• UKRI|EPSRC close
• 2008 close
• 2012 close

Current cargo screening systems are sub-optimal because they are based on historic layouts, for instance luggage will go through fixed tiered systems: First all luggage will go through detector A, if it fails to pass, then it will go through detector B and if it fails again through detector C. Moreover, we do not understand the performance of current systems as no baseline performance data is available, i.e. it is unclear whether current systems perform better than random or not. Thus even if an improvement was proposed, it would be difficult to measure its impact if any.We are proposing to design a plug and play software tool (cargo screening system simulator) that will map the right technology to the right commodity / threat combination and thus* Identify gaps in a current sensor system set-up / what new technology do we need?* Allow for proper evaluation of new sensor technology / is it value for money?* Optimise given resources / get highest throughput / detection for fixed resources.Additionally, as the project is interested in the whole system and allows for the evaluation of new technologies, it is an enabling project for all other sandpit projects. We will be able to evaluate new sensor technologies proposed in specific scenarios to establish practical cost / benefits. To achieve this, we propose to run a follow on network alongside the project.

Physical phenomena are generally described by differential equations. These are usually very difficult or impossible to solve. Nevertheless there is a special class of differential equations which are solvable in some sense. They are called integrable systems. When we manage to describe a physical phenomenon by an integrable system, we can understand and often predict its behavior. Recently the theory of integrable systems has been reformulated in the language of Frobenius manifolds. The theory of Frobenius manifolds lies at the crossroad of many disciplines in Pure, Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. One of the beauties of this theory consists in its universality: results proved for a special class of Frobenius manifolds turn out to be true also for other classes of Frobenius manifolds. For example the isomorphy of certain Frobenius manifolds in quantum cohomology and in singularity theory is one version of mirror symmetry.In this project we plan to explore yet one more link between the theory of Frobenius manifolds and another fascinating branch of mathematics: the problem of quantization of Teichmuller space known in quantum gravity. This research will open up new lines of ground breaking research. In fact, it is always the case that when two rich branches of mathematics are unified, many interesting new question will arise and many unexpected result will be proved.

Doctoral Training Partnerships: a range of postgraduate training is funded by the Research Councils. For information on current funding routes, see the common terminology at www.rcuk.ac.uk/StudentshipTerminology. Training grants may be to one organisation or to a consortia of research organisations. This portal will show the lead organisation only.

One of the fundamental problems in Arithmetic Geometry is to describe the rational points on algebraic varieties (such as curves and surfaces described by polynomial equations) defined over a number field K (a finite extension of Q). Algebraic curves can be classified according to a property called genus. There is a substantial body of theory and methodology for curves of genus 1, which has recently been extended to curves of higher genus and associated varieties, known as Jacobian varieties. Much of this work on higher genus curves and other algebraic varieties (such descent techniques, investigation of the Shafarevich-Tate group and the Brauer-Manin obstruction) has used mainly algebraic techniques.Analytic Number Theory makes use of techniques from analysis, such as the circle method, and emphasises questions about distributions of number theoretic objects, such as primes or rational points on a variety V. One example is the rate of growth of the quantity N_V(B), denoting the number of K-rational points lying on V, of projective height bounded by B. There are conjectures, such as Manin's Conjecture, which attempt to describe this rate of growth. Analytic methods have also been used to investigate questions about average ranks and class number problems. There is a large body of research in Analytic Number Theory that makes use of curves of genus 1.Our main aim in this project is to investigate questions involving both of: recent explicit techniques on Abelian varieties (such as Jacobians of higher genus curves) and analytic problems on number fields, distributions of rational points, and average rank. Substantial benefits and innovations will arise from the interplay between these areas. For covering techniques on higher genus curves, we shall investigate the average rank of the Jacobians of the covering curves; we shall investigate rate of growth of torsion on Abelian varieties; we shall take existing applications of genus 1 curves which have provided analytic results about class numbers, and generalise them to higher genus; we shall also investigate conjectures on the distribution of rational points on algebraic varieties, which require both familiarity with analytic techniques and an extensive knowledge of the underlying algebraic geometry.The objectives include a range of fundamental problems in Arithmetic Geometry: some emphasising algebraic techniques, some emphasising analytic techniques, and some using a blend of these. Specifically, during the first 18 months, we shall develop new explicit models for homogeneous spaces and intermediate objects, twisted Kummer varieties, relating both to multiplication by m on Jacobians, and other isogenies, the proof of new cases of Artin's Conjecture, initial experimentations and special cases of new rational torsions, and experimental evidence on special cases of Manin's conjecture. In the remaining 24 months, we shall investigate explicit routes between the Brauer-Manin obstruction on intermediate objects of homogeneous spaces and members of the Shafarevich-Tate group, results on class groups divisible by p > 7, using torsion on Jacobians of higher genus curves, the derivation of new sequences of Abelian varieties with large rational torsion, and the proof of further new cases of Manin's Conjecture. It is also an aim of the project that the postdoctoral research associate and research student, both funded by the project, should gain a well rounded knowledge of both algebraic and analytic techniques in Arithmetic Geometry. As well as new theory, this project will also provide a substantial body of experimental data, which will form a testing ground for the theory and conjecture of other researchers. It is also intended to write programs in Magma relevant to the above objectives, and to make these available to other researchers.

