Dr Peter Docker
About Dr Peter Docker
Dr. Peter Docker is an R&D specialist at Diamond Light Source, focusing on the design of MEMS devices for live cell cultures and developing graphene sensors for X-ray detection. He holds a PhD in Engineering from Birmingham University and has over a decade of experience in enhancing X-ray imaging capabilities through advanced technologies.
Work at Diamond Light Source
Dr. Peter Docker has been working at Diamond Light Source as an R&D Specialist since 2012. His role involves designing MEMS devices that facilitate live cell cultures for infrared interrogation. He is responsible for integrating NEMS, MEMS, and microfluidic technologies into beamlines, which enhances the facility's capabilities in X-ray imaging. Dr. Docker is also involved in developing graphene sensors for X-ray detection and creating MEMS flow cells for protein interrogation under in vivo conditions for SAXS.
Education and Expertise
Dr. Docker studied Engineering at Birmingham University, where he completed his PhD from 1996 to 2000. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his research and development work in the field of engineering, particularly in micro and nano technologies. He also attended Salesian College Grammar School, which contributed to his early academic development.
Background
Before joining Diamond Light Source, Dr. Docker worked as a Principal Mechanical Engineer at Rofin-Sinar for eight months in 2012. His experience in mechanical engineering has informed his current research, particularly in the areas of heat sink materials and cryogenic cooling systems. His ongoing work includes investigating cryogenic cooling of silicon mirrors and developing cryogenically cooled sample holders for nanobeam X-ray diffraction interrogation.
Research and Development Initiatives
Dr. Docker is actively engaged in several research initiatives, including the exploration of digital microfluidics as a developing interest. He is reviewing heat sink materials with reduced coefficients of thermal expansion to optimize cooling and minimize distortion in mirrors. Additionally, he is utilizing surface acoustic waves (SAW) for arraying protein crystals, which prepares them for X-ray interrogation.