of early career scientists and new users of FELIX.
The ARTFUL statement of need lists 116 scientists from 59 departments in 33 UK Universities, Hospitals and Companies seeking to exploit the unique capabilities of the FELIX and ALICE light sources in a diverse research programme. The FLUENCE proposal is supported by a significant fraction of the ARTFUL community and it is expected that the research of 74 scientists from 39 departments in 27 Universities and Companies will benefit from access to FELIX. This is a significant expansion of the current use of FELIX by UK scientists. It is possible that this community can be expanded in the future if it is established that an imaging capability can be established on FELIX. A partial survey of the scientists supporting ARTFUL showed that they have produced over 2440 publications in referred journals in the previous 5 years and currently hold 233 research grants of value £ 358M. ARTFUL received excellent referee reports with all four reports giving the highest grade of 6. There were no negative comments and aspects of the capabilities and potential to support scientific research of both ALICE and FELIX were rated as "unique" and "world leading". The statement of need was the top-rated proposal at the Panel.
The proposal is lead by Prof. Weightman who lead the INSPIRE and ARTFUL proposals and will have an Advisory Board to advise the PI and the EPSRC on the progress of the MRF and on how to bring the potential of the MRF to the attention of the UK scientific community.
Planned Impact
The MRF will provide the UK scientific community with world-leading and, in some cases, unique capabilities that will have a major impact on scientific advances over many research fields. It will foster links between members of this diverse community and facilitate the sharing of experimental techniques and the initiation of multidisciplinary collaborations.
Economic and Industrial Impact: The MRF programmes support research priorities in five EPSRC themes: Quantum Technologies, Energy, Engineering, Manufacturing the Future and Physical Sciences and research in all these themes has the potential to make an impact on economic and industrial development through our industrial collaborators. The unique capabilities of the FELIX light sources will foster the development of new scientific instruments through collaborations with industry. UK strength in the emerging THz field will be enhanced by collaborations between Teraview and the Liverpool and Leeds groups in developing instruments for a variety of sectors, the Birmingham group's development of micromachined waveguide technologies and QMC Instruments, which regards access to accelerator driven sources of THz radiation as an ideal test-bed for the characterisation and assessment of its new technologies. Anasys Instruments and the Lancaster group will develop infrared instruments for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications. The Liverpool group's collaborations with ASH Scientific and Applied Photophysics on the development of scientific instruments will also benefit from access to FELIX.
MRF scientists have links with two Quantum Technology Hubs which will foster the commercialisation of quantum technology. The impact of the catalysis, protein dynamics, nanoscale spectroscopy and THz chemistry programmes will benefit from links with the UK Catalysis Hub at Harwell and collaborations with Johnson Matthey.
This proposal will explore with the community seeking access to advanced imaging whether a case can be made to develop an imaging capability on FELIX. It this proves to be feasible it has the potential to make significant impacts on Healthcare Technologies through collaborations between physical scientists and clinicians and the development of THz sensor technology
Professional development and training: The diversity of experimental activities will promote contacts between PhD students and PDRAs from different research groups. This will have a beneficial effect on the experience of younger scientists and give them opportunities to explore future career options.
Economic and Industrial Impact: The MRF programmes support research priorities in five EPSRC themes: Quantum Technologies, Energy, Engineering, Manufacturing the Future and Physical Sciences and research in all these themes has the potential to make an impact on economic and industrial development through our industrial collaborators. The unique capabilities of the FELIX light sources will foster the development of new scientific instruments through collaborations with industry. UK strength in the emerging THz field will be enhanced by collaborations between Teraview and the Liverpool and Leeds groups in developing instruments for a variety of sectors, the Birmingham group's development of micromachined waveguide technologies and QMC Instruments, which regards access to accelerator driven sources of THz radiation as an ideal test-bed for the characterisation and assessment of its new technologies. Anasys Instruments and the Lancaster group will develop infrared instruments for a wide range of scientific and industrial applications. The Liverpool group's collaborations with ASH Scientific and Applied Photophysics on the development of scientific instruments will also benefit from access to FELIX.
