Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council INNOVATION SPECIAL 18 Pushing the boundaries of innovation

Spark to a flame – meet the research entrepreneurs EPSRC’s crucial partnerships – working with business Joe McGeehan – godfather of mobile communications Professor Chris Toumazou: European Inventor of the Year Young guns – the doctoral students shaking up the business world EPSRC Impact Acceleration Accounts – early-stage research, big impact

World’s most expensive material • Turning CO2 into plastic • Robots for wind farms • Solar arsenic buster CONTENTS 3-5: News Recent EPSRC investments 6-9: Things we’ve learned Research in action 14 10-21: People Meet the movers and shakers behind ground-breaking EPSRC- supported research and innovation 22-23: Going mobile Researchers are developing mobile phone-connected 7 HIV tests for South African communities hardest hit by the disease 24-25: Master maker 2014 European Inventor of the Year, Professor Chris Toumazou, on being an entrepreneur 40 26-31: Pushing the boundaries EPSRC’s CEO joins the dots between fundamental science and its translation into commercial and societal applications 32-35: Getting connected BT’s Jonathan Legh-Smith on working with EPSRC 36-37: Five stars The PhD students shaking up the business world 38-39: Inner vision Kromek, an award- winning spin-out company that’s helping make the world a safer place 40-47: Wireless wizard How a £9,600 EPSRC grant enabled Professor Joe McGeehan to start a wireless revolution 48-49: Chain reaction Professor Charlotte Williams has found a way to turn waste CO into plastic 52 12 2 50-51: Earning curves The University of Southampton’s new startup incubator 52-53: Accelerating impact EPSRC’s ground-breaking Impact Acceleration Accounts 54-55: Gateway to success Professor Andrew Rix on forming a spin-out company

Editor: Mark Mallett ([email protected]) To provide feedback on this magazine, and to subscribe to 56-57: Little wonders Ant behaviour print and/or electronic versions of Pioneer, please e-mail Design: Angela Jones ([email protected]) [email protected] gives insights into brain function Contributors: Dr David Crawford; Jo Enderby; James Pictures courtesy of thinkstock.com unless otherwise 58: The bigger picture Graphene ink Franklin; Dr Ellie Gilvin; Florence Gschwend; Dr Susan stated. Graham; Jonathan Legh-Smith; Professor Joe McGeehan; shot wins EPSRC Photo Competition Professor Philip Nelson; Professor Andrew Nix; Richard Tibenham; Professor Chris Toumazou; Dr Reuben Wilcock; 59: About EPSRC Facts, stats and what Professor Charlotte Williams we do [email protected] Contact: 01793 444305

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 2 The magic of innovation EPSRC Chief Executive, Professor Philip Nelson, on the link between blue-skies research and its applications

All scientists With these foundations in place, the to the Science Research Council and engineers magic starts to happen. That magic is (SRC), the forerunner of EPSRC, for have one thing the process and cycle of innovation. funding that could help him crack in common – This edition of Pioneer is a celebration the conundrum. curiosity. They of innovation in its many forms – from In less than five years, that SRC grant, are driven by smart autonomous robots that can for £9,600, together with some key the need to harvest strawberries and other soft collaborations with business, enabled solve problems fruits (page 15), to using seaweed Joe to develop the core technology that and overcome to help heal wounds (page15). The makes all wireless communications challenges. But they are people, too; first story is an example of research possible – from mobile phones to they live in a world of selfies and that uses underpinning technology to Wi-Fi routers. supermarkets, cybercrime and food solve a problem; the latter could be banks. It stands to reason that they One of the most effective ways to described as genius. would be motivated as much by a maximise, and often accelerate, the desire to make the world a better Blue-skies research hardly ever impact of your research is through place as they are to engage in takes place in a vacuum; scientists collaborations with others. Many of fundamental science. and engineers are always looking to our initiatives focus on encouraging see where their work takes them. this flow of ideas and resources, at At the core of EPSRC’s philosophy Indeed, we have enshrined this in all stages of the innovation cycle (see and activity is a focus on encouraging our grant application process, within pages 26-31). Our formal partnerships imagination, and to ensuring that with over 3,000 UK and international researchers have the resources they which we ask academics to describe the potential impact of their work. businesses are testament to the need to both push the boundaries success of this approach. of science and to tackle real-world Some have criticised this approach challenges. We do this through a host as prescriptive – what if a theoretical In 2018, EPSRC will join forces with the of different initiatives and platforms physicist is pondering the nature of the other UK Research Councils, Innovate (pages 26-31). universe – how can he or she predict UK and Research England to form a the impact of their work? new single body, UK Research and Above all, we are investing in creativity, Well, we’re not looking for predictions, Innovation (UKRI), which will have a collaboration and exploration, brought strong focus on collaborative working. about by fundamental research in the and we would never penalise researchers if their work fails to deliver We welcome the creation of this new physical sciences, engineering, ICT body, which embraces the very same and mathematics. a new product or technology. What we are looking for is what researchers do values we have been championing Of the £800 million we invest each anyway, which is, in effect, to dream. for decades. year in research and doctoral Because all great innovations begin training, we ensure that over half of with a vision. And sometimes that it goes to ‘blue-skies’ proposals from vision is, from the outset, pin sharp. researchers to conduct fundamental science. The remainder is allocated Take the case of Professor Joe “All great to investments in key areas identified McGeehan (pages 40-47) who, in the by EPSRC and its network of advisers early 1970s, knew that, with modest from business, academia, government financial backing, he would be able innovations begin and the third sector as important to to find a way to transmit high quality national prosperity and to global health speech and data across the airwaves. with a vision” and security. These include real- Senior colleagues told him he was world challenges such as clean water, wasting his time, and no company or sustainable transport, energy storage, private investor would back him. But he and supporting an ageing population. persevered, and successfully applied

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 3 NEWS Recent EPSRC investments

£100 million Rosalind £138 million for partnerships to drive prosperity Franklin Institute EPSRC is delivering two major names such as Siemens, BP and The UK government is investing investments in research partnerships Unilever as well as leading UK SMEs. £100 million to establish an innovative that will strengthen the links between EPSRC is investing £60 million in a new multidisciplinary science and technology the UK’s research base, industry and tranche of Impact Acceleration Accounts research centre to transform our business partners. (IAAs), awarded to 33 universities. understanding of disease and speed up A new initiative, Prosperity Partnerships, the development of new treatments. will receive £31 million of government IAAs speed the contribution that scientists make towards new innovation, Delivered and managed by EPSRC, the new funding from EPSRC and the Industrial Rosalind Franklin Institute (RFI) Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), successful businesses and the economic returns that beneft the UK. will bring together UK strengths in the while £36 million in cash or in-kind physical sciences, engineering and life contributions from industry partners and IAAs are complementary to other sciences to create a national centre of £11 million from universities’ funds will investment routes along the innovation excellence in technology development bring total investment to £78 million. cycle and aim to promote movement and innovation. Uniquely, the initial expression of interest between universities, business and other Industry partners will be on board from the stage is led by the main business partner, organisations. They are designed to outset, and the institute will grow over time, rather than the academic lead. support the very early stages of turning as more universities and researchers start research outputs into commercial Nineteen universities working with to participate. 21 industry partners will lead on projects propositions; improve engagement with ranging from the future networks for businesses, government and third sector; The new institute will have a hub based at digital infrastructure to offshore wind, and reach out to researchers who do not the Research Complex at Harwell that will and they will partner with businesses normally engage in exploitation activities; link to partner sites at the universities of operating in key areas of the innovation helping to drive culture change within Cambridge, Edinburgh, Manchester and landscape. These include household the university. Oxford, Imperial College, King’s College London, and UCL.

Robotics and AI get £17.3 million boost £8.6 million for gas-guzzling research EPSRC is investing £17.3 million in A new research programme that has Four interdisciplinary, multi-institute Robotics and Artifcial Intelligence cross-Research Council and government consortia and seven topic-specifc technologies to improve how we care support will look at new ways to projects will lead the £8.6 million for the sick and elderly, and deal with counteract global warming by removing programme, which will involve around hazardous environments. harmful greenhouse gases from 100 researchers from 40 UK universities the atmosphere. and partner organisations. The investment is in two Programme Grants totalling £10.8 million to support major robotics research projects. Support for two new medical research centres One of the projects, which will be led by Imperial College London, will look EPSRC is investing over £12 million to wide team of engineering and clinical to make major advances in the feld of establish two new research centres to experts to advance engineering sciences in surgical micro-robotics, while another at advance medical techniques and improve intraoperative imaging and sensing, data The University of Manchester will develop outcomes for clinicians and patients. Co- fusion and extraction, human-technology technologies to enable robotic devices to funded by Wellcome Trust, the new centres interfaces, tissue modelling, surgical operate autonomously and effectively within will bring together engineering and clinical instrumentation and surgical navigation. hazardous environments. experts at University College London and The King’s College Medical Engineering King’s College London to develop new EPSRC has also made a £6.5 million capital Centre of Research Excellence will focus on surgical and medical imaging technologies, investment to strengthen a distributed medical imaging, with a vision of developing and provide an environment where network of capital equipment to enable UK biomarkers to allow early detection of new researchers can catalyse world-leading researchers to accelerate the translation imaging methodologies, improved tools research and translation. of fundamental research into cross-sector, for image analysis, imaging robotics and enabling technologies and promote cross- The Centre for Surgical and Interventional image-guided surgical interventions, and sector growth. Sciences at UCL will bring together a novel molecular imaging probes.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 4 NEWS Recent EPSRC investments

Aces in the pack Improving the nation’s infrastructure EPSRC has invested over £1 million to support 14 Academic Centres of Excellence Inadequate infrastructure is estimated to Research into issues such as investment in Cyber Security Research at universities cost the UK £2 million a day. in rail systems, roads and food and across the UK. water management will be conducted To help tackle this problem, EPSRC through a network of experimental EPSRC and the National Cyber Security is investing £125 million in new state- facilities and urban laboratories. Centre jointly identifed the centres, which of-the-art research facilities at 11 With partner contributions the total will specialise in developing the latest cyber universities focused on ways to upgrade investment is over £216 million. security techniques and contribute to the the nation’s infrastructure as part of the UK’s increased knowledge and capability in UK Collaboratorium for Research on Projected outcomes from UKCRIC this feld. Infrastructure and Cities (UKCRIC). include the generation of new knowledge, technologies and digital solutions that The new centres form part of the UKCRIC will allow academia, industry, reduce the risk of, and add value to, the Government’s National Cyber Security government and end users to collaborate very large investments in infrastructure Strategy, which is designed to deter hostile to upgrade infrastructure and reduce that will have to be made over the next action against the UK, defend against the cost to the nation through the 50 years. UKCRIC will also radically improve evolving cyber threats, and develop the development of new materials, the resilience of infrastructure systems cyber security industry. techniques and novel technologies. and services against extreme events.

£128 million Royce Institute launched Smart networks for chronic The UK government is investing a total of The institute is integral to the cycle of conditions £128 million in research equipment and UK research and innovation, enabling the EPSRC is investing £10 million in eight facilities to develop advanced materials. iterative design of advanced materials for research projects that will help patients to applications including energy-effcient A major element of this investment, self-manage chronic conditions at home materials for ICT and materials for use £105 million, will be devoted to the construction while linked to support from carers and in hazardous environments such as of a building to host the Henry Royce clinicians. The research involves seven nuclear facilities. Institute at The University of Manchester. UK universities and over 30 partners from It will reduce the timescales to translate industry, charities and the public sector This frst tranche comes from EPSRC as discoveries to applications, and provide which are contributing over £750,000. part of the government’s £235 million strategic leadership together with training allocation for the Royce Institute, the UK’s The research will explore how to improve and career development in areas of need. new home of advanced materials research the use and development of networks that and innovation, and will allow the UK The frst investment tranche will go to connect patients suffering from conditions to grow its world-leading research and the universities of Cambridge, Leeds and such as chronic obstructive pulmonary innovation base in advanced-materials Sheffeld, Imperial College London and the disease (COPD) and diabetes with those science, which is considered to be Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, which supporting them. The new network will fundamental to all industrial sectors and form the institute’s spoke, linked to The also connect patients to clinicians and the UK economy. University of Manchester hub. treatment. Researchers will also investigate how the use of wearable devices such as sensors, smart watches and heart rate and activity monitors can enable clinicians to New HPC centres launched get the right sort of data to make choices and advise patients. EPSRC is investing £20 million in six High of the centres will be available free of Performance Computing (HPC) centres charge to EPSRC-supported researchers, The studies will use conditions such as that will give academics and industry while some will provide access for COPD, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and access to powerful computers to support UK industry. dementia as examples to test technology research in engineering and the and systems’ designs. Some are Research challenges the centres will physical sciences. concentrating on how systems can be help to support include predicting made more intelligent and interpret The centres are located at the jet engine performance; exploring data coming into them, while others will universities of Cambridge, Edinburgh, new materials for energy generation develop and refne sensors and monitoring Exeter and Oxford, Loughborough and storage; and the development of equipment and ensure they can be University, and UCL. Facilities at some driverless cars. accessed securely.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 5 THINGS WE’VE LEARNED To fnd out more, type the Keywords into your favourite internet search engine

War on waste Micro-fbre-bot A new report warns that ’novel’ advanced materials, like carbon fbre and Researchers at the Hamlyn Centre, bioplastics, could be the landfll of the future, unless designed for the Imperial College London, are circular economy now. developing a tiny medical robot, the width of a human hair, that can The report, conducted by the Green Alliance on behalf of EPSRC, Innovate access the body through tiny cavities. UK and the High Value Manufacturing Catapult, notes that these materials The EPSRC-supported team say the can be stronger, lighter and less resource-intensive than traditional fexible hollow optical fbre device materials, so will be key to a low carbon, resource effcient economy. would enable surgeons to get to Keywords: EPSRC Green Alliance hard-to-reach places and look for early signs of cancers, delivering treatments through its hollow core in a targeted and minimally invasive way. This will improve patients’ recovery times and ultimately their quality of life. Keywords: Imperial fbre-bot

Healthy body, healthy mind In a study of nearly half a million participants from the UK Biobank, EPSRC-funded researchers from the University of Glasgow have found that people who have a cardiometabolic disease, such as high blood pressure, diabetes or coronary heart disease, perform worse Graphene sieve on mental tests of reasoning, memory and reaction time. Having more than EPSRC-supported researchers at one of these conditions has an even The University of Manchester have greater effect. developed graphene-oxide membranes that can be used for sieving common The study was partly funded by the salts used in desalination technologies. Biotechnology and Biological Sciences The pore size in the membrane can be Research Council, the Economic and Social precisely controlled making it possible Research Council and the Medical Research Council. to sieve common salts out of salty Keywords: Glasgow Lyall disease water and make it safe to drink. Keywords: Graphene membrane

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 6 Proteins fght cancer Robots 4 wind farms EPSRC-supported researchers have built a new A multidisciplinary team of scientists are type of lab-created protein that could help create developing human-robotic hybrid systems valuable new treatments for cancer. for the remote inspection, maintenance and operation of offshore wind farms. The team, from the universities of Glasgow, Leicester, Leeds and Tsukuba (Japan) have The machines will be used to inspect the designed and built a ‘proteomimetic’ version condition of subsea power cables, identify of a naturally-occurring protein called TPX2. problems early and, ultimately, extend Proteomimetics are synthetic proteins that their lifespan. The EPSRC-supported mimic the structure and interacting surfaces consortium from Manchester (project lead), Warwick, Cranfeld, of natural proteins, allowing them to slip past Durham and Heriot-Watt universities brings together expertise the body’s defences and deliver a therapeutic in the felds of prognostics, sensor technologies, energy systems, effect for patients. and robotics and autonomous systems. Keywords: TPX2 Glasgow Keywords: Robot wind farms

