• UK Research and Innovation close
• UKRI|EPSRC close
• 2018 close

Young's famous double-slit experiment of 1803 demonstrated that light behaves as a wave. The light emerging from the slits has a characteristic intensity pattern originating from constructive and destructive interference. Later it was found that when single particles (photons or even molecules) pass through a double slit they produce similar interference patterns; this experiment became the key piece of evidence for wave-particle duality. A Mach-Zender interferometer is similar to Young's double-slit setup, except that light is split into two routes using mirrors. When the light is recombined, constructive or destructive interference occurs, depending on the difference in the phase of the light from the two routes. Subtle differences in the path-length, or refractive index, can easily be detected, because they determine the phase difference, and thus they control the interference. This project aims to synthesise and test a "molecular Mach-Zender interferometer" consisting of a molecule with two charge-transport paths; interference between the two transmission channels controls whether the whole system is conductive (in phase) or non-conductive (out of phase). Thus these molecules are expected to be sensitive to magnetic or electric fields which can change the relative phases of the two channels. Furthermore quantum interference effects tend to produce sharp changes in transmission with electron energy, which can result in strong thermoelectric effects. This project is concerned with exploring fundamental principles, but in the long term, this research has the potential to generate commercially disruptive technologies, such as thermoelectric devices for scavenging thermal energy, and transistors with reduced power requirements, abrupt switching and small footprints. This project if a thoroughly integrated collaboration of three research groups focusing on (1) Oxford: design and synthesis of molecular structures, (2) Liverpool: testing of single molecule conductance and thermopower, and (3) Lancaster: theory and computational simulation, to guide the interpretation of the experimental data, and the design of new molecular structures. At present there exists a no-man's land between the 15-nm length scale accessible to top-down technologies, such as electron-beam lithography, and bottom-up technologies such as chemical synthesis. The molecules investigated in this project are 3 nm across, but can be increased in size up to around 10 nm. This project is therefore a significant step towards bridging this crucial technology-scale gap, at the limit of Moore's law.

Automatically collected data in environmental modelling, energy management and medicine may involve very large data volumes while also requiring richly parameterized models for adequate analysis and prediction. If n is data set size and p the number of model coefficients, this project aims to find O(np) computational methods for estimating penalized regression models, which are susceptible to parallelization in cluster computing environments. The major challenge is to do this in a way that adequately estimates hyper-parameters alongside regression coefficients, and the project will investigate the feasibility of doing this using stochastic log determinant or log trace estimators in the context of marginal likelihood or similar criteria.

In computer science the reachability is one of the fundamental problems taking its roots from the first undecidable decision problem in the computability theory - termination/halting problem in Turing Machine: "Given a description of an arbitrary computer program, decide whether the program finishes running or continues to run forever" or "Deciding, given a program and an input, whether the program will eventually halt when run with that input, or will run forever". In the modern world software is now everywhere (in almost all devices including phones, cars, planes, etc ). The solution of the reachability problem: "Deciding whether a particular piece of code will reach a bad state, can avoid some execution path or will eventually terminate" is the core component of the verification tools that can grantee the reliability of the code and correct functionality of complex technological devices. The proposed research of this project is mostly in the study of reachability problems for classical mathematical objects such as words, matrices, iterative maps and aims to get a progress with a solution of challenging and fundamental long standing open problems in mathematics and computer science, which also appear in the analysis of natural processes in physics, chemistry, biology, ecology, economics etc. The primary goal of this project is to demonstrate that it is possible to go significantly beyond known results related to reachability problems in matrix semigroups, iterative maps and related word problems by applying a combination of techniques from computational theory, number theory, algebra and combinatorics on words. Our principal objectives within this research programme are: identifying new classes with decidable reachability problems for words, matrices and maps, designing efficient algorithms for decidable cases and estimating their computational complexity. First, we propose to study generalized model that cover originally independent, but closely related open problems and investigate the reductions between them. Then we suggest following three approaches to get a better understanding of the core problems: investigation of topological properties of the reachability sets and their application for reachability analysis; translation of matrix reachability problems into combinatorial and computational problems on words; and the design of semi-algorithms for reachability problems in higher dimensions based on projection methods, where infinite reachability set can be mapped into various finite structures which preserve some of the reachability properties. The result of the project would be twofold. In relation to reachability problems for matrices and maps, we expect that new deep results related to open problems will be obtained by applying a combination of techniques from computational complexity theory, automata and formal langauges, algebra, number theory and combinatorics on words. At a more general level we expect to establish new direction of research connecting challenging problems in mathematics with theoretical computer science structures, methods and results. The list of indirect and long-term beneficiaries is not limited to developers of software verification techniques and algorithms, but also includes a variety of specialists in physics, chemistry, biology, environmental sciences and economics which require efficient tools for predicting the behaviour of the complex systems represented by matrices and matrix products.

