The UK has unveiled a £120 million national network of Quantum Technology Hubs, exploring the properties of quantum mechanics and harnessing them for technology. The hubs will deliver transformative impacts in key areas such as quantum metrology and sensors; quantum simulators; quantum computers and quantum secure communications.
Eight new research projects will explore various techniques for detecting dementia, including microstructure-sensitive MRI and graphene-based biosensors. The projects aim to develop diagnostic tools that can identify biomarkers of dementia at the point of care.
A UK team is exploring the use of thorium as a fuel source for improved nuclear designs, which could provide safer and more cost-effective power generation. The Integral Inherently Safe Light Water Reactor (I2S-LWR) aims to reduce the size and enhance safety of conventional nuclear power stations.
New research will focus on understanding and mitigating threats to industrial control systems, including manufacturing plants, power stations, and the rail network. The project aims to provide effective interventions to counter cyber risks and improve risk communication.
Two new projects, ELEVATE and Ultra Efficient Engines and Fuels, will develop better materials for energy storage devices and improve internal combustion engine efficiency. The £6 million funding will support academics from eight UK universities in their research to produce low-carbon vehicles on a mass scale.
Six new research projects will use technology, data, and information to create better energy strategies and behaviors in public and private non-domestic buildings. The projects aim to reduce UK carbon emissions from such buildings by 18% and final energy consumption by 13%.
Researchers have developed modified proteins that can mimic the behavior of fats, allowing for the creation of low-fat versions of cheeses and cakes. This breakthrough has the potential to reduce obesity and health problems associated with it, while also cutting costs for food manufacturers.
The UK Energy Research Centre will continue to drive innovation and research into sustainable future energy systems, with a focus on addressing climate change and increasing energy security. The funding is part of the RCUK Energy Programme, which aims to position the UK for a low-carbon future.
Two new EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training have been established to address key challenges in data management and carbon emissions. The Queen's University Belfast Centre will focus on photonic integration for advanced data storage, while the University of Bath Centre will concentrate on decarbonization of built environments.
A new centre, The Oxford Centre for Drug Delivery Devices (OxCD3), will be established to exploit engineering approaches to improve the therapeutic outcomes of drug-based cancer treatments. The centre aims to use stimulus-responsive nanocarriers and medical devices to enhance drug delivery into tumours.
A new amplifier design for mobile phone masts has been developed, achieving 50% efficiency compared to the current 30%. This could lead to a massive 200MW reduction in load on UK power stations and a corresponding decrease in CO2 emissions. The project aims to make a valuable contribution to meeting the UK's carbon reduction targets.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer announced 22 new Centres for Doctoral Training to further boost postgraduate training in key engineering and scientific fields. The new Centres will receive £106 million investment from research councils, universities, and industry partners.
Researchers are studying behavior of Android apps to develop techniques to spot malicious apps and enrich devices to counteract attacks. The study aims to address the growing threat of colluding apps that can bypass security measures and steal sensitive information.
Researchers used custom-built GPS and accelerometer loggers attached to free-flying birds to study their aerodynamics in V-formation. The study found that birds precisely time their wing flaps to maximize upwash capture, while avoiding areas of downwash.
Scientists have created stealth compounds programmed to respond to specific signals, allowing for targeted detection of diseases and potential delivery of potent drugs. This breakthrough has the potential to revolutionize disease diagnosis and treatment, enabling early detection and precise treatment strategies.
Researchers developed an iPad-based early warning system for hospital patient monitoring, using vital signs to calculate a score and alert staff to potential issues. The system replaces traditional chart-based methods, enabling faster and more accurate care.
Research reveals Yeast Protein Concentrate (YPC) can be separated from cereal matter and is a cost-competitive substitute for imported soya-based protein feeds. This could partially replace fish meal on commercial fish farms, benefiting 800 million chickens reared for meat production each year.
A team of scientists, led by Professor Alan Wilson, tracked domestic cats in Surrey using GPS collars and cat-cams, revealing the extent of their daily roams. The study, funded by EPSRC, BBSRC, and DARPA, aimed to showcase scientific research methods to the public and demonstrate the utility of tracking technology.
The EPSRC is investing £12.2 million in 15 research projects that aim to improve the diagnosis and treatment of serious illnesses, including Alzheimer's and cancer, as well as enhance patient outcomes and quality of life for severely disabled individuals.
The new hub will address pressing challenges in bioenergy, including reducing emissions and improving sustainability. It will focus on whole-life impact, cost-effective methods, and creating economic opportunities for the UK.
The UK's new supercomputers, Emerald and Iridis 3, will enable researchers to tackle complex areas like healthcare, astrophysics, and climate change. The systems will be made available to businesses and universities through the e-Infrastructure South Consortium.
The UK government has invested £6.5 million in 16 research and development projects to stimulate innovation in the manufacturing sector. The projects aim to develop new technologies that can create high value through novel processes, advanced product manufacture, resource efficiency and production techniques.
A UK research team is using a novel 'back-casting' approach to transform cities for healthier lives by creating visions of alternative urban futures with drastically reduced CO2 emissions. The study will develop realistic and radical engineering solutions to achieve these goals while ensuring social acceptance.
The UK's world-leading researchers in synthetic biology will establish platform technology with a new grant of almost £5 million. The platform technology will be based on an information system – SynBIS – which uses a web-based environment, hosting BioCAD and modelling tools for the field.
The EPSRC has awarded five-year fellowships worth £1 million each to Drs Geoffrey Nash, Harish Bhaskaran, Ajoy Velayudhan, and Peter Foote to address the gap in UK manufacturing research. The fellowships aim to strengthen links between industry and academia, driving growth and innovation.
