Changing Worlds the IMPACT of UNIVERSITY RESEARCH Changing Worlds: Contents: the Impact of University Research

Changing Worlds THE IMPACT OF UNIVERSITY RESEARCH Changing Worlds: Contents: the impact of university research

The SETsquared Partnership, comprising of four leading Universities – Bath, Bristol, Babies and cot death: how research led to a life saving campaign 4 Collectively Southampton and Surrey - represents one of the longest running, successful UK New training programmes at work: injury reduction in the forces 6 our institutions higher education collaborations. For nearly ten years our institutions have been working together to maximise the impact of their combined research portfolios for Safety and advantages of beating heart coronary surgery 7 have been social and economic benefit. This has included the development of close links with involved in long leading universities in the USA and the establishment of world business incubation Drug inhalation technologies: delivering medicines without injections 8 centres adjacent to each of our campuses. running research Microwaves in medical therapy: non-invasive treatments for cancer 10 programmes that However, the SETsquared Partnership represents far more than just these headline have genuinely successes. Collectively, our institutions have been involved in long running research changed the programmes that have genuinely changed the world for the better in economic, The Speech Scrambler: the invention of secure mobile networks 11 environmental and social spheres. This brochure gives a unique snapshot of the very world for Surrey Space Centre: new satellite research & technologies 12 best examples of such work: 20 stories from contrasting fields and with very different the better beginnings, all demonstrating how closely our academics work with external partner Pioneering optical fibre research:connecting our world together 14 in economic, organisations to create world changing outcomes. A catalyst to our digital world: strained quantum well lasers 15 environmental I would encourage you to read further to discover how ‘blue skies’ thinking has and social resulted in giving our partners access to billion dollar markets, or has provided life spheres. changing and life saving advances for thousands of individuals in the UK and abroad. Understanding climate change: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton 16

I hope that in reading this report you will be inspired to engage in partnership with us and Low-energy production of fresh water from sea water: manipulated osmosis 18 be part of the new wave of discoveries that will change the world over the next decade. Safe water – saving lives: the DelAgua story 19

Keith Robson Predicting and cutting landslide risk in developing countries 20 Chair, SETsquared Management Group

Striking Gold: innovation in performance sports 22 Fuel efficient, low carbon cars:25 years of engine research 24 Reducing aircraft noise 25

Transparency and Open Data: data.gov.uk 26 35 million ‘invisible’ poor: understanding poverty in Bangladesh 28 The Innocence Network UK: students work to help free wrongly convicted prisoners 29 Public sector procurement policies: finding cost savings through research 30

Babies and cot death: how research led to a life saving campaign

Two decades ago, 2,000 babies in the UK died each year from what became known as “Thanks to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), commonly referred to as ‘cot death’. continued Today, these cases have been reduced by 80% thanks to the research and research at recommendations developed by Peter Fleming, Professor of Infant Health and the University Developmental Physiology at University of Bristol, and his team. The research has of Bristol and prevented approximately 10,000 deaths in the UK, and at least 100,000 worldwide, as other countries have adopted these recommendations. collaborations with different Initial research research groups, A series of surveys in the mid-1980s conducted by Prof Fleming and his team, the work we do pinpointed three potential risk factors - babies sleeping face down; being covered in too many blankets; and being exposed to parental tobacco smoke. The results were has enabled us published in 1990. to have had a considerable After a further study in 1991 confirmed the initial findings, Fleming approached the Government with his advice, and there followed the successful ‘Back to Sleep’ campaign, impact in over fronted by TV personality Anne Diamond. After just two years, cot deaths fell by 70% 30 different – the equivalent of saving 12 babies a week. countries.” Advice should be followed both day and night Professor Fleming Another study led by Bristol University found that the advice in ‘Back to Sleep’ applied equally to babies sleeping during the day. Around 75% of the babies who died of cot death in the daytime were sleeping in a room without an adult present.

Developing better approaches to investigation and care Professor Fleming and his team are involved in policy decisions relating to their research in areas such as preventing SIDS, and developing better approaches to the investigation After just two and care of families after unexpected childhood deaths. years, cot deaths Professor Fleming said: “Thanks to continued research at the University of Bristol and fell by 70% collaborations with different research groups, the work we do has enabled us to have had – the equivalent a considerable impact in over 30 different countries.” of saving 12 As a result of Professor Fleming’s work, he has been named as one of the UK’s pioneers babies a week. of science in ‘Eureka UK’, a book celebrating 50 years of life-changing research, Peter Fleming, Professor developments and interventions by academics at universities throughout the UK. of Infant Health and Developmental Physiology at Bristol University

New training Safety and advantages programmes at work: of beating heart injury reduction in the forces coronary surgery

