The primary objective of this project is to develop an new class of detection system for cost effective time-resolved photon counting spectral measurement, initially aimed at time-resolved Raman spectroscopy (TRRS). TRRS is an established method to remove the delayed fluorescence signal from the prompt Raman photons, particularly for organic samples where the fluorescence signal is often much larger. Though very powerful as a sample analysis technique, TRRS has had limited uptake due to cost and complexity. Currently available TRRS systems separate the Raman and fluorescence signals by using either a gated Intensified CCD, or by using fast optical gating technology. Both approaches are complex, expensive and restricted to laboratory environments. This proposal aims to produce a new, smaller, cheaper class of detection system for TRRS and other time-resolved spectral measurements by integrating a SPAD linear array developed by the University of Sheffield with the fast readout electronics developed by the University of Leicester. Instead of gating, this system will provide the necessary time differentiation of Raman and fluorescence signals by photon time stamping. Such an instrument is expected to open up new commercial applications in to fields ranging from security applications such as identification of counterfeit materials and pharmaceutical quality control, to biological applications including protein manufacture and potentially identification of cancer markers. A cost effective time-resolved Raman instrument would be disruptive technology with beneficiaries ranging from the project partners through commercial profit and licensing, suppliers of key components including commercial detector and high rep rate lasers from UK and European companies. Potential end-user beneficiaries include drug companies and their customers, the security services and general public through improved detection of hazardous and illegal materials, and public well-being through possible advances in cancer detection. The detector system is also potentially game-changing for a number of other commercial applications. These include: LIDAR for 3D imaging and environmental monitoring; fluorescence lifetime imaging and related technologies for biological research, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics; and trace gas analysis using cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy for pollution monitoring and medical diagnostics. The project work is based on previous STFC-funded research into detectors and electronics at the Universities of Leicester and Sheffield and at CERN. The Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at the University of Sheffield has been carrying out research into SPADs for over 15 years. Recent knowledge exchange activities include IR APD linear array with LIDAR Technology, X-ray APDs with University of Leicester, photodiodes/APDs for radiation thermometry with LAND Instrument International Ltd, and IR APD with Lasertel. Previous STFC support has funded the PI, Lapington, to develop very high time resolution pixellated microchannel plate photomultiplier systems for commercial applications in the life science arena, based on a modular, multichannel high speed electronics with picosecond event timing resolution developed in collaboration with CERN. The electronics utilise two very high speed CERN-designed ASICs developed for the LHC-ALICE experiment in a modular design allowing systems with up to 1024 channels. The University of Leicester and commercial partner, IS-Instruments, were recently awarded a TSB-funded "Emerging Imaging Technologies" feasibility study for preliminary investigation of this new technique for TRRS. This new project will move the technology from proof of concept to a commercial prototype for TRRS which will allow IS-Instruments to commercialise a new suite of spectrometer systems capable of separating signals in time, generating the potential for cost effective, hand-held TRRS spectrometer.

The flow response of 'soft materials' such as suspension, emulsions, (bio)gels and (bio)polymers, is of prime importance in a vast range of industries, e.g. foodstuffs and personal care products, and is the subject of intensive applied and fundamental research. Traditional characterization of these properties (viscosity, elasticity, creep, aging etc..) relies on rheological measurements, but it is now recognized that this alone is insufficient to fully understand, and thus optimize, the complex flow properties of soft materials. What is often required is characterization of their evolving microstructure during flow, allowing direct mapping of this evolution to their rheological response. We propose to develop a versatile module which will enable novel high quality imaging of micro-structure evolution and advanced velocimetry in rheometers in different geometries. The module will be complemented by a suite of analysis techniques. The combined capabilities will provide a new dimension in rheo-optical characterization and the module will bring these within reach of a variety of industrial and academic research laboratories.

