Winner: 2025 Technical Excellence Prize
EPSRC NRF for EPR
EPSRC UK National Research Facility for EPR spectroscopy at The University of Manchester
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2025 Technical Excellence Prize: awarded for outstanding dedication and technical expertise in running the EPSRC UK National Research Facility for EPR spectroscopy at The University of Manchester.
Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is the spectroscopic technique that is selective and sensitive to unpaired electrons. The unpaired electrons could be intrinsic to the materials studied or could be induced via a process (e.g. light/heat/chemically) to provide information on structure, kinetics and much more, with applications covering all areas of physics, chemistry, biology and materials science.
The technical team at the EPSRC NRF both maintain the equipment and assist users with the design, implementation and analysis of proposed experiments.
Applications of EPR can range from monitoring shelf-life in food science to monitoring defects in materials, either for application efficiency or quality control. Teams around the world are utilising EPR for cutting-edge science that enable the tools and conveniences we use every day.
Adam Brookfield and Murali Shanmugam
Mr Adam Brookfield, Technical Specialist, EPSRC NRF for EPR, University of Manchester
Dr Muralidharan Shanmugam, Senior Technical Specialist, EPSRC NRF for EPR, University of Manchester
Q&A with EPSRC NRF for EPR
What is the biggest challenge in your role?
We likely possess the largest amount of commercial EPR instrumentation in Europe (if not the world). Juggling the demands of maintaining this (sometimes unique) instrumentation, alongside the variety of measurements we offer, can be particularly challenging for scheduling. With the support of the wider EPR NRF team, we run a tight schedule, and have the instrumental knowledge to minimise any downtime for our users.
What different strengths did different people bring to the team?
Both Murali and Adam have been working in the EPR field for over 10 years. Murali has a background in Biological EPR and Adam has a physics and engineering background. These aspects, alongside the expertise within the rest of the NRF team, enable world-class science.
Why is this work so important?
EPR instrumentation is unfortunately not widely available, and where it is, limited to specific experiments. It is vital that there is a functional dedicated NRF for this technique to enable the scientific community and industry to test and develop new methodologies and applications.
Where do you see the biggest impact of this technology/research being?
EPR, as a broad spectroscopic technique, has applications in all areas of science, from characterising new compounds in chemistry and monitoring biological processes in biology to studying defects in materials and testing quantum computing applications in physics. There is not an area in science where an EPR experiment could not be devised to uncover or confirm hypotheses and we're eager to assist in these impacts.
How will this work be used in real life applications?
Unpaired electrons are found everywhere in the real world. Applications can range from monitoring shelf-life in food science to monitoring defects in materials, either for application efficiency or quality control. Teams around the world are utilising EPR for cutting-edge science that enable the tools and conveniences we use every day.
How do you see this work developing over the next few years, and what is next for this technology/research?
EPR technologically is moving towards miniaturisation alongside increases in sensitivity and time resolution. With new sensitivity enabling faster measurements with better signal-to-noise ratios, this will help uncover previously 'hidden' reaction mechanisms and better understand the chemistry around us. We are particularly proud of the recent push in sustainability including a paper of our own: "Chemical Recycling of Polystyrene to Valuable Chemicals via Selective Acid-Catalysed Aerobic Oxidation under Visible Light".
What inspires or motivates your team?
Both Murali and Adam are nosey scientists at heart, we want to provide the best instrument access and knowledge to our users to enable their world-class science. We're in a unique position where we get to see and adapt the Facility to the trends and hotspots in research areas, alongside training the next generation of scientific leaders.
What is the importance of collaboration in the chemical sciences?
Collaboration is vital, no-one person or technique has all the answers. EPR is a tool in the toolbox of a scientist and a good scientist will use all the tools at their disposal in reaching a conclusion. Collaboration brings together diverse perspectives and expertise, enabling innovative solutions and discoveries that could not be accomplished alone.
What does good research culture look like or mean to you?
A good research culture, to me, is one where the environment fosters curiosity, collaboration, open communication, and ethical integrity. It’s a place where researchers feel supported and encouraged to pursue their questions, even if they’re unconventional or challenging.
How can scientists try to improve the environmental sustainability of research? Can you give us any examples from your own experience or context?
Environmental sustainability of research (and research into environmental sustainability!) is of vital importance. In our own work here we're proud to be part of LEAF (Laboratory Efficiency Assessment Framework) scheme setup by UCL, which gets all users demonstrably thinking about their science and implementing sustainable practice (e.g. group sharing of chemical inventory).
On the instrumentation side, research can be very resource and energy intensive, we have made an extensive push at the facility into making all of our systems 'liquid helium-free' with investment into closed-cycle cryostats. We are also making strides in quantifying the benefits of this change, to enable us to disseminate information to other scientific groups.