MRF scientists have links with two Quantum Technology Hubs which will foster the commercialisation of quantum technology. The impact of the catalysis, protein dynamics, nanoscale spectroscopy and THz chemistry programmes will benefit from links with the UK Catalysis Hub at Harwell and collaborations with Johnson Matthey.
This proposal will explore with the community seeking access to advanced imaging whether a case can be made to develop an imaging capability on FELIX. It this proves to be feasible it has the potential to make significant impacts on Healthcare Technologies through collaborations between physical scientists and clinicians and the development of THz sensor technology
Professional development and training: The diversity of experimental activities will promote contacts between PhD students and PDRAs from different research groups. This will have a beneficial effect on the experience of younger scientists and give them opportunities to explore future career options.
Organisations
Publications
Bejide M
(2021)
Transient transmission of THz metamaterial antennas by impact ionization in a silicon substrate.
in Optical Express
Coussan S
(2022)
IRFEL Selective Irradiation of Amorphous Solid Water: from Dangling to Bulk Modes
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry A
Cuppen HM
(2022)
Energy Transfer and Restructuring in Amorphous Solid Water upon Consecutive Irradiation.
in The journal of physical chemistry. A
Ingman E
(2023)
Infrared photodesorption of CO from astrophysically relevant ices studied with a free-electron laser
in Faraday Discussions
Ioppolo S
(2022)
Infrared free-electron laser irradiation of carbon dioxide ice
in Journal of Molecular Spectroscopy
Ioppolo S
(2022)
Infrared free-electron laser irradiation of carbon dioxide ice
Noble J
(2020)
Infrared Resonant Vibrationally Induced Restructuring of Amorphous Solid Water
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C
Santos J
(2023)
Resonant infrared irradiation of CO and CH 3 OH interstellar ices
in Astronomy & Astrophysics
Description | There is a significant need by UK scientists for access to free electron lasers light sources. This is being addressed by activities associated with this award. 9 new UK scientific groups have applied to use FELIX as a result of this activity. They have all been awarded time on FELIX. A grant has been awarded to establish an imaging instrument on FELIX. |
Exploitation Route | A significant number of engagement activities as listed in another section. The results obtained from the experiments conducted by UK scientists using FELIX will advance scientific knowledge and then strength of UK science. The imaging instrument is available for use by UK scientist. |
Sectors | Chemicals,Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software),Electronics,Energy,Environment,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
URL | https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/~siggel/FLUENCE/FLUENCE.html |
Description | Many engagement activities as listed in another section. New engagement activities since:- A. FLUENCE Workshops and Meetings Held ? Workshop (16-17 April 2019) FELIX, Nijmegen, Netherlands ? Community Meeting: FELIX: Free Electron lasers for the Catalysis Community (18 July 2019) Research Complex at Harwell ? Workshop: Catalysis (1-2 October 2019) FELIX, Nijmegen, Netherlands B. Meetings attended at which FLUENCE and FELIX were promoted ? Stephenson institute for renewable energy seminar series, University of Liverpool (4 December 2018) Talk (PW) ? UK-THz Meeting at Warwick University: THz Instrumentation and Applications (10-11 December 2018) Invited Exhibitor (MSK) ? University of Sheffield Physics Department Seminar (6 Feb 2019) Talk (PW) ? HFML-FELIX User Meeting 2019, FELIX, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, (8-9 July 2019) Invited talk (MSK) ? THz Imaging of Cancer, London (12 July 2019) Invited Talk (PW) ? "Big Ideas" Astrochemistry meeting, Newcastle (18 Sept 2019) (MMc) ? The Fundamentals of Late Stage Cancer Meeting, NorthWest Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool (19-20 Sept 2019) Poster Presentation ? TERANEW network meeting, National Physics Laboratory (4 Dec 2019) -5- C. Other Activities where FLUENCE and FELIX were promoted ? The FLUENCE website was regularly updated and maintained. (https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/~siggel/FLUENCE/) ? Targeted e-mail contact with potential users to advertise FLUENCE ? Liaising with groups who expressed interest in FELIX via FLUENCE to facilitate experiments at FELIX A new imaging instrument will be established on FELIX. |
First Year Of Impact | 2020 |
Sector | Chemicals,Education,Electronics,Energy,Healthcare,Manufacturing, including Industrial Biotechology,Pharmaceuticals and Medical Biotechnology |
Impact Types | Cultural,Societal,Economic |
Description | High performance Wide spectral range Nanoprobe (HiWiN) |
Amount | £745,943 (GBP) |
Funding ID | EP/V00767X/1 |
Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
Sector | Public |
Country | United Kingdom |