Model behaviour Scientists at the universities of Southampton and Liverpool have developed a new method to search for, design and produce new materials. The researchers used sophisticated computer modelling to map how molecules assemble and crystallise to form new materials – each molecule leading to a myriad of possible structures, each with different properties and possible applications. This new approach, published in Sleight of hand the journal Nature, could accelerate the discovery of materials for key In a world increasingly dominated by the applications in energy, pollution QWERTY keyboard, UCL computer scientists control, pharmaceuticals and a host have developed software which may spark the of other felds. comeback of the handwritten word by analysing the handwriting of any individual and accurately Keywords: Molecular treasure maps replicating it. The EPSRC-supported scientists have created ‘My Text in Your Handwriting’, a programme Bee-prints which semi-automatically examines a sample of a person’s handwriting, which can be as little as Scientists from the University of Bristol have discovered that one paragraph, and generates new text saying bumblebees have the ability to use ‘smelly footprints’ to make the whatever the user wishes, as if the author had distinction between their own scent, the scent of a relative and the handwritten it themselves. scent of a stranger. Keywords: Haines QWERTY By using this ability, bees can improve their success at fnding good sources of food and avoid fowers that have already been visited and mined of nutrients by recognising who has been there previously. Keywords: Bumblebee footprints

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 7 THINGS WE’VE LEARNED To fnd out more, type the Keywords into your favourite internet search engine

Double beneft EPSRC-supported researchers at UCL have found that a drug currently being trialled in cancer patients could also be used to treat an often incurable condition that can cause painful blood vessel overgrowths inside the skin. The project included experts from Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) Cancer Center in New York and the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute in Barcelona. Keywords: UCL Bellvitge

Liquid 2D materials Heavy metal 2D nanomaterials, such as graphene, Researchers have witnessed – for the frst time – cancer have the potential to revolutionise cells being targeted and destroyed from the inside, by technology through their remarkable an organo-metal compound discovered at the University physical properties, but their translation of Warwick. The compound attacks the weakest part of into real-world applications has cancer cells and is more active than metal drugs used been limited due to the challenges in current cancer treatments. The research is funded by of making and manipulating 2D EPSRC, Cancer Research UK, Wellcome Trust and the nanomaterials on an industrial scale. European Research Council. UCL researchers, supported by EPSRC and the Royal Keywords: Warwick organo-metal Academy of Engineering, have found a way around this problem by dissolving layered materials in liquids. The liquids can be used to apply the 2D nanomaterials over large areas and at low costs, enabling a variety of important future applications. Smart purifer Keywords: UCL liquid 2D

Cells fnd CO2 University of Cambridge researchers have discovered that Scientists have created a ‘smart’ material that tiny clusters of single-celled organisms that inhabit the can remove double the amount of arsenic from world’s oceans and lakes are capable of navigating their water than the leading material for water treatment. way to oxygen. The research offers clues as to how these Arsenic is a toxic element found naturally in organisms evolved into multi-cellular ones. The work was groundwater. Recent estimates suggest that more supported by EPSRC, the European Research Council and than 200 million people are unknowingly Wellcome Trust. exposed to unsafe levels of arsenic in their Keywords: Colonies of choannafagellates drinking water. The EPSRC-supported research team from Imperial College London have designed, tested and patented the new zinc-based material so that it has such a high affnity to bond to arsenic it is able to remove and ‘mop up’ the poison, even when concentration levels are low. This research was funded by EPSRC and the Natural Environment Research Council. Keywords: Smart arsenic

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 8 Key thinking Just quit The Industrial Design Centre of Scientists at the University of Bristol are using a combination of synthetic the Indian Institute of Technology, chemistry, computational modelling, structural biology and pharmacology Bombay has designed a free Indian to develop potential new smoking cessation agents. The EPSRC- language keyboard for Android supported team are working with industrial partners who will provide phones called the ‘Swarachakra’. expertise and testing, providing a direct route to developing new smoking The keyboard is available in 12 cessation therapies and bringing these new discoveries to market. languages and can be downloaded from the Android playstore. Keywords: Mulholland cessation The keyboard was developed under the ‘Better Together’ framework of Future Interaction Technology Lab at Swansea University. The project is a part of the Lab’s ‘Re-shaping the Sound sees inside cells Expected Future’ project, supported A breakthrough technique that uses sound by EPSRC. instead of light to see inside live cells has been Keyword: Swarachakra developed by EPSRC-funded researchers at The University of Nottingham. The method has the potential for applications in stem cell transplants and cancer diagnosis. This new sub-optical phonon imaging enables the capture of invaluable information about the structure, mechanical properties and behaviour of individual living cells at a scale not achieved before. Keywords: Ultrasound inside cells

Oxford on trial Oxford City Council is trialling a new street-mapping project led by Harvest count scientists from the University of Oxford as part of a push to develop Members of the public who grow their autonomous vehicles and as a means to transform the way the own produce are being invited to take authority manages its services across the city. part in an innovative citizen science The project, which is being trialled with the EPSRC-supported Oxford project led by EPSRC-supported Robotics Institute (ORI), involves attaching sensors to a council street scientists at the University of Sheffeld cleaner in the city centre to create 3D maps. These can be used to to help determine the yield of typical trial the development of autonomous vehicles. They will also enable UK staple fruit and vegetable crops. the collection of data, such as on road and pavement surface damage The researchers say that we currently and air quality, which can help in the management of the city. have a poor understanding of how Keywords: Oxford 3D maps much own-grown food is produced, so the research is key to providing an evidence base to support the use of land for growing spaces within our towns and cities. Keywords: MyHarvest

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 9 PEOPLE

World’s most expensive material

You are looking at a scaled-up model from Designer Carbon Materials, a in a new generation of quantum of the most expensive product in the University of Oxford technology start- technologies, such as molecular world. No, not gold, diamonds or up which has patented its technology. atomic clocks – but at a far smaller pixie dust, but nitrogen atom-based scale than typically used devices. Founded by Professor Kyriakos endohedral fullerenes – essentially So much so that they might be Porfyrakis FRSC to bring his EPSRC- a minuscule cage of carbon atoms, incorporated into portable devices supported research to market, the with a nitrogen atom inside. Price per such as smartphones and in-car company specialises in cost-effectively gram? £110 million. navigation systems. manufacturing commercially useful Known as fullerenes or buckyballs quantities of the spherical carbon While chip-size atomic clocks are because of their resemblance to the cage structures. commercially available, they are geodesic dome designs by 1960s usually less stable than their large Why would you want to buy some? architect and futurist R. Buckminster counterparts already used in satellites Well, similar to their cousin graphene, Fuller, fullerenes are a type of carbon for GPS systems. endohedral fullerenes have highly nanomaterial which, like graphene and attractive chemical, physical, magnetic The ability to incorporate quantum carbon nanotubes, has unique physical and electronic properties. technologies into these devices would properties, leading to applications in be very useful in environments where areas as diverse as energy Professor Porfyrakis (pictured) says: GPS signals are weak or even lost, and medicine. “It is possible to insert a variety of such as indoors or in tunnels. It would useful atoms or atomic clusters into Why so expensive? Well, given their also make driverless car technology, the hollow interior of these ball-like size and complexity, endohedral for example, much safer. molecules, giving them new and fullerenes are very diffcult to intriguing abilities. Our company Other applications, which Designer make. You also need specialist lab focuses on the production of these Carbon Materials has scaled-up equipment. Fortunately, you don’t value-added materials for a range production to support, include energy have to buy a whole gram for them to of applications.” harvesting, bio-sensing and quantum work their magic. If you have £22,000 nanoelectronics. spare, you might want to invest in Among potential applications, a 200 microgram sample, available endohedral fullerenes could be used Keywords: Designer Carbon Materials

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 10 Dr Brenda Parker, from UCL’s Department of Biochemical Engineering, Screen stars is developing a bioreactor that uses algae to recover heavy metals from use little or no energy, and no pigments, waste water as part of a process known filters or dyes are required. as bioremediation. Bodle Technologies is now partnering The research, funded by a grant from with leading manufacturers to deploy the Global Challenges Research Fund, its technology for use in a range of will enable collaboration with India’s applications including displays, smart Blacksmith Institute and their partners glazing and security markings. in India, the Institute of Making at UCL Professor Bhaskaran says: “Our approach and Open Science School, Paris. allows us to create materials which can Keywords: Brenda EPSRC not only manipulate light very cleverly, Bodle Technologies, a University of but which are also very cost-effective. Dr Kate Sang, Associate Professor in Oxford spin-out company, is developing Management at Heriot-Watt University, Solid State Reflective Display (SRD®) “We will be creating smart glazing supported by an EPSRC Career technology that is set to have a powerful which allows only certain wavelengths Acceleration grant, is recording the impact on the flatscreen display market. of light into a building, giving instant control over both the heat and light being experiences of disabled academics in Co-founded by Professor Harish transmitted, and over the appearance engineering, physical sciences, social Bhaskaran and his former PhD student of the glass. We will also be working sciences and humanities. Dr Peiman Hosseini to commercialise on other applications, including novel The anonymised interviews and their EPSRC-funded research, the reflective displays and security markings. additional research will produce a guide company’s technology is based on the for Heriot-Watt’s Equality and Diversity team’s discovery that it is possible to “We believe our technology is world- Advisory Group, which Dr Sang hopes use flexible, transparent layers of a new class and our ambitions are high. will be rolled out at universities and smart material to create paper-thin, Backed by leading investors, we aim to funding organisations across the UK. low-energy high-resolution displays and be one of the most innovative firms in the glazing, capable of being printed onto a world, operating in multiple markets.” Keywords: Kate Sang wide range of materials, such as glass All Intellectual Property (IP) generated After a century of debate, cooling to and plastic. on this new opto-electronic framework absolute zero has been mathematically The new displays are visible in bright by Professor Bhaskaran’s research outlawed. Jonathan Oppenheim and sunlight without the need for backlight group has been exclusively licensed to Lluís Masanes from UCL have created or self-illumination. What’s more, the Bodle Technologies. The group continues a general proof that states that unless displays’ vivid colours allow e-readers, to push forward the frontiers of this field, you have infinite time and resources, wearables and other screen-based with regular generation of new IP and you can’t get to the absolute zero of technologies to offer magazine-quality academic publications. temperature. The duo’s mathematically- glossy colour displays. The screens Keywords: Bodle Technologies derived unattainability principle places limits on how fast a system can cool, finally proving a century-old law. Keywords: Lluis EPSRC

Steel resolve Oxbotica, a company formed to Energy constitutes 20-40 per cent of the cost of steel commercialise EPSRC-supported production. Research at Warwick Manufacturing Group at research into next-generation the University of Warwick could help to change that. autonomous navigation software, has won the Financial Times Small Business The EPSRC-funded ASSURE2 project, led by Professor Entrepreneur category in the FT Claire Davis (pictured), is looking to significantly cut steel Business awards. You can read about production costs, and reduce energy consumption by over the company in Pioneer 17. 300 per cent, through the novel use of a process known as belt casting. Keyword: Oxbotica Belt casting is a significantly lower energy production Professor Jane Jiang, Director of the route compared to traditional continuous casting UK EPSRC Future Advanced Metrology techniques. It is also very efficient because it can Hub at the University of Huddersfield, minimise or eliminate any reheating processes, which has been awarded a Damehood in the reduces overall costs. Queen’s Birthday Honours for services to engineering and manufacturing. Keyword: ASSURE2 Keywords: Jiang Dame

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 11 PEOPLE

Flaking it

Artifcial falling snow made in Bristol student Lizzie Mould (pictured), who The two products have been launched will soon be playing a starring role in took the project on under Briscoe’s to Snow Business’ global network of Hollywood blockbusters and cult TV supervision. Lizzie has since landed a suppliers and will be used to create series thanks to the scientifc expertise job at the Stroud-based company. gentle snow furries, raging blizzards of the Colloid and Interface Science Snow Business has previously and everything in between. group at the University of Bristol. created snow scenes for many major Lizzie says: “Having a full-time job The cool creation has come about Hollywood blockbusters – including the with the company has enabled me to thanks to a partnership between the Harry Potter flms. see the process through to getting university and Snow Business, the The remit was very specifc. Snow involved in the marketing and launch world’s leading supplier of artifcial Business required a realistic looking of the product. It’s been a fantastic snow and the creators of many famous end product that had to be robust in opportunity. There aren’t many people snow scenes. different climates, didn’t cause any who can say they create fake snow for Snow Business was keen to invent adverse skin reactions, and didn’t leave a living. This project has opened up a new environmentally-friendly fuid any residue. With expensive costumes many exciting opportunities which which could be pumped out of its snow and sets to consider, this is critical. wouldn’t otherwise have been available.” machines in the form of foam to create The project has its roots in Paul Denney, Head of Research and the effect of snowfakes. fundamental chemistry research Development at Snow Business, says: The company got in touch with Bristol’s that looks at how thin liquid flms are “We had looked at developing the Research and Enterprise Development stabilised by different molecules. This product ourselves but the chemistry (RED) team, which put it in contact with led to the formulation of the snow involved was beyond our capabilities, Dr Wuge Briscoe, Senior Lecturer in effect solutions. Clusters of air bubbles which is why we approached the Physical Chemistry. are then formed from the solutions University of Bristol. to create a metastable foam that RED also helped facilitate funding of “We weren’t sure what Lizzie and Wuge produces the falling snow effect. the project through the university’s would be able to do, especially as we EPSRC Impact Acceleration Account Lizzie developed hundreds of had a long wish-list of characteristics, (IAA), a scheme to aid innovation formulations before fnding the right but they surpassed all our expectations by helping businesses access the combination. This resulted in two with the fuids they created.” academic knowledge available products, ProFlake and EcoFlake, You can fnd out more about Impact at universities. Snow Business which is thought to be the most Acceleration Accounts on pages 52-53. contributed to the partnership by environmentally-friendly snow effect supporting research by Masters fuid available on the market. Keywords: Lizzie Wuge

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 12 A team of EPSRC-supported doctoral Clean fuel from CO students from the University of Bristol, 2 who specialise in the design and Newcastle University researchers are The four-year project brings together a manufacture of composite materials, working on an innovative technology that multidisciplinary team of researchers from have founded Nima Composites, could convert carbon dioxide captured the universities of Oxford, Sheffield, Surrey, a company that makes bespoke from industrial processes into a clean fuel, and South Wales, as well as industrial 100 per cent carbon fibre cases for reducing the amount of the greenhouse gas partners including Northumbrian Water and consumer electronics such as laptops, released into the atmosphere. Tata Steel. using composite materials. Jamie

The ground-breaking EPSRC-funded project Keywords: Eileen Yu CO2 Hartley, Evangelos Zympeloudis and is led by Dr Eileen Yu, and is based on the Dr Anastasia Koutsomitopoulou, use of energy from biological and electro- together with Despina Zympeloudi, an chemical sources. EngD student from the University of First, the organic matter in wastewater is Birmingham; came up with the idea broken down by microbes, generating a when one of the company’s co-founders small amount of electric energy. damaged the screen on their laptop This energy is then used to convert carbon after dropping it. dioxide to formate – a derivative of formic Keywords: Nima Composites acid. This then goes through a specialised 8Power Limited, a spin-out company reactor containing micro-organisms, where formed to commercialise wireless it is transformed into a liquid fuel that the energy harvesting technology powered research team hope could be used for by structural vibrations, saw off all transport and heating. comers at the 2016 CW Discovering Startups Competition, an annual event run by Cambridge Wireless, the leading networking organisation for the wireless industry. The low-cost, Visionary futures battery-free devices, designed by Dr Yu A cross-university collaboration led by Professor Martini says: Jia, Dr Ashwin Seshia and colleagues Professor Maria Martini (pictured) from “Conventional camera from the EPSRC-supported Cambridge Kingston University is exploring how an technology captures Centre for Smart Infrastructure and artificial vision system inspired by the video in a series of Construction, yield 10 times higher human eye could be used by robots of separate frames, or electrical power than their competitors’. the future. images, which can be The company has already raised a waste of resources if The three-year research project, in around US $1 million in investment there is more motion in some areas than collaboration with King’s College London which they say will allow them to in others. and UCL, could open up new possibilities increase engagement with potential for securing footage from deep forests, “But these sensors – which have been customers and start the development war zones and even distant planets. It produced by a company that is collaborating of application-specific solutions. with us on the project – instead sample could also lead to the next generation of Keyword: 8Power retinal implants. different parts of the scene at different rates, acquiring information only when Nanoscale 3D printing techniques, The team is working with newly- there are changes in the light conditions. developed at the University of Bristol developed dynamic visual sensors, which This dramatically reduces the energy and to build optical devices such as those drastically reduce computing power processing needs.” found in quantum computing, could and data storage requirements by only be used to test materials for the next updating the parts of an image where Keywords: Martini Kingston sensors generation of nuclear power plants. In movement occurs. an EPSRC-funded project, researchers The sensors mimic how mammals’ led by Dr Anton Shterenlikht are eyes process information, quickly and investigating the use of nano-additive efficiently detecting light changes in their manufacturing techniques to build field of vision. The EPSRC-supported tiny irradiated structures, known project will examine how data from state- as micromechanical coupons, for of-the-art bio-inspired cameras could be structural and behavioural testing. captured, compressed and transmitted They plan to investigate the fracture between machines at a fraction of the behaviour of nanometre-sized cracks in current energy cost. the coupons, using X-ray tomography. Keywords: Bristol Anton nano