For the last ten years, Dr James Bilzon, Director of Studies for the Sport and Exercise In 1995, an innovative technique in heart coronary bypass surgery, known as off-pump Medicine Programme at the University of Bath, has worked closely with the Army beating heart coronary surgery (OPCAB), was pioneered at the Bristol Heart Institute, Beating heart Recruiting & Training Division (ARTD) to reduce the incidence of musculoskeletal part of the University of Bristol. surgery offers injuries (MSI). The research has proved successful with a range of trainees, including paratroopers, new trainees with lower fitness levels and female recruits. The technique significantly reduces the risk of post-operative morbidity, time in intensive a 25% cost care and length of hospital stay, and is becoming increasingly popular worldwide. saving per Female-only training regimes OPCAB is now used in 15-20% of all coronary artery bypass grafting surgery, with the patient, with Research showed a higher incidence of injury in females than males when they formed Bristol Heart Institute performing over 750 such operations a year. a minority proportion of mixed-gender platoons. Medical discharge (MD) due to injury the Bristol was at the rate of 95 per 1000 trainees, compared to 25 per 1000 in males. The Conventional ‘on pump’ surgery Heart Institute formation of single sex platoons, offering improved training techniques and female During surgery, the heart is normally paralysed by a cardioplegic solution, while blood is performing commanders, was piloted. After a 12-month evaluation, women were achieving the diverted from the vascular system and pumped through plastic tubing outside the body. This over 750 such required level of operational fitness, with a huge reduction in MD, which now stands at artificial pump temporarily performs the functions of the heart and lungs. a similar rate as that of their male colleagues. To date, the British Army is believed to be operations a the only army in the world to introduce female-only training regimes. New challenges year. Today, the risks of on pump heart surgery are greater than they were Parachute Regiment Training 20 years ago. This is because many people face heart surgery later, Training to be an elite Parachute Regiment soldier is widely regarded as the most and, as a consequence, have more serious heart disease and require Medical arduous in the British Army. Pass out rates were very low – around 43%, and MD was urgent or emergency procedures more frequently. Discharge of high, at 14.4%. An in-depth study resulted in a complete overhaul of the 26-week training programme, including the introduction of a fourth meal in the evening and a New solutions that improve lives and reduce costs female recruits more rigorous selection procedure to ensure the best candidates were joining training The new technique - beating heart surgery - uses a special stabiliser to down by 74% at the front end. First time pass-out rates increased to 58% and discharges due to keep a small part of the heart still, so the surgeon can operate on that and male by musculoskeletal injuries decreased to 5.1%. part while the rest of the heart keeps beating. The technique is known as ‘off-pump’ surgery, since there is no need for the artificial pump. 60% Broadening the impact The benefits of combining occupational Beating heart surgery results in fewer post-surgery complications, physiology research in the lab, with such as infections due to inadequate clearance of fluid from the intensive testing in the field, have been lungs and temporary kidney failure. There is also less blood loss and proven for, and continue to benefit, the transfusion requirement, and reduced damage to the heart muscle British Army. Studies in low oxygen itself. The technique generates a 25% cost saving per patient, and environments, such as storage facilities has proved particularly beneficial for obese patients, reducing in- used by the British Library, have helped hospital mortality and neurological injury. to develop new working practices, and Dr Bilzon continues this work in other Continued monitoring of early and long-term outcomes for patients, sectors, as diverse as the fire service including in-hospital outcomes, survival rates and quality of life, and and grocery retailing, where operational the provision of training for cardiac surgeons in off-pump techniques fitness and injury rates can be improved are now under way to determine whether off-pump surgery performed through better training techniques. on the beating heart will supersede conventional surgery.

Drug inhalation technologies: delivering medicines without injections

Incurable respiratory diseases, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), are on the increase. The World Health Organisation (WHO) estimates the number of asthma sufferers at around 300 million and the number of COPD sufferers at 210 million, worldwide. Asthma is the most common chronic disease among children.

Research teams at The University of Bath Centre for Drug Formulation Studies have developed treatments which help control symptoms and increase the quality of life for sufferers.

Inhaled pharmaceuticals – the challenge Drugs delivered through an inhaler are formulated to go directly into the airways, but the particle size is crucial. A dose larger than 10µm (or 10 thousandths of a millimetre) will be swallowed and never reach the lungs. Anything smaller than 1µm is exhaled. The optimal particle size is between 2 and 5µm, but these particles can adhere together to form agglomerates much larger than the critical 5µm.

Overcoming particle adhesion The use of In the 1990s, research at the Centre for Drug Formulation Studies at the University of Bath resulted in significant progress in overcoming the issue of drug-drug particle inert carrier adhesion by including pharmacologically inactive materials within the formulation to Research particles means modify how individual drug particles interact. Old-style inhalers delivered approximately teams at The that around 20% of the dose to the respiratory tract – but the amounts varied. The use of inert University of 50% of the carrier particles means that around 50% of the dose is now delivered, consistently. Vectura Group plc Vectura Group plc originated from this research and is focused on the development of Bath Centre for dose is now pulmonary products using its proprietary inhaler device and formulation technologies. Drug Formulation delivered, The company has eight products marketed by its partners and a portfolio of drugs Studies have consistently. in clinical and pre-clinical development, some of which have been licensed to major pharmaceutical companies. developed treatments which As well as developing its own products, Vectura continues to benefit from its help control technological skills and intellectual property, and in July 2010 signed a dry powder formulation licensing deal with GlaxoSmithKline worth £20 million in up front and symptoms and milestone payments, as well as royalties on product sales. increase the quality of life The future Some of the original research team are now back at the University of Bath working on for sufferers. transdermal and topical drug delivery. Developments include a novel tablet which delivers a metered dose of a drug when applied to the skin via an applicator and gentle rubbing. This provides a less messy and more accurate way of administering drugs than creams.

