science wire

University of Glasgow academic wins prestigious entrepreneurship award
A simple 30-minute test for infections could revolutionise the detection and treatment of common diseases, including chlamydia, gonorrhoea and malaria, thanks to a new device developed by a Research Fellow at the University of Glasgow's Division of Biomedical Engineering.

University of Sheffield chosen as Centre of Excellence for Engineering and Architecture

Tributes paid to leading engineer, Professor Nabil Gindy
Tributes have been paid to Professor Nabil Gindy, a leading academic at The University of Nottingham, who has died at the age of 62.

Science and Engineering South Consortium (SES-5)
The most powerful cluster of research intensive universities in the UK are joining forces to form a new consortium to become one of the world's leading hubs for science and engineering research.

£5.25m project aims to reduce heating and cooling emissions
The University of Warwick is leading a £5.25m project to develop energy-efficient heating and cooling technologies that will reduce UK energy needs.

Sheffield overtakes Cambridge for engineering research income
The University of Sheffield has overtaken the University of Cambridge for engineering research income, confirming the institution as a world-leader in the field.

School children build bridges with University of Birmingham engineers
The School of Civil Engineering at the University of Birmingham is pioneering a new initiative to take bridge construction out to local schools and sixth forms to engage young people in the discipline.

University partners with Sondrel to develop Chinese design talent
The University of Nottingham has launched a unique training programme which will enable Chinese students to become the integrated circuit (IC) designers of the future.

New system to combat online banking fraud
A security solution which protects against the most serious threat to online banking customers, responsible for millions in annual losses, is being rolled out across Europe by a Cambridge University spin-out.

Imperial developing better construction methods for nuclear power plants
New methods for for building nuclear reactors from preassembled parts is the focus of a new academic and industrial collaboration.

Drop of academic expertise helps startup taste success
A startup company is on track to taste success after receiving a splash of expert help to bring their first product to market.

Nanokicking stem cells to open for new generation of orthopaedics
New research has shown that it is possible to grow new bone by “nanokicking” stem cells 1,000 times per second using high frequency vibrations. This new technique is cheaper and easier to implement than current technologies and it is hoped that it may lead to new therapies for orthopaedic conditions such as spinal traumas, osteoporosis and stress fractures.

Product pipeline: Sustainable lifestyles
As small changes in our behaviour can have a big impact on the environment, researchers are busy working to make our lifestyles more sustainable. 1. Plastic fantastic Co-founded by Visiting Professor Vernon Gibson (Chemistry), spin-out company Plaxica is converting sugars, such as cereals and sugar cane, into the next generation of plastics.

Scientists develop low-cost techniques for ’earthquake-proofing’ homes
Engineering 'quake-proof' homes could save lives, say Imperial academics. New techniques that enable people in rural communities in Central and South America to build their own earthquake resistant, low-cost housing are being developed by academics from Imperial College London. Since 1980, 18,300 people worldwide have died in homes that have collapsed because they were not engineered to be earthquake-proof.

Research receives funds to meet global challenges
Two innovative engineering projects receive grants from a major UK funder this month. The researchers received funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council as part of Frontier Engineering scheme.

Plymouth University set to host global coastal research conference
The largest worldwide gathering of coastal science researchers will convene at Plymouth University next month for an international conference on how climate change is affecting our coastal zones.

Anaesthetists' research network creates buzz
A research network established by a network of training anaesthetists in the South West, and which in just nine months has become one of the most successful of its kind in the UK, is set to create a buzz at the national Group of Anaesthetists in Training (GAT) annual scientific meeting in Oxford. The group is called SWARM (South West Anaesthetic Research Matrix) and is currently made up of around 80 training anaesthetists from all six hospitals across the South West.

David MacKay appointed Regius Professor of Engineering
Acclaimed author of "Sustainable Energy Without The Hot Air" will be first holder of Royally-appointed engineering post at Cambridge.

Giant clockwork Solar System arrives at Jodrell Bank
The University of Manchester's Jodrell Bank Discovery Centre has announced the arrival of its newest exhibit – a beautiful and unique mechanical orrery.

Six Nations Rugby Union: were the gloves off?
As the Six Nations Cup reached its patriotic climax, two University of Sheffield engineers were keeping a closely scientific eye on the ball. Experts in tribology - the science of friction - Drs Roger Lewis and Matt Carré are more interested in grip than glory. Drs Lewis and Carré in the University's Department of Mechanical Engineering have been measuring the dynamic friction between the material of the ball and the skin on the fingertips and palm, and the mitts that some players choose to wear under different weather conditions.

World first: device keeps human liver alive outside body
In a world first, a donated human liver has been 'kept alive' outside a human being and then successfully transplanted into a patient in need of a new liver.

The human musculoskeletal system created using computer models will lead to personalised treatment
A computer model of the human musculoskeletal system will be mapped out by researchers at the University of Sheffield following a £6.7 million grant that will lead to personalised treatment for dise

Most extraordinary materials on earth housed in new Institute of Making
This week the Institute of Making opens at UCL giving a permanent home to the Materials Library, a collection of the most unusual materials in the world, and the MakeSpace, the ultimate making workshop.  There is a special preview day on Friday 15 March for all UCL staff and students.