Germanium, in at the birth of the electronics revolution, is experiencing a renaissance as a semiconductor material - possibly even rivalling silicon, and is attracting huge interest as the silicon end-game hots up. It is perceived, audaciously but by many, as a potential candidate to maintain silicon-like technology and associated devices well beyond the envisaged end of silicon development (around 2020) and also take the technology into exciting new areas and performance regimes. This proposal sets out to explore some of the intriguing aspects and consequences of the fundamental electronic structure of Ge not previously examined. There are good theoretical arguments to suggest that some critical performance parameters can be dramatically enhanced if carriers travel in non-conventional crystallographic directions and when the germanium is under strain. We will investigate how these new environments affect the velocity/mobility and effective mass of the carriers (electrons and holes) and the processes that impede their motion (scattering).The project will be conducted by three UK university groups uniquely positioned to undertake this research and with international reputations for epitaxial growth of strained Ge (Warwick), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for structural characterization on the nanoscale (Sheffield) and carrier transport modelling (Glasgow). The industrial standard CVD growth system at Warwick puts us in a unique position to contribute to this field of research, with good prospects of the high quality Ge structures being available early in the programme. Participation of IMEC, the leading European nano-processing laboratory, will give us unparalleled access to tools not available in the UK. Our intellectual property will be fully protected and could be exploited by numerous companies in the UK.The principal objective is to study 2D carrier transport in these largely untried orientations and to look for significant enhancements in carrier mobility compared to the conventional (100) orientation. Similar investigations are currently underway in silicon and it is opportune to now explore this in Ge. It is particularly timely in the light of IMEC's recent progress in Ge device fabrication using essentially silicon processing techniques.The programme consists of three integrated workpackages:WP1 - Growth and processing of strained Ge channel structures: Epitaxial processes will be developed, structural characterisation performed including high resolution TEM, and simple structures processed for electrical measurement.WP2 - Modulation doped buried channel structures: Initial assessment and screening of orientation and strain influences on hole and electron transport, quickly targeting optimised structures and specifically avoiding any perturbing effects of processing that may be detrimental to electron transport. Results from the measurements will be used by the Glasgow Device Modelling Group to develop/refine basic scattering and mobility models for this materials system and provide pointers to final choice of structures.WP3 - Surface-channel device structures: Structures containing a gate electrode to modulate the carrier population and make it an active device. The gate is separated from the channel by a very thin layer of a new (high-k) dielectric material, which will also scatter the carriers. Transport measurements down to very low temperatures will allow us to appraise the full device potential offered by Ge.By the end of the project we would expect to have a thorough understanding of the practical and theoretical aspects of 2D carrier transport in the full matrix of Ge surface orientations, channel directions and strain. Such knowledge can then be used to great advantage in helping realise new generations of highly performing devices that are needed in the nanoelectronics and the futuristic spintronics era.