Microwaves in medical The Speech Scrambler: therapy: non-invasive the invention of secure treatments for cancer mobile networks

Worldwide, there are over ten million new incidences of cancer and more than six million In 1992, a secure mobile phone system came into service for the first time, when deaths from cancer, annually. There are over 600,000 new incidences of liver cancer the Thames Valley Police started using a new ‘speech scrambler’ system, following “I spotted every year, across the world. Surgical removal of tumours is often impossible due to research directed by Professor Joe McGeehan at the University of Bristol Centre for that existing the presence of multiple tumours, or because the patients are not fit enough for such Communications Research. Until this time, unauthorised listeners could scan mobile invasive procedures. and fixed telephone calls - eavesdropping the police and posing a threat to their safety technology, with and operational effectiveness. the addition The University of Bath is closely involved in the development of systems which make of new novel an important contribution to the treatment of cancer. The systems are commercially The scrambler started a new era of higher police security, and the encryption engineering developed by Microsulis Medical Ltd which was set up specifically for that purpose. techniques involved allowed for the massive expansion of commercial and personal mobile phone usage we see today. solutions, Liver tumour treatment could provide In 1998, University of Bath began work with Mr David Lloyd, Consultant Hepatobiliary Early improvements to mobile radio the answer.” and Laparoscopic Surgeon at Leicester Royal Infirmary, and Microsulis Medical to In 1975, Prof McGeehan began research to manipulate the spectrum of received develop a new microwave-based treatment for large liver tumours. Microwave Tissue mobile radio signals so they would reach the recipient without fading or loss of quality. Prof McGeehan Ablation - marketed as MTA™ - allows surgeons to treat previously inoperable patients. By 1980, this work resulted in an improved AM transportable mobile radio, which was MTA operates at the same frequency as a domestic microwave, and can fully treat a adopted by the Securicor fleet of vans, significantly reducing their operational costs. MASC scrambler 5 cm diameter liver tumour in just five minutes. MTA is now used in approximately 60 handset produced centres around the world. However, there were still problems with the privacy and security of calls made by Motorola. from analogue phones, which especially concerned the police and, in the late Menorrhgia eighties, the Home Office called for competitive trials to be undertaken to research MTA operates This work was preceded by research which began in 1994 on a system for a variety of speech scrambler systems. Prof McGeehan and his team conducted the treatment of menorrhgia - a painful gynaecological condition which causes research in response, and their prototype was then developed by GEC-Marconi at the same dysfunctional uterine bleeding. The traditional medical solution had been hysterectomy. Secure Systems into the Marconi Advanced Scrambler (MASC) system. The Home frequency as Office selected MASC as the recommended speech scrambler for UK police forces, a domestic Prof Nigel Cronin at the University of Bath and Mr Nick Sharp at the Royal United out of five options. microwave, Hospital in Bath developed a minimally invasive microwave-based treatment - Microwave Endometrial Ablation (MEA). Operating at 9.2 GHz, MEA treated only the endometrium, The Speech scrambler and can fully leaving the rest of the uterus unaffected and intact. MEA treatment takes just three By 1992, the police were using the scrambler in active service. The new mobile device treat a 5 cm minutes and can be performed in an outpatients setting, generating massive cost savings was no more than a couple of inches in length and could be incorporated into the diameter liver for the NHS. Over 75,000 successful treatments have now been completed. officer’s uniform radio.

tumour in just Smaller devices Prof McGeehan recalls: “I spotted that existing technology, with the addition of new five minutes. There is a growing need for very small microwave devices which can be placed directly novel engineering solutions, could provide the answer. Then, as now, the challenge through the skin under imaging guidance. In these smaller formats, it is crucial to cool was to find a commercial partner willing to take a risk, and support the work and its the shaft of the applicator and the microwave feed cables which go through the skin. commercial exploitation.” A new system, again developed in collaboration with Microsulis – Percutaneous (through the skin) Microwave Tissue Ablation (pMTA™) – keeps the whole device at Although Terrestrial Trunked Radio (TETRA) digital radio has taken over today’s mobile ambient temperature. pMTA has only recently been released, but is already in use at communications, the speech scrambler allowed police forces to convert to digital over 30 surgical and radiological centres. gradually, as costs came down.

10 11 Surrey Space Centre: new satellite research & technologies

The Surrey Space Centre at the University of Surrey is Europe’s largest University- based Space Engineering and Technology Research Centre. In 1985, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting formed Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd (SSTL) as a spin-out company to transfer the results of its space engineering into a commercial enterprise. SSTL has been delivering small satellite missions for over 25 years and its knowledge and experience fully justify its reputation as the world’s premier provider of operational and commercial satellite programmes. In 2002, Professor Sir Martin Sweeting was knighted in recognition of his pioneering work.

Changing Space Economics Conventional satellites are big, bulky and expensive to build and launch, but Sir Martin broke new ground, pioneering small, highly “Satellite advanced satellites using robust ‘commercial off-the-shelf’ (COTS) consumer technologies, technology is such as those used in personal computers, and already playing adapted them to the unique environment of a key role in space. In 1981, his first satellite - UoSAT-1 – was successfully launched by NASA and transmitted helping to signals back to the University of Surrey. His quantify second satellite, launched in 1984, still transmits and manage signals back to Earth, 26 years later! environmental The Disaster Monitoring Constellation SSTL now produces satellites for Earth observation The Disaster Monitoring Constellation shares data between partners owning satellites challenges and imaging, telecommunications and navigation, designed and built by SSTL. Members provide 5% of capacity free for daily imaging around the scientific research and instrument testing, for both of disaster areas. Deputy Director of Surrey Space Centre, Dr Craig Underwood, world, and civil and defence purposes, worldwide. explains: “Satellite technology is already playing a key role in helping to quantify and manage environmental challenges around the world, and we are working to make that we are working In 2009, SSTL was acquired by EADS Astrium, contribution more effective.” to make that but maintains strong working links with the contribution more Surrey Space Centre. By August 2010, SSTL New projects effective.” had launched 34 spacecraft, and achieved total In January 2010, SSTL won a major part of a €3.4 billion contract to provide a export orders of £490m. Turnover for 2009 European GNSS system - an alternative to the US Global Positioning System (GPS) Dr Craig Underwood was £36m. and the Russian GLONASS system.

