Chemical Analysis Facility

Our purpose-built Chemical Analysis Facility (CAF) provides instrumentation in the areas of:

  • nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
  • X-ray diffraction
  • mass spectrometry
  • thermal analysis
  • advanced microscopy (electron microscopy, Raman microscopy, atomic force microscopy, MALDI imaging)
  • molecular spectroscopy.
The facility supports the chemical aspects of our research in areas such as biology and physical science, archaeology, soil science, engineering, pharmaceutics, and nutrition.

Visit the Chemical Analysis Facility website to find out more
Student using equipment in the Chemical Analysis Facility

Hands-on experience

Our chemistry undergraduates get hands-on experience in the Chemical Analysis Facility, working alongside our researchers on their final-year project.

Amy Bannister carried out her research project in the CAF lab alongside Dr Philippa Cranwell.

Watch our video to find out more.

play video
Good analytical science depends as much on people as on instruments. Every platform in the CAF is led jointly: a technical lead who is an expert not just in running the equipment, but in the methodology, application and development behind it, working in partnership with an academic lead who brings specialist scientific insight. We've valued that partnership for a long time, and it's central to how the CAF works.

Professor Gunter Kuhnle, Director of the CAF

Person using lab equipment in the Chemical Analysis Facility

Access the CAF

The facility is used by departments across the University, as well as external scientists, commercial enterprises and a number of TV programmes conducting investigative studies.
Athena SWAN Silver Award