The Sheffield Multimodal Imaging Centre

The Sheffield Multimodal Imaging Centre

Northern Powerhouse logo
European Regional Development Fund logo

The Sheffield Multimodal Imaging Centre (SMIC) is a leading research and development facility, bringing together industry-recognised equipment and expertise in biosciences, health and materials.

A product being tested using 3d surface imaging

Scanning, imaging and microscopy

SMIC gives businesses working in health and advanced manufacturing access to the latest scanning, imaging, advanced microscopy and related analytical technologies, so they can test, innovate and enhance their products.

Facilities

The centre is equipped with state-of-the-art instrumentation for a range of imaging modalities, including

  • Transmission Electron Microscopy
  • Scanning Electron Microscopy
  • Mass Spectrometry Imaging
  • Computed Tomography
  • Raman Spectroscopy
  • 3D Surface Scanning
  • Confocal Microscopy
  • Transcranial Doppler Imaging
  • Ultrasound Imaging
  • Infrared Spectroscopy
  • Digital Image Correlation
  • Image Processing/Artificial Intelligence

What we offer

  • Collaborative R&D developing bio and advanced materials with industry partners.
  • Cross-disciplinary collaborations developing and testing advanced materials with, for example, novel and innovative properties and applications.
  • Testing and advisory services to deliver applied, company defined, responsive solutions at a scale, proportionate to the product and process innovation needs of enterprises, including those in the Sheffield City Region.

Recent work

A partial cross-section of heavily fractured ruby with natural ruby pseudo-coloured blue and higher density lead-glass infill pseudo-coloured pink.

Authenticating precious stones with hi-res micro-computed tomography 

MICRO-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

See case study
Artificial skin

Using mass spectrometry and artificial skin to analyse skincare products

MASS SPECTROMETRY

See case study
Someone looking at a 3D surface scan

Testing the SuPPORT 4 All radiotherapy bra using 3D surface imaging

3D SURFACE IMAGING

See case study
SMIC Seeds Joe Ready

Using micro-computed tomography to examine the effectiveness of agricultural seed coatings

MICRO-COMPUTED TOMOGRAPHY

See case study
A mass spectrometry image of a fingermark

Fighting crime with mass spectrometry technology

MASS SPECTROMETRY

See case study
An image of a tablet taken using Raman spectroscopy

Analysing pharmaceutical tablets using AFM-Raman

AFM-RAMAN

See case study
Middle cerebral artery (MCA) waveforms during CO inhalation

Using ultrasound to study how air pollution affects the human brain

TRANSCRANIAL DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

See case study
A transmission electron microscopy image of the worn surface of steel

How transmission electron microscopy can improve product performance

TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY

See case study
A selection of digital anatomical headform models

How our scanning technology is helping businesses get ahead

3D SURFACE IMAGING

See case study

Working with Sheffield Hallam

Sheffield Hallam is redeveloping its city campus, improving access to all our research facilities for business use. Some of our current customers include SCR, Tinsley Bridge,  JRI Orthopaedics, B. Braun, Sky Chemicals, Rejuvetech, and Ceramsys.

Our partners

This project is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.