Materials research is fuelling advancements across diverse industries, from pioneering composites in automotive manufacturing to flexible electrodes for next-generation electronics. Understanding the fundamental structure of materials is crucial in fields ranging from energy storage and nanotechnology to aerospace.

Warwick’s state-of-the-art facilities - including X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and ultrafast laser systems - provide in-depth insights into material structures down to atomic-level detail. With expertise across a broad range of analytical techniques, we work with clients from industry and academia to drive advancements in materials science.

Challenges in industry

Analysing the structure of a material reveals key information about its properties and why it performs in a certain way. Manufacturers and product developers increasingly require advanced analysis techniques to understand the performance of their materials, including factors such as durability, flexibility, porosity and ability to withstand stress or tension.

Techniques available for structural analysis

X-ray diffraction (XRD) can reveal the atomic-level structure of crystalline materials by recording the way in which X-rays are scattered by a sample. Electron diffraction has brought a step-change to structure determination with the ability to study nano-crystals whole magnitudes smaller than X-ray instruments can, opening up new opportunities in fields such as pharmaceuticals and nanotechnology.

Spectroscopy techniques, including Raman and optical absorption, provide information on molecular composition and chemical bonding. They offer insights into material properties such as strain and impurities, as well as reaction mechanisms and surface chemistry across many different sample types, including semiconductors and polymers. A key benefit of Raman is the ability to analyse samples inside transparent packaging, avoiding the risk of contamination.

Ultrafast spectroscopy tracks molecular dynamics on extremely short timescales, revealing energy transfer and electronic changes in particles in real-time. This is particularly important in photovoltaic and semiconductor industries.

Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) is a microscopy technique that transmits a beam of high-energy electrons through an ultra-thin specimen to form an image of its structure. TEM can visualise defects, interfaces, and microstructures, as well as revealing their elemental compositions at the nanometre or even atomic scale. It provides precise insights into the properties of advanced materials like nanoparticles and semiconductor thin films.

X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) is a non-destructive technique used to create 3D images of a wide range of components and materials. It is used across fields such as automotive, aerospace, forensics and archaeology, providing crucial insights into the structure of samples and revealing internal flaws.

Work with Warwick to help you drive innovation

The University of Warwick’s world-class Research Technology Platforms (RTPs) are equipped to drive progress in materials science, offering state-of-the-art equipment and technical expertise to companies as well as external researchers.

X-ray Diffraction RTP: Warwick’s XRD facility offers a suite of X-ray scattering services, providing information on crystalline structures, phase composition, and atomic arrangements of materials. We also house one of only a few, dedicated electron diffractometers in the UK as part of the UK’s National Electron Diffraction Facility. This offers unprecedented access to precise structural analysis of nanoscale crystallites, enabling single-crystal studies of the individual components of a powder.

Warwick’s Centre for Ultrafast Spectroscopy (WCUS): WCUS is a state-of-the-art femtosecond laser facility comprising four beamlines with wavelengths ranging from ultraviolet to terahertz.

Spectroscopy RTP: Warwick’s Spectroscopy RTP offers a range of complementary techniques for the non-destructive investigation and characterisation of liquid, solid and gas samples. This includes Raman, optical absorption and electron paramagnetic resonance.

XCT RTP: This facility is equipped with five advanced CT scanners that offer non-destructive 3D imaging of samples, enabling detailed structural analysis and identification of defects such as cracks and voids.

Electron Microscopy RTP: Our Electron Microscopy facility houses three transmission electron microscopes (TEMs) capable of imaging material structures at the nanometre and atomic scales, along with two scanning electron microscopes (SEMs) and one atomic force microscope (AFM).

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Contact Us

Get in touch to discuss how we can help solve your challenges. Contact c.gerard@warwick.ac.uk, Warwick Scientific Services Manager. We look forward to collaborating with you!