The University of Glasgow is set to acquire a cutting-edge scientific instrument – the electron diffractometer –  after securing £1.8m in funding.

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of the UK Research and Innovation, has provided the funding in support of the University’s acquisition of an electron diffractometer.

Determination of crystal structures – the precise identification and arrangements of atoms within molecules and materials – can help scientists understand the inner workings of materials and how they can be used, spurring advancements in a wide range of scientific disciplines.

Currently, crystal structures are determined by X-ray diffraction, but by using beams of electrons to study materials instead, it is possible to anlayse much smaller crystals than previously possible – materials down to 50 nanometers in size.

Electron diffraction greatly expands the scope of materials for which scientists can determine crystal structures, and is expected to particularly impact research in the pharmaceutical and green energy industries.

Crucially, it can also deliver analytical results faster than alternative methods, offering structure determination of nanomaterials in less than an hour as opposed to weeks or months.

Until recently, it was only possible to perform electron diffraction through custom-built or modified microscopes, limiting their access for general-purpose use.

Standalone electron diffractometers have only just become commercially available, and the University of Glasgow will be home to the third commercial one in the UK; only about a dozen are expected to be installed globally in 2023.

Ross Forgan, Professor of Supramolecular and Materials Chemistry, led the process to bring the equipment to the University, with support from experienced crystallographer Dr Claire Wilson, manager of the College of Science and Engineering Analytical Suite.

Professor Forgan said: “I’m grateful for EPSRC’s support to help bring this new electron diffractometer to Glasgow, which will put us in a unique position for an independent UK research university.

“Up until very recently, electron diffraction was out of reach for almost everyone. Having early access to these new dedicated machines, which offer advances of a couple of orders of magnitude over their x-ray equivalents, will be transformative.

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“It will help to underpin breakthrough research across a wide range of fields, from chemical synthesis to new cancer therapies to the development of new catalysts for energy production which can support the global drive towards net-zero.”

The diffractometer will become a vital part of the University’s growing College Analytical Suite, which provides researchers at the University, colleagues at other institutes and commercial clients with access to a wide range of highly sophisticated equipment..

Professor Forgan added: “Adding an electron diffractometer to the Analytical Suite will help strengthen the University’s position as a one-stop shop for material imaging, analysis and structural characterisation. I’m looking forward to being able to use it to support my own research, as well as seeing how it will push forward new research across a diverse set of disciplines.”

The instrument is expected to be installed on campus in early 2024 after a short tendering process.

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