Impact of our research

A detailed summary of the scientific outputs of the ERC funded FNPMLS project can be found here.

The collinear resonance ionization spectroscopy (CRIS) technique has been developed over the last 15 years through the continuous support of the STFC, FWO and ERC. The method can suppress interference species by 7 orders of magnitude allowing measurements on exotic isotopes such at 78Cu produced at rates of the order of 10 atoms/second. This ultra-low detection limit enabled the first laser spectroscopy of a radioactive molecule, RaF, to be performed in 2018. This extreme sensitivity and ability to efficiently suppress interference species has potential applications within commercial mass spectrometry domain. Prof Kieran Flanagan at the University of Manchester established a start-up company (Artemis Analytical Ltd) in 2016 to commercialize this technology. This commercialization route has been supported with the STFC IAA, Follow on Fund, IPS, mini-ICURe and ERC POC grants. In 2018 Artemis Analytical was awarded an STFC-CERN BIC to help accelerate the company’s route to market.

The STFC-BIC incubation process helped identify promising opportunities to exploit the CRIS technique. Through this support the company has focused on developing a cost-effective method for environmental analysis. This includes tools for the nuclear industry with a tool that will help reduce costs associated with decommissioning and site restoration. Artemis Analytical has now launched a comprehensive water testing service in the UK. The company uses state-of-the-art mass spectrometry techniques to detect harmful contaminants such as lead and heavy metals in drinking water.