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 13 PEOPLE White gold

Pupils at a school in Kenya trying out their new white space Internet connection

People in many parts of rural Africa developed prototype self-powered radio The Strathclyde team have also have little or no access to affordable masts, based on a combination of wind commenced a new EPSRC-supported electricity. The same is true for power and solar power. project working with academics, broadband, wireless and mobile The project has since gone global. In industry and government offces in data connections. 2014, in partnership with Microsoft partner countries of Zambia, Ghana, Now, a multinational project including and supported by an EPSRC Impact Malawi and Kenya on enabling the University of Strathclyde, Microsoft Acceleration Account (IAA), internet affordable Internet access using and Mawingu Networks, a local Kenyan connections were provided to schools, dynamic spectrum access and start-up, is offering a solution. health clinics and businesses using software defned radio. White Space radio technology at Mawingu (‘cloud’ in Swahili) is using The project is funded under the Global distances of up to 20 miles, adopting the latest technologies and strategies Challenges Research Fund (GCRF). strategies similar to those used developed at Strathclyde’s EPSRC- on the Isle of Bute. Solar-powered Malcolm Brew, who was the lead supported Centre for White Space base stations supply the necessary engineer on both the Isle of Bute work Communications to harness unused electricity. and the Kenya Mawingu project, says: portions of the radio spectrum – so- “The use of White Space represents called ‘white space’ – for affordable Now, in 2017, with an established a completely new way of managing Internet access in remote, rural Kenyan SME, Mawingu Networks, radio spectrum. It is creating new communities. providing access, more than 30,000 opportunities and applications that will users are connected in rural and In 2011, with support from EPSRC and improve people’s lives in rural parts remote areas. the Technology Strategy Board (now of both the developed world and the Innovate UK), the Strathclyde team, led Mawingu offers its customers Wi-Fi developing world. by Dr David Crawford, together with data packages that are valid for 90 “In many cases, the benefts are industry partners including BT, the days for $US 0.5 – a fraction of the genuinely life-transforming, creating BBC, and local SME Steepest Ascent prevailing market price. new livelihoods and incomes that Ltd, were frst in the UK to successfully The key to the technology is its would otherwise be completely trial the technology on the Scottish Isle applicability in any remote rural area beyond reach.” of Bute, and provide access to white worldwide. By allowing access to ‘white space broadband for residents on the You can fnd out more about EPSRC spaces’, regulators are able to create South end of the island. Impact Acceleration Accounts on new opportunities for commerce, pages 52-53. To generate power for some of the healthcare, education, and the delivery remote radio base stations, the team of government services. Keywords: Mawingu white

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 14 Devesh Mistry, a postgraduate research Healing weed student at the University of Leeds, is developing a synthetic lens eye implant Human stem cells have been put into that could restore vision to sufferers of plasters and bandages to help heal presbyopia – long-sightedness caused wounds for the first time, thanks to a by loss of elasticity in the lens of the eye new technique developed by scientists at – which is ubiquitous in older people. Newcastle University. The lens uses liquid crystals (the The technology was developed by Professor same material found in smartphone Che Connon and Dr Stephen Swioklo. screens) and adjusts and focuses Professor Connon says: “The stem cells automatically, depending on the are surrounded by an alginate gel made eye muscles’ movement. from seaweed which protects them from the environment – a bit like frogspawn. We Devesh is working in collaboration found them unchanged even after three could purchase a cartridge of stem cells in with Eurolens Research at The days at room temperature. This has lots of the alginate gel to keep in the fridge and University of Manchester and with advantages and applications.” when needed print tissues, providing rapid UltraVision CLPL, a specialist contact lens manufacturer headed up by two The scientists say ‘Stem-gell’ offers many personalised medicine there and then. University of Leeds alumni. exciting opportunities for therapeutics, “And we’re not talking about far into Keywords: Mistry crystals for ease of transport, in cell printing, in the future – we’re looking at this being improving the results with injections of stem something we can all be treated with in a Sound quality on devices such as cells and for wound healing. They are now few years.” mobile phones, video recorders and working to get Stem-gell scaled up and into dictaphones is often poor, distorted the clinic for trials. Among its potential applications, the Stem- or noisy with garbled speech or gell bandage could be used by paramedics Professor Connon says: “With this new indistinct music. treating people at the scene of an accident technology we are able to put stem cells A team of EPSRC-supported acoustic directly onto an open wound with a stem and on the battlefield. Some of the work scientists led by Professor Trevor Cox at cell bandage. The gel retains the cells so has been funded by the Defence Science the University of Salford have developed that they don’t leave the bandage – it’s the and Technology Laboratory for the Ministry an algorithm to improve user-generated chemicals these cells make that actually do of Defence. The study was also funded recordings. The algorithm, which the healing. by EPSRC and the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. makes it possible to tag content and “The product could also be used for cell quality, has already been applied to an printing, for example, a doctor’s surgery Keywords: Connon Gell app for assessing wind noise, which alerts the user when there is significant risk of the sound being affected. Auto fruit Keywords: Trevor Cox garble A previous investment by Innovate UtterBerry, a multi-award-winning UK enabled Dogtooth Technologies wireless sensor for civil engineering to develop a prototype picking robot instrumentation and monitoring that is showing encouraging results developed by Heba Bevan, a doctoral in early on-farm trials. student at the EPSRC-supported The robot can accurately locate Cambridge Centre for Smart and distinguish fruits that are ripe Infrastructure and Construction, has and ready for picking, and can pick been selected by the Department them fast and thoroughly enough to for International Trade as one of two provide a commercially viable and technologies to be presented to the sustainable model for growers. Chinese government for consideration as an advanced technology export from EPSRC is investing £120,000 in a Dogtooth expects to provide commercially Britain to China. research collaboration to develop effective picking capabilities to reference smart autonomous robots to harvest customers in 2018 and to achieve Keywords: Utterberry China widespread adoption by 2020. The company strawberries and other soft fruits. Professor Karen Holford, a member is now raising new funding in order to The joint venture is led by food and and former chair of EPSRC’s Strategic complete commercial trials during the horticulture research body NIAB-EMR, Advisory Network for Engineering, has 2017 growing season. Cambridge start-up Dogtooth Technologies been made Deputy Vice-Chancellor of and soft fruit grower Hugh Lowe Farms. Keywords: Dogtooth EPSRC Cardiff University. Keywords: Karen Holford

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 15 PEOPLE Poison-busters

In the Indian subcontinent, nearly 70 million people are chronically exposed to high levels of arsenic in rice, milk, vegetables and drinking water.

Professor Bhaskar Sen are often unaware of the serious Gupta (pictured) from health risks associated with using Heriot-Watt University, contaminated water. It takes several working with the years to observe the effect of chronic Bangladesh Green arsenic exposure. Energy Foundation, “The conventional technologies for has opened the world’s arsenic remediation are based on a frst fully autonomous, solar-powered ‘pump and treat’ method involving plant to safely remove arsenic from the either adsorption or membrane water supply. processes. Such plants are expensive The low cost, environmentally-friendly to run and have problems associated technology has been designed for with waste disposal and maintenance. the subterranean treatment of “In contrast, our team has developed a groundwater for both drinking and Subterranean Arsenic Removal (SAR) irrigation purposes. or ‘in-situ treatment’ which we frst The plant doesn’t use chemicals or began using in 2008. This is the frst generate waste, making it a very low time we have created a treatment cost technology option for rural use, plant that is fully autonomous and and could have wide implications for solar powered. the irrigation of rice, which can absorb “The plant will operate entirely from high levels of arsenic from the ground. a mobile phone app so will have no running costs for 25 years and doesn’t The plant, in the Comilla District of use any chemicals. It also produces Bangladesh, is now ensuring a safe no waste.” supply to 200 schoolchildren and, within a year, will serve an additional The pioneering project was funded 800 members of the local community. by EPSRC with logistical support and assets provided by the Bangladesh Professor Sen Gupta says: “Arsenic Green Energy Foundation. does not have any colour, odour or taste so affected communities Keywords: Sen Gupta arsenic

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 16 Professor Semali Perera, from the University of Bath, has received the Tracks to success Academic Award at the Everywoman and thick vegetation, Technology Awards 2017. The honour including bracken, and can is made to a woman in academia who operate in places deemed has made an outstanding contribution uneconomical to spray to technology and science. Two other manually or too dangerous leading academics who have also to drive on with a tractor received EPSRC support were finalists: or all-terrain vehicle. Professor Muffy Calder, from the It is claimed that using University of Glasgow, who sits on the robot could lead EPSRC’s governing Council, and Sarah to reduced fuel costs Spurgeon OBE, from the University and labour usage for of Kent. farmers and reduce the Keywords: Everywoman Technology environmental impact Professor Dame Carol Robinson, from caused by bulk herbicide spraying. the University of Oxford, has been elected a foreign associate of the US Dr Charles Fox, formerly a member of Dr Fox’s track record includes National Academy of Sciences, one Sheffield Robotics, an EPSRC-supported co-development of Whiskerbot, an of the highest honours in science. lab at the University of Sheffield, is EPSRC-funded robot inspired by Dame Carol pioneered the use of mass leading the development of an Ibex self- rodents, designed by University of spectrometry as an analytical tool to driving robot sprayer that helps farmers Sheffield researchers for use in understand cellular proteins. Among safely tackle hills. environments hazardous to humans – her roles, she leads the biological mass such as natural disaster zones. “The Ibex is an extreme mobility spectrometry theme at the recently agricultural robot and the first to be From 2011-2015, Dr Fox played a launched Rosalind Franklin Institute, designed to tackle extreme agricultural pivotal role in an EPSRC-funded funded by EPSRC through a new £100 environments such as Yorkshire hill automatic speech recognition project million government investment in farms,” says Dr Fox, a Director of Ibex in collaboration with the universities of innovative multidisciplinary science. Automation, which has been testing it on Cambridge and Edinburgh, the BBC, a farm near Sheffield. Keywords: Dame Carol Robinson NHS, GCHQ, Microsoft, Apple, Toshiba, Co-funded by the UK’s innovation agency, Nuance and others. Dr Catherine Holloway, from UCL, is Innovate UK, the machine can drive leading two EPSRC-funded projects into During the London Olympics the project itself around steep grassland on dairy wheelchair powering and accessibility team provided an iPhone app service to and sheep farms, identifying and killing as part of the newly created Global Google Translate, for use by tourists. weeds. The robot can safely traverse Disability Innovation Hub, led by UCL, slopes up to 45 degrees through mud Keywords: Fox Sheffield Ibex which Dr Holloway was instrumental in forming. One of the projects, which is developing wheelchair accessible routes from crowdsourced cloud services, has already been transferred to India. Zinergy zings Working with a New Delhi team, the researchers are creating accessible Zinergy UK, a University of Cambridge start- The company has maps of the city using small wheelchair up, founded by Dr Pritesh Hiralal, from the its roots in the sensors that automatically classify EPSRC Centre for Innovative Manufacturing EPSRC Centre’s surface type and number of pushes. in Large-Area Electronics, and Dilek FlexEn project, Özgit, is developing printed flexible battery led by Dr Hiralal, Keywords: Holloway disability technology that has exciting implications for which focused on Professor Miles Padgett, Principal the electronics industry. the development of thin and Investigator for the EPSRC-supported The new battery is built using a silkscreen flexible printed QuantIC, the UK’s quantum imaging printing process and is thin, flexible, and energy storage technology hub, has received the cheap to produce. When mass produced, devices. prestigious Max Born Award from The it will allow energy storage to be incorporated Optical Society. He was presented into a variety of new products with potential Dr Hiralal says: “FlexEn helped attract with the award in recognition of his investor interest, resulting in the formation real-world applications in areas such as contribution to optics, especially of Zinergy.” wearables, health monitors and the Internet optical momentum. of Things. Keyword: Zinergy Keywords: Miles Padgett

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 17 PEOPLE

Collaborate to innovate

An EPSRC-supported collaboration Peter Llewelyn Evans, maxillofacial The Built Environment: Awarded to between university, NHS and industry laboratory services manager at a collaboration led by the SPECIFIC partners has created pioneering 3D Morriston Hospital, says: “ADEPT Innovation and Knowledge Centre, software that could transform the provides surgeons with everything whose main funders are EPSRC and lives of patients globally through they need to design and print tailor- Innovate UK, which aims to exploit the creation of low-cost bespoke made maxillofacial implants for the use of smart materials to turn maxillofacial implants through design their patients. buildings into power stations. and laser melting. “They will be able to sit at their desk, Information, Data & Connectivity: The three-year Additive-manufacture design an implant for a patient on- Awarded to the ORCHID project: for Design-led Effcient Patient screen within minutes and e-mail it to The Science of Human-Agent Treatment (ADEPT) project led to the be printed in 3D. It will then come back Collectives. The project, featured in development of prototype software for as a custom titanium implant. Pioneer 17, examines how humans and jaws and face implants that automates intelligent software can work together a large amount of implant design, “Surgeons anywhere in the UK, and more effectively. making it easier to order patient- indeed the world, will have the facility specifc implants. to design a custom implant that is Project partners include the University far more likely to give better results of Southampton with the University of Ultimately the project will create because it fts the patient’s Oxford; The University of Nottingham; new software to enable the production original anatomy.” of commercially viable implants using BAE Systems; Rescue Global; and a method that is signifcantly more The software is being tested at the Secure Meters. effcient and lower-cost than moment and will be trialled in Transportation: Awarded to the current technologies. selected units in the UK before going Materials Strategic Partnership; a on general release. The project, funded by EPSRC and collaborative partnership aimed at Innovate UK, is a collaboration between ADEPT won the Health & Wellbeing producing new materials for the maxillofacial team at Morriston category at The Engineer magazine’s jet engines. inaugural Collaborate to Innovate Hospital, Swansea, a surgical and The project is funded by EPSRC and prosthetic design team at Cardiff Awards, launched to celebrate the role Rolls-Royce plc; with the University of Metropolitan University, led by collaboration plays in developing new Cambridge; the University of Swansea Dr Dominic Eggbeer, technology ground-breaking engineering solutions. and the University of Birmingham. company Renishaw and industry EPSRC-supported projects won three partner LPW Technology Ltd. of the remaining fve categories: Keywords: Collaborate to Innovate

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 18 New international standards for green Seeing into the past communication technology, developed by Professor Jaafar Elmirghani, from the The lost townscape of sixteenth-century computer scientists and university spin-out University of Leeds, have been backed by Edinburgh has been brought back to life by company Smart History. the Institute of Electrical and Electronics researchers at the University of St Andrews. The technology, which was developed with Engineers, the world’s largest technical The new digital reconstruction is the first funding from the university’s EPSRC Impact professional organisation. to be created of the period, and is based on a drawing from 1544, thought to be the Acceleration Account, is being made Professor Elmirghani’s research, earliest accurate depiction of the capital. available on digital platforms, including a supported by an EPSRC Programme mobile app, a 3D virtual experience, and Grant, will help ensure the functionality, The virtual time travel technology is more traditional web-based resources. capability and interoperability of the result of a collaboration between products and services globally, and St Andrews historians, art historians, Keywords: Edinburgh 1554 the standards he has developed have been adopted globally by leading manufacturers and service providers, helping to significantly reduce their

