The Research Councils UK Nanoscience Programme opens up state-of-the-art facilities around Britain for use by other academics who are not associated with the facility. This not only provides the facilities but also training in the use of the equipment. This scheme has made available world leading nano-scale imaging microscopes that provide unparalleled analytical capabilities and fabrication. Also processing and characterisation facilities which allow the construction of structured nano-scale objects are accessible.

• Monochromated Transmission Electron Microscopy (Imperial College London)

• An open-access centre for nanoscale analysis and fabrication (University of Nottingham)

• Access to Multi-functional nano-scale analysis system (Manchester Metropolitan University)

• Leeds EPSRC Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Research Equipment Facility (University of Leeds)

• Access to Nanoscience and Nanotechnology Equipment at Cardiff (Cardiff University)

• Guided access to High-speed Contact Atomic Force Microscopy and Photonic Force Microscopy at the Nanoscience and Quantum Information Centre (University of Bristol)

NERC launched the UK’s first Environmental Nanoscience facility, based at the University of Birmingham, in March 2009.  The Facility for Environmental Nanoparticle Analysis and Characterisation (FENAC) provides analytical support over the whole range of environmental nanosciences, but is particularly focused on the physico-chemical analysis of manufactured nanoparticles, notably to support ecotoxicological studies.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council’s Micro and Nanotechnology Centre (MNTC) is the ideal partner for both commercial and academic R&D, offering technical expertise and low volume production of MNT devices and products. The MNT Centre is located in the world-leading Rutherford Appleton Laboratory on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in Oxfordshire.