Bio & Material Applications

Exploring biological systems and advanced materials with laser-driven sources

Understanding the structure, properties and behaviour of biological systems and materials is essential to advances in healthcare, engineering and fundamental science. The SCAPA develops high-brightness particle and radiation sources driven by intense, ultrashort laser pulses, providing new opportunities to investigate these challenges.

SCAPA’s laser-driven electron and ion beams, together with its X-ray and other radiation sources, can support research ranging from high-resolution imaging and biomolecular analysis to radiation biology and materials characterisation. By combining advanced laser technology with expertise in accelerator physics, radiation science and diagnostics, SCAPA brings together researchers to explore new experimental techniques and applications.

Applications in biological research

X-ray imaging and biological structure
X-rays can reveal internal structures that are difficult to observe using conventional optical imaging. Laser-driven X-ray sources offer opportunities to investigate high-resolution imaging techniques, including phase-contrast imaging, which can enhance the visibility of structures with relatively weak X-ray absorption.

Potential research areas include the imaging of biological tissues, the characterisation of complex biological samples and the development of new approaches to biomedical imaging. These studies could help researchers investigate structures and features that are difficult to resolve using conventional methods.

Biomolecular structure and dynamics
Understanding the structure and behaviour of proteins and other biological macromolecules is important in biology, medicine and drug discovery. X-ray diffraction and ultrafast X-ray probing provide complementary ways to investigate molecular structure and how it changes over time.

SCAPA’s laser-driven radiation sources offer opportunities to explore time-resolved measurements and structural studies of biological molecules, including proteins in solution or crystalline form. The ultrashort duration of laser-driven radiation pulses is particularly valuable for investigating rapid processes and transient states.

Radiobiology and medical research
High-energy electrons, ions and photons interact with biological matter in different ways. Studying these interactions can improve our understanding of radiation-induced damage and the physical processes involved in radiotherapy.

Laser-driven particle and photon sources provide a platform for investigating radiation–matter interactions, dose delivery and the biological response to irradiation. This research may contribute to the development of future radiation technologies for medical and biological applications. These are research opportunities rather than a claim that laser-driven treatments are currently available for routine clinical use.

Applications in materials science

Imaging and non-destructive characterisation
X-ray imaging can reveal internal structures, defects and variations in density without requiring a sample to be sectioned. High-energy X-rays are particularly useful for studying dense materials and complex objects.

Laser-driven X-ray sources offer opportunities to investigate radiography, phase-contrast imaging and computed tomography for materials characterisation. Potential applications include examining material integrity, studying internal defects and developing new approaches to non-destructive testing.

Ultrafast studies of material behaviour
Materials can undergo rapid structural changes when exposed to intense laser pulses, mechanical stress or other forms of energy deposition. Understanding these processes is important for research into advanced materials and extreme physical conditions.

Ultrashort X-ray pulses can act as probes of dynamic systems, allowing researchers to investigate transient structures and rapid changes in matter. Pump–probe experiments, in which a sample is excited and then probed after a controlled delay, offer a way to study how materials evolve over extremely short timescales.

Radiation effects and material resilience
Energetic particles and radiation can alter the properties of materials, damage their structures and affect the performance of electronic components. Understanding these effects is important for applications in space technology, nuclear energy and other radiation environments.

SCAPA’s particle and radiation sources can support research into radiation–matter interactions, damage mechanisms and material response under irradiation. Such studies can help inform the development and evaluation of materials intended to operate in demanding environments.

Diffraction and structural analysis
Diffraction techniques provide information about the arrangement of atoms and molecules within a material. Electron and X-ray diffraction can be used to investigate structural properties, phase changes and material organisation.

Laser-driven electron and X-ray sources create opportunities to explore ultrafast diffraction and time-resolved structural measurements, helping researchers investigate not only what materials are made of, but also how their structures change during a process.

A collaborative research platform

SCAPA brings together expertise in high-power lasers, plasma-based particle acceleration, radiation generation and experimental diagnostics. Its facilities include dedicated laboratory spaces and equipment to support sample preparation, imaging and experimental analysis.

Through collaboration with academic and industrial partners, SCAPA aims to develop and apply laser-driven sources to challenging questions in biological science, materials research and radiation physics.

We welcome collaboration with researchers interested in biological imaging, biomolecular studies, materials characterisation, radiation effects and the development of new experimental techniques. By working together, we can explore how emerging laser-driven technologies may open new possibilities for science, healthcare and industry.