The primary objective of this project is to develop a new class of detection system for cost effective time-resolved photon counting spectral measurement, initially aimed at time-resolved Raman spectroscopy (TRRS). TRRS is an established method to remove the delayed fluorescence signal from the prompt Raman photons, particularly for organic samples where the fluorescence signal is often much larger. Though very powerful as a sample analysis technique, TRRS has had limited uptake due to cost and complexity. Currently available TRRS systems separate the Raman and fluorescence signals by using either a gated Intensified CCD, or by using fast optical gating technology. Both approaches are complex, expensive and restricted to laboratory environments. This proposal aims to produce a new, smaller, cheaper class of detection system for TRRS and other time-resolved spectral measurements by integrating a SPAD linear array developed by the University of Sheffield with the fast readout electronics developed by the University of Leicester. Instead of gating, this system will provide the necessary time differentiation of Raman and fluorescence signals by photon time stamping. Such an instrument is expected to open up new commercial applications in to fields ranging from security applications such as identification of counterfeit materials and pharmaceutical quality control, to biological applications including protein manufacture and potentially identification of cancer markers. A cost effective time-resolved Raman instrument would be disruptive technology with beneficiaries ranging from the project partners through commercial profit and licensing, suppliers of key components including commercial detector and high rep rate lasers from UK and European companies. Potential end-user beneficiaries include drug companies and their customers, the security services and general public through improved detection of hazardous and illegal materials, and public well-being through possible advances in cancer detection. The detector system is also potentially game-changing for a number of other commercial applications. These include: LIDAR for 3D imaging and environmental monitoring; fluorescence lifetime imaging and related technologies for biological research, drug discovery and clinical diagnostics; and trace gas analysis using cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy for pollution monitoring and medical diagnostics. The project work is based on previous STFC-funded research into detectors and electronics at the Universities of Leicester and Sheffield and at CERN. The Department of Electronic & Electrical Engineering at the University of Sheffield has been carrying out research into SPADs for over 15 years. Recent knowledge exchange activities include IR APD linear array with LIDAR Technology, X-ray APDs with University of Leicester, photodiodes/APDs for radiation thermometry with LAND Instrument International Ltd, and IR APD with Lasertel. The University of Leicester and commercial partner, IS-Instruments, were recently awarded a TSB-funded "Emerging Imaging Technologies" feasibility study for preliminary investigation of this new technique for TRRS. This new project will move the technology from proof of concept to a commercial prototype for TRRS which will allow IS-Instruments to commercialise a new suite of spectrometer systems capable of separating signals in time, generating the potential for cost effective, hand-held TRRS spectrometer. Previous STFC support has funded the PI, Lapington, to develop very high time resolution pixellated microchannel plate photomultiplier systems for commercial applications in the life science arena, based on a modular, multichannel high speed electronics with picosecond event timing resolution developed in collaboration with CERN. The electronics utilise two very high speed CERN-designed ASICs developed for the LHC-ALICE experiment in a modular design allowing systems with up to 1024 channels.

Photonics is one of six EU "Key Enabling Technologies. The US recently announced a $200M programme for Integrated Photonics Manufacturing to improve its competiveness. As a UK response, the research proposed here will advance the pervasive technologies for future manufacturing identified in the UK Foresight report on the Future of Manufacturing, improving the manufacturability of optical sensors, functional materials, and energy-efficient growth in the transmission, manipulation and storage of data. Integration is the key to low-cost components and systems. The Hub will address the grand challenge of optimising multiple cross-disciplinary photonic platform technologies to enable integration through developing low-cost fabrication processes. This dominant theme unites the requirements of the UK photonics (and photonics enabled) industry, as confirmed by our consultation with over 40 companies, Catapults, and existing CIMs. Uniquely, following strong UK investment in photonics, we include most of the core photonic platforms available today in our Hub proposal that exploits clean room facilities valued at £200M. Research will focus on both emerging technologies having greatest potential impact on industry, and long-standing challenges in existing photonics technology where current manufacturing processes have hindered industrial uptake. Platforms will include: Metamaterials: One of the challenges in metamaterials is to develop processes for low-cost and high-throughput manufacturing. Advanced metamaterials produced in laboratories depend on slow, expensive production processes such as electron beam writing and are difficult to produce in large sizes or quantities. To secure industrial take up across a wide variety of practical applications, manufacturing methods that allow nanostructure patterning across large areas are required. Southampton hosts a leading metamaterials group led by Prof Zheludev and is well positioned to leverage current/future EPSRC