12 13 Pioneering optical fibre A catalyst to research: connecting our digital world: our world together strained quantum well lasers

Professor David Payne is the Director of the University of Southampton’s Prof Adams FRS (Emeritus Distinguished Professor of Physics at the University of From enabling Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC). In 1987, he led the research group which, Surrey), headed the Optoelectronic Materials and Devices Research Group. In 1986, the internet in a major breakthrough, invented the world’s first Erbium-Doped Fibre Amplifier he had an idea which has had an impact on almost all of us – at work, at home and (EDFA) which overcame the problem of signal fading during data transmission in the way we choose to communicate. The strained quantum well laser has led to to navigating over large distances. Today our everyday lives are connected by the optical fibre technologies and products which are worth billions of dollars worldwide, and are now aircraft, fibre technologies developed at the University of Southampton. Global fibre optic used in everything from car manufacture to the internet. optic technology networks connect up the internet, carry telecommunications traffic around the world and deliver media to our homes. Straining the laser developed at Prof Adams discovered that, if the laser’s crystal lattice was grown in a way which put the University of The ORC was established in 1989, with funding from the Engineering and Physical it under strain, it could be ‘squashed’ into a shape which produced a more controlled, Southampton Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) , and is now a world-leading centre for concentrated beam of light – making it more energy efficient and powerful than any other is connecting photonics, optical telecommunication and high-power lasers. The centre has licensed laser at that time. “I was walking over 30 key patents, and regularly collaborates with industrial giants, such as Boeing, along the beach our world Cisco, Sharp and BAE Systems. First commercial applications to everyday use on holiday in together. Strained lasers could be used in many applications: CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray, allowing In 2010, the EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Photonics was them to become smaller and cheaper, yet with greater data capacity. Today, they are Bournemouth, established at the University of Southampton under the leadership of Prof Payne. used in many other sectors, including computers and optical fibre communications, and the idea scanners and readers at supermarket checkouts. just jumped out. The fibre laser revolution Fibre lasers, also developed by Prof Payne and his team, have transformed the way Telecommunications & the internet The more you things are made, repaired and destroyed, worldwide. Small size, maintenance-free The photonics group at the University of Surrey is now led by Prof Stephen Sweeney take control of operation, thermal and electrical eficiency, and outstanding beam quality have made who is building on Alf Adam’s work and expanding research into new areas. He recalls: light, the more the ibre laser a huge success. “I looked at the limitations of the laser technology and set out to develop faster and more efficient lasers for communications.” efficiently you Prof David Richardson, Deputy Director at the ORC, said: “Fibre lasers can be used can use it” to cut inch-thick steel, to weld your car during manufacture, perform delicate eye The technology produces short and powerful pulses of light to transfer Prof Alf Adams FRS surgery, or even mark the dates on fruit.” information extremely fast, ‘at the speed of light’. With optical fibres as carriers, this led to the development of high speed telecommunications, and eventually A cluster of stars the internet. Nowadays, all optical telecommunications use strained lasers. In the Southampton area alone the formation of a photonics cluster of ten start up companies has generated revenues in excess of £100m and created over 500 jobs Prof Sweeney says: “The internet currently consumes about 1% of total energy consumption, and web usage is increasing exponentially. So by A shining light continuing to develop the strained laser, we can reduce costs, energy In 2008, Prof Payne was awarded the Marconi Society Prize and Fellowship for his consumption and environmental impact.” work at the ORC, joining a list of previous winners including world wide web creator, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, and Google founders, Sergey Brin and Larry Page. More uses for strained lasers Research continues to create new opportunities including environmental pollution sensing equipment and strained layer solar cell and low energy LED-based lighting.

