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Research facilities

Our modern university research facilities, archives, and buildings give you access to the best equipment to advance your research.

55 facilities

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Medicine
Engineering

3D X-ray histology facility
We provide micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging of soft-tissue samples.
Engineering
Biological sciences
Ocean and earth science

3D X-ray imaging facility
We carry out advanced three-dimensional imaging and computed tomography.
Engineering

Algal biomass facilities
We can carry out research using our water channel reactors and bioreactors up to production scale. Our facilities are located in Southampton and Spain.
Engineering

Anaerobic digestion laboratory
This laboratory is home to more than 250 kinds of anaerobic digesters. We carry out research from lab study to commercial operating plant.
Engineering
Photonics and optoelectronics
Electronics and computer science

Annealing and growth facilities
We host rapid thermal processors and furnaces for annealing and growth processes.
Engineering

Boldrewood towing tank
This facility supports a wide range of research and commercial activities across the maritime, aerospace, energy and transportation sectors.

Bushings and Insulators Research Facility
In Bushings and Insulators (part of High voltage laboratory) we have the capability to test all types of bushing. We can also perform capacitance and tan delta measurements.

Cable testing facility
As one of our specialist areas of activity, we are well-equipped to meet the testing, modelling and consultancy needs of the cable and cable accessory industry.
Photonics and optoelectronics
Electronics and computer science

Characterisation facilities
We provide a range of characterisation equipment for device and material characterisation.
Chemistry
Physics and astronomy
Electronics and computer science

Chemical nanoanalysis scanning electron microscope
The Chemical Nanoanalysis Scanning Electron Microscope (CNSEM) facility offers a high resolution field emission SEM, in combination with dual-EDS and correlative Raman spectrometer.
Medicine

Clinical research data services
Our informatics services cover clinical trials management, form design, data integration, health research analysis and clinical innovation.

Confocal microscopes
Our confocal microscope provides optical sectioning of samples. This allows us to create 3D reconstructions.
Ocean and earth science

Coral reef laboratory
Coral reef science: inspiring awareness of the need to protect marine ecosystems.
Engineering
Photonics and optoelectronics
Electronics and computer science

Deposition facility
We offer deposition technologies such as chemical vapour deposition systems, epitaxy and atomic layer deposition.
Archaeology
English
Film
History
Modern languages and linguistics
Music
Philosophy

Digital humanities facilities
Use our immersive, virtual reality and digital production facilities to create and explore artefacts, environments and recordings for your humanities research.
Engineering
Health science
Psychology

Driving simulator facility
The driving simulator offers an immersive driving experience for human factors research.

Electrophysiology instruments
We have a range of electrophysiology instruments capable of measuring electrical fields in both sectioned explants and adherent cells
Engineering
Photonics and optoelectronics
Electronics and computer science

Etching facility
We have both dry etching and wet etching systems which can be used in fabrication.
Psychology

Eye movement recording facilities
Our eye tracking facilities can record human eye movement which helps us research language processing and visual threat detection.
Engineering

Fermentation facilities
We explore the production of biofuels in our environmental biotechnology facilities. Equipment includes fermenters and downstream processors.
Engineering

Flumes and wave tanks
We investigate ways to create hydroelectric power using a range of small and large scale flumes and wave tanks.

Fluorescence and brightfield microscopes
Our widefield and zoom fluorescence microscopes permit the specific labelling of up to four targets simultaneously.

Forensics Research Facility
Explore our Forencisc Research Facility that is equipped with tools and measurement apparatus that are applicable to forensic study of dielectric materials.
Engineering

Geomechanics laboratory
This facility is for standard and advanced soil element testing, including rail track bed materials.
Electronics and computer science

High voltage laboratory
The Tony Davies high voltage laboratory (TDHVL) is our centre for research into dielectric materials and insulation systems, as well as high voltage and related phenomena.
Medicine

Histochemistry research facility
We process cells and tissue samples into a range of mediums including frozen, paraffin, and resin.
Biological sciences

