The ReMade@ARIE project will provide free, supported access for circular materials researchers to over 50 of Europe’s best analytical research infrastructures.

The analytical research infrastructures of Europe (arie-eu.org) excel at complex experiments and materials characterisation that go beyond the capabilities of standard laboratory techniques. The advantages of using techniques at the RIs are gains in chemical sensitivity, temporal or size resolution, and the use of non-destructive methods that can see inside objects or reaction chambers. Moreover, a combination of techniques based on, for example, X-rays, neutrons and light microscopy, can provide a more complete picture of a material or process.

The new European project ReMade@ARI, scheduled to start in September 2022 and run for four years, brings together over 50 European analytical research infrastructures to pioneer a support hub for circular economy materials research in the following priority areas: electronics and ICT, batteries and vehicles, packaging, plastics, textiles, construction and buildings, food, water and nutrients. The techniques available include X-ray, neutron, electron, laser, photon and ion beams, high magnetic fields, and more.

To boost circular materials research, ReMade@ARI will provide assistance to researchers that goes beyond the support available through the regular user programmes of analytical research facilities. Guidance and assistance will be provided through all stages of materials characterisation and complex experiments, including proposal writing, planning and conducting an experiment, data collection and data analysis. For basic analyses, mail-in and remote access will be privileged. For complex experiments, dedicated facility staff will assist the circular materials researchers for on-site and remote access experiments. In addition to this guided access targeting academic research, two specific initiatives have been organised to attract industry. The first, inspired by the Swedish Vinnova funding scheme, will invite industrial companies to join forces with a knowledge provider, typically a research and technology organisation (RTO), that will support the company in translating their challenges into a scientific project that can be realised by access to various ReMade@ARI facilities. In this case, complex experiments such as those involving operando sample environments would be possible and access spanning multiple RI networks encouraged. The second, aims to provide a service tailored for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), where rapid test experiments and assistance with data analysis are a priority.

The benefits to circular materials researchers are free access to the RIs across Europe including travel expenses, guidance in choosing the most appropriate characterisation techniques, and encouragement to use complementary techniques across the different networks of facilities (e-DREAM, Laserlab, LEAPS, RADIATE, LENS, EMFL, and other partners).

The capabilities of the research infrastructures for materials research will be discussed using examples from recent user experiments at the European Synchrotron (ESRF) and its partners in the ReMade@ARI project.

Gary Admans (Ph.D.)