14 15 Understanding climate change: National Oceanography Centre, Southampton

The National Oceanography Centre, Southampton brings together scientists and “Some of our engineers from the Natural Environment Research Council and the University of figures are Southampton in a collaborative environment on the city’s waterfront. The centre is a multidisciplinary hub of expertise, housing oceanographers, geologists, ecologists and being used to physicists and delivering the technologies needed to carry out world-leading research inform extreme that answers pressing questions about our planet. scenarios Three key areas of research which feed into UK and global policy on climate change, for flood demonstrate the wide range of work undertaken there. protection plans for Studying sea levels and climate change strategic centres Eelco Rohling is Professor of Ocean and Climate Change at the University of Southampton’s School of Ocean and Earth Science, based at the National like London, Oceanography Centre, Southampton. Manhattan, Rotterdam and His team have developed a new method to reconstruct sea-level changes in 100-year time steps, going back over the last 500,000 years which increases our understanding Seattle.” of the impact of more recent climate changes on sea-levels. Prof Rohling Prof Rohling explains: “Some of our figures are being used to inform extreme scenarios for flood protection plans for strategic centres like London, Manhattan, Rotterdam and Seattle.” RAPID Programme - global scale research and the future Professor Meric Srokosz is science co-ordinator of the NERC RAPID climate change How marine animals and programme at the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton. His project, which plants capture carbon started in 2004, is to track a decade of the North Atlantic circulation and its effect on Dr Debora Iglesias-Rodriguez has climate. The project monitors changes to the circulation, and using these to develop been studying ocean biochemistry and improved models to forecast future change. ecosystems for 15 years, looking at the effect of ‘ocean acidification’ on marine organisms. The programme is working with the Meteorological Office “For the first time”, explains Dr Iglesias- Hadley Centre which advises Rodriguez, “we have proved that the Government on climate calcification by phytoplankton varies change issues, and is funded depending on species. Some of these through the Department for microscopic organisms, which are major Environment, Food and Rural players in the Earth’s cycling of carbon, Affairs (Defra), the Department are responding to climate change by of Energy and Climate Change increasing the size of their calcium (DECC) and the Ministry of carbonate plates.” Defence (MOD).

16 17 Low-energy production Safe water – saving lives: of fresh water from sea the DelAgua story water: manipulated osmosis

By 2025, it is estimated that five and a half billion In 1984, when the World Health Organisation (WHO) published international guidelines people - two-thirds of the world’s population - will live in for drinking-water safety, the only portable water testing equipment available was countries that are classified as ‘water stressed’. ungainly and heavy to transport.

The manipulated osmosis (MO) technique developed At the University of Surrey, Professor of Environmental Health Engineering, Barry Lloyd by Prof Adel Sharif at the University of Surrey’s Centre set up a multidisciplinary team with the goal of producing a water testing kit, which was for Osmosis Research and Applications (CORA) light, reliable, simple to use and accurate. The result was the DelAgua Water Testing Kit converts seawater to drinking water through a process which is now used in 130 countries across the globe by over 1000 different organisations. combining forward osmosis and reverse osmosis. Typical users include UNICEF, IFRC, WHO, Red Cross, Water Aid and Oxfam. With low capital and operating costs, MO also has a The DelAgua positive impact on the environment, as it uses around Prof Lloyd comments: “The WHO estimates that around a quarter of all humankind is Water Testing 30% less energy than conventional desalination and carrying intestinal parasites, as a direct result of inadequate sanitation. The DelAgua kit Kit is now used lowers the consumption and disposal of hazardous allows people to carry out simple chemical tests and to incubate samples. Training is in 130 countries chemicals. In 2005, Professor Adel Sharif was awarded straightforward and takes around two days.” the prestigious Royal Society Brian Mercer Award, across the and the subsequent funding helped build a pilot-scale The kit tests for five water quality indicators, which in combination can show the globe by over Manipulated desalination plant at the Guildford campus. likelihood of pathogens being present. It holds incubation temperatures accurately for 1000 different up to 24 hours and can conduct as many as five testing cycles a week, without battery Osmosis uses organisations. around 30% Surrey Aqua Technology Ltd and Modern Water plc recharge. Field life expectancy is an amazing 15 years. In November 2006, Surrey Aqua Technology Ltd was formed, as a spin-out company from less energy the University of Surrey, to develop MO technology. In June 2007, it was incorporated into An evolving success than conventional Modern Water plc, and listed on the AIM with a market value of £70 million. In the early 1990s, Dr Steve Pedley, Senior Research Fellow, Faculty of Health and desalination. Medical Sciences, University of Surrey became involved, working on ways to improve the Modern Water has two desalination plants in operation - a proving plant in Gibraltar and a kit to make it even more reliable. The resulting version has many different applications: commercial-scale plant in Oman, which has been supplying high quality water to the region UNICEF uses it for data monitoring; Oxfam uses it in emergency situations; UNHCR uses since March 2010. it in refugee camps in war zones; and armed forces use it to test water supplies.

Prof Sharif comments: “MO and its associated technologies can significantly change the In 2006, the business was transferred out of the University economic and performance characteristics of industries such as desalination, conventional of Surrey, and a new business team, under the direction of water treatment, power generation, oil and the chemical and energy industries.” James Beaumont, was created to take the not-for-profit company forward. Current Modern Water applications include evaporative cooling systems, pre-treatment for thermal desalination plants, secondary oil recovery and hydro-osmotic power. A proving The future plant for evaporative cooling systems is now commissioned in Oman. The technology James Beaumont of DelAgua says: “The company is reduces electricity consumption by up to 90% compared to a conventional cooling plant. launching a low cost canister which can collect and store water safely, and can be used, without training, by a family of Neil McDougall, Executive Chairman of Modern Water plc, comments: “We are proud four for up to 12 months. We are also continuing to encourage of the successes we have achieved in taking these technologies from the lab to water authorities to use the DelAgua kit to monitor the quality commercialisation in a short timescale.” of water supplies, in non-crisis relief situations.”