CO2 emissions and operating costs. Keywords: Jaafar Leeds

Polina Bayvel, Professor of Optical Communications and Networks at UCL and EPSRC RISE Fellow, is on a roll. In addition to several recent breakthroughs by her research group, including a new record for the fastest ever data rate for digital information, she won the Communications category at the World Technology Awards, and was awarded a CBE in the 2017 New Year’s Honours List. Professor Bayvel’s research has evolved around maximising the speed and capacity of optical fibre communication. The $US 52 million contract Keywords: Polina Bayvel DNA Electronics (DNAe), a company set resistant infections and influenza. US Smart Antenna Technologies (SAT), a up by Professor Chris Toumazou to bring authorities estimate that more than two spin-out company from the University to market EPSRC-supported research million people per year in the US suffer of Birmingham, has launched a single- at Imperial College London, has been antimicrobial resistant infections resulting antenna technology for smartphone awarded a contract by the US Department in 23,000 deaths. They also predict that a and tablet devices. Currently mobile of Health worth $US 51.9 million. flu pandemic could result in over 207,000 devices require a separate antenna for deaths in the US and could cost the each communication technology such The company’s platform technology economy over $US150 billion. as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and 4G. This is enables DNA analysis within minutes both expensive and space inefficient. and outside a lab environment – helping To find out more about Professor Toumazou, SAT’s patented single antenna solution, medicine take a big step from healing turn to pages 24-25. developed from EPSRC-supported illnesses to preventing them. Keywords: DNAe $51.9 million research by Professors Peter Hall and The company has developed a compact Peter Gardener and Dr Sampson Hu, is device for use at the point of need which expected to reduce the cost of handsets enables analysis directly on a microchip, from around £17 to just a few pounds. providing rapid and accurate results from Keywords: Smart antennae Hall a user-friendly system and enabling rapid live diagnostics for clinicians, helping Low cost, single photon LEDs, them save lives through provision of the considered vital for next-generation right treatment at the right time. network security, are being developed in The contract has been awarded for an EPSRC-supported project involving DNAe to develop this technology in Dr Manus Hayne from Lancaster two key applications: antimicrobial University, Innovate UK and CST Global. Keywords: QR-SPLED

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 19 PEOPLE Bio-bead breakthrough

a way of producing a biodegradable renewable alternative to plastic microbeads in a scalable, continuous manufacturing process. Research leader, Dr Janet Scott (pictured), who is also the centre’s Scientists and engineers from training director, says: “Most the University of Bath have microbeads used in cosmetics are developed biodegradable cellulose polymers derived from oil and take microbeads from a sustainable hundreds of years to break down in source that could potentially the environment. replace harmful plastic ones “We’ve developed a way of making that contribute to ocean microbeads from cellulose, the pollution. material that forms the tough fbres Microbeads are little spheres of found in wood and plants, which is not plastic less than 0.5 mm in size only from a renewable source, but also that are added to personal care biodegrades into harmless sugars. and cleaning products including “These microbeads are robust enough cosmetics, sunscreens and fllers to remain stable in a bodywash, but can to give them a smooth texture. be broken down by organisms at the However, they are too small to be sewage treatment works, or even in the removed by sewage fltration systems environment, in a short period of time. and so end up in rivers and oceans, where they are ingested by birds, “We hope in the future these could fsh and other marine life, potentially be used as a direct replacement for ending up in our food. plastic microbeads.” It is estimated that a single shower The researchers, who have received can result in 100,000 plastic particles follow on funding from EPSRC to entering the ocean, contributing to develop their research with industrial the eight million tonnes of plastic that partners, anticipate they could use enter the ocean every year. cellulose from a range of ‘waste’ sources, including from the paper- Now a research team from the making industry, as a renewable source university’s EPSRC-funded Centre of raw material. for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Chemical Technologies has developed Keywords: Janet Scott spheres

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 20 Researchers at the University of Real deal Cambridge, led by Professor Arokia Nathan, have developed a new design Rhys Archer (pictured), an for transistors which operate on energy EPSRC-supported postgraduate ‘scavenged’ from their environment. student in materials science from The technology could form the basis The University of Manchester, for devices which function for months is hoping to inspire the next or years without a battery, and could generation of female scientists and engineers with a campaign be used for wearable or implantable aimed at illustrating ‘real’ women electronics. If we were to draw energy in the industry. from a typical AA battery based on this design, it would last for a billion years. The Twitter-led Women of Science The research was funded by EPSRC and campaign (@womenofsci) is the European Union. showcasing weekly stories of 40 ‘relatable’ female scientists from across to break down stereotypes and perceptions Keywords: Arokia battery Europe; providing an insight into their that roles in science and engineering are A low-cost chip that enables batteries careers and their achievements, along with unattainable and mainly reserved for men. in sensors to last longer, in some cases photographs of them in and out of The idea is to build up a resource not only by over 10 times, has been developed by the workplace. for young people but also for women who engineers led by Dr Bernard Stark from Rhys put her plan into action after winning are already working in the sciences and the University of Bristol. No battery or would like to find out more about their the online public engagement competition, other power is needed for the device industry peers.” I’m an Engineer Get Me Out of Here. She is to stay alive and listening, and battery using her prize money to fund the marketing If you are interested in being a part of maintenance is therefore reduced or campaign, which includes the production this campaign, have any feedback, or can not needed. of a website and social media channels. signpost to any relevant research, you can As part of the project, the team have e-mail Rhys at [email protected], Rhys says: “I wanted to present women developed a voltage detector chip in science, technology, engineering and or connect across social media and the website: www.womenofsci.com. that requires only a few trillionths mathematics (STEM) as real people who of a watt to activate other circuits. can actually be very relatable. The aim is Keywords: Rhys women The chip, which is being made available for companies to test, was devised by scientists at the EPSRC- supported SPHERE Interdisciplinary Waste not… Research Collaboration, which is developing sensors for the home A staggering 9.9 Cold calling to diagnose and help manage million tonnes of Portable health and wellbeing conditions. food waste and scanners that food bi-products detect cancer, In December 2016, SPHERE won the are generated per and endoscopes Health and Medicine Category at the year in the food that analyse World Technology Network’s annual industry alone. the content of awards in Los Angeles, USA. tissue could be Researchers Keywords: SPHERE chip made possible at the EPSRC- using technology EPSRC-supported academics have supported Centre for Sustainable developed by EPSRC-funded been recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Manufacturing and Recycling Technologies researchers at The University of Honours list. Serena Best, Professor at Loughborough University, in collaboration Nottingham, led by Professor Angela of Materials Science at the University with the universities of York and Nottingham, Sneddon (pictured). of Cambridge, who holds a job-share are examining how food waste can be turned EPSRC Established Career Fellowship into edible products. The breakthrough comes from developments the team have made with colleague Professor Ruth Cameron, Centre Director, Professor Shahin in the use of optical fibres that emit has been awarded a CBE. Professor Polly Rahimifard, says: “For the first time we long-wavelength mid-infrared light, Arnold, Crum Brown Chair of Chemistry could see the creation of new food products which are ideal for analysing the at the University of Edinburgh, and for human consumption by upgrading the molecular make-up of a range of Professor William Buchanan, Director nutritional content in food waste. This samples, including greenhouse gases, of Edinburgh Napier University’s Centre could have a significant impact on global explosives, food, and biological tissue. for Networking, Security and Distributed food security.” Keywords: Sneddon scanner EPSRC Systems, have been appointed OBEs. Keywords: Shahin food waste Keywords: EPSRC Honours

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 21 Going mobile EPSRC-supported researchers are developing mobile phone- connected HIV tests, which link to online prevention and medical care for use in South African communities hardest hit by HIV. The technology is being developed at The new mobile app will be designed Professor McKendry says: “The the i-sense EPSRC Interdisciplinary to read out results within minutes and widespread use of mobile phones Research Collaboration (IRC) in also to interpret already available HIV could dramatically increase access to Early Warning Sensing Systems tests, automatically linking results to a testing outside of hospital settings, for Infectious Diseases, led by doctor and helping people receive the particularly in developing countries. Professor Rachel McKendry at UCL. rapid and regular care that they need. The new project, which aims to take “m-Africa lays the foundation for future this research to the next stage of The m-Africa collaboration builds on product development and clinical trials, technology readiness, is part of a new the expertise and pioneering digital and ultimately aims to empower more collaboration, funded by the Medical health approaches of the i-sense people to get tested, especially those Research Council (MRC), under the team and brings together clinicians, who have never been tested before, UK Government’s Global Challenges scientists, engineers and public and enable faster access to potentially Research Fund (GCRF). health researchers from i-sense, UCL, life-saving treatment.” Imperial College London and the new Underpinned by EPSRC research, People in South Africa use mobile Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI). phones more than in any other m-Africa is one of 41 Foundation African country; there are 76 million Professor Deenan Pillay, Director of Awards led by MRC under the mobile phone subscriptions, and over the AHRI and Professor of Virology at £1.5 billion Global Challenges 11 million smartphones. In addition UCL, says: “We aim to bring innovative Research Fund. The awards were set to developing low-cost, user-friendly m-health solutions to one of the up to ensure UK research takes a mobile diagnostic tests, the i-sense biggest challenges of the HIV pandemic leading role in addressing problems researchers are exploring the use in sub-Saharan Africa, namely how faced by developing countries. best to maximise diagnosis, and then of an online app that enables people The UK Research Councils are key ensure optimal healthcare for those to receive care and potentially gain delivery partners in the GCRF initiative, found to be infected.” access to HIV drugs from within their which forms part of the UK’s Offcial local community. While these technologies are being Development Assistance commitment. The diagnostic tests use ultra- developed for HIV in the frst instance, To date, the Research Councils have sensitive techniques and advanced they can be applied across a range made over 470 GCRF awards and over nanomaterials that could detect HIV of infections and medical conditions 50 partner countries are involved in at the very early stages of infection, and can be quickly integrated into the GCRF projects. when transmission is most likely and community, empowering patients to prevention is most important. manage their own health. [email protected] DRIVING INNOVATION Master maker Innovation for Professor Chris Toumazou is in his DNA. The entrepreneur and former European Inventor of the Year explains what drives him. You left school at 16. How did this Your work focuses on putting many solutions to medical problems experience shape your career? patients/users frst. Is this a golden would already exist. Having the funding rule for translating research? to work with multidisciplinary teams As I had no qualifcations, I could is creating the cutting-edge science only study for a vocational diploma at Disruptive technology is generally which makes industry more risk-taking a further education college, where I supplementary technology and not and move forward. Never before has trained to be an engineer. I could now replacement technology. Patient the merger between sensors, robotics, appreciate how the very simple maths behaviour is key but that should AI, drones, and biotechnology been so I had been taught could be applied to not be the driving force. It is the strong. We are clearly entering a new real problems. Struggling with ABC carers, nurses in particular, and fourth wave of technology. maths and intuition gave me my own general practitioners who should be tools to understand how electronic fundamentally bought in. You are on the management team circuits work. of an EPSRC Centre for Doctoral How are you applying your research Training. How is EPSRC support Are entrepreneurs born or made? to combat major global healthcare helping PhD students to translate and challenges? They are made! A true entrepreneur commercialise their research? is somebody who has insight into People are living longer and want These schemes have industrial solutions to problems that don’t yet better lives as they tackle obesity and advisory groups who stimulate the exist. Maybe that is where my lack cancer. Technology is coming to the academics. One industrialist said you of formal education gave me more aid. However, it will be the bug that have the freedom to innovate without the insights, rather than fundamental will fnally kill us all. Sepsis, infectious full-time confdentiality and commercial solutions. disease and anti-microbial resistance constraints of the industry; a great will be the greatest challenges of the What drives you? playground for innovation that encourages 21st century. both creativity and invention while Ambition to create new challenges. Rapid screening technology and early solving business-led problems. Being highly sensitive due to lack of detection is where I am currently formal education helps me to What have been your best and worst putting a lot of emphasis. In particular, invent new ideas, and that gives me decisions? I believe it is important that technology the buzz. in this domain is not just to make Best: Leaving my father’s fsh & chip In your work, what is the relationship sick people better and unhealthy and taverna businsess in favour of between fundamental science and the people healthy but also healthy people doing an OND in engineering, which application of that science? healthier. This is where behavioural I knew nothing about. Worst: Deciding science and medicine come together. to be the CEO of my frst company. I believe that the application of We need to nudge human behaviour the science comes frst, and the through genetics. fundamentals are then applied to At the age of just 33, Chris prove the application. That way if What changes have you seen in the Toumazou became the youngest fundamentals don’t ft then there is attitudes of scientists and engineers professor ever to teach at scope for new fundamentals to be around multidisciplinary research? Imperial College London – an developed. Go for it. Too much science Many institutions have created achievement all the more sits on the shelf. Never let go of selling multidisciplinary initiatives, because remarkable for someone the innovation but please make sure they recognise that it is at the junction who left school at 16 with no you don’t get consumed with the of the disciplines that real innovation qualifcations. commercial constraints or bow down takes place. I am really pleased to experts who write the business plan, Now Regius Professor of that EPSRC has taken bold steps to which could stife you. Engineering at Imperial with fund large scale multidisciplinary over 20 EPSRC grants to his What challenges and opportunities programmes which will force name, his research combines do scientists and engineers face innovation and creativity. electrical engineering and when considering the commercial What does EPSRC support mean to microchip technology with development of their research? you? biomedicine. He has taken his Universities tend to want to incubate work to market through several With EPSRC support, I have the ideas far too much, believing that they highly successful companies. freedom to innovate and am are maximising value. Nine times encouraged to work with all disciplines, In 2014 he was named Inventor out of 10 they mess up by losing the which is very exciting, particularly as of the Year in the Research commercial window of opportunity. we learn new languages. Imagine if category at the European Patent Disrupt the market with new there was funding for Faraday to work Offce’s awards for a low- innovation quickly. In this fast-moving with Boltzmann, to work with Nernst, power USB stick that decodes technological world, there is no time to work with Louis Pasteur. The world a patient’s DNA within minutes to waste. would be a very different place and (see page 19).

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 25 DRIVING INNOVATION Pushing the boundaries

EPSRC Chief Executive, Professor Philip Nelson, explains the crucial importance of research collaborations, particularly between academic researchers and business, and explains how EPSRC has evolved the way it supports and encourages these pivotal partnerships.

The UK excels in producing talented can accelerate the translation of partnerships with business and other individuals who push at boundaries, fundamental research from the lab to sectors of the economy. ask questions, pursue world-leading the shop foor to the showroom. research and create products that By 2001, this approach saw the change the way we live. Over the years the way EPSRC engages formation of 12 (later 16) EPSRC with business has evolved. In the Innovative Manufacturing Research Without opportunities to explore, case of our support for research into Centres (IMRCs). Each of these centres science cannot progress, and without manufacturing technologies, we have built on underpinning science already scientifc progress, innovation of long recognised the importance of being done in areas such as rapid new products, treatments and working with industrial partners; and prototyping; e-business; recyclable infrastructure will stall. in the 1990s developed the blueprint materials and modular construction Experience shows that bringing for centre-based collaborations methods. During the programme’s 10- researchers together on projects and addressing specifc manufacturing year lifespan, EPSRC invested a total of connecting universities to business challenges through multiple £192 million in the centres, which was supplemented by £207 million in industrial support from over 700 collaborators. In total, the programme created over 1,300 doctoral level manufacturing engineers. It also created 160 new jobs; safeguarded a further 230 jobs and brought 20 exciting new technologies to market. Fundamental research at one of the centres, based at Heriot-Watt Continued on page 28