The development of technologies that exploit quantum physics to improve measurement, information processing, and communication is an area of rapid growth. Quantum devices such as memories and processors operate at different optical frequencies, typically outside the telecom range where losses in fibre are minimal. The goal of this studentship is to develop frequency-conversion techniques using nonlinear optics in optical fibre that will allow individual photons to be shifted between different wavelength bands. This will enable communication between the nodes of quantum devices operating at different optical frequencies; it will also allow low-loss, (and hence long-distance) exchange over fibre as well as photon conversion to frequencies where optimal detectors operate. To be of value, use of quantum frequency translation must allow any small or large photon frequency shift within the visible and near infrared. The frequency conversion must also not alter properties of the photon other than its wavelength, including any entanglement with other systems. Furthermore, it should be highly efficient while not introducing additional 'noise' photons. To meet the above requirements, frequency conversion of single photons will be investigated in photonic crystal fibre (PCF), optical fibres with a matrix of air holes running along their length, as well as subclasses of PCF such as bandgap fibre and hybrids thereof. In order to achieve this, new fibres will need to be designed and then fabricated in the university's state-of-the-art fibre fabrication facility. The project will involve theoretical and numerical analysis, fabrication, laboratory work using cutting-edge equipment, and participation in project meetings and reporting. Hence the full range of skills required for high-impact scientific research will be developed as well as communication and transferrable skills. There will be opportunities to present work at leading international conferences and to publish in high-quality peer-reviewed journals. The project will be carried out in close collaboration with other members of the Networked Quantum Information Technologies hub being led by the University of Oxford, providing the opportunity to work on this individual experiment and simultaneously contribute to a larger joint research effort.

The proposed research will provide the first proof-of-principle for a new family of Compressed Quantitative Magnetic Resonance Imaging (CQ-MRI), able to rapidly acquire a multitude of physical parameter maps for the imaged tissue from a single scan. MRI is the pre-eminent imaging modality in clinical medicine and neuroscience, providing valuable anatomical and diagnostic information. However, the vast majority of MR imaging is essentially qualitative in nature providing a `picture' of the tissue while not directly measuring its physical parameters. In contrast, quantitative MRI aims to measure properties that are intrinsic to the tissue type and independent of the scanner and scanning protocol. Unfortunately, due to excessively long scan times, Quantitative MRI is not usually included in standard protocols. The proposed research is based on a combination of a new acquisition philosophy for Quantitative MRI, called Magnetic Resonance Fingerprinting, and recent advances in model-based compressed sensing theory to enable rapid simultaneous acquisition of the multiple parameter maps. The ultimate goal of the research will be to produce a full CQ-MRI scan capability with a scan time not substantially longer than is currently needed for a standard MRI scan.

Crystallization is the most frequently used separation process in the manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), where it provides purification, form control and enables isolation of the API as solid particles that can be further processed into a formulated drug product. Alongside yield and purity, of paramount importance is the forward processability of the API, a phenomenon dominated by the particle size and shape distribution (PSSD) of the particulate powder. For instance, poor powder processability can manifest in an inability to discharge IBCs during the solid dosage form manufacture, or an increase in the ability of the material to retain solvent during filtration. Poor powder flowability is often associated with particle size and shape distributions that are too wide (containing fine particles, as well as larger particles) and contain undesirable needle-like (or platelet-like) particle shapes. The propensity of crystals to grow in different shapes is linked to their well-ordered, anisotropic internal structure, which is terminated by the crystals' facets. Depending on the surface chemistry of these facets, they grow with different kinetics, which in turn leads to anisotropic shapes. The processing conditions experienced by crystals in a vessel (supersaturation, temperature, hydrodynamics, etc.) affect crystal growth kinetics as well, so they can also influence the crystals' shape. This introduces some scope to tune particle size and shape through robust design of crystallization processes. However, due to the inherent tendency of many pharmaceutical molecules to form crystals with extreme morphologies (e.g. needles, laths, plates), these approaches are often found to be rather limited with respect to their ability to generate particles with a compact shape and a desirable size distribution (and thus good flowability). This creates the need to develop further means to manipulate and optimize the shape and size of crystalline particles and to devise efficient process design methodologies that implement these means. In this project the traditional crystallisation process design strategy will be combined with wet milling and temperature cycling approaches. Molecules for which the crystal structure and growth kinetics alone would lead to extreme needle morphologies during crystallisation, wet milling provides an attractive alternative to alter the particles' aspect ratio (since needles are mom likely to break somewhere along their thin axis, rather than along their length). Employing intermittent wet milling steps during a crystallisation process, rather than a dry milling step afterwards, also has the inherent advantage of being a "softer" means for breaking particles. However, while such milling steps make particles more compact, they lead to a wider distribution of particle sizes as the particles break stochastically. To counteract this effect, temperature cycles can be employed. In these cycles the temperature is first reduced to induce crystallisation and growth of particles and later raised to partially re-dissolve the crystals. Any fine particles formed during the crystallisation and milling process will be completely dissolved, while larger, more compact particles remain. While the purpose of the milling and temperature cycling steps is thus clear and it is reasonable to expect that they will be successful for the majority of compounds exhibiting needle-like morphologies, how to perform them (when and for how long to use milling, temperature profile of the cycles etc.) and an optimized process design methodology for such a process arc not yet established. This project aims at developing fundamental insight into the operation of such combined crystallisation-wet milling-temperature cycling processes and to ultimately deliver robust process design methodologies for these processes that deliver particle size and shape distributions with desirable characteristics.

