Contract for the Supply and Installation of a Squid Magnetometer with Versatile Measurement Options to the University of Birmingham

Contract summary

Industry

• Instruments for measuring quantities - 38340000

• Instruments for checking physical characteristics - 38400000

Location of contract

B15 2TT

Value of contract

£721,276

Procurement reference

SC9126/21

Published date

26 July 2021

Closing date

19 July 2021

Closing time

12pm

Contract start date

21 July 2021

Contract end date

31 March 2022

Contract type

Supply contract

Procedure type

Open procedure (above threshold)

Contract is suitable for SMEs?

Yes

Contract is suitable for VCSEs?

No

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Description

This project is funded by UK Research and Innovation's Engineering and Physical
Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and the University of Birmingham.
The University of Birmingham invites tenders for supply and installation of a
Superconducting Quantum Interference Device (SQUID) magnetometer with a versatile
range of measurement options. The SQUID magnetometer and its measurement
options will form the Midlands Mag-Lab, a state-of-the-art magnetometry facility
created with the support of an EPSRC Strategic Equipment award. It will facilitate
advanced magnetic materials characterisation by academic and industry users in the
Midlands region and beyond. The equipment will be used to deliver new understanding
of fundamental magnetic materials properties, as well as developing new technologies
that exploit the magnetic properties of solids in the areas of quantum materials and
technologies, energy materials, and sustainable materials and recycling. The broad user
base and diverse range of materials to be characterised with the equipment means that
the equipment interface should be user friendly.

The instrument should perform DC and AC magnetometry measurements on a single
platform over a temperature range of 2 to 400 K in applied fields of up to 7 T. It should
be compatible with a suite of measurement options to enable a versatile range of
experimental conditions that meet the needs of the broad user base. Specifically, the
measurement options should facilitate DC measurements:
• With a moment sensitivity in the range of 1 x 10 - 8 emu,
• At controlled sub-0.5 K temperatures as well as between 2 K and 1000 K,
• With active cancelation of residual magnetic flux so that samples can be cooled
in a field less than 0.05 G,
• With field-setting resolution of 0.002 G for a field range up to 20 G,
• With sample mounting and automated rotation to enable sample rotations of
up to 360 degrees in 0.1 degree increments in an applied field,
• Under applied voltage in a range 0.1 Hz to 100 Hz,
• Under applied pressure of at least 1 GPa.
The measurement options should be easily exchangeable and integrated with the main
instrument, with the entire system having a single PC-based controller capable of
executing automated system setting and data collection. The instrument should be a
wet system, connecting directly with the University of Birmingham's helium liquefier
system. It should be delivered, installed, and tested on site with a maintenance and
service package, with key users provided with training.

This project may be funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) or;
- European Structural and Investment Fund (ESIF) or;
- UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the strategic partnership of the UK's seven
Research Councils.

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More information

Previous notice about this procurement

Tender for the Supply and Installation of a Squid Magnetometer with Versatile Measurement Options at the University of Birmingham

• Opportunity
• Published 22 April 2021

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Award information

Awarded date

19 July 2021

Contract start date

21 July 2021

Contract end date

31 March 2022

Total value of contract

£721,276

This contract was awarded to 1 supplier.

Quantum Design UK and Ireland Ltd

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About the buyer

Contact name

Pauline Harrison Johnson

Address

Chancellors Close
BIRMINGHAM
B152TT
England

Email

p.e.harrison@bham.ac.uk