Slide 2 Effective Use of Laboratory Equipment and Facilities in
Pure & Applied Chemistry Slide 3 The Department had been
bequeathed a sum of money and consecutively the University also
donated a substantial sum for new instrumentation A decision was
made to enhance our already existing analytical services by the
purchase of new Mass Spectrometers and an ICP- MS and consolidate
existing equipment But where to put them The Project and the
history behind it Slide 4 Old Microanalysis Laboratory circa 1962
Slide 5 Slide 6 Old Mass Spectrometry Laboratory Slide 7 The
University was keen to make better use of space and wished to
reduce overall space by 40% and Departments were encouraged to do
so. The original space occupied by the two existing labs, prep
areas and offices amounted to 250m2, so the hunt was on for a space
around 150m2 We wanted it to be as energy efficient as possible
What criteria did we have to meet Slide 8 An under utilised area
was identified It was 165m2, roughly 35% reduction Slide 9 But it
was in need of some major TLC Slide 10 We prepared a Statement of
Need asking for funds to complete the refurbishment 500,000 granted
and a Design Team appointed Established a team, within PAC to
evaluate new instrumentation Consisted of Prof Jonathan Percy, Ms
Pat Keating & Ms Denise Gilmour Prepared a brief for our
laboratory requirements It had to be temperature controlled,
bright, user friendly, adaptable and have lots of storage So how
did we achieve this Slide 11 What challenges did we face We had
many instruments, pumps and a Nitrogen generator all giving out
heat to accommodate. We would also be installing new
instrumentation We required a fumecupboard We required the
laboratory to be at a constant temperature 24/7 The laboratory was
West facing We needed to look at the gas cylinder usage and reduce
this risk and design a flexible fit for purpose system Evaluated
all possibilities and gave information back to Mechanical
consultants Positioning of fumecupboards was important We didnt
want it to compete with the temperature controlled environment of
the main laboratory Windows had been replaced very recently, so
didnt want to replace these Solar reflective film was used on the
windows An evaluation and risk analysis was carried out, halved the
number of cylinders in use and created a very bespoke but flexible
system Slide 12 Energy usage Slide 13 And turned it into this
Office AreaFumecupboard Room PrepAreas Slide 14 As existing Slide
15 The existing fumecupboards were re-used, one within the new lab
and the other to replace two much older cupboards The existing
slate balance bench was re- used An existing double distillation
unit was replaced by a new unit, which was less energy hungry
Efficiencies deployed Slide 16 Innovations utilised Very specific
LEV Separate plant area for large Nitrogen generator Separate
Fumecupboard room Easy access to instruments Slide 17 Who uses this
area Undergraduates, PhD students, Staff all from Chemistry But as
part of WESTChem, its used by Researchers from GU as well. Its also
used by staff & students from within the Faculty of Science
& other Faculties within the University And we have contracts
with other Universities and external agencies But, it doesnt come
free, we charge them Shared Facilities Slide 18 The Trace Analysis
is not the only Facility we share with the rest of the world. We
have an NMR unit and an X-ray Crystallography unit. All three offer
a hands on experience or offer a service where the sample is
analysed on your behalf Youll see all three on the tour Other PAC
Facilities Slide 19 Dont take my word for it The gas manifold and
gases coming in on the gantry above the instrumentation has allowed
us to future proof any instrument positioning. Initial plans had
contained the footprint of every instrument we had or would
potentially purchase. The lab is airy and spacious and has a lot of
natural light adding to the general working experience. New users
may not appreciate the work that went into the design of the lab
but having worked in the department for 32 years I applaud the fact
that the end users were consulted and, more importantly, listened
to at almost every stage of construction. Pat Keating (Senior
Technician) Is it a success Slide 20 Many Thanks for Listening
