2223-22-HWLS-CK Portable Raman Spectrometer

Sheffield Hallam University requires a portable Raman spectrometer with its supporting equipment, initial consumables, hardware, software, and warranties, for the College of Health, Wellbeing and Life Sciences (HWLS). The equipment is part of a long-term plan to ensure that the University continues to offer an up-to-date, industry-relevant experience to our students and that we teach innovative cutting-edge technologies that not only add to the student experience but also the credibility of the University.

The Raman instrument will be used for research and teaching. Teaching uses will include in lecture demonstrations, use by students in practical classes and use by students in final year project work (a range of different projects). The instrument must be easy to operate and robust enough for student use. There are several practical classes where the instrument would be useful, for example organic synthesis to provide rapid structural information of end-products and forensic analytical-based labs which require characterisation of unknown substances. Research projects will align with staff research interests. These include: development of rapid and non-destructive chemical characterization; investigating changes in conventional analyses of different sample types in a forensic setting, (including identification of counterfeit alcohol products through analysis of labels (ink and substrate composition) using spectroscopic and spectrometric methodologies); drugs of abuse; pharmaceuticals; organic synthesis; and medical diagnostics.