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 27 DRIVING INNOVATION investigated production technologies, academic partners. This investment is such as additive manufacturing and laying the foundations to allow industry Continued from page 27 automation, and how they scale up. and our world-leading universities to thrive for years to come, and will These EPSRC centres and Innovate University, led to the development of be supported by the government’s UK’s Catapult Centres complement revolutionary planar waveguide CO upcoming Industrial Strategy. 2 each other, with the Catapults tackling lasers, in collaboration with research the problems of today, and the CIMs on Some of these new hubs will build on groups at the University of Hull and research addressing the solutions of industrial partner Rofn-Sinar UK. the solid foundations of earlier Centres the future. for Innovative Manufacturing while Now manufactured by major Among many successful partnerships some are completely new ventures that international companies for with industry, researchers at have strong links with industry and applications in medicine and industry, the EPSRC Centre for Innovative other research organisations and are including glass patterning, fabric Manufacturing in Large-Area making the most of regional research decoration, and inscribing date codes Electronics and the Centre for Process ecosystems across the UK. A case in on consumer products, global sales of Innovation created a novel printed point is the new hub at the University of these products exceed $1 billion. energy harvesting device that will Sheffeld, which will join forces with the By 2011, the IMRCs had made way draw energy from the user’s mobile university’s Advanced Manufacturing for a UK-wide network of 16 EPSRC telephone to provide the power for Research Centre. Centres for Innovative Manufacturing electronic functionality incorporated (CIMs), funded over a fve-year period. into smart packaging. This kind of Each of the eight hubs leads a Tasked with enabling the commercial technology is essential for realising the programme of innovative research related to commercialising early-stage research in felds such as targeted healthcare, composites and advanced powders. Eighteen universities are BAE Systems is actively involved in a involved in the initiative. This is a real meeting of minds, well attuned to what number of the Centres for Doctoral is needed to drive innovative research Training funded by EPSRC as we to the next level. Innovation and Knowledge Centres believe they will supply the future In 2007, another link in the cycle of innovation was created through our experts and leaders that the UK and seven EPSRC Innovation Knowledge the company needs in many key areas Centres (IKCs), jointly funded by EPSRC and Innovate UK and Steven Harris, Head of External Partnerships with additional funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences and Brokering, BAE Systems Research Council. IKCs are university-based centres of excellence led by expert development of future manufacturing Internet of Things. The 18-month long entrepreneurial teams. processes in areas such as advanced project was also funded by Innovate UK Currently four-strong and closely materials, sustainable feedstocks and and led by PragmatIC Printing Ltd. aligned with emerging technology design technologies, these university- Future Manufacturing Hubs areas of strategic importance to the based centres have proved highly UK, such as advanced materials, successful in linking developments We have now evolved our partnership cybersecurity and synthetic biology, in science and engineering to model away from single centres of IKCs bring together people with applications. Many of the centres’ future manufacturing excellence the right technical, business and directors hailed from industry, or have towards a hub and spoke model, commercialisation skills in a fexible, a strong industrial background. drawing on the strengths of a network highly entrepreneurial environment of university-based research, in close The Centres for Innovative from which cutting-edge ecosystems collaboration with industrial partners. Manufacturing, of which four continue can be built. to function, had two main remits. There are now eight EPSRC Future While Catapult Centres are business- Some focused on future products Manufacturing Hubs, which are led, with university engagement, such as composites, food and pharma supported by an EPSRC investment of IKCs are business-inspired but that will continue to be especially over £82 million, with contributions of based in and led by a university, with important to the UK, while others £140 million from over 200 industry and

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 28 The fgures are impressive. Between to bring their research into assistive them Innovation and Knowledge robotics to market through the launch The investment Centres have brought over 60 products of an innovative spin-out company, and services to market, launched over Consequential Robotics. EPSRC makes in 11 spin-out companies and created The company’s companion and more than 800 jobs. Their leverage has assistive robotic systems will enhance relevant research also been signifcant, securing over quality of life as people age; and build £200 million in additional research on 20 years’ research at the university and postgraduate income and attracting over £40 million into developing robots that behave in in business investment. a life-like way and that use control training in the Accelerating impact systems modelled on the brain. UK plays a vital At EPSRC we appreciate that The IAA scheme has been so companies often want to tune in to successful that this July we are role in maintaining research led by specifc individuals investing a further £60 million in at specifc universities. To help foster 33 universities across the UK. the supply of this rich wellspring of innovation, in Of course, the most important 2012 we introduced a new initiative, component in any innovation skilled people that EPSRC Impact Acceleration Accounts ecosystem is the people that generate (IAAs) which are awarded directly to ideas and make the connections that will deliver the universities to help transform very spawn new scientifc endeavours and early stage research into commercial commercial enterprises. propositions. The universities technologies of Investing in skills is vital to maintain themselves allocate funds from their the fow of talent and invention. One IAA to specifc projects. the future way we do this is through funding Dr Wolfgang Epple, Jaguar To say that IAAs have been popular postgraduate research, either through would be an understatement. In just Doctoral Training Partnerships Land Rover Director fve years they have led to over 1,000 (DTPs), which are funds managed Research and Technology separate projects; many with far- by universities and distributed to reaching potential (see pages 52-53). individuals, or through Centres for Doctoral Training (CDTs) which have The University of Sheffeld, for a specifc research theme, such as example, used its IAA to bring business involvement. The focus cyber-security, nanotechnology and internationally-acclaimed product is on accelerating and promoting synthetic biology. business exploitation of an emerging designer Sebastian Conran together research and technology feld, and on with EPSRC-supported researchers Continued on page 30 assembling a ‘critical mass’ around these technologies. Their key feature is a shared space and entrepreneurial environment in which researchers, Materials research is a vital part of potential customers and skilled professionals from both academia and ensuring we have the technology and business can work side-by-side to scope applications, business models skills needed to deliver gas turbines and routes to market. For example, researchers from the that will meet our customers’ Medical Technologies IKC at the University of Leeds, building on future requirements. The strategic fundamental EPSRC-supported work in the 1990s, worked with Swiss partnership with EPSRC is an company Credentis AG to further develop a treatment and product that important step in developing these can reverse early-stage tooth decay. technologies and skills Other IKC projects led to new coatings and surfaces that can be used to turn Ric Parker, Director, Research and buildings into power stations; solutions to enhance jet engine effciency; and Technology, Rolls-Royce systems to combat the threat of cyber attacks and terrorism.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 29 DRIVING INNOVATION Nearly half of all CDT students go into business straight after their doctorate, Continued from page 29 and most will end up working in business and government for their The investment Introduced in 2002 as a series of longer-term career. In addition, a successful pilot schemes in ‘cohort- key feature of the CDT programme is that EPSRC is based’ doctoral training, CDTs have provision of training to help students since fostered a whole new generation develop the skills that might lead them making is crucial. of scientists and engineers with the to become entrepreneurs. You can fnd skills, knowledge and confdence to fve examples of exciting new student It recognises the tackle today’s evolving issues. start-ups on pages 36-37. need to support CDTs create new working cultures, As researchers build their careers, build relationships between teams there are opportunities to apply for engineers and in universities and forge lasting links EPSRC support at every stage of with industry, providing clear pathways their development, through Early and scientists at all and opportunities for businesses and established Career Fellowships and universities to work together. through major Programme Grant levels. The financial £950 million investment awards that provide funding to world- leading groups to address major support provided Over 7,000 doctoral students have research challenges. studied at these centres, and more by the CDTs is than 40 per cent of studentships are This July sees the beginning of the collaborative with a company from latest stage of our evolving support for essential, which the very start. Students work with relationships between academia and business and other mentors and some business with the launch of Prosperity is why Dyson is may spend most of their time in a Partnerships (see page four). We are company. Today there are 1,000 partner overseeing a total investment of involved in seven of companies – from global megabrands £78 million in the initiative, which will such as P&G and Tata Steel to SMEs. be funded by EPSRC, the government and industry. For the frst time, the them Combined governmental and partner initial expression of interest stage Sir James Dyson funding for CDTs is now over £950 is led by the main business partner, million, including over £30 million rather than the academic lead. in capital investment. It is the UK’s largest investment in postgraduate Prosperity Partnerships will support development of new offshore wind training, in areas of key importance to challenges such as future networks technologies. Business partners the UK economy and society. for digital infrastructure and the include household names such as Siemens, BP and Unilever, as well as some of the UK’s most dynamic SMEs. In 2018, EPSRC comes together with We have benefitted greatly from the other UK Research Councils, Innovate UK and Research England to collaborating with the EPSRC Centre form a new united body, UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). for Innovative Manufacturing in UKRI will provide even greater opportunities for collaboration between Regenerative Medicine. Accessing the Research Councils and Innovate UK, and with stakeholders, such as first-class materials and drug from business. delivery expertise has helped We are in very good shape to make the most of this unique partnership. Even transition ideas from early proof of closer working relationships with our research and innovation partners will concept into full development help us to develop the skills, new ideas and new technologies that Rob Quirk, Locate Therapeutics industry requires – and the UK needs – as we continue to invest in a productive, connected, resilient and healthy society.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 30 Making connections

From academic/industry centres of excellence, to a forum for key business partners, there is a host of ways for business and other stakeholders to build relationships and co-invest in research projects with EPSRC.

Business Engagement Forum (BEF) Innovation and Knowledge Centres (IKCs) EPSRC Manufacturing Research Hubs The EPSRC Business Engagement Conceived by EPSRC in 2007, IKCs are These are large-scale, multidisciplinary Forum (BEF) brings together EPSRC’s university-based centres of excellence set academic/business research hubs key business stakeholders and other up to accelerate and promote business concentrating on next-generation non-academic collaborators to share exploitation of an emerging research and manufacturing technologies such ideas and discuss mutual concerns and technology feld, and to ensure that great as photonics. With spokes extending opportunities. ideas are swiftly translated into industrial to other universities, they address Members of the BEF provide a link between development, into products and into jobs major, long-term challenges facing business needs and long-term research (see page 29). manufacturing industries and capture and are a clear route to the exploitation Key facts: Initial investment of £72 million opportunities from emerging research of EPSRC’s research investments. The in seven IKCs (including £21 million from areas (see page four). forum’s aim is to develop a community of Innovate UK and BBSRC) project partners Key facts: £82.25 million investment in enterprise and non-enterprise partners have contributed over £74 million eight hubs, with 18 university and over representing EPSRC’s entire portfolio. 200 industry and academic partners Centres for Innovative Manufacturing (CIMs) Key facts: 52 members contributing a further £140 million CIMs enable the commercial development Prosperity Partnerships of the key discoveries in university-based EPSRC Centres for Doctoral Training These are a new EPSRC initiative which manufacturing research. Some CIMs are (CDTs) focused on future products while others provide an opportunity for business to CDTs bring together diverse areas of investigate production technologies co-invest in large-scale to mid-range expertise to train doctoral students with and how they scale up; several CIMS research programmes to address the skills, knowledge and confdence have evolved into EPSRC Manufacturing EPSRC’s Prosperity Outcomes – for a to tackle today’s evolving issues Research Hubs (see page 28). Productive, Connected, Healthy and and future science and engineering Resilient Nation. Uniquely, the initial Key facts: £90 million investment in 16 challenges. These centres also provide a expression of interest stage is led by the CIMs of which four are still running, with supportive and exciting environment for main business partner, rather than the industrial contribution of a further £46 students, create new working cultures, academic lead (see page four). million from 220 collaborators build relationships between teams in universities and forge lasting links Key facts: 10 lead universities; Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs) 19 university partners and 21 industry with industry. KTP is Europe’s leading programme partners; £78 million investment Key facts: £500 million investment helping businesses to improve their in total from government, EPSRC with a further contribution of competitiveness and productivity through and industry £450 million from industry to support the better use of knowledge, technology 115 CDTs across 49 UK universities; and skills that reside within the UK Impact Acceleration Accounts (IAAs) training over 7,000 students knowledge base. Impact Acceleration Accounts promote movement of people between EPSRC supports KTPs linked to Visualising our Portfolio (VoP) universities, business and other previous EPSRC research grants and Visualising our Portfolio is a web- organisations; and support the very early demonstrate how knowledge generated based tool for potential stakeholders stage of turning research outputs into from this research will be utilised by the and external users to explore details of collaborating partner. commercial propositions. funded EPSRC projects and programmes They also improve engagement with Key facts: KTPs are an Innovate UK-run and to fnd connections between other parties to sow the seeds of programme involving 1,000 partnerships business strategy and activities. with over 1,100 associate projects new collaboration; and reach out to For industry, VoP can be a valuable researchers who do not normally engage Industrial Collaborative Awards in Science source of research intelligence, giving in exploitation activities to drive culture & Technology (I-CASE) insight into the research challenges that change within universities (see pages academics are currently investigating and I-CASE provides funding for doctoral 52-53). the programmes that other companies studentships where businesses take the are involved in. Key facts: 2017 investment of £60 lead in arranging projects with an academic million across 33 universities partner of their choice. Search engine: Visualising our Portfolio

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 31 DRIVING INNOVATION Getting connected

BT’s Head of Partnerships and Strategic Research, Jonathan Legh- Smith, describes the importance of the company’s close working relationship with EPSRC and explains what has resulted from it.

BT has historically been a major achievement that the UK currently far more research being undertaken supporter of EPSRC-funded research has the largest digital economy in in the UK than we can engage with and has been active in co-investing in the G20, there are some signifcant directly, so this is an opportunity to research for decades. In fact I can say engineering and physical sciences encourage and support that work more than a century, as BT’s distant research challenges ahead of us. as best we can, as well as build our predecessor, the Electric Telegraph Together with its industry partners, BT understanding of our partners. Company, was founded in 1846. can bring an understanding of these challenges as business sees it. If we My experiences at EPSRC have For me, BT’s partnership with EPSRC are serious about maximising the infuenced decisions about the really took hold when its then- impact of the UK’s excellent research development of early career Information and Communications we need to bridge the gap between researchers in ICT. What I learned and Technologies (ICT) Portfolio Manager, that research and the potential impact, experienced by being a member of the Matt Lodge, spent some time with and that is what our partnership with SAN, and the through the relationships us at our research and development EPSRC allows us to do. As part of I have built with EPSRC business centre at Adastral Park near Ipswich to this relationship, BT and EPSRC are partners, led me to propose the fnd out how we worked, both in terms co-investing in transformative hi- establishment of the Tommy Flowers of our research and how we engage tech research, such as the quantum Institute at Adastral Park to develop within our business and with our own cryptography tools being developed future research leaders in academia commercial and research partners, in the UK’s National Quantum and industry, in partnership with such as EPSRC. To me this symbolised Technologies programme that will organisations across the ICT sector. that EPSRC was serious about partner allow for greater online security than We hope it will help them to understand engagement. When Matt became ever before, and cutting-edge data the potential impact of their work, EPSRC’s Senior Manager for Business science that could have great societal and also create their own personal Engagement, Ellie Gilvin assumed and economic beneft. networks with industry and across responsibility for the relationship as academia. Senior Portfolio Manager in ICT and I have held a variety of positions has kept up the momentum. and responsibilities as a result of EPSRC is the benchmark for our partnership. As a member of partnership management in the UK’s The personal relationship I have EPSRC’s Strategic Advisory Network, research and innovation ecosystem. with my contacts at EPSRC is which brings together representatives It puts real effort into understanding absolutely essential. Just as I strive from academia, business and the what industry needs – not just research to understand the mysteries of the third sector, I have provided advice to challenges but what we need in terms academic system it needs individuals EPSRC’s Executive that has informed of how to improve engagement with a in EPSRC to understand BT and me. the organisation’s Delivery Plan; wide variety of partners. An important part of our relationship scoped EPSRC’s initial priorities for is learning about which investment the Global Challenges Research Fund EPSRC constantly innovates in the opportunities are being developed that which supports research addressing methods it uses to engage, and no might be relevant to our industrial challenges in developing countries; other organisation in the UK does partners. We are in constant dialogue and I have sat on and chaired peer the same at the ‘working level’ of the with EPSRC and have regular catch- review panels to assess and decide business of research and innovation. ups with contacts at different levels. on grant applications for research To fnd out more about BT’s relationship projects by members of the Our relationship with EPSRC has with EPSRC, and to read about some of academic community. allowed us to develop a deeper the exciting joint investments the two understanding of the academic What is my motivation? In part it is to organisations are making, turn to ecosystem. While it is a fantastic contribute to the ecosystem; there is pages 34-35. Mark Mallett

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 32 Mark Mallett

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 33 DRIVING INNOVATION

Continued from page 32 EPSRC Strategic Advisory Network Jonathan Advisory Network (SAN). The SAN is made perspectives, assisting them to develop, Legh-Smith up of representatives from EPSRC’s implement and modify plans, and to (see profile key stakeholders, including academia, make recommendations to the Council, on pages industry, Government and charities. EPSRC’s senior decision-making body. 32-33) is a With a membership of about 30 Members of the SAN meet to discuss member of individuals, the SAN provides EPSRC’s new ideas, strategies and policies, and EPSRC’s Leadership Team (ELT) with strategic specific questions and issues which Strategic advice from a variety of different ELT require advice on.