Magnetism in materials is one of the oldest scientific discoveries, but is still far from being completely understood. I am proposing to use new and, as yet, completely unexploited experimental techniques to learn about materials where the magnetic interactions act to make the magnetic state stable; but only just stable! This means that small changes in the environment can cause dramatic changes in the magnetic properties. I propose to investigate these effects with muons. These are subatomic particles that may be implanted into materials where they act as microscopic magnetometers. In a solid, the atoms interact with each other through electrostatic forces between the electrons attached to the atoms. These forces are short range, so an atom is only on speaking terms with it neighbours. Electrons have a property known as spin, which is best thought of as an arrow attached to each electron. At high temperatures the spins on are randomly aligned, but as we reduce the temperature the electrostatic interactions cause the spins to line up with those of their neighbours. Amazingly, short range forces act to make all of the spins in the solid align. From local atoms speaking only to their neighbours, we have created collective action in the form of long-range order. Long-range order is seen throughout nature and the theory of such order explains the clustering of galaxies, the distribution of earthquakes, the spread of disease and even the very existence of the universe itself. A crucial factor in magnetism is the way in which interactions pass information (like line up spins this way'') between atoms. There may be situations where the interactions only act along a line of atoms (one-dimension) or in a plane of atoms (two-dimensions). This dimensionality is at the root of the behaviour of all long-range ordered systems. This is far from being a theoretical abstraction - it is possible to make 1D and 2D materials in the laboratory. Here, molecules are often employed as the building blocks of the materials rather than individual atoms. These molecular magnets are self assembled nanostructures, formed from networks of magnetic metal atoms which are linked together using organic molecules. The great number of organic molecules allow us to make small changes to the structure of magnets leading to tailor made materials with desired properties.Another important class of magnet results when messages sent to an atom conflict, a phenomenon known as frustration . If each atom is receiving conflicting instructions as to which direction is should align, it is not obvious which it will obey. It is therefore difficult to predict the ground state of the system (that is, the state adopted at very low temperatures). The investigation of such systems provide insights into why materials adopt the states that they do. Why should a certain material be a ferromagnet while another stays disordered down to low temperature? We can even gain an insight into why the solid state itself is stable.I propose to carry out research into frustrated and low-dimensional materials using muons. These are a subatomic particle that may be implanted in a material in order to measure the internal magnetic field. Investigations with muons reveal properties invisible to other, more conventional, experimental techniques. Both frustrated and low-dimensional materials tend to exist at the edges of stability, so that small changes in their external environment lead to dramatic changes in their behaviour. This means that experiments where small perturbations are applied to on of these magnets tend to yield much interesting information about their behaviour. New experimental techniques have recently been developed where perturbations may be applied and simultaneous measurements made with muons. These, as yet, have been completely unexploited in front line research and it is their first deployment that forms the basis of my work.

Doctoral Training Partnerships: a range of postgraduate training is funded by the Research Councils. For information on current funding routes, see the common terminology at www.rcuk.ac.uk/StudentshipTerminology. Training grants may be to one organisation or to a consortia of research organisations. This portal will show the lead organisation only.

The key motivation for the project is to make the optical trapping toolkit more accessible to the life sciences community. By integrating optical traps directly into microfluidic circuitry, we will add functionality to Lab-on-a-chip type devices, thus taking them a step closer to real applications. We will reach this aim by developing the concept of an integrated optical trap that we have demonstrated recently. The trap will be made more versatile by increasing its power output and by using beamshaping to increase the intensity in the optical trap, thus being able to control a large number of different cell types. An optical chromatography device that offers the fast and simple fractionation of a cell population will be developed, with integrated separation channels that are optically addressed. Realising circuits at other wavelengths, namely 780 nm for Raman spectroscopy and 635 as well as 410 nm for fluorescence excitation, will highlight the potential of the integrated trap concept further.

