We have specialist upconversion nanoparticle (UCNP) synthesis and analytical equipment exclusive to the MacKenzie group:

  • Edinburgh Instruments FS5 V2 upconverison spectrometer, with 976 nm, 980 nm, and 1550 nm lasers; lifetime measurement, and upconversion quantum yield measurement capability. Additional UV-Vis and conventional fluorescence emission and conventional fluorescence quantum yield. This is internationally leading spectroscopy capability.

  • Anton Paar Monowave 450 microwave reactor with autosampler for batch reactions (reactions up to 300°C and 30 bar). This enables rapid iterative synthesis, and gram scale UCNP synthesis in a day.

  • Asynt PressureSyn High-Safety Bench-Top Autoclave Reactor, capable of sustaining up to 200°C at up to 200 bar. Ideal for making upconverison nanoparticles of various sizes.

  • COMING soon: custom-built Asynt High-Safety Bench-Top Autoclave Reactor, capable of sustaining up to 300°C at > 100 bar. As per our other autoclave - but hotter - ideal for making more efficient UCNPs.

The BionanoTechnology and Analytical Chemistry laboratories at the Technology Innovation Centre feature state of the art labs for nanoparticle synthesis, optical analysis, and cell biology applications. This includes several key pieces of shared equipment, including:

  • High Speed Centrifuges

  • Dynamic light scattering/zeta potential analysis

  • UV-Vis spectroscopy

  • Raman microscopy

  • Fume hoods

As part of the Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, we have access to specialist measurement techniques and facilities, including:

  • Circular Dichroism (CD) Spectroscopy

  • Mass spectroscopy facilities

  • NMR facilities

  • FTIR spectroscopy

As part of the wider University of Strathclyde we have access to:

  • Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).