Recent large-scale laboratory tests of the curved Mark 1 CCell paddle and its control system, conducted with TSB funding #131499, have demonstrated the predicted four-fold increase in performance to cost ratio compared to other wave energy devices. Preliminary sea trials of components are ongoing and the technology is now ready for mid-stage development to build a complete system. This project takes lessons learned from Mark 1 system development and incorporates them into a Mark 2 Wave Energy Converter (WEC) technology package based on the CCell paddle, its control and its foundation system. The project aims to demonstrate cost-effective performance of an array of CCell paddles. This will be achieved through optimisation of the shape of the curved paddle and Power Take Off (PTO) for a wide range of sea conditions. Intelligent proactive control algorithms will be developed to maximise power capture in the highly variable conditions that operating devices will experience. Numerical tools developed and validated as part of the preceeding project will be extended to study interactions between arrays of CCell paddles. Co-operative PTO control strategies will be developed to optimise array performance, matching demanded power with generated power and balancing against device loading and degradation. Prototype systems will be constructed and tested both in laboratory conditions and at sea to validate concepts. Successful completion of the project will bring CCell and associated technology to the pre-commercial stage. Economic viability will be established and the barriers preventing the uptake of competitor technology will be removed.

The proportion of people around the world aged over 60 years is growing faster than any other age group, as a result of longer life expectancy. This population ageing can be seen as a success story for public health policies and for socioeconomic development, but it places a challenge on medicine and, within the UK, the NHS to maximize the health and functional capacity of older people. Regenerative Medicine is one potential solution for this longer life and healthy lifestyle, providing cell based therapies which can replace damaged or diseased tissues. Growing replacement tissues is bringing exciting novel solutions which now require new manufacturing methods and processes to enable the translation to the clinic. Bioreactors are mechanical devices that provide controlled growth environments for engineered tissues and mimic the physical forces cells and tissues experience in the body. Monitoring the maturation of tissue implants during culture, and prior to implantation into the patient, is important for defining optimum manufacturing criteria and for their clinical success. Key properties that tissue engineered implants must display include strength and durability. To infer material properties from imaging, new non-destructive, three-dimensional imaging techniques are needed, that can be used to provide accurate results efficiently at both the manufacturing site and the clinic. In this proposal, our partners have linked the imaging technique, optical coherence elastography, with a hydrostatic pressure bioreactor to create a novel imaging solution, MechAscan, which allows real-time mechanical characterisation and simultaneous physical stimulation of engineered tissue implants. MechAscan will provide a clear advantage over currently available traditional mechanical testing approaches and elastography techniques, which require direct contact of the mechanical load with the sample and are destructive. Additionally, MechAscan can be used for real-time monitoring of mechanical properties as the construct is grown in culture in a sterile growth environment. Our aim is to develop a novel technology platform allowing real-time and non-destructive monitoring of tissue engineered products in a sterile growth environment to avoid construct to construct variation during manufacturing and allow the translation of regenerative medicine constructs with known properties into the clinic. To facilitate uptake in use of the technology and translation to the clinic, we propose to fully test and validate the MechAscan technology in an interdisciplinary approach combining bioreactor technology, biomaterials science, physics and mathematics.

