The Surrey Ion Beam Centre

Who Are We

The Surrey Ion Beam Centre is the lead site for the UK National Ion Beam Centre and sits within the Advanced Technology Institute of the University of Surrey.

The Surrey Ion Beam Centre is a world-leading research facility specialising in ion beam technology. Our centre is equipped with five state-of-the-art ion implanters, (including two single-ion implantation systems dedicated to advancing quantum device development). These advanced capabilities allow us to push the boundaries of material science, enabling innovations in nanotechnology, semiconductors, quantum computing, biosciences and health.

Leading universities across the UK, as well as various UK industries, leverage our cutting-edge equipment and expertise to address critical scientific challenges. Our research plays a pivotal role in driving technological advancements that contribute to solving global issues aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

At the heart of our mission is a commitment to interdisciplinary research, integrating expertise from fields such as physics, engineering, materials science, and even art conservation. In addition to supporting breakthrough innovations in energy storage, environmental sustainability, and healthcare, we also work with museums and historical institutions to apply ion beam techniques in the preservation and analysis of ancient artefacts.

Our work directly tackles fundamental material challenges in key areas such as:

Energy – Developing materials for next-generation batteries, solar cells, and nuclear fusion applications.
Environment – Enhancing sustainable manufacturing processes and materials to reduce waste and energy consumption.
Health – Advancing medical technologies, including radiation therapy, biosensors, and novel biomaterials for healthcare applications.

By fostering strong collaborations and pioneering innovative ion beam applications, the Surrey Ion Beam Centre remains at the forefront of scientific research, shaping a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.

Our Aims

To promote and facilitate world class research in the field of ion beam applications, especially for the UK academic, commercial and industrial communities, but also for and with our international collaborators.
To allow users to undertake a wide variety of research using ion implantation, ion beam analysis and our extensive ancillary facilities.
Train and educate the UK community in the applications and technology of ion beams and provide a technology transfer to industry and academia.
Contribute to the prosperity and competitiveness of UK industry.