Start | 02/2021 |
End | 01/2024 |
Description | Conference for school children |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Schools |
Results and Impact | A talk for school children on "Probing the secret of life with accelerator driven light sources." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Discussions at the Royce Institute in Manchester 10 1 18 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Wide ranging discussions about the organisation of access to scientific equipment in the Royce Institute. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | FLUENCE workshop in Nijmegen |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a workshop to intrude a group of UK scientists to the use of the FELIX free electron lasers in Nijmegen |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | HFML-FELIX User Meeting 2019, FELIX, Nijmegen, The Netherlands, (8-9 July 2019) Invited talk by Michele Siggel-King |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a working group to design a scientific instrument. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited Talk |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited Talk by Dr Michele Siggel-King |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited Talk at Community Meeting: FELIX: Free Electron lasers for the Catalysis Community (18 July 2019) Research Complex at Harwell |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a collaboration meeting of scientists interested in using the FELIX free electron lasers in Nijmegen. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited seminar |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | 2nd Feb 2019 "Recent advances in the application of infrared techniques to the study of cancer." Physics Dept. University of Sheffield |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited talk at "the University of the 3rd Age" |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Supporters |
Results and Impact | Invited talk by Dy Michele Siggel-King on scents advances in the study of cancer |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Invited talk at TERANEW network meeting, National Physics Laboratory (4 Dec 2019) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was an invited talk at an EPSRC Network TERANET at the National Physical Laboratory. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Invited talk by Dr Michele Siggel-King in Finland |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Local |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Invited talk at Physics against cancer meeting in Finland |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | National Conference on the application of terahertz radiation to the study of cancer |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Other audiences |
Results and Impact | An invited talk on "Characteristics of cancerous tissue in the THz region of the electromagnetic spectrum." |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | National meeting on terahertz radiation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
Results and Impact | National conference on The radiation |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | Presentation at the SPEC2018 Conference June 2018 Glasgow |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | Presentation on a new approach to cancer diagnosis |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
Description | THz Imaging of Cancer, London (12 July 2019) Invited Talk (PW) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was an invited talk at a conference on application of Terahertz radiation in health care |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | The Fundamentals of Late Stage Cancer Meeting, NorthWest Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool (19-20 Sept 2019) Poster Presentation |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | International |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a conference on problems in the treatment of late stage cancer. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | University of Sheffield Physics Department Seminar (6 Feb 2019) Invited Talk (PW) |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | Regional |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | This was a dempartmental seminar |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2019 |
Description | Workshop to coordinate the development of a proposal for an imaging system on the FELIX free electron lasers |
Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
Results and Impact | The meeting agreed vin a plan to develop a poroposall for an imaging instrument to be established on the FEKLIX free electron lasers in Nijmegen. |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
Description | national Conference on THz radiation Chester 21 5 18 |
Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
Geographic Reach | National |
Primary Audience | Postgraduate students |
Results and Impact | National conference on Thz radiation Chester 21 5 18 |
Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |