Scope
Description
The University of Birmingham invites tenders for the supply and installation of an Asymmetric Flow Field-Flow Fractionation (AF4) system with integrated ultraviolet-visible (UV/Vis), and differential refractive index (dRI) detectors, Multi-Angle Light Scattering (MALS) and online Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) capability, and a fraction collector.
The AF4 system will form part of the research infrastructure funded by the European Research Council (ERC) grant HORDE awarded to Dr Stephen Fielden. It will provide critical support for experimental investigations into nanoemulsions undergoing processes such as Ostwald ripening. AF4 represents one of the few techniques capable of fractionating nanoemulsions according to droplet size, thereby enabling precise and detailed characterisation of complex, time-dependent behaviours in dispersed systems.
The system will be employed to separate nanoemulsion droplets by size, allowing direct measurement of changes in droplet size distribution via integrated MALS and DLS detectors. This capability will provide transformational insight into the mechanisms governing nanoemulsion evolution, a central research theme within HORDE.
Fractionation should be possible in a semi-preparative manner, allowing collected fractions to be further analysed using complementary techniques including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) to determine the chemical composition associated with distinct droplet populations. The system should therefore be robust, modular, and designed for straightforward integration within the materials characterisation facility within the School of Chemistry. The entire system should have a single PC-based controller capable of executing automated instrument control and data collection. The broad user base and diverse range of emulsion and nanoparticle materials to be characterised with the equipment means that the interface should be user friendly, simple to clean and reliable.
Total value (estimated)
- £0 including VAT
Above the relevant threshold
Contract dates (estimated)
- 1 May 2026 to 1 May 2028
- 2 years, 1 day
Main procurement category
Goods
CPV classifications
- 38000000 - Laboratory, optical and precision equipments (excl. glasses)
Submission
Tender submission deadline
15 December 2025, 11:59pm
Submission address and any special instructions
Tenders may be submitted electronically
Yes
Languages that may be used for submission
English
Award decision date (estimated)
2 February 2026
Award criteria
| Name | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Simple description | Please see InTend documents |
Price |
Weighting description
Please see InTend documents
Other information
Conflicts assessment prepared/revised
Yes
Procedure
Procedure type
Open procedure
Documents
Associated tender documents
https://in-tendhost.co.uk/universityofbirmingham/aspx/Tenders/Current
Contracting authority
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
- Companies House: RC000645
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
United Kingdom
Email: procurement@bham.ac.uk
Website: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk
Region: UKG31 - Birmingham
Organisation type: Public undertaking (commercial organisation subject to public authority oversight)