Decarbonisation strategies based on whole energy system analysis are critical in the transition to a low carbon economy. Energy system integration is attracting increasing interest across scales, and scenarios show how electricity, heat and transport fuels are likely to become ever more interlinked in sustainable transitions. At the same time, whilst energy policy is largely determined centrally by the UK government, devolved and decentralised energy systems are emerging driven by technology developments and local priorities. However, policies which impact the use and supply of energy (including non-energy policies), and the related infrastructure, are dispersed across government departments and many other organisations at each level of governance, from local to national to transnational. These policies are proving to be critical to driving large-scale public and private sector investment in the energy system, with recent policy changes having been observed to damage investor confidence. This scoping study will analyse how whole energy system analysis is currently used in decision-making processes across scales, and identify ways in which the research - policy - decision-making relationship could be improved in the future. We will consider the key whole-system models and tools being used, their perceived value and limitations in representing the energy system across scales, the key channels for research-policy linkages, and how the model outputs are actually used in practice. Fundamentally, we will challenge the assumption that there is simply a 'model deficit' - i.e. that 'better' models would give better evidence, leading to better decisions and outcomes. Rather, we expect a complex interplay between the modelling, supporting research and the decision-making processes - a complexity which is especially acute when considering the multi-scalar landscape of the energy system. We must also reflect that whole energy system models should not only be developed to meet short term policy needs within an existing or anticipated paradigm, but can be tools to explore alternative futures over the longer term. We propose a novel approach to mapping the science-policy interface of whole energy system analysis across scales. By assessing this complexity in a scoping study we can begin to address the factors that are limiting the value of whole energy system modelling to decision makers across scales, and guide future work to propose ways in which the value can be increased through improvements both to the models and decision-making processes. We will examine: - processes of collaboration and exchange between actors using the models in the decision-making process, within and between scales. We will conduct preliminary case studies of policy formation and the role of modelling at UK, Scottish and an exemplar city scales (Birmingham and Leeds), covering policy-makers, the modelling community, intermediaries and the role of other stakeholders. This will allow us to describe the complexity that exists in decision making processes and compare/contrast the different case studies. - how whole systems models at different scales (international, national, local) could be more effectively integrated or reconciled, and what additional insights this would provide. We will identify promising research opportunities that may arise from developing multi-scale tools (and/or linking tools across scales) and representing new technologies that will have an impact on the energy system at different scales.

This bid seeks to address the PER challenge of embedding PER culture and practice into UCL's high-level institutional strategy and decision-making. Specifically, we will examine how we can make PER fundamental to the university's efforts to address global societal issues through cross-disciplinary research by: 1. Creating mechanisms to apply PE learning to high-level institutional strategy focusing on cross-disciplinary approaches to addressing global problems. 2. Addressing the gap in culture and practice between professional services staff responsible for delivering PE strategy and academics who generate knowledge from publicly-engaged research. 3. Consulting both local communities and engaged researchers on how PE can apply local experience to global questions and be embedded throughout the research life cycle. 4. Piloting innovative PE approaches identified through consultation with local communities and engaged academics prior to embedding them in institutional research strategy. The proposal will specifically address PER through the flagship UCL Grand Challenges programme, which brings together cross-disciplinary expertise from across UCL with knowledge and partners from other sectors to address pressing societal problems. The proposal will particularly seek to address the Grand Challenge of Transformative Technology, one of the seven recommendations arising from a 2015 review of the Grand Challenges for a renewed emphasis on achieving impact through, amongst other things, public engagement and engagement with community groups. This provides a specific opportunity to develop a PER strategy for the Grand Challenge of Transformative Technology, based on evidence, best practice and pilot activities, which will support new means of public and community engagement. Our intention is then to apply this to the broader Grand Challenge programme; the final report will be delivered to all six Grand Challenges working groups to consider how to develop new activities and work streams to better support PER. Proposed activities: The proposal's research project (a review of literature and best practice, and participatory workshops with local communities) will be led by UCL Science and Technology Studies (STS) academics and will draw on extensive expertise in science, democracy and culture, including work on: the inclusion and exclusion of publics in science; the relationships between research and practice in science communication; and the role of scientists, citizens and government in responsible research. The proposal will further pilot public engagement activities (led by UCL Public Engagement Unit) for the Grand Challenge of Transformative Technology, building on existing academic-led public engagement best practice. Building on the outcomes from the participatory workshops, the literature review, and the evaluation of the pilot PER activities, we will develop an evidence-based, PER strategy for the GCTT. This strategy would also provide a blueprint for the other 5 GCs and, ultimately, inform the content of the revised UCL Research Strategy. Our intended outcomes are to: - evidence the value of PER in shaping strategic and high-level decision making, and in particular cross-disciplinary research strategy at UCL - secure institutional buy in to this approach and expand it first to all of the other Grand Challenges and then more broadly to wider institutional strategies - demonstrate the value of and effective approaches to PER and activities in HEI strategic high level decision making to the broader sector - make conclusions and recommendations for PER in cross-cutting problem-based research more generally - offer conclusions and recommendations on how to establish dialogue and partnerships between those responsible for devising and delivering PER strategy and academics engaged in public engagement-focused practice and research