18 19 Predicting and cutting landslide risk in developing countries

To date, MoSSaiC has helped 12 communities and approximately 3,500 of the poorest people living in unplanned settlements “We’ve looked

Community meetings are held to discuss and agree the drainage project The impact of a landslide caused by heavy rainfall at the cost of our projects and found that it’s Professor Malcolm Anderson, from the University of Bristol has spent more than 20 Promoting and funding MoSSaiC years studying how to predict and reduce the risk of landslide disasters, in poor urban The following year, the St Lucia government extended the scheme to a further about 2% of areas around the world. The software he developed, CHASM (Combined Hydrology and six communities. SETsquared provided a £12,000 grant to the project in its 2nd the relocation Stability Model), models the dynamic effect of rainfall and other factors on the stability of year, through its Social Enterprise Fund, and offered consultancy support as costs in the slopes, helping predict potentially devastating landslides and assessing ways of reducing part of the package. This included help with business models; how to work with aftermath of a risk through water management. He decided to test his model in the field. NGO’s; gaining recognition and influencing government policy makers, in particular identifying ways to illustrate the financial benefits. Other funding streams included disaster, so by Professor Anderson said: “We chose St Lucia as our lab because there is a high risk of the World Bank, USAID (US Agency for International Development) and UNDP building drainage hurricanes and landslides. We simply got on a plane and started working out there.” (United Nations Development Programme). and reducing

Professor Anderson and his research associate, Dr Liz Holcombe, looked at the effects of What starting as a self-funded trip by two academics has evolved into a global landslide risk, vegetation, housing density, surface water and soil conditions and modelled these factors partnership over a five-year period, with MoSSaiC methodology being rolled out to St you’re hopefully using CHASM, confirming their assertion that surface water management and drainage Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Jamaica and, potentially, areas of Latin America. avoiding this was the key to reducing risk. The Government of St Lucia endorsed this new approach To date, MoSSaiC has helped 12 communities and approximately 3,500 of the poorest massive cost of and the MoSSaiC (Management for Slope Stability in Communities) project began. people living in unplanned settlements. relocation.” Community involvement Risk reduction programmes such as MoSSaiC offer savings of $2-3 to every $1 spent. Dr Liz Holcombe Dr Holcombe explained: “In Skate Town, we advised where drains could go. Local Utilising local people means that about 80% of the funding Professor Anderson obtains is people were involved throughout. They helped us produce ‘hazard maps’, they helped actually spent in the community. us plan; they tendered for the construction work; they learnt new skills through building the drainage and, of course, they benefited from fewer landslides.”

20 21 Striking Gold: innovation in performance sports

Chris Hoy, cycling gold Amy Williams with ‘Arthur’ Southampton wind tunnels medal winner, Bejing her world beating-sled

Since October 2006, research engineers from the University of Southampton have been The laboratory’s expertise is in the synthesis of first principles-based analysis, the latest The University of working with UK Sport to help athletes prepare for major competitions. computational analysis and simulation tools, and expertise in model-scale experimentation “It gives you Southampton’s to maximise the capability of the athlete. Rachel Blackburn and James Roche, both engineering doctorate students funded by such confidence, wind tunnels the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) at the University of The Wolfson Unit knowing that have been Southampton, co-designed the all-important sled - affectionately known as ‘Arthur’ Wind tunnel testing was also carried out by our world-renowned Wolfson Unit for Marine your equipment used by most – which helped Amy Williams win gold in Vancouver in 2010. Technology and Industrial Aerodynamics (WUMTIA) to accelerate the development of is world class British cycling’s track bikes and riders ahead of the Beijing 2008 Olympics. of the current Competition within the sport is fierce, and the margin of victory can be as little as 0.01 and your Formula One seconds. Amy Williams explains: “It gives you such confidence, knowing that your The large, low-speed wind tunnels have been used by most of the current Formula One preparation teams, and the equipment is world class and your preparation methods are at the cutting edge of your teams, and, most recently, for the development of the Ferrari A1GP race car. methods are at development of sport. All you need to worry about is delivering on the day.” Marine projects include work on the Luna Rossa and Team New Zealand America’s Cup the cutting edge the Ferrari A1GP Performance Sports Engineering Laboratory yacht race contenders, while student projects have included the Bonneville 400 world F1 of your sport.” racecar. The Performance Sports Engineering Laboratory in Engineering Sciences at land speed record car and the Quicksilver world water speed record contender. Amy Williams the University of Southampton has over five decades of research and development in performance sailing and motorsport, and, recently, through UK Sport, has expanded into As long as the fans keep turning up, the University of Southampton will continue to supply cycling, rowing, canoeing and bob skeleton. the world with performance engineers of the highest calibre.

22 23 Fuel efficient, Reducing low carbon cars: aircraft noise 25 years of engine research

There has been a 25-year history of collaboration With the global explosion in air travel, aircraft noise between the University of Bath and Ford Motor has become a major public issue. For over 40 Company. For the last ten years, the partnership has years, scientists and engineers at the University of

focused on fuel economy and cutting CO2 emissions. Southampton’s Institute of Sound Vibration Research (ISVR) have been working with the aircraft industry to This collaboration has resulted in improvements across reduce aircraft noise. As a leading international centre for the range of engines within everyday passenger cars, aircraft noise research, the ISVR has played a significant such as the Focus, Fiesta and Ka. For example, in role in reducing noise levels. Compared to aircraft in the terms of carbon emissions ratings, Ford now offer 1960s, today’s jets produce less than one hundredth of several A-rated models, producing less than 100g/km the sound (20 -30dB quieter).