Histology microscopes
The facility provides histological microscopes for colourimetric imaging, plus additional equipment for the sectioning, preservation and processing of specimens.
Biological sciences
Engineering
Health science
Medicine
Ocean and earth science
Photonics and optoelectronics

Imaging and Microscopy Centre
The Imaging and Microscopy Centre is a core facility for advanced life sciences imaging at Southampton University.
Engineering
Health science
Psychology

Instrumented vehicle facility
Our on-road instrumented vehicle can be used for naturalistic studies of driving and driver behaviour.
Engineering
Health science

Large anechoic chamber
Our anechoic chamber is a silent room 'without echoes' used for carrying out standard acoustical tests.
Engineering

Large structures testing laboratory
This facility tests structures, components and materials at a range of scales across a wide range of application areas.
Engineering
Photonics and optoelectronics
Electronics and computer science

Lithography facility
We offer both e-beam and optical lithography and resist processing for fabrication and nanofabrication.

Live imaging system
We have a live imaging system that allows us to investigate living cells using time lapse microscopy.

Materials Characterisation Research Facility
A significant proportion of our industrially funded research is concerned with dielectric materials and measurement of their properties. Consequently, we are able to characterise materials in terms of their electrical, mechanical and thermal behaviou...
Engineering

National Infrastructure Laboratory
This facility contains 5 engineering laboratories. It carries out research into improving and developing infrastructure.
Psychology

Observation laboratory
With a 1 way mirror and recording suite we use this lab to observe and investigate social interactions.
Ocean and earth science

Organic geochemistry laboratories
We have a dedicated sample preparation lab, wet chemistry lab space, and an instrumentation lab.
Psychology

Pain research laboratory
We have a dedicated temperature-controlled laboratory, with specialist equipment for understanding pain response.
Ageing and gerontology
Health science

Pressure laboratory
We are a purpose-built laboratory designed for evaluating medical and consumer products.
Engineering
Electronics and computer science

Printed electronics and materials laboratory
Here we make novel thick-film sensors, actuators and systems printed using silk screen and inkjet printers.
Psychology

Psychophysiology laboratory
Using equipment like facial electromyography we explore the relationship between the mind and body to see how they interact.
Ocean and earth science

Radiochemistry facility
NNUF-EXACT is a centre for radiochemistry. We provide research and training in the accelerated nuclear characterisation and remediation technologies.

Railway Equipment Research Facility
Use our facilities for testing components and equipment for the railway industry. 
Ocean and earth science

Research aquarium
Our multi-purpose research aquarium houses a variety of tanks and facilities for keeping and handling live specimens.
Ocean and earth science

Research vessel
R.V.Callista based at NOCS, is available to staff and students of Ocean and Earth Science
Engineering
Health science

Reverberation chambers
We have a large and a small reverberation chamber which we use for acoustic testing.
Engineering

Scientific glassblowing workshop
This workshop is furnished with all the equipment needed to design and make scientific glassware for research and development.

Super-resolution microscope
We have a super-resolution microscope which provides a range of advanced imaging techniques.

Switchgear Research Facility
The testing of switchgear, related apparatus and enclosures has been a regular activity within the Laboratory since it first opened in 1991.
Engineering

Testing and structures research laboratory
This regional and national centre for experimental mechanics research contains equipment capable of testing materials and structures across a range of scales.
Ageing and gerontology
Health science

Thermosense laboratory
We are a purpose-built laboratory designed for researching how skin responds to thermal environments.

Transformers and Reactors Research Facility
In Bushings and Insulators (part of High voltage laboratory) we have the capability to test all types of bushing. We can also perform capacitance and tan delta measurements.
Psychology

Visual haptics laboratory
Our human computer interface technology lets us mimic physical sensations. We explore the way humans combine vision and touch to work out shape and material properties.
Engineering

Wind tunnel: 2.1m by 1.5m by 4.4m
This is one of our larger wind tunnels. We use it for student research projects, wind engineering studies and marine industry work.
Engineering

Wind tunnel: 3.5m by 2.4m by 10.5m
The R J Mitchell Wind Tunnel is the largest of our wind tunnels. It's ideal for vehicle aerodynamic work and performance sport testing. It can also be used for consultancy.
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