The University of Glasgow has been awarded £3m in government funding for equipment to support pioneering research to improve the efficiency of electronic and optical components, which includes developing advanced processes on multiple commercial micro- and nano-fabrication tools manufactured by UK-based etch, deposition and growth system maker Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology (OIPT), part of Oxford Instruments plc.
The award from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) will support work undertaken by researchers from the University of Glasgow's College of Science and Engineering in collaboration with Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology, the National Physical Laboratory, the National Microelectronics Institute and Gas Sensing Solutions.
Professor Douglas Paul, Director of the University's James Watt Nanofabrication Centre, who led the funding bid, said, "Glasgow has a long history of successful exploitation of research which goes all the way back to James Watt's invention and commercialisation of the condenser for the steam engine, and this award will help us continue that proud tradition. We're pleased that the EPSRC accepted our funding bid and we're looking forward to helping support the UK's efforts to become a more energy-efficient nation."
The funding will be used by the university to purchase new equipment including several Oxford Instruments Plasma Technology tools to etch semiconductor materials and deposit electrically insulating layers, techniques which are used to fabricate electronic and optical devices including transistors, LEDs and lasers.
OIPT's tools will support a range of new research projects, including:
The development of more efficient power electronics. Improving the efficiency and durability of solar collection technology. The development of a 'superspectral' imaging camera which will integrate visible, infrared and mid-infrared imaging sensors on a single chip for the first time.