Building business relationships Ellie Gilvin, EPSRC’s Senior Portfolio Manager in Information and Communication Technologies, describes her working relationship with Jonathan Legh-Smith, BT’s Head of Partnerships and Strategic Research (pictured with Ellie): She says: “Co-investment with industry is vital to what EPSRC is striving to achieve; this collaboration leads to further opportunities for research, it also increases the impact that can be achieved. To this end we have developed one-to-one relationships with colleagues from key business partners, such as Jonathan. “It’s my job to ensure that the maximum benefit can be realised from the partnerships between companies such as BT and the UK’s academic community. We can do

this by identifying mutual Mark Mallett opportunities for academic “BT researchers also actively participate industry perspective on key issues and researchers and industry partners, and in the EPSRC peer review college, in order drivers in the research and innovation ensuring that the right processes are in to contribute to the reviewing process for landscape beyond academia. It also gives us place to enable this. research projects, and have participated as a really useful window on the perspectives industry judges in competitions such “Taking our relationship with BT as an of other organisations and businesses. example, on a practical level this involves as ICT Pioneers, an EPSRC-led Dragons’ This then raises new research questions holding regular meetings to mutually Den-style event which recognises some of for EPSRC-supported researchers to update each other on high level strategy the UK’s best PhD students in the field. explore and opens up new routes for their and policy, as well specific topics or issues “Our work with BT is of high strategic value research to make an impact on the UK and relevant to the research communities. to EPSRC – it provides us with an important the world.”

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 34 Pivotal partnerships: joint BT/EPSRC-supported research investments

Support for the future Mobile network revolution BT is a major contributor In a few years, you may be able to download a full-length HD to EPSRC’s Centres movie to your mobile device in a matter of seconds rather than for Doctoral Training minutes, while your car will communicate with other vehicles (CDTs), providing more on the road to exchange important information about than £1.5 million in cash traffic jams. and in-kind support The 5G mobile communications technology that will help to to nine centres at make this a reality is being developed by EPSRC-supported universities across the researchers from the University of Bristol in collaboration UK. CDTs provide the next with BT and Sweden’s Lund University, who have successfully generation of engineers trialled a system that could significantly boost the high speed and scientists with the data rates that future 5G networks will need for the mobile skills and knowledge communications of the future (see page 47). The system was they need to tackle evolving issues and future challenges, and trialled at BT’s Adastral Park innovation campus near Ipswich. also enable them to forge links with industry through training and internships. Among the CDTs supported by BT are the CDT in Statistics and Operational Research in Partnership with Industry (STOR-i) at Lancaster University, and the CDT in Web Science Innovation at the University of Southampton. Doctoral students such as Emma Ross, (pictured) have been able to develop new skills and gain valuable industry experience while carrying out research in conjunction with BT. Emma, who has been working as a consultant statistician at Shell since being awarded her doctorate, says: “My PhD research at STOR-i focused on resource planning under uncertain demand. As part of this work I developed mathematical models that can be used to recommend Old technology, new potential how businesses can train and deploy their workforces to ensure that their output is optimised.” While some of the UK’s copper telephone network is 140 years old, BT is working with a team at the University of Southampton in an EPSRC-funded project to harness this old technology for future uses. The state-of-the-art technology being developed in the project Quantum defences for big threats could greatly increase the capacity of existing copper networks, New methods used by hackers to access the ever-increasing which are estimated to run at less than 30 per cent of their amount of sensitive data online will require new tools to protect potential, while providing high quality digital infrastructure in against them. The strange world of quantum physics offers a sustainable and cost-effective manner. an opportunity to develop the most sophisticated and effective tools yet, and the UK’s Quantum Communications Hub is at the forefront of developing them. BT is among the partners involved in the hub, which is delivered by EPSRC and other bodies as part of the UK’s National Quantum Technologies programme. Picture courtesy BT archive courtesy Picture

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 35 DRIVING INNOVATION Five stars Every year, Forbes, the infuential business magazine, publishes its 30 under 30 list of young European leaders, inventors and brash entrepreneurs who are transforming society. From the thousands of nominees, fve are current or former EPSRC-supported doctoral students, whose stars are rising swiftly in the R&D galaxy.

One drone is able to plant 10 seeds per last fve years, resulting in a huge minute. With two operators controlling waste management problem. multiple drones, 36,000 trees could Dr Amrit Chandan, a former student be planted in a single day. While the at the EPSRC Doctoral Training system is not as good as hand-sowing, Centre in Hydrogen Fuel Cells it is much quicker and less expensive and Their Applications at Brunel than traditional planting systems. University, together with University Susan is a former member of the of Birmingham alumni, Carlton EPSRC-supported BUBBL group at the Cummins, formed a company, Oxford Biomedical Centre. The group Aceleron, to help tackle this problem. Susan Graham is working on targeted drug delivery Aceleron is developing ways to Susan is co-founder and Chief using ultrasound for whole organ repurpose end-of-life batteries into Technical Offcer of Oxford-based cancer therapy. Susan was funded low-cost, effcient energy storage for start-up Biocarbon Engineering, by a Clarendon Scholarship and was use in developing countries in need of which is planning to fght industrial part of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral cheap, rechargeable energy storage. deforestation head-on by planting one Training in Innovation Healthcare. billion trees a year using drones. An example of how the technology BioCarbon Enginering came second might be applied in the developing Globally, 26 billion trees are cut at the 2016/17 UAE Drones for Good world is the mass availability of cheap down every year, while only 15 billion competition, beating off 1,016 entries solar panels, which has enabled are replanted. The drones used by from 165 countries. domestic customers in the developing Biocarbon Engineering could solve the world to generate their own electricity, problem by making tree planting faster without the need for supply from the and cheaper. grid. The irony is that while there is The plan is simple. First the drones typically enough sunlight to generate would fy above a selected area, map this electricity, the cost of storage its level of deforestation and report solutions is prohibitive for many of back its potential for reforestation. these people. Then, automated planting drones Aceleron’s technology is able to extract carrying seed pods would fy one- value from used lithium ion batteries to two metres above the ground, removed from vehicles and consumer following a pre-determined planting electronics, and the company says it pattern, and fre germinated seeds into Amrit Chandan can reduce lithium ion battery waste the soil. Over the next four years, the UK is by as much as 75 per cent. In other The seed pods would then break open expected to produce nearly three words, 75 per cent less waste that has upon impact and allow the germinated million kilogrammes of battery waste to be shipped overseas for recycling. seeds to grow. from electric cars purchased in the Aceleron’s repurposed battery packs

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 36 will enable people in developing healthcare, won a Shell LiveWIRE gas emissions compared to crude-oil countries to store the energy Smarter Future Award. derived alternatives. generated by solar panels, for re-use The team came third out of 88 teams in the evening and overnight. at the 2016 Climate Launchpad EU The company is now making plans for Finals, the world’s largest cleantech a supply chain that will service demand business idea competition. from Central and South America. Florence, winner of the 2017 Royal Amrit was named Business Quarter Academy of Engineering Future of magazine’s Entrepreneur of the Year Engineering Prize, obtained her 2014 and has worked with clients and masters in Green Chemistry and partners such as Tata Motors and has just completed her PhD, which Intelligent Energy. focused on how to make use of metal contaminated waste wood to produce Florence Gschwend clean and sustainable bio-products. Only 60 per cent of the waste wood produced in the UK gets recycled. Of the remainder, some is still going into landfll. This is economically and environmentally unsustainable as it leads to leaching of harmful substances while the economic value of the wood is lost. EPSRC-supported research led by Alex Bond Dr Jason Hallett at Imperial College UK households dispose of up to seven London’s Department of Chemical Engineering inspired Florence million tonnes of food and drink each Talib Alhinai Gschwend, a doctoral student in year, the majority of which could have Worldwide, 25 per cent of drinking Dr Hallett’s group, together with been consumed. By simply throwing water is lost through leaking water Dr Hallett and Dr Agi Brandt- away less food, families in the UK pipelines. To address this challenge, Talbot to form a company, Chrysalix could make annual savings of £700. Talib Alhinai, a doctoral student at Technologies, to tackle this problem. Imperial College London’s aerial Alex Bond (pictured right), a doctoral Chrysalix’s technology is based on the robotics laboratory, led the development student at the EPSRC Institute of ionoSolv process discovered by Agi of the world’s frst fying 3D-printing Chemical Biology Centre for Doctoral during her PhD studies at Imperial. drone as part of research into the use Training at Imperial College London, Agi was formerly business manager of fying robots for aerial construction. co-developed a simple but ingenious at Imperial spin-out company, Econic The aircraft is able to plug pipeline way to tackle this problem. Technologies, set up by Professor leaks with droplets of a lightweight Charlotte Williams, whose research With fellow students at Imperial, Rob builders’ foam, carried in liquid form. Peach and John Simpson (left), and is also supported by EPSRC (see Expanding to 25 times its original supported by Imperial Innovations and pages 48-49). size, the foam can quickly plug leaks the Climate-KIC, the EU’s main climate The company’s mission is to condition without any need for hands-on human innovation initiative, Alex co-developed and transform unwanted waste wood intervention. The technology has FreshCheck, a simple colour-change into a chemical platform to produce multiple applications, such as in the system for food packaging that can chemicals, fuels and materials, oil and gas industry, and could bring detect bacterial contamination in foods helping bring about a waste-free major time and cost savings while and alert the consumer when food future by closing the loop on the improving safety. has spoiled. value chain. Talib’s work is in collaboration with The system uses a bio-reactive sticker Chrysalix’s BioFlex process is a his aerial robotics lecturer, Dr Mirko which turns from blue to orange when technology that allows the effective Kovac, who featured in Pioneer 17. dangerous levels of bacteria in foods separation of the main components in EPSRC has invested £3.4 million in the are detected, which will not only be wood, lignin and cellulose, under mild research, which is also supported by good for people’s wallets, the UK conditions. This makes it possible to industrial partners. economy and the environment, it will generate revenue from waste while Talib and his team went one better also help to prevent foodborne illness. producing bio-derived products at than Susan Graham (see adjacent In 2016, the company, which has a competitive price. The process is page) at the 2016/17 UAE Drones for developed a range of devices adapted projected to reduce the cost of bio- Good competition. They won frst prize, for a number of different purposes, derived materials by a factor of four and a cheque for one million dihrams from cleaning to food spoilage to while saving 80 per cent of greenhouse (around £200,000).

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 37 DRIVING INNOVATION

Inner vision Kromek, an award-winning radiation detection technology company formed to bring EPSRC-supported research to market, has enjoyed global success through a suite of ground-breaking products that includes detection and screening devices for the medical, nuclear, and security industries. Kromek has grown rapidly since its In the same year, the company’s Chief incorporated into intelligent radiation formation in 2003 as a spin-out from Executive, Arnab Basu, a PhD student networks that provide early warning Durham University’s Department of under Professor Brinkman, was named of irradiated materials and devices Physics, and today employs over 100 the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the made from them. Up to 10,000 of these staff in the UK and USA. Global clients Year. Dr Basu was the founding CEO of devices can be deployed in large- include the US Department of Defense. Durham Scientifc Crystals, which later scale, cloud-augmented radiation became Kromek. Dr Ben Cantwell, detection networks for use across In 2017, the company placed third in today the company’s New Technology whole cities and large urban spaces, the infuential Intellectual Property including event venues, borders and League Table, which lists the top 100 Manager, was also a PhD student transportation hubs such as airports. UK frms according to the number of under Brinkman, and has been with patents they possess. In the preceding Kromek since launch. Each device collects spectra year, it came top, with 247 patents. In addition to its airport security (fngerprints) of radioactive material, Kromek was recently named by the portfolio, Kromek markets gamma- gathers location data from where it London Stock Exchange Group as one ray detectors for nuclear isotope was detected and forwards this onto of 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain. identifcation, some of which have been a centralised web-based application which generates a heat map of activity The underpinning research behind deployed at the site of the Fukushima Daiichi disaster in Japan. These are for expert analysis and adjudication in Kromek was led by the late Professor real time. Andy Brinkman, who developed a part of a suite of products developed for reliable way to grow large crystals the global nuclear security markets. DARPA has purchased over 10,000 of that form the basis of CZT, a chemical these devices for use by the military, compound that can be used to detect frst responders and security agencies X- and gamma-ray radiation. for both environmental monitoring and homeland security as part of a contract Evolving business model The funding and worth £4 million. The technology was Kromek’s business model and markets used to protect President Donald have evolved over the years and the support from EPSRC Trump and other world leaders during company has gone from strength to a NATO security summit in Belgium strength, winning multiple awards. was crucial to the earlier in 2017. Initially focused on commercialising Medical imaging the crystal growth technology and development of the building detectors for manufacturers to Kromek has extended its portfolio to sell under licence, the company later ground-breaking medical imaging, and has developed developed its unique portfolio for use in technologies that a new general-purpose ‘gamma’ airport security. camera, which uses single-photon emission computed tomography Following the 9/11 terror attacks and Kromek is now (SPECT) to enable earlier detection restrictions on passengers carrying and treatment of cancer, Alzheimer’s liquids in their cabin baggage, Kromek, successfully and Parkinson’s. supported by the UK Home Offce and its investors, incorporated its exploiting This technology, which has been detectors into highly sensitive X-ray described as ‘transformational’, is systems for liquid explosive detection. Dr Ben Cantwell, already being used in hospitals and can The technology can identify hazardous New Technology Manager, be retroftted to existing equipment. CEO Arnab Basu describes the materials, such as explosives, and Kromek distinguish these from similar-looking camera as “taking the technology from liquids and is so sensitive it can readily grainy black and white to ultra-high tell the difference between Coca-Cola defnition TV”. and Pepsi. It is now in use in over 50 Gamma-rays for global security With a growing suite of innovative airports in 11 countries. technologies and a global market for Working with the US Government’s The unique system can scan metal its products, the future looks bright Defence Advanced Research cans, Tetra Pak and foil pouches, in for Kromek; and the company readily Projects Agency (DARPA), Kromek addition to all types of glass and plastic acknowledges the contribution from developed a discrete, pocket-sized containers. It has had a direct impact research investments that led to its portable radiation detector which creation and ongoing success. on all airline passengers as it allows has revolutionised the way security duty free liquids to be carried through Ben Cantwell says: “The funding and services are able to counter the threat airport security screens – a key support from EPSRC was crucial to the of nuclear terrorism. feature that helped Kromek to win the development of the ground-breaking $400,000 international prize in the 2009 At just fve inches tall, the detector, technologies that Kromek is now Global Security Challenge. connected to a smartphone, can be successfully exploiting.”