The first phase of the SUE Programme has focused necessarily on the present, assessing current solutions and their application in the near future, thus providing a strong empirical base on which to build. There now exist both the need and a sufficient body of work to extrapolate the findings to establish and test alternative urban futures: to create a variety of scenarios, building on prior and new work, and predicated on different fundamental assumptions and priorities; to assess those scenarios in terms of design, engineering implementation and measurement of performance; to refine them, in terms of mitigation and adaptation measures, incorporating novel solutions; and ultimately to provide alternative solutions with an associated evidence base and strategies for their implementation. This bid seeks to integrate the outputs of three current SUE consortia (Birmingham Eastside, VivaCity 2020 and WaND) and complementary research on the use of trees to mitigate the effects of atmospheric pollution. The team will work across disciplines to envision and establish alternative futures (using extensive literature on this subject and prior WaND consortium work) and construct scenarios that might flow from each alternative future. The various work packages will then focus on testing specific dimensions of each alternative future vis a vis their design, implementation and performance in the context of case history sites. Each project will engage an expert panel of influential stakeholders who will meet six-monthly to test and help shape new ideas, the chairs of each of the expert panels forming the higher level project steering committee. Panel consultation will be followed by interviews of stakeholders on motivations and the decision-making process, and specific empirical research and modelling. The following high level questions will be addressed via this process: - How does the ab initio conceptualization of sustainability influence design outcomes (e.g. form, density)? How would outcomes change if urban renewal were predicated on either environmental or social or economic overriding drivers? - How does development impact on its environs, and vice versa (e.g. is a 'sustainable' site good for the city / region / country and, if so, in what ways?) and is there an optimum development size to yield optimally sustainable outcomes? - Push versus pull to achieve sustainable outcomes. Much of what is done is thought good (for individuals, society, the environment), what might be wanted (push). Thus decisions are made and people must decide whether or not to take ownership. Might more sustainable outcomes follow if those who must take ownership dictate what is created (pull)? Birmingham Eastside will be used both to develop sustainability ideas and to test them on sites at various stages of planning and development (the research team has unparalleled access via its partnerships with key stakeholders involved in Eastside). Lancaster (with Morecambe, population 96k) and Worcester (94k) will be used to test the outcomes at the scale of smaller urban areas (e.g. market towns) but no attempt will be made to build comprehensive databases as at Eastside. Several other UK and international urban areas (including Sao Paulo, Singapore and an urban area in India) will be used to test a sub-set of the project's findings to assess the transferability of the scenarios to a variety of contexts and thus their general applicability.

This proposal is based on two premises: that (1) increased autonomy is essential for future space exploration; (2) that existing programming methods are tedious to apply to autonomous components that have to handle an environment with continuous state variables. For well defined discrete-event environments the above rational agent approach is well developed; for a continuous environment, however, perception processes need to be linked with abstractions forming the basis of behaviour. As the environment changes, the abstracted models may also change. Hence, agents are needed that can use these abstractions to aid their decision making processes, use these in the predictive modelling of a continuous world, and connect these abstractions to both planning and goal achievement within rational agents.This project also intends to replace the current complex programming techniques, used for autonomous spacecraftcontrol, with simpler declarative programming. High-level, declarative agent programming languages have been investigated at Liverpool and such theories and languages will be developed further for agents that require predictive modelling capabilities. The Southampton team is experienced both in the formal handling of analytical and empirical models for control and prediction, and in developing control software for real satellites. The merging of these themes is very promising. Although the results will be transferable to ground vehicles and robots, this project will particularly illustrate the new methods in space applications, both in simulation and laboratory hardware demonstrations.