The £10 million funding will support research into low-cost solutions for rural broadband access and applications for rural health monitoring, emergency communications, and social TV-Virtual Classrooms. The ultimate aim is to develop solutions that can scale to benefit millions of users in both the UK and India.
The EPSRC grant will attract top researchers to the UK, introduce young scientists to senior figures, and promote cross-disciplinary collaboration. ICMS events aim to foster innovation and address the gender gap in mathematics.
A new £13 million UK Centre for Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) Research will be established to drive innovative research and development. The centre, coordinated by the University of Edinburgh, aims to support the UK economy by driving an integrated research programme focused on maximising CCS contribution to a low-carbon energy system.
The EPSRC has awarded £18 million to three ICT projects at UCL Engineering, focusing on optical communication technologies, wireless technology, and adaptive software engineering. The projects aim to develop new generation of optical fibers, unlock more bandwidth, and improve software development efficiency.
Researchers at University of East Anglia will use a new ultrafast laser to study molecular energy transfer and design nanomachines and solar collectors. The equipment supports 2D electronic spectroscopy experiments to investigate the link between light-driven processes and molecular architecture.
Researchers have developed innovative sensors to detect early signs of corrosion in concrete, making monitoring and maintenance more effective. The new sensors can withstand long-term placement and send notifications via email or text when conditions for corrosion threshold are crossed.
A new project aims to reduce carbon emissions by using microscopic tubes that can adsorb CO2 from the air, with potential applications in built-up urban areas. The technology could lead to a patentable unit being developed within five years, offering a sustainable solution for reducing carbon footprint.
Researchers at CERN and Swansea University have achieved a major breakthrough in anti-matter research, trapping and holding atoms of 'anti-hydrogen' for the first time. This development will allow scientists to study anti-matter closely and gain unprecedented insight into its composition and fundamental physical principles.
Two new 'Innovation and Knowledge Centres' in the UK will combine research with business expertise to accelerate development of cutting-edge technologies. The centres, funded by EPSRC and Technology Strategy Board, aim to generate economic growth through sustainable products and infrastructure.
Researchers are developing a computer-based system to help stroke survivors with aphasia learn gestures independently, using motion sensing technologies like Nintendo Wii Remote. The project aims to create an affordable and accessible tool for therapy, addressing the limited resources and high cost of traditional one-to-one sessions.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has awarded £38 million to 46 outstanding UK researchers, supporting their development as world-leading scientists and engineers. The fellowships aim to drive innovation and tackle major challenges such as climate change and sustainable energy.
The new system integrates optical scanning, data processing, and encryption with manual ballot paper writing, ensuring total vote-counting accuracy. It also allows voters to verify their vote without revealing how they voted.
Researchers at UK universities are developing nanotechnology solutions to convert CO2 into chemicals for fuel cells, produce vehicle fuels, and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. The projects aim to reduce energy consumption and create new industries.
A groundbreaking study aims to quantify the carbon footprint of airport journeys and identify innovative ways to reduce emissions. The research, funded by EPSRC, will explore measures such as audio/video facilities, public transport hubs, and car-sharing services.
The EPSRC has invested £13 million in three new mathematical sciences Centres for Doctoral Training at Lancaster University, University of Cambridge and University of Warwick. These centres will train at least 40 students over seven years and focus on statistics, analysis and applied mathematics.
This pioneering research projects recreate authentic sounds of the past using acoustics, enhancing our understanding of heritage and its impact on daily life. By studying past events through sound, researchers improve acoustic preservation of old buildings and design new ones to mitigate noise pollution.
Researchers at the University of Glasgow have developed a new Bluetooth application that allows people in different parts of a stadium to share banter, photos, and video clips instantly. This technology makes innovative use of short-range communications, enabling fans to connect with up to seven other users simultaneously.
Scientists have developed a non-intrusive scanner that uses electromagnetic waves to detect concealed guns and knives without putting police officers in harm's way. The device uses neural network technology to identify the weapon and ignore everyday items, making it a potential game-changer for mobile gun detection.
A team of researchers has recreated the Lituus, a forgotten instrument by Johann Sebastian Bach, using advanced computer modelling software. The new design is believed to have been used by Bach and could be performed as intended for the first time in nearly 300 years.
Research funded by EPSRC and Airbus in the UK suggests a 20% reduction in fuel bills by using tiny air-powered jets to redirect air over wings, reducing mid-flight drag. The novel approach harnesses the Helmholtz resonance principle to create an oscillation that increases pressure and reduces environmental impact.
Researchers have developed an air-fueled battery that stores up to ten times more energy than current designs, with potential applications in electric vehicles and renewable energy. The new design uses oxygen drawn from the air during discharge, reducing the need for chemicals and increasing capacity.
The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) has awarded £16.5m in grants to develop new techniques for screening and treating major public health issues such as cancer and stroke. The projects aim to create affordable home-based stroke detectors and cancer screening devices.
Innovative 'smart' sensing systems could help 700,000 UK dementia sufferers live independently at home with improved safety and control. The systems, developed at the University of Bath, provide voice-prompts and can switch lights or appliances on and off to eliminate potential dangers.
The ALADDIN project has created software that can acquire and process real-time data from sensor networks, supporting situational awareness and operational decision-making in emergency response situations. The information agents will enable emergency responders to access and distribute up-to-the-minute data via various devices.
Scientists have developed a new virtual reality headset that can stimulate all five senses, including sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch. The 'Virtual Cocoon' aims to provide fully immersive perceptual experiences with optimal sensory interaction.