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 39 DRIVING INNOVATION The wizard of wireless

Every time you make or receive a mobile phone call, or send a picture from your phone, you have Professor Joe McGeehan to thank for developing the technology that made it possible. You can also tip your hat to his genius the next time you switch on your Wi-Fi router, and many more devices besides. In the global history of technology, he is that important. Words: Mark Mallett

Joe McGeehan funked his 11 Plus. really enjoyed my time at Plessey, could see the far-reaching potential Accidentally turning over two pages and wanted to go to a university of the medium, such as the ability to at the same time, he failed to answer that worked closely with industry, send pictures and video over mobile enough questions. He went on to both at the undergraduate and networks, and for an entirely new kind attend a 1960s secondary modern postgraduate levels. of mobile telephony. school which, typical of the era, had “I have always believed in the importance Joe says: “Unfortunately, both the the usual mix of teachers with little of combining the creativity of university AM and FM technologies in use at faith in their charges and those, such research with the dynamic of the that time suffered extremely badly in as the headmaster, who believed that business world.” the mobile environment from what’s students from a poorer background known as multipath (fast) signal fading. had the potential to succeed. The business of research After bouncing off buildings and being Notwithstanding the optimism of refracted over rooftops, the received his headmaster, it was a tough slog. Joe secured a lectureship at Bath signal would be very badly distorted – Against the odds, this prodigiously University of Technology, one of the few rather like listening to Donald Duck. As gifted student made it to university. universities at the time that provided the collaboration with industry he knew for transmitting data, this was almost This back story is signifcant, and to be vital for solving applied research impossible back then. But what if testament to Joe McGeehan’s lifelong challenges, and for tackling new you could?” determination to battle against challenges in fundamental science. The problem was intensifed by the fact seemingly insurmountable challenges. that if you tried to remove distortion The impossible? Bring it on. Joe’s fascination with mobile communications, such as those used separately from the received signal, After graduating from the University by police, the emergency services and another link in the chain, such as of Liverpool, Joe enjoyed a mercurial taxi networks, led him straightaway to the quality, spectral effciency or early career at Plessey Research tackle a seemingly intractable problem effective rate at which the signal is (Caswell), where his fascination for – enhancing the quality and capacity of transmitted, tended to get worse – and mobile communications was kindled. mobile radio networks. As you might led to interference. The solution lay in Unsurprisingly, his boss encouraged have guessed by now, mobile radio preventing what is known as multipath him to return to academia. “He said I technology had been written off by his interference by devising techniques for was so free-thinking that I needed an peers as a technological dead end. completely removing fast fading environment that could bring out the Joe says: “I had eminent engineers from the received signal. It was best in me,” says Joe (pictured). “I have and scientists telling me that I should like trying to solve a constantly always been intrigued by big problems devote my attentions to a research mutating jigsaw. – and have never been interested area with a future.” in incremental steps. So I took the £9,600 goes a long way This was the early 1970s, when the opportunity to fnd out what I could It was at this time that Joe, only mobile phones you could fnd, achieve in an academic setting.” who had failed to attract apart from in a panda car, ambulance Joe’s choice of university also reveals or black cab, were on the bridge much about the man. He says: “I had of the starship Enterprise. But Joe Continued on page 42 “My first EPSRC grant, for £9,600, enabled many of the achievements that followed –

Sound effects: Professor from 3G networks Joe McGeehan with an early mobile ‘brick’ to wireless LAN” Mark Mallett

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 41 DRIVING INNOVATION

Continued from page 41 any fnancial backing from industry to tackle this challenge, successfully applied to the Science Research Council (SRC), the forerunner to EPSRC, for a research grant for £9,600 to put his ideas into practice. This award transformed his career. Joe says: “Having been given this opportunity I wasn’t going to waste it. @JM Briscoe/Pye Museum @JM Briscoe/Pye It turned out that the SRC funding led to the underpinning technologies upon Genesis: The Mobira BT Emerald MC25 radiophone handset, Nokia’s frst frst mass-market mobile which most of our later achievements phone. The phone was designed by Professor Joe McGeehan and built by Mobira-Oy. Inspired by his invention, Mobira-Oy’s parent company, Nokia, moved its business model away from making paper, were predicated – from 3G networks to rubber and TVs and invested heavily in mobile telecommunications. wireless LAN technologies. In fact, you could say that any system that involves In 1978, Securicor approached Joe to During the course of this work, Joe, transmission of multi-level data, as develop a better, more secure state- a born networker, had introduced his used by devices such as smartphones of-the-art mobile radio for its feet. clients at the Post Offce to Securicor. and the latest wirelessly connected Within a few years the company’s vans Both parties experienced a lightbulb set-top boxes, can be traced back to were using a fully functioning system moment, and went on to form a 60:40 this grant.” designed by Joe, signifcantly reducing joint venture which, in 1985, launched In the mid-1970s, and much against Securicor’s operational costs while as Cellnet. BT Group later acquired the grain, Joe was among the frst to offering a huge boost in quality. Securicor’s stake and, in 1999, formed BT Cellnet, which evolved into O2. embrace the exciting new computer To build the radio, which Joe wanted technologies becoming available to to be capable of transmitting both Joe says: “The massive explosion universities, in particular simulations voice and data, he had enlisted the in communications technology has based on ray-tracing to predict service of a Finnish company, Mobira coincided with the birth of the digital ‘geographical’ radio coverage of mobile Oy, which at the time was making age, and sparked an ICT-driven radio systems from a topographical communications equipment for the revolution in industries such as description of the environment. Russian military. aerospace, healthcare technologies, This work formed the basis of the defence and security, to name but a Joe says: “The company clearly saw computer-aided design tools still few. I was fortunate to be in the right the potential of moving into mobile used by telecoms companies today to place at the right time to engage in radio manufacture. So much so, that plan where to position base stations fundamental research, and guide its parent organisation transformed for optimum coverage of the wireless its translation into powerful new signals across the network and to its business model away from paper, predict detailed system performance. rubber and televisions and invested heavily in mobile communications.” In less than three years, Joe had found Nokia could see a way to remove multipath distortion A phone is born from received signals, thus making That company was Nokia, and Joe’s the potential of my the transmission of multi-level data designs formed the basis of the possible. He was also pioneering company’s frst mass-market mobile design, so much technologies that could amplify the phone, the Mobira MC25. radio frequency (RF) signal at the so that it moved transmitter without distorting it and Joe says: “At the time, I had also been in ways that didn’t require lots of working with the Post Offce, which away from making power from the mains or batteries. later morphed into BT, and through The techniques developed through this collaboration I was able for the paper, rubber and the SRC grant were also to enable frst time to transmit multi-level data him to demonstrate the frst ever in a mobile environment. The multi- TVs to produce transmission of multi-level data over level system used then was the direct mobile radio. His jigsaw was almost descendant of virtually every wireless mobile phones complete – and the business world was standard today – from Wi-Fi to the watching with interest. latest 5G designs.”

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 42 technologies. The UK continues to set Motorola Research Europe, were won the 1992 Prince of Wales Award the agenda in these felds, particularly used by the European Standards for Innovation and helped pave the way through multidisciplinary academic/ Institute (ETSI) to form the European for the force’s smooth transition to industry collaborative research at HIPERLAN wireless LAN standard, digital technologies. universities throughout the country.” which has also infuenced US About this time, Joe also began research 802.11 wireless protocols. In global Moving to the University of Bristol in with Professor Chris Railton into an telecommunications, standards are the mid-1980s, Joe McGeehan’s star area known as FDTD electromagnetic critical, as they ensure that PCs, was in the ascendant, so much so that modelling, which computationally smartphones, set-top boxes and he was starting to attract the best models how electromagnetic waves tablets from different manufacturers of the UK’s new talent. Researchers interact with materials. Joe and his all use the same protocols to connect joining him included luminaries such colleagues have received international wirelessly to the Internet. as Professors Andrew Nix, David recognition for their R&D in this activity Bull, Mark Beach, Ian Craddock and Moving into the early 1990s, Joe in areas as diverse as food safety in Justin Coon in academia and Stephen proposed and led fundamental microwave ovens, wearable antennas Allpress and David Burrows in industry, research at Bristol into the use of and quantum technologies. all of whom have forged distinguished Wideband Code Division Multiple Following research into phased array careers and helped to establish the Access (W-CDMA), in collaboration antennas supported by the Defence next generation of ICT pioneers. with Lucent Bell Telephone Research Evaluation and Research Agency The team’s research has attracted Laboratories, HP Labs and Bradford (DERA), Joe submitted with Professor signifcant investments over the years University, which subsequently led Ralph Benjamin a proposal to EPSRC from EPSRC, the EU, Innovate UK and to the development of the world 3G for work on breast cancer detection. industry worldwide, and has led to a cellular standard. This underpinning electromagnetic host of richly productive collaborations In the same period, Joe stewarded the with international companies. development of speech scrambling analysis capability was a vital component for research led by colleagues Ian In the late 1980s, fndings from technology which was later adopted Craddock and Geoff Hilton into phased research initiated by Joe McGeehan, by UK police forces for secure mobile with initial project support from radio transmissions. This technology Continued on page 44

On the radar In 2006, Micrima, a Bristol-based diagnostic imaging company, was set up to bring to market research at the University of Bristol’s Centre for Communications Research. Originally based on technology developed for the location of buried landmines, the company’s MARIA™ breast cancer screening technology is a low-cost system that uses harmless radio waves to detect breast cancer. The system requires no breast compression so is painless for women and uses harmless radio waves, thus posing no radiation risk, unlike conventional mammograms that use ionising radiation. viable alternative to mammography in reduced technology risk justified the breast screening. investment into establishing and The system has been trialled in over growing the physical company. 400 women in the UK. Further trials The company, founded by Roy Johnson are taking place at leading European (Executive Chairman), Professor Micrima has now transitioned to the centres. Currently, MARIA™ is being Alan Preece and Professor Ian early commercialisation phase via used in symptomatic breast clinics, Craddock, continued to fund work at the controlled launch of MARIA™ to and it is hoped this will become a the university until 2013, when the the early adopter market.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 43 DRIVING INNOVATION

The Speech Scrambler In 1992, UK police forces started using a new Systems, began a new era of higher police ‘speech scrambler’ system that prevented security, and the encryption techniques involved unauthorised listeners from eavesdropping on allowed a smooth transition from analogue to their mobile and fixed telephone calls – digital mobile radio for the UK’s police forces. which posed a threat to officers’ safety and When it went into production, the new mobile operational effectiveness. device was no more than a couple of inches The development of the ground-breaking in length and could be incorporated into an technology was directed by Professor Joe officer’s uniform radio. McGeehan at the University of Bristol Centre Although Terrestrial Trunked Radio digital radio for Communications Research. has taken over today’s mobile communications, The resulting MASC scrambler, the prototype for the speech scrambler allowed police forces to which was developed by GEC-Marconi Secure convert to digital gradually, as costs came down. Continued from page 43 resulting in millions of tonnes of The thriving ecosystem at the

global CO2 emissions annually. With University of Bristol was formally array antennas, along with the very EPSRC and industry support, Joe and consolidated with the formation topical problem of the detection of anti- colleagues, including Kevin Morris, of its Centre for Communications personnel landmines, a DERA-funded Research (CCR), which Joe set up in collaboration led by Ian Craddock and 1987, with the university’s support. Professor Ralph Benjamin. Its mission: to conduct fundamental The landmine detection research and multidisciplinary research in caught the attention of the medical The UK continues all aspects of fxed and wireless physics department in Bristol, where communications, involving close Professor Alan Preece was interested to set the global collaboration with industry. in the early diagnosis of breast cancer. The centre, which over the years has Alan and Ian received EPSRC funding telecoms agenda received key investments from EPSRC, for some of the breast imaging research became one of Europe’s and the world’s and were the academic founders of leading communications research the spin-out company Micrima, now facilities, and has provided the Ross Wilkinson, Andrew Bateman and entering its fourth phase of clinical trials. blueprint for other university/industry Peter Kennington, pioneered next- collaborations in the UK and abroad. But the group were just getting started. generation ultra-linear, high effciency Outcomes from research proposed RF power amplifers with signifcantly With a staff complement of around and led by Joe in the late 1990s into greener credentials for handset and 150 researchers at its peak, the CCR’s so-called smart antennas, which base station applications. key research areas include wireless allow mobile networks to use the communications; electromagnetics; With the inevitable progression of mobile radio spectrum more effciently, have signal processing; networks and networks into homes and offces, in been widely deployed in almost all protocols; and photonics and the late 1990s research pioneered by branches of wireless communications quantum technologies. throughout the world. The Bristol Professors Andrew Nix, David Bull team continue to innovate in this feld, and their colleagues underpinned the The Bristol model was so successful with Professors Andrew Nix and Mark development of wireless routers used that in 1998 Toshiba invited Joe to set Beach in particular charting new in homes around the world. The work up and run a state-of-the-art facility territory in the application of multi- led to a spin-out company, ProVision in collaboration with the University element antenna systems to achieve (see pages 54-55). of Cambridge, focusing on mobile telephony. The centre would be higher data rates while conserving both More recently, among their achievements driven by business need but would bandwidth and power.” (see page 54). and collaborations, the Bristol group also provide the vital space, time and have also found the time to devise In addition to smart antennas, in resources necessary for blue-skies telemetry systems for Formula 1 teams every modern base station and mobile research. This was a tremendous and develop record-breaking technology phone there is a sophisticated RF honour, but given the substantial with the potential to signifcantly boost amplifcation system. Historically, resources established at Bristol and available data rates in future 5G mobile these power amplifers have been both the diffculties associated with such networks (see page 47). power hungry and energy ineffcient, a move, Joe accepted the offer with one vital caveat: the centre would be based in Bristol. Given the remarkable Real-world research achievements Joe had inspired and established at Bristol, he wasn’t The communications industry contacts with going anywhere. plays an important role in the UK industry. economy, contributing over £150 “The first year Toshiba agreed, duly launching the billion, but there is a growing skills taught elements Toshiba Telecommunications Research shortage. To meet this demand, in gave me a chance Laboratory (TRL) in Bristol in 1998, 2011 EPSRC invested £10 million in to study numerous with Joe as its founding managing a new Centre for Doctoral Training subjects beyond director. Now led by Professor Ian (CDT) in Communications, based at the scope of my Craddock, who also leads SPHERE, the University of Bristol. undergraduate degree and obtain a an EPSRC-funded Interdisciplinary Research Collaboration developing Odysseas Pappas (pictured), a good footing in the general area of sensors for patient self-management member of the 2012 CDT cohort, communications. and diagnosis in the home, the TRL says: “The programme enabled me “The industry-linked nature of the continues to build on its reputation as a to work towards a doctorate while programme also ensures that the leader in its feld. at the same time enriching my research is of an applied nature, knowledge base and establishing stemming from real-world needs.” Continued on page 47

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 45 DRIVING INNOVATION

Global roaming In April 2017, Dr Eyad Arabi, from the University of Bristol’s Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, led the development of a tool that will enable smartphones to roam internationally. The EPSRC-supported project was a joint collaboration with the University of Sheffield. Dr Arabi says: “For smartphones to operate globally, phones need to tune or switch bands, ideally without compromising performance. “This work allows flexibility to be brought into the design process which will significantly increase the ability of future 5G amplifiers to work over multiple frequency ranges and lead to a single handset that could be used around the world.” 5G breakthrough In 2016, Paul Harris (pictured right), 5G wireless spectrum efficiency using a student at the EPSRC Centre for multi-element antenna systems, also Doctoral Training in Communications known as Massive MIMO. at the University of Bristol, and Their achievement, part of a research Steffen Malkowsky (further right), collaboration between the universities from the University of Lund in of Bristol and Lund, showed that this Sweden, were joint recipients of technology could deliver ultra-fast data five separate international awards rates to high densities of smartphones at the National Instruments Impact and tablets. Massive MIMO is a key Awards in Texas, in recognition of technology for 5G, the next generation their world-record achievement in of wireless access (see page 35).

Collective vision (CDT) in Communications, one of 117 he was awarded the CBE. In the same CDTs in all corners of the UK training year he was ranked sixth on a global Joe says: “When I started my career, I the next generation of scientists and list of technology innovators by Silicon saw many people working in isolation, engineers and attracting the brightest Valley’s web-Bible of choice, silicon.com. which did not seem the way to go – PhD students to build their careers He was in good company – the top not sharing equipment, not sharing there. Established in 2011, with Joe as 10 included the likes of Bill Gates and facilities, with barriers and walls its chairman, the CDT hit the ground British Apple designer, Jony Ive. around them. I did not believe that was running. With a roster of over 25 the way to tackle the problems that Joe has trenchant advice for would- partners, including nVIDIA, Toshiba, were obviously coming. I didn’t have all be tech pioneers and entrepreneurs. BT and BAE Systems, the centre is the answers but I was certain that no He says: “R&D is all about taking helping to meet the growing demand one else had them either. risks. Without risk there is no growth for high quality communications – because sometimes the so-called “However, if you worked with other researchers and engineers who can high-risk projects come good. talented people, then you might create future innovative products and produce a critical mass and you might services in the UK. “In my case, my frst grant from the be able to get some really good work Science Research Council laid the In recent years, Joe and his team going. A case of the total being greater foundations for so much that followed have made pivotal advances in than the sum of the parts.” – from accurate coverage prediction multidisciplinary research related and data transmission to the design This philosophy has been paramount to a new generation of connected and engineering underpinning the frst to Joe’s thinking as an academic and technologies linked to the Internet mobile phone. I’d like to think that’s innovator with a passion for combining of Things, including home networks, £9,600 well spent.” fundamental research with translation smart grids, intelligent transport and application. It’s also a philosophy systems, healthcare sensing and that matches EPSRC’s strategy, as it wearable technologies. continues to invest in centres of Joe says: “Wireless communications academic excellence involving close is one of the most signifcant collaboration with business, government, technologies of the modern age, charities and the third sector. affecting all of our lives and future A case in point is the university’s existence – from driverless cars and EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training autonomous drones to robotic surgery, health monitoring, cybersecurity and smart infrastructure. There will soon be trillions of devices connected to R&D is all about each other. We will need ever-more creative ways to make the most of taking risks. these opportunities.” Without risks there Over the years, Joe McGeehan, now Emeritus Professor of Communications is no growth at Bristol, has received widespread recognition for his contribution to mobile telecommunications. In 2004,

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 47 DRIVING INNOVATION Chain reaction