of CO2, which simply didn’t exist three years ago. In 1999, Rolls-Royce founded a University Technology Professor Gary Hawley said: “Passenger cars in the UK Centre (UTC) in Gas Turbine Noise to benefit from the

produce around 72 million tonnes of CO2 every year, ISVR’s capabilities. The Southampton centre now has but over the last ten years this been gradually reducing over 30 staff and postgraduate researchers. through advances in engine technology, vehicle “A 1% dynamics and greater use of lightweight materials.” Andrew Kempton, Chief Noise Specialist at Rolls-Royce improvement in said: “The ISVR Research brings a breadth and depth Average CO emissions from new cars in the UK fell from 189.9g/km in 1997 to 149.5 of knowledge, an independence of thought and an fuel economy 2 g/km in 2009 - a reduction of 21.3%. The industry is well on its way to meeting EU aptitude for innovation that helps to ensure the best represents regulatory targets of 130g/km fleet average by 2015, but the current rate of improvement technology is built into Rolls-Royce engines.” 750,000 must be maintained. Demand for quieter aircraft tonnes CO The noise 2 The research programme Global passenger and freight air traffic continues to grow saved each Research at the University of Bath has focused on enhancing the fuel economy of and has resulted in increasingly tough noise reduction of a modern year if applied diesel-powered passenger cars, and has shown that the accumulation of a number of targets. Southampton UTC focuses on two key areas: superjumbo to all passenger small but measurable improvements can deliver a significant impact. reducing the amount of noise generated at source and passing cars.” trying to reduce the noise ‘effect’ before it reaches the Improvements to the layout, operation and control of vehicle engine cooling systems has ears of the public. overhead is Prof Hawley, led to fuel economy savings of up to 2%. New oil pump designs have demonstrated fuel less than one University of Bath savings of up to 3%. Research into lubrication oils and fuel economy will feed into the next The technology behind noise reduction hundredth generation of lubricating oil formulations and should deliver a 1% fuel economy saving. Most aircraft engine noise comes from the fan blades or from the jet exhaust. ISVR work has contributed significantly to the understanding and reduction of these sources of that of Prof Hawley commented: “A 1% improvement in fuel economy represents 750,000 of noise, and to technology being built into the new quiet engines from Rolls-Royce passenger

tonnes CO2 saved each year if applied to all passenger cars. Here, at the University of like the Trent 900 (on the Airbus A380 ‘super jumbo’) and the Trent 1000 (on the jets flying in Bath, we are working to achieve a 10% fuel saving.” Ian Pegg, Senior Research Engineer ‘Dreamliner’ Boeing 787). the 1960s and at Ford Motor Company in Essex, is enthusiastic: “Working with the University of Bath, we can look at things differently. In industry, it’s very easy to get stuck in a rut and take things The ISVR will continue to play an important role in driving down aircraft engine noise 1970s for granted, but the academics will challenge and investigate measurable benefits.” still further.

24 25 Transparency and Open Data: data.gov.uk

Leading University of Southampton academics, Professor Nigel Shadbolt and the British inventor of the world wide web, Professor Sir Tim Berners-Lee, have led the development of a ground-breaking new portal: data.gov.uk.

It is a website containing a collection of almost 4000 (and growing) data sets of non- personal data from across Government, ranging from education to transport, from government spending to crime.

The concept Sir Tim Berners-Lee has observed: “If data can be published under a Freedom of Information request, why not publish it online? By releasing this data, we can unlock new ideas for delivering public services, help communities and society work better, and let talented entrepreneurs and engineers create new businesses and services.”

Prof Shadbolt commented: “The vision is that citizens, consumers and Government can create, re-use and distribute public information in ways that add value, support transparency, facilitate new services and increase efficiency.”

“The vision is Beta version that citizens, In September 2009, a beta version of data.gov.uk - developed using open source consumers and software and open standards - was released to developers. It contained more than 1100 datasets, ranging from traffic counts to planning applications and from schools Government can reference data to the Farm Survey. Over 1000 people began testing the site and create, re-use creating applications to bring together information from different sources. and distribute Public launch public On 21 January 2010, the new portal - data.gov.uk - was launched with a collection information in of 2500 sets of non-personal data from across the whole of Government. This was ways that add a huge achievement. Most notably, it has successfully drawn together data across “If data can be value, support England, Scotland and Wales. The data format means it can be reused by any published under individual or business to create innovative new software tools, such as applications a Freedom of transparency, providing information on house prices, local schools, amenities and services, or facilitate new access to local hospitals. Information services and request, why The future increase not publish it The current Government has been quick to release important new data sets, for online?” efficiency.” example, all central government departments must publish spending above £25,000; Sir Tim Berners-Lee Prof Nigel Shadbolt local authorities will have to provide data on each item of spending above £500; and 26 police forces have to publish data about crime at the local level.