research investments, as well as its leading intellectual property position in metamaterials. High-performance special optical fibres: Although fibres in the UV and mid-IR spectral range have been made, few are currently commercial owing to issues with reliability, performance, integration and manufacturability. This platform will address the manufacturing scalability of special fibres for UV, mid-IR and for ultrahigh power sources, as requested by current industrial partners. Integration with III-V sources and packaging issues will also be addressed, as requested by companies exploiting special fibres in laser-based applications. In the more conventional near-infrared wavelength regime, we will focus on designs and processes to make lasers and systems cheaper, more efficient and more reliable. Integrated Silicon Photonics: has made major advances in the functionality that has been demonstrated at the chip level. Arguably, it is the only platform that potentially offers full integration of all the key components required for optical circuit functionality at low cost, which is no doubt why the manufacturing giant, Intel, has invested so much. The key challenge remains to integrate silicon with optical fibre devices, III-V light sources and the key components of wafer-level manufacture such as on line test and measurement. The Hub includes the leading UK group in silicon photonics led by Prof Graham Reed. III-V devices: Significant advances have been made in extending the range of III-V light sources to the mid-IR wavelength region, but key to maximise their impact is to enable their integration with optical fibres and other photonics platforms, by simultaneous optimisation of the III-V and surrounding technologies. A preliminary mapping of industrial needs has shown that integration with metamaterial components optimised for mid-IR would be highly desirable. Sheffield hosts the EPSRC III-V Centre and adds a powerful light emitting dimension to the Hub.

The Transforming the Foundation Industries Challenge has set out the background of the six foundation industries; cement, ceramics, chemicals, glass, metals and paper, which produce 28 Mt pa (75% of all materials in our economy) with a value of £52Bn but also create 10% of UK CO2 emissions. These materials industries are the root of all supply chains providing fundamental products into the industrial sector, often in vertically-integrated fashion. They have a number of common factors: they are water, resource and energy-intensive, often needing high temperature processing; they share processes such as grinding, heating and cooling; they produce high-volume, often pernicious waste streams, including heat; and they have low profit margins, making them vulnerable to energy cost changes and to foreign competition. Our Vision is to build a proactive, multidisciplinary research and practice driven Research and Innovation Hub that optimises the flows of all resources within and between the FIs. The Hub will work with communities where the industries are located to assist the UK in achieving its Net Zero 2050 targets, and transform these industries into modern manufactories which are non-polluting, resource efficient and attractive places to be employed. TransFIRe is a consortium of 20 investigators from 12 institutions, 49 companies and 14 NGO and government organisations related to the sectors, with expertise across the FIs as well as energy mapping, life cycle and sustainability, industrial symbiosis, computer science, AI and digital manufacturing, management, social science and technology transfer. TransFIRe will initially focus on three major challenges: 1 Transferring best practice - applying "Gentani": Across the FIs there are many processes that are similar, e.g. comminution, granulation, drying, cooling, heat exchange, materials transportation and handling. Using the philosophy Gentani (minimum resource needed to carry out a process) this research would benchmark and identify best practices considering resource efficiencies (energy, water etc.) and environmental impacts (dust, emissions etc.) across sectors and share information horizontally. 2 Where there's muck there's brass - creating new materials and process opportunities. Key to the transformation of our Foundation Industries will be development of smart, new materials and processes that enable cheaper, lower-energy and lower-carbon products. Through supporting a combination of fundamental research and focused technology development, the Hub will directly address these needs. For example, all sectors have material waste streams that could be used as raw materials for other sectors in the industrial landscape with little or no further processing. There is great potential to add more value by "upcycling" waste by further processes to develop new materials and alternative by-products from innovative processing technologies with less environmental impact. This requires novel industrial symbioses and relationships, sustainable and circular business models and governance arrangements. 3 Working with communities - co-development of new business and social enterprises. Large volumes of warm air and water are produced across the sectors, providing opportunities for low grade energy capture. Collaboratively with communities around FIs, we will identify the potential for co-located initiatives (district heating, market gardening etc.). This research will highlight issues of equality, diversity and inclusiveness, investigating the potential from societal, environmental, technical, business and governance perspectives. Added value to the project comes from the £3.5 M in-kind support of materials and equipment and use of manufacturing sites for real-life testing as well as a number of linked and aligned PhDs/EngDs from HEIs and partners This in-kind support will offer even greater return on investment and strongly embed the findings and operationalise them within the sector.