SPS (spark plasma sintering) or FAST (field assisted sintering technique) - AWARD

1. Background information on The University of Manchester

The University of Manchester is Britain's largest single-site university, with a proud history of achievement and an ambitious agenda for the future. The University provides world-class research facilities and undertakes research of international standing. It offers students a wide choice of degree programmes and options, and excellent facilities and student support services.

The University employs over 12,000 staff and offers over 400 different degree courses. It comprises of three faculties with 23 academic schools and hundreds of specialist research groups. The University's cultural attractions include The Manchester Museum, The Whitworth Art Gallery, Jodrell Bank Observatory and the Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama. The University also operates a thriving conference and meeting operation including a hotel and conference centre.

Further details on the University can be found at: http://www.manchester.ac.uk/discover/facts-figures/

2. Background information on Project

This tender is being run on behalf of the Graphene Engineering and Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester. The GEIC is a ?60 million investment which will establish a state of the art research and technology development facility for graphene and related 2D materials. Projects in the GEIC will be industry-led and will focus on innovation and applications, with the aim of accelerating research through to products in the marketplace. The GEIC will house pilot production facilities and characterisation equipment. It will initially focus on a number of the University's world-class graphene application areas: energy, composites, formulations and coatings, electronics and membranes.

Given the world leading graphene research at the University, it is expected that all the equipment in the GEIC will be cited in high profile academic publications as well as underpinning industrial collaboration projects, thus giving the equipment a high degree of exposure.

The GEIC will be situated on the North Campus of The University of Manchester, comprise of ~8400 m2 and has been designed by world-renowned architect Rafael Vi?oly. It is set to be open in Summer 2018. Equipment purchased before the GEIC building is opened will be temporally commissioned elsewhere in the University campus, typically in the National Graphene Institute, and then moved into the GEIC once it is completed.

For further information on the GEIC please see: http://www.graphene.manchester.ac.uk/collaborate/geic/

3. Project Overview

The University of Manchester (GEIC) plans the purchase a SPS (spark plasma sintering) or FAST (field assisted sintering technique) device in order to press/sinter high-density discs and pellets of various materials. The purchase shall cover the delivery and installation of the complete equipment, including sufficient training/demonstration to ensure troub...