University of Birmingham receives £5.9 million to assess the underworld
The University of Birmingham will receive one of four large grants as part of a multimillion pound investment in leading engineering research projects to be announced by Minister for Universities and Science, David Willetts today (12 March 2013).

EPSRC announces new UCL Centre for Nature Inspired Engineering
Innovative engineering projects announced today, including a new Centre for Nature Inspired Engineering at UCL, will bring leading engineers and scientists together to address some of the major engineering challenges facing the world.

Nottingham professor wins the Rolls-Royce best patent award
Professor Dragos Axinte from The University of Nottingham, together with colleagues at Rolls-Royce, has received the prestigious Rolls-Royce Best Patent Award in recognition of a new technology that has been developed for the aerospace business.

Engineering the future of healthcare
Three creative engineering projects led by researchers at UCL have been awarded £2.8 million by the Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC).

City launches festival of science and engineering
A fortnight-long festival showcasing science and engineering in the city, which is led by the University of Sheffield and Sheffield Hallam University, returns this month in a new form, bigger and better than ever before.

Aviation firm funds $1.6m Sussex projects to improve aircraft engines
Aviation firm funds $1.6m Sussex projects to improve aircraft engines One of the world's largest aviation technology companies is funding research at Sussex worth $1.6 million (just over £1 million) to make aircraft engines safer and more efficient.

Report calls for Bradford’s hidden asset to be uncovered
Report calls for Bradford's hidden asset to be uncovered A river once deemed the 'filthiest in England' could become attractive and healthy again, according to the final report of the Bradford Beck project, published today (5 March 2013). The report lays out ambitious plans to clean up and improve the river, allowing wildlife to thrive and making it an asset to the West Yorkshire city.

Smart living
Providing a secure and sustainable energy supply is one of the key issues facing the UK today. Finding innovative solutions to this challenge will involve academics working with local authorities, businesses and governments.

Manufacturing: Technologies for Future Smart Factories
PA 60/13 Research at The University of Nottingham that could help the UK manufacturing industry to remain competitive by evolving to meet future challenges is in line for a multi-million pound funding boost.

£1.3m drive to harness high-performance racing car materials for high-performance buildings
Civil and structural engineers will explore the durability of high-tech composite materials of the type used in aerospace and automotive industries in a bid to unlock their full potential for infrastructure and civil engineering works.

Imperial celebrates its automotive research prowess
The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Imperial has been at the forefront of research to develop the next generation of vehicles for more than 40 years.

Imperial Festival returns for second fun-filled extravaganza

Building Bridges with HE Partnership

Workshop Wizardry: new scheme at Imperial to train skilled research technicians
Scientific research today is nearly always a team effort – and is becoming increasingly collaborative and multidisciplinary.

Young researcher receives grant to make gas turbines greener
For the next five years, Aimee Morgans (Aeronautics) will receive funding for her research into lower emissions for gas turbine combustors following a successful grant application to the European Research Council (ERC).

UCL plans new department at the interface between STEM and policy
UCL is opening a new department focused on the interface between science, technology, engineering, maths (STEM) and policy, as well as an associated interdisciplinary research institute, in September 2013.

WMG to host 600 strong bespoke engineering degree for Jaguar Land Rover staff
WMG (Warwick Manufacturing Group) at the University of Warwick has announced that it has entered an agreement with Jaguar Land Rover to teach up to 600 Jaguar Land Rover employees to degree level in product engineering and manufacturing engineering.

EDF and University of Manchester Sign Extended R&D Collaboration Agreement
The agreement, between EDF R&D, EDF Energy and the University's Dalton Nuclear Institute , was signed in a joint meeting with Bernard Salha (Senior Vice President of EDF SA, President of EDF Resear

Dr Alan Reece 1927 – 2012

AMRC creates new industrial icon for Sheffield
The University of Sheffield's Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) has completed production of a two metre model of a proposed landmark sculpture for the Sheffield city region.

New funding to research ’super material’ graphene
Scientists at Imperial College London are set to receive over £4.5 million of public funding to investigate how the 'super material' graphene can drive improvements in high-tech industries, such as aerospace design and medical technologies.

New Engineering Building will open door to growth and investment
The decision to approve the University of Sheffield's planning application for an £81 million state of the art New Engineering Building on the Jessop East site will open the door to growth and investment, making a huge contribution to the Sheffield and regional economy.

Manufacturing specialist wins international collaboration award
A manufacturing lecturer from The University of Nottingham has been given an award by the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), in recognition of his work in manufacturing and processing of materials research with two Japanese Universities.

The University of Nottingham hosts annual Engineering Christmas Lecture
Hundreds of school children from across the region will get an entertaining and exciting insight into engineering at The University of Nottingham's annual Engineering Christmas Lecture.

Ultrasound can now monitor the health of your car engine
A system that uses ultrasound technology to look inside car engines could lead to more efficient engines - and huge fuel savings for motorists.

The dance of quantum tornadoes
Being half-light and half-matter these particles are feather-light and move quickly around, sloshing and cascading much like water in a mountain river." —Dr Natalia Berloff from the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics Tornado-like vortexes can be produced in bizarre fluids which are controlled by quantum mechanics, completely unlike normal liquids.