Last year in the UK around 318 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were emitted into the atmosphere. Pollution here and across the planet poses a major problem – but for Professor Charlotte Williams it also represents an opportunity.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 48 For more than a decade, Charlotte 2011, focuses on the development Williams, a professor of inorganic of catalysts that allow waste carbon Building a successful spin-out chemistry at the University of Oxford, dioxide, such as from power stations, company following 13 years at Imperial College to be transformed into polymers. Building a successful spin-out London, has been at the forefront of The polymers produced from these requires a diverse range of skills efforts to turn carbon dioxide (CO2) catalysts are useful to both the and experience; and Charlotte cites an otherwise harmful gas, into useful polyurethane and polycarbonate chief executive Dr Rowena Sellens, products, with the potential to beneft industries where they can be used in who has signifcant industrial both the planet and UK plc. anything from the soles of trainers, experience of the polymer industry, lacquers for vehicles and mattress Charlotte’s career has been forged in and chairman David Morgan, foams to electronic components. polymer and catalytic sciences – and who has held senior positions at in her ground-breaking combination Charlotte says: “Carbon dioxide Johnson Matthey, as important to the company’s achievements. of both. Polymers are large molecules streams from power stations are and can be either man-made or among the most contaminated sources Econic’s catalysts were co-invented naturally occurring. Most people only of CO2 available, so the work we have by Dr Mike Kember, formerly an associate polymers with plastics done is a big step forward.” EPSRC-funded doctoral student but with their very broad range of Econic’s technology can replace up to working in Charlotte’s group at properties and applications they are 40 per cent of the oil-based raw Imperial and now the research and critical in areas as diverse as medicine, intellectual property manager at materials with CO2 – improving on electronics, clothing, aerospace and traditional production by providing both the company. healthcare. Catalysts are substances environmental benefts and cost savings. Charlotte says that a joint approach that accelerate chemical reactions. As It also offers manufacturers a route to to problem solving, where she, well as being widely used in nature, lower costs and lower carbon impact. Mike and the broader Econic team they are also hugely important to the can each contribute based on their UK’s chemical industry. What sets Econic apart from other companies looking to exploit catalysis own experience and expertise, has EPSRC has supported Charlotte is the compatibility of the process with been important in accelerating throughout her career: from young existing manufacturing plant. Charlotte the catalysis, optimising overall researcher to professor. She currently describes this as a “triple win”. process performance and building holds three concurrent EPSRC grants. from the frst invention to a Throughout, her primary goal has First, companies use carbon dioxide commercial product. been to harness the power of catalysis that would otherwise be pumped into the atmosphere to make the polymer; She says: “I have learnt to reduce the pollution associated hugely from the process of with the manufacture of polymers. second, the process avoids the use of petrochemicals in doing so; fnally, commercialisation, industrial Charlotte’s research has led to the application and markets for both development of new materials for it can help lead to the creation of sustainable new products. the catalysts and polymers. The a wide range of applications, from most important insights were electronics to medicine. It also led her Charlotte adds that up to half of the gained by working with customers to found Econic Technologies, a spin- polymer mass used in commodity and the broader Econic team. out company she set up to bring her plastics can be derived from CO , 2 “Turning our frst lab discoveries research to market. noting: “Econic’s catalysts are into a viable product has involved particularly different in that they In 2005, just one year after being multidisciplinary collaboration operate under low pressures of CO awarded her frst EPSRC grant, EPSRC 2 throughout – including close and allow maximum CO uptake, they awarded Charlotte an Advanced 2 collaboration with experts in are also compatible with existing Research Fellowship to study catalysts process chemistry, chemical manufacturing plants used by the inspired by the structures of natural engineering and polymer product chemical industry. enzymes that allowed carbon dioxide to qualifcation. be used to make polymers. Charlotte “The knowledge I have gained in “It’s been exciting to see how says: “My EPSRC fellowship in translating the technology has certainly motivated the team are at Econic, particular gave me the time to focus fed back into the questions and and I think the challenge of how on diffcult fundamental questions, challenges my research group are to improve the sustainability of and ultimately led to the development investigating at Oxford. For example, polymer production is one that of the catalysts and materials that we’ve discovered a new type of switchable captures the imagination. I have have formed the bedrock for future catalysts that allow the production of a really enjoyed the experience of collaborations with industry as well as wider range of polymers from CO . 2 forming a new company and would the foundation of Econic Technologies.” “I’m inspired by the creativity and encourage others to consider this Based at research labs in Cheshire innovation of the team at Oxford – we option to translate their research.” and employing over 25 scientists, may even start another company or Econic, which Charlotte founded in two in the future.”

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 49 Earning curves In the US, over 40,000 active companies can trace their roots to Stanford University alone. Incredibly, these companies generate around $3 trillion in annual revenues and 5.5 million jobs. Inspired by this model, Dr Reuben Wilcock founded Future Worlds, a startup incubator at the University of Southampton, which has launched over 70 companies in just 18 months. He explains how:

The magic that makes Stanford so university’s EPSRC Impact Acceleration But mentors are just one piece successful is a unique startup culture. Account, I launched a pioneering of the puzzle. Since launch we’ve An ecosystem of successful founders, long-term initiative called Future created relationships with UK incubators and events that’s become Worlds. The vision was simple – to incubators and investor networks, integral to university life. Fed by a grow a startup culture that would help built new partnerships internally and steady stream of aspiring student aspiring Southampton entrepreneurs collaborated with entrepreneurial entrepreneurs, this culture has led to change the world with their ideas. student societies. And with the faculty we’ve helped shape existing initiatives some of the world’s most recognisable Since launch, Future Worlds like the university’s award-winning brands. Google, HP, Netfix and Nike to has supported over 70 aspiring ARM-ECS research centre. name a few. entrepreneurs, a mixture of students, The university’s goodwill and well- researchers and academics who’ve Our Dragon’s Den style events have documented faith in risky ventures has raised over £2 million between them attracted investment of £193,000 created a value all of its own. In 2016 and created over 20 new jobs. Our in our startups, and mentor talks Nike founder Phil Knight gave Stanford mentor network has grown to over and workshops have helped inspire its largest-ever single donation of 40 investors, seasoned founders and hundreds of researchers and students. industry leaders. The world is taking $US 400 million. In 2012 Stanford To produce engaging video content, we notice: Future Worlds was a fnalist in closed a fve-year fund-raising have a dedicated team member and the Entrepreneurship category at this campaign that raised $US 6.2 billion. small studio for this purpose. year’s Guardian University Awards. Many believe the Silicon Valley culture Our distinctive web platform, cannot translate to this side of the www.futureworlds.com, connects the So how did it all come about? whole ecosystem, showcasing new Atlantic. As a serial entrepreneur at startups, mentors and events. the University of Southampton, with I began by pitching the vision for a successful track record of forming Future Worlds to successful founders, Of the many notable success stories, startups, including from fundamental investors and industry leaders. I’ll one that springs to mind is Dynamon, research, I disagree. never forget when, after one of these a startup that uses telematics data pitches, Apple Europe Director, Chris gathered from HGVs to help haulage A true startup culture demands Broad, offered a donation of £20,000 to companies predict fuel savings. changing the way that people think and help kick things off. The Royal Academy of Engineering behave. It requires an authenticity that was so impressed that it awarded a can only be powered by entrepreneurs The Future Worlds mentor network has grown to include founders of prestigious Enterprise Fellowship to who have genuinely been there and billion-dollar companies and a former its founder, Dr Angus Webb, to develop done it before. And it requires an teenage millionaire. In return for the company, which he formed to obsessive vision that can see past their time, infuence and connections, bring to market his research as an short-term fnancial gain to the wider our mentors receive not payment, EPSRC-supported doctoral student economic and social benefts. but the satisfaction of helping the at Southampton. One of Dynamon’s And so, in 2015, with help from the next generation. Often this nostalgic investors is a Future Worlds Faculty of Physical Sciences and currency reminds them of the start of mentor, who now chairs the Engineering and funding from the their own journey. company’s board.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 50 More recently we’ve been supporting a philanthropically. And while waiting startup called Sound Virtualiser, which for this to happen, as long as we keep provides a 3D-listening experience helping Southampton entrepreneurs from a single television soundbar. One change the world with their ideas, of the company’s demos genuinely that’s good enough for me. makes you feel like a dinosaur is I believe ours is a model that other pacing around your head, despite the UK universities could follow; and speaker being in front of you. We took I look forward to the day when UK tech a live demo of the company’s system billionaires are a global force to be to CES 2017 in Las Vegas, the largest reckoned with. technology expo on the planet, where it impressed companies and investors Turn the page for more great stories alike. Southampton was the only UK of how EPSRC Impact Acceleration university at the event, promoting our Accounts are making a difference. spin-outs to 170,000 attendees and the world’s press. About Dr Reuben Wilcock Future Worlds is now expanding Among his successful commercial to other sectors, and was recently activities, Reuben Wilcock (pictured awarded a grant from the Medical top right) co-founded Joulo, an Research Council to run a pilot in the award-winning spin-out company Faculty of Medicine. Next year we’ll set up to develop a smart home launch an accelerator programme energy monitoring device based on to offer the most promising fundamental EPSRC-supported entrepreneurs six months in our research by co-founder Professor on-campus incubator. Alex Rogers at the University of Southampton. In 2015, Joulo was So 18 months in, what have we successfully acquired by the Dutch learnt? company Quby. What is clear is that, just like Stanford, there are hundreds if not thousands of successful founders and investors connected to Southampton keen to help with little expectation of return. “Our mentor I’ve discovered the secret to engaging this priceless resource is a clear network has ambitious vision delivered by someone they consider their peer. Key to the grown to over culture’s success is its authenticity and values. 40 investors, As for fnancial sustainability, Future Worlds is now costed into some of the seasoned faculty’s research proposals to help create impact from their outcomes. founders But, looking to the future, like Stanford we’re playing the long and industry game. I’m convinced that in time the goodwill leaders” invested by Future Worlds will be returned

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 51 DRIVING INNOVATION Accelerating impact In just fve years, EPSRC’s Impact Acceleration Accounts have resulted in over 1,000 projects of extraordinary diversity, leading to myriad fnancial and societal benefts – so much so that this July EPSRC is investing a further £60 million into the scheme.

Launched in 2012 to help transform each IAA, enabling the universities Back to earth very early stage research into commercial to support projects in different ways, propositions, Impact Acceleration aligned to their own unique needs and Dr Karen Johnson, from Durham Accounts (IAAs) are complementary opportunities – such as establishing University, is using IAA funding to to other investment routes along the proof of concept; developing new build on EPSRC-supported research research cycle, and bridge the gap that partnerships with business and other into the regeneration of brownfield can occur before venture capitalists, users; people exchange; and enabling land using sustainable technologies business or organisations such as culture change. that ‘suck up’ contaminants. Innovate UK are prepared to invest in “This custom-tuning has led to a Northumbrian Water Limited has the research. In turn, IAAs also provide fantastic range of successful projects. co-funded the proof of concept project, impetus for risk-averse businesses to For example, Cranfield University which will show how iron-rich mineral collaborate with universities. data scientists worked with Lincoln by-products, such as ochre, can Since 2012, EPSRC has allocated County Council on ways to reduce the immobilise contaminants and enhance IAAs via block grants to 33 academic likelihood of potholes in roads. By soil structure to provide greater water institutions, resulting in over 1,000 harnessing the power of Big Data they holding capacity, among other benefits. projects of extraordinary diversity. were able to predict the behaviours This has considerable implications for of soils – resulting in road repair flood resilience. EPSRC’s Head of Impact, Claire Cox, measures costing just £14 per square says: “IAAs are highly regarded by our Supported by the Global Challenges meter, compared to £250 per square university partners, and not only help Research Fund, Dr Johnson is applying metre from previous costings. sow the seeds of new collaboration, her research to Southern African cities they also reach out to researchers who “IAA support comes in all shapes and using similar waste materials do not normally engage in exploitation sizes – from small grants to large- from both the water activities, and help drive cultural scale investments. Often you don’t and the mining change within the university.” need a lot of cash to make a lasting industries. difference. Timing and smart thinking The numbers are remarkable. From are what counts. a total investment of just £95 million, collaborating partners have added a “By kick-starting an idea, IAAs often further £370 million; 97 companies ‘de-risk’ other sources of funding, have been formed and 1,600 company enabling further investment and partners have come on board. helping generate the economic returns that benefit UK plc. Over 770 prototypes have been developed; 451 patents filed; and 4,700 “Indeed, such has been the academics trained. Over 160 licensing success of the IAA initiative it agreements have been made, with a has also been adopted by several value of over £2.8 million. other UK Research Councils.” But the figures only tell half the story. This year, EPSRC is investing a Claire says: “The key to the success further £60 million in IAA projects. of the scheme is the flexibility within You can find out more on page four.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 52 Sponge power revolutionary digital pathology system Foundation Trust. The device takes to analyse image data for cancerous pinprick samples of blood and is able H2GO Power, a University of Cambridge spin-out company formed with IAA samples, leading to better diagnosis to provide rapid chemical analysis in funding by Dr Enass Abo-Hamed and and treatment. less than a minute, compared to the many hours it takes to send samples EPSRC RISE Rising Star, Professor Water radar Oren Scherman, has developed a for analysis at hospital laboratories. safe method for hydrogen production Dr David Harris-Birtill and Mr David The technology, part-funded through and storage. The system is based Morrison, from the University of St an IAA, promises to improve on a hybrid smart material capable Andrews, are using their IAA to further treatments for cancer patients, post- of behaving like a ‘sponge’, which develop a low-cost miniaturised radar operative care and monitoring of catalytically produces and stores technology and machine learning to babies in the womb. reliably detect water pollutants. hydrogen gas at room temperature Scanning power and atmospheric pressure, which it The project is in collaboration with A next-generation X-ray scanner releases when heated. the Universidade Federal de Goiás being developed with IAA funding in Brazil, and could enable cheaper, The technology was developed by at Cranfield and Nottingham Trent faster field measurements using Enass, a European finalist in Cartier’s universities can identify the presence smartphones and other mobile devices. 2015 global Women’s Initiative Awards, of hidden explosives or illegal drugs in through her work as a doctoral student Line managers milliseconds. The technology was the in the Scherman research group. The University of Surrey scientists led by fortuitous but inadvertent outcome of fuel cells potentially have five times Doctor Melanie Bailey have developed previous EPSRC-supported research the energy capacity of current battery a simple diagnostic test which can led by Professor Keith Rogers. technologies, and will be suitable for identify the level of cocaine in a numerous applications, from phone A spin-out company is developing person’s urine or oral fluid. chargers to electric aircraft. the technology. Potential applications With support from an IAA, the team include patient bone density The company is piloting a plug used a compact mass spectrometer measurements and assessment of and play unit in Nigeria to enable to separate cocaine from other production line processes. buildings such as hospitals to continue compounds. This technique could functioning during black outs. Bubble the benefit enable police and prison staff to Word of mouth instantly detect the presence of Scientists at the universities of Oxford and Ulster, led by Professor Eleanor Oral cancer is Pakistan’s most cocaine and reveal the amount of Stride (pictured), are developing a prevalent cancer, likely caused by the cocaine a person has ingested. bubbly drink they hope might help widespread use of smokeless tobacco, The research was conducted with cancer treatment. and poor oral hygiene. Researchers Advion Ltd and Surrey Borders at the University of Warwick, led Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. Some tumours such as pancreatic by Professor Nasir Rajpoot, in cancer have learnt to adapt to harsher, collaboration with University Hospitals Mine detector low oxygen conditions, making them Coventry, Warwickshire NHS Trust and Dr Ross Gillanders and Professor more resistant to drugs. With IAA a cancer hospital in Pakistan, Graham Turnbull, from the University funding and supported by Cancer are using IAA funding of St Andrews, used IAA funding to Research UK, the team are investigating to develop improve their prototype system for the how the drink could deliver extra oxygen a new detection of legacy landmines. to the site of the tumour, allowing and radiotherapy and chemotherapy to The prototype uses thin, light-emitting deliver a knock-out blow. polymer films. When the films come into contact with explosive vapour Ship-shape the light dims. By exploiting this Lancaster University scientists, in phenomenon, they were able to collaboration with marine service develop a portable system to provider James Fisher Mimic, transport the technology from with IAA support, have developed the lab to the field. condition-monitoring software Bedside diagnostics that allows ship operators to base Lancaster University scientists maintenance decisions on condition are developing a portable and performance rather than on bedside blood diagnostics recommended time basis. device in collaboration with The partners say the technology, which eBiogen Limited and clinicians can be retro-fitted to most ships, