#epsrc

UKRI Research & Innovation Breaking barriers, NSF and UKRI are investing $10 million in quantum chemistry and future technology.

With UKRI and the NSF working together, quantum chemistry is going to change. The organisations invested $10 million together. Eight new cooperative initiatives between renowned US and UK experts will be led by this financing. This strategic project aims to explore poorly studied quantum effects on chemical reactions and molecular systems and find ways to apply that knowledge. These projects aim to make breakthroughs that could transform quantum technology. Bold Financial Support for Cross-Atlantic Science The effort relies on large funding from both countries, demonstrating worldwide quantum research momentum. Along with £4.2 million from UKRI's EPSRC, the NSF is contributing $4.7 million. Joint funding supports eight projects that use the best skills in both nations. The collaboration goes beyond transactions and is rooted in the U.S.-U.K. Technology Prosperity Deal. This high-level agreement was created to foster collaboration in emerging fields including AI and quantum research. Director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy Michael Kratsios called the cooperation “visionary” highlighting its strategic importance. He highlighted that expanding on the President's U.S.-U.K. Technology Prosperity Deal will revolutionise quantum mechanics and establish “new frontiers in quantum computing, sensing, and communicating”. Brian Stone, NSF director, stressed the investment's unifying purpose. Using real-world problems, the projects “showcase the power of shared investment.” Stone said the partnership promotes “bold, collaborative science” and could lead to life-changing advances. These upgrades include next-generation navigation and sensing equipment and stronger computer systems. EPSRC Executive Director for Research Jane Nicholson said this joint EPSRC-NSF investment in quantum information science in chemistry reflects UKRI's commitment to investigating “compelling scientific frontiers” and collaborating with global partners. She expects these projects will “create new avenues for transformative science and the quantum technologies of the next generation.” Use Molecular Complexity to Revolutionise Technology Overcoming quantum technology's limits drives these eight coordinated projects. Modern quantum systems use atoms and photons. In contrast, research teams are trying to use chemical systems' rich, natural complexity. This research's goal is to create new molecular-based qubits and other necessary components for quantum computing, sensing, and communications. To apply quantum phenomena to real life, researchers are focussing on a few key areas: New Qubit Design: The organisations are trying to produce qubits that could form the basis of future quantum computers. These projects focus on molecule-based qubits.

Highly sensitive molecular compasses are being developed by scientists. Advanced navigational aids may be more accurate than current methods. The program researches molecular-scale memory systems, which may advance data storage technologies. Quantum secure communications are being developed These ambitious technical goals aim to create practical solutions that will boost living standards, commercial growth, and US and UK national security. Fostering Future Experts and Strong Bonds This collaboration prioritises creating the next generation of quantum workers over rapid technological benefits. The programs are carefully designed to train early-career researchers and graduate students. These future experts will learn molecular spectroscopy, quantum optics, and nanofabrication. By nurturing new talent and encouraging daring, cooperative science, the program puts the US and UK at the forefront of quantum innovation. Aiming to improve long-term scientific collaborations between U.S. and U.K. institutions, this framework Keep the momentum: Cooperation Plans

University of the West of Scotland – School of Computing, Engineering & Physical Sciences<br />Salary: £42,254 to £50,253 per annum. AC2 Read more… Credits: jobs.ac.uk Disclaimer

Seeing things with nanoparticles from optical tracking to drug delivery to retinal cells including a PhD opportunity

Last week brought excitement and disappointment in approximately equal measures for my research on tracking nanoparticles [see ‘Slow moving nanoparticles‘ on December 13th, 2017 and ‘Going against the flow‘ on February 3rd, 2021]. The disappointment was that our grant proposal on ‘Optical tracking of virus-cell interaction’ was not ranked highly enough to receive funding from Engineering and…

The UK Government’s Official Testing Blockchain

Contribution by Lucia Azanedo, Research Assistant University of Loughborough

Sustainable fashion is increasingly popular among consumers, and companies are responding by focusing on technical innovation, improved efficiency and related mission orientation.  In 2017, 42 out of 100 brands revealed that their suppliers are shifting to a circular economy.  The fashion industry is looking for more sustainable sources in creating their designs, even adopting the use of biomaterials such as food waste. Below are 4 examples of companies making traction in this area:

1. Sport Clothing from coffee grounds:

 4 years of research and development by S.Cafe has led to a patented process that removes the phenol, ester and oil from coffee grounds and turns them into yarn. The yarn can be used in a variety of different products, from outdoor and sport performance apparel to household items. Thanks to the coffee grounds, the fabrics offers up to 200% faster drying time compared to cotton. Moreover, the micro pores on the yarn absorb odours and protect against UV rays.

 Due to the increasing demand for this invention, a partnership with local coffee shops has developed to collect their used coffee grounds. These spent grounds provide a sustainable and efficient source of raw material. As their advertising says: ‘Drink it, Wear it!’ [1]

 2. Coffee ink:

Based in California, Stencilworks claims to be the only printing company in the world using ink made from used coffee grounds to produce dyes for screen printing can be. Coffee is a natural pigment therefore spent coffee will do the same job as unbrewed grounds in this respect. The technique involves mixing the spent grounds with vinegar (as a fixative) followed by straining and cooking down the liquid until matching the thickness of the commercial ink. This enables printing on a variety of fabrics to create graphics that can withstand washing and daily wear. Slightly more than 2 litres of ink can print 200 t-shirts -with the company even offering a customized t-shirt with your own spent grounds. This company adopts a smart and sustainable approach as there is no waste from chemical discharge and the materials and process are claimed to be cheaper than commercial ink production. [2]

 3. Bags and shoes from discarded fish skin:

 By 2030 it is thought we will be producing 185 million tons of fish globally. Of this 50% is considered food and 50% waste which will equate to 92.5 million tonnes of waste per year. As only 30% can be converted into fish meal for animal feed, 65 million tons will remain unaccounted for and the likely outcome is that it will be dumped into the sea. [3]

 Fashion brands - such as Nike, Prada and Dior - have found a stylish way to use this by-product of the fishing industry by converting it into furniture, bags and belts. Fish leather is well suited to these applications; it can be visually striking but it is also a particularly strong leather, thus providing an ideal end of life solution for otherwise discarded fish waste. [4]

 Fish leather manufacturers, such as Atlantic Leather, also promote the use of fish skin as a sustainable alternative to increasing cow leather production as well as creating jobs in areas of production such as Iceland [6]. However, there are a number of concerns about the eco-credentials of manufacturing accessories from fish leather and there is need for a detailed comparison with cow leather to fully validate this claim. Despite this, the fact remains that fish leather does add substantial value to what is otherwise a waste product, giving this area significant potential.

 4. Shoes from Corn:

 Corn is usually thought of as a food or food additive, but corn has uncountable uses and it can be found in many products that are part of our daily routines. The most valuable part of the corn plant is the grain, but the remaining parts are often discarded. A vegan shoe company based in Spain (Slowwalk) has developed shoes from organic vegetable matter using the inedible parts of corn. The shoe sole is also made of recycled natural latex rubber from floors. The product, in addition to being sustainable and comfortable due to its flexibility and shock absorbing capacity, is also available in a trendy design. [7]

Hopefully these fascinating examples have caught the attention of our more fashion loving readers who have an interest in sustainability. Want to keep up to date? Here are some great sources to follow to find out more about the products mentioned in this article:

Images from: https://www.slowwalk.es/ and http://www.atlanticleather.is/welcome-marquee/

 [1] S. Café Sustainable Performance. (2015). Brand Story [online] Available at: http://www.scafefabrics.com/en-global [Accessed 22 Feb. 2018].

 [2] Domestic Stencilworks. (2018). Coffee Printing. [online] Available at: https://www.domesticstencilworks.com/collections/coffee-printing [Accessed 22 Feb. 2018].

 [3] THE WORLD BANK. (2013). FISH TO 2030. Prospects for Fisheries and Aquaculture. [online] Available at: http://documents.worldbank.org/curated/en/458631468152376668/pdf/831770WP0P11260ES003000Fish0to02030.pdf [Accessed 22 Feb. 2018].

 [4] Braw,E. (2014). Prada, Dior and Nike are finding a fashionable new purpose for fish skins. [online] The guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/sustainable-business/sustainable-fashion-blog/2014/oct/16/fish-skins-fashion-leather-prada-nike-dior  [Accessed 22 Feb. 2018].

 [5] The Fish Leather Company (2015). Fish Leather A Non-Wastage Material. [online] Available at: http://thefishleather.co/fish-leather-eco-friendly-non-wastage-material/ [Accessed 22 Feb. 2018].

 [6] Atlantic Leather (2016). PIONEERING FORCE IN THE MIDDLE OF ICELAND! [online] Available at: http://www.atlanticleather.is/thestory/ [Accessed 22 Feb. 2018].

A ‘trapped’ atom is visible to the naked eye

The tiny dot in the center of the screen, between the two metal electrodes, is the light emitted by a single atom. The photo, Single Atom in an Ion Trap, just won the grand prize in the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) science photo and imaging contest. “The idea of being able to see a single atom with the naked eye had struck me as a wonderfully direct and visceral…

Single Atom in an Ion Trap, by David Nadlinger

An image of a single positively-charged strontium atom, held near motionless by electric fields, has won the overall prize in a national science photography competition, organized by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.