Research training focused on the conduct of internationally leading analytical research projects ranging from fundamental investigations through to applications in the environmental and health sciences. All ESRs received extensive research training at their host institutions for their individual projects (see ESRS’ Personal Career Development Plans for detailed information). This included instrumental and data analyses training. All ESRs have had research training at the two industrial beneficiaries, Kore Technology Ltd. and Ionicon Analytik GmbH, and one partner, SYFT Technologies. A number of workshops were provided which included details on science, operation of instruments, troubleshooting, maintenance, calibration for trace gas analysis, mass calibration, data gathering, analysis and applications, basic electronics for instrument diagnostics and materials selection for scientific instrumentation. For all analytical techniques hands-on training was provided.
In addition to these training activities on experimental techniques and procedures, theoretical and computational advanced training courses were provided by Andreas Mauracher (Ionen und Angewandte Physik, Universität Innsbruck) - Computational Methods in Physical Chemistry I: Basic Principles of Electronic Structure Theory, and John Dyke (Chemistry Department, University of Southampton) - Physical Chemistry and Computational Approaches. John Thompson (TMS) provided training on statistical approaches.
Key to networking and transfer of knowledge is the use of secondments and visits. These provided additional training and perspectives for the ESRs which were not available in their host institutions. They therefore improved the training experience for ESRs and provided intersectoral training. During secondments ESRs were trained in a particular aspect of the scientific and/or commercial expertise available at the host institutions. ESRs participated in collaborative projects which led to certain major deliverable (e.g. papers, conference presentations, technological developments etc.).
IMPACT instigated and hosted the First and Second International Conference on Soft Chemical Ionisation Mass Spectrometry and Applications to Trace Gas Analysis” in Dornbirn, Austria, 18th – 20th September 2017 and Prague, Czech Republic, 10th – 13th June 2019, respectively. These meetings provided a forum for discussions on fundamental research, applications and developments dealing with a broader range of soft chemical ionisation techniques used in different sectors and different disciplines. Key motivations for this meeting were to enlarge the networking associated with IMPACT by facilitating collaborations across disciplines and sectors, to improve the exploitation of novel concepts between disciplines and technologies, and to provide cohesion in Soft Chemical Ionisation Mass Spectrometry research worldwide.
