Eden NE has recently made use of the Henry Royce Institute SME Access Scheme. This scheme provides UK-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with subsidised access to advanced materials science and engineering equipment—helping to facilitate research and development.

We made an application for access to specialised nanoindentation equipment for a proof of concept study. Nanoindentation is a powerful technique for investigating the surface mechanical properties of materials; we were interested in applying it to powder materials’ for a nuclear industry application. At the outset we were not sure of the viability of the technique for our intended use; following a successful initial trial, we subsequently contracted with the Royce Institute to carry out further measurements.

By removing the need for upfront financial commitment, the Royce SME access scheme allowed us to test performance, assess suitability against our project requirements, and de-risk subsequent funding decisions. This provided valuable evidence to inform our technical approach—ultimately supporting a more confident and informed pathway toward potential future applications.