Lab spaces
The physical footprint behind the research.
The centre's laboratories occupy a set of specialised spaces, from calculation rooms to a pilot hall with the height needed for process columns.
Spaces and their roles
The laboratory spaces are not interchangeable. Some are defined by cleanliness or vibration control, others by pressure, temperature or headroom. The list below describes the main spaces and the kind of work each can support.
| Space | Defining feature | Typical work |
|---|---|---|
| Computational Modelling | Permanent calculation infrastructure | Molecular simulation, property prediction |
| Gas Reactivity | Sorption and electrochemical measurement | Adsorption, catalysts, thin films |
| Green Energy | Fuel cell test bench and electrochemistry | Energy materials, water treatment |
| Industrial Scaling | 150 square metres, 9 metre pilot zone | Extraction, distillation, fractioning |
| Agri Food | Modified atmosphere packaging | Shelf life, quality and pest control |
| Nanotechnology | Scanning probe and Raman methods | Imaging, thermal and mechanical analysis |
| Supercritical Fluids | Reactors up to 16 litres and a pilot plant | Dense CO2 processing and phase studies |
Sharing and access
The spaces are shared across projects. Access is arranged with the technical lead for the laboratory, and it depends on the project's needs, the safety assessment and the availability of the equipment. Some instruments are used by several laboratories, which is one reason the centre maintains a common scheduling and safety culture.
The pilot area
The industrial scaling space deserves a separate note. Its height and floor area allow columns and support structures to be assembled, and two walkways give safe access at different levels. That makes it possible to study a process at a size where heat transfer, mixing and pressure drop start to behave differently from the bench.