26 27 35 million ‘invisible’ poor: The Innocence Network UK: understanding poverty students work to help free in Bangladesh wrongly convicted prisoners

In Bangladesh, around 56 million people still live in poverty of which 35 million live in Established in September 2004 by Dr Michael Naughton from the School of Law at the extreme poverty. University of Bristol, The Innocence Network UK (INUK) is dedicated to overturning wrongful convictions, improving the criminal justice system and preventing future miscarriages of The Centre for Development Studies – a centre of expertise justice. The first project working with a prisoner was started in January 2005. The Centre for Development Studies (CDS) at the University of Bath is a centre of expertise on poverty and wellbeing, and is internationally renowned for its work in INUK has three core functions: casework investigations, research into key aspects Bangladesh. For over three decades now, staff at CDS have been involved in action of wrongful conviction, and informing public debate about wrongful convictions research and policy advocacy in Bangladesh aimed at improving the lives of the and imprisonment. country’s most disadvantaged and poorest. Innocence Projects Recent work by Dr Joe Devine and Prof Geof Wood of the University of Bath, in INUK now acts as an umbrella organisation for Innocence Projects in 26 UK universities, collaboration with Harewelle International Ltd, a leading UK-based international consultancy with around 500 staff and students working collectively on approximately 80 cases. The firm, builds on and extends the application of CDS’ expertise in poverty reduction strategies. protocols to which all the Innocence Projects work have been devised at the University of Bristol in collaboration with Network colleagues. The Innocence Significant impact Network UK There is evidence of impact throughout this work. There are client level impacts, which There is a stringent assessment process, and from its first 800 applications, usually mean marked improvements in the lives of individuals and households. For INUK only deemed around 150 cases to be eligible for investigation by a member (INUK) is example, ‘The Water Sellers’ project where 6,000 companies were established by the Innocence Project. dedicated to landless to sell water to farmers through the provision of irrigation equipment. In 2007, overturning an independent assessment found that almost all of the 432,000 members of the In each project, undergraduate and postgraduate law students work under academic wrongful In Bangladesh, organisation reported improved income and food security. supervision and guidance, where appropriate, from pro bono criminal lawyers, forensic scientists, and others. Projects teach students about the deficiencies of the criminal convictions, around 56 Interactions with parliamentarians have directly led to the formation of Bangladesh’s first justice system and demonstrate how wrongful convictions can occur. improving the million people All Party Parliamentary Group on extreme poverty. Improved policies will impact the criminal justice livelihoods of the extreme poor well beyond the life of particular projects. Positive results still live in system and poverty, and Seven undergraduate and postgraduate students Economic Empowerment of the Poorest - a new initiative from the University of Bristol Innocence Project preventing 35 million Dr Devine and Prof Wood are now involved in a new DFID-supported initiative called received a ‘Highly Commended’ award in the future of these live in Economic Empowerment of the Poorest. The programme has a grant of £65 million category ‘Best Contribution by a Team of Students’ miscarriages extreme poverty. and was designed to address the livelihood needs of the poorest 10% of the country’s in the Attorney General’s Student and Law School population. The programme supports a variety of tested interventions, and also Pro Bono Awards 2008. of justice. experiments with innovative approaches and projects. Members of the Bristol Innocence Project also Permanent engagement – informed by research worked with Channel 4 to produce a ‘Rough Justice’ and knowledge documentary, aired on 12 April 2007, to help explain Dr Michael The poverty landscape in Bangladesh has changed over the years, and being able to the issue to the wider public. Naughton engage with this changing scenario requires continuous innovation and adaptation, from the School of Law at the informed by research and knowledge. This is a case where research seeks impact The first UK case involving INUK has recently been University of Bristol immediately as well as over time. referred to the Court of Appeal – a major achievement.

28 29 Public sector procurement policies: finding cost savings through research

The Centre for Research in Strategic Purchasing and Supply (CRiSPS), based at the University of Bath, is a world-leading centre for research, education and consultancy in supply strategy - working with highly complex, inter-organisation networks and systems, and influencing policy.

Through its 15-year research partnership with the NHS, CRiSPS has developed a deep knowledge, and enabled research, education and consultancy to be spread over the NHS procurement network. This has delivered positive outcomes to patients, NHS organisations and taxpayers alike. As a result of the partnership, a more strategic, integrated approach was adopted to influence the £18 billion spent by the NHS on goods and services. Here are a couple of examples of the impact.

Benefiting hearing impaired patients and taxpayers In the UK, hearing impairment affects 8.7 million individuals. From the 1930s onwards, patients were prescribed highly visible, analogue aids which amplified all sound, rather than selected sound. The wearer had little control over the device, other than total volume, and 25% of The resulting analogue users don’t wear their aids for this reason. collaborative Digital hearing aid settings can be customised to suit the user, and adjusted approach, according to background conditions. By the 1980s, an analogue hearing aid would allowed the NHS cost the NHS £222 per patient, whereas private digital aids cost around £1750 each. to purchase The NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (NHS PASA) worked closely with CRiSPS and supply over and the main stakeholders involved in hearing impairment services. The resulting 260,000 digital collaborative approach, allowed the NHS to purchase and supply over 260,000 digital hearing aids a hearing aids a year, at the much reduced cost of £60 per unit. Better hearing aids year, at the became more widely available, and the NHS saved £45.5 million a year. much reduced Learning through international research cost of £60 The International Research Study of Public Procurement has completed four phases per unit. of research and now involves 17 nations. As a direct result of learning from this study, the Welsh Assembly changed its public procurement practice enabling Wales-based SMEs to supply the public sector more easily, thereby generating more jobs for the local economy. The Welsh Assembly Business Procurement Task Force website now states: “It is estimated that some 49% of the Welsh public sector’s procurement expenditure is won by Wales-based businesses.”

Supported by

30 www.SETsquared.co.uk/impact

SETsquared Partnership Universities of Bath, Bristol, Southampton and Surrey www.setsquared.co.uk