Material characterization to the nanoscale

GEMS facility's small grant scheme "Rough diamonds"

Aims of the scheme

Funding for small-scale research projects, including feasibility studies, pilot projects or thesis-related research. This scheme is aimed to facilitate early career researchers, technical staff and PGR students at the University of Glasgow by enabling their access to cutting-edge analytical equipment at the GEMS facility. 

 

Overview

  • Surplus from the commercial work covers the free access in this funding scheme.
  • Available to anyone at the University of Glasgow.
  • The application rounds will open 2x/year on an open-ended basis until the funds run out.
  • Maximum 8 hrs (1 day) of analysis time per applicant per round.
  • Available techniques: Scanning Electron microscopy (SEM), including hi-resolution imaging (SE, InLens, BSE), elemental analysis (EDX), crystallographic analysis (EBSD), cathodoluminescence (VPSE technique) and Raman spectroscopy (514 nm and 875 nm lasers and spectral libraries for mineral and polymer identification).
  • The successful applicants will have to submit a short summary report with a picture or graphical abstract at the end of their project and prepare a short presentation of the project for the GEMS user group meeting.

 

Decision criteria

  • Technical feasibility.
  • Potential of longer-term projects (plans to attract further funding).
  • Potential impact and publications.
  • Priority is given to the new users of the GEMS facility who are early career researchers, PGR students and technical staff and do not have funding for analytical work.

 

Application process and timelines

Opening dates in 2025: March 1st and August 1st.

The applicants must fill out the application form below. The proposed projects will be evalutated by the GEMS facility manager in consulation with an advisory board (members rotate on a yearly basis). The decision will be announced within 1 month of receiving the application. Activities must be completed and the report submitted within 6 months of receiving the grant.

In case of questions, please contact Dr. Liene Spruženiece (liene.spruzeniece@glasgow.ac.uk).


Application form
GEMS publication policy

 

Services

GEMS is equipped with two state-of-the-art scanning electron microscopes (SEM’s). SEM’s are among the most versatile and widely used tools of modern science.

GEMS is equipped with two state-of-the-art scanning electron microscopes (SEM’s). SEM’s are among the most versatile and widely used tools of modern science.

Instrumentation

However large or small the challenge, GEMS can offer a range of multiple techniques, supported by world-leading research and technical expertise.

However large or small the challenge, GEMS can offer a range of multiple techniques, supported by world-leading research and technical expertise.
Process Optimisation in the Mining Industry

Case Studies

GEMS helps industrial customers to meet their challenges by offering sophisticated, affordable characterisation and analysis.

GEMS helps industrial customers to meet their challenges by offering sophisticated, affordable characterisation and analysis.
The Gregory building

Characterisation to the Nano Scale

With systematic analysis at the micro and nano scale now accelerating innovation across all industrial sectors, the benefits of robust measurement and characterisation for organisations commercialising products and processes have become substantial. The application of metrology can save development time and costs, allow faster introduction of new products to market, and improve quality and performance. The Geoanalytical Electron Microscopy and Spectroscopy centre (GEMS), in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences (GES) at the University of Glasgow, helps industrial customers to meet their challenges by offering easy access to sophisticated and affordable characterisation and analyses.

Service Offering

GEMS has state-of-the-art instrumentation capable of providing advanced material imaging to a micro and nano scale along with chemical and molecular characterisation. Established in 2010, and located in the Gregory Building on the University’s Gilmorehill Campus, GEMS was created to offer analyses to academia in support of research and to industrial clients. Leveraging the scientific and technical expertise of one of the UK's leading research universities, GEMS is uniquely positioned to deliver high quality, client-focused, and insightful analytical and interpretative solutions at each stage of the product life cycle. With GEMS's single-point access, customers will receive a professional service, whether for rapid turnaround analysis or an in-depth, multi-technique investigation.

Competitive Advantage

GEMS has particular expertise in areas as diverse as the life sciences, engineering, environmental and geotechnical, and heritage science. It has assisted industrial customers and publicly-funded organisations with failure analysis, identifying contamination, process optimisation and waste reduction, performance improvements, design innovation, and informing policy and strategic decisions (for example, preservation and conservation). By enabling its clients to better understand their products and processes, GEMS delivers a clear competitive advantage.

Mission Statement

GEMS aspires to be a UK leader in the delivery of client-focused, premium quality analytical and imaging solutions to industry, the public sector, and academia in support of product and process innovation and improvement, policy decision-making, and research excellence.

Full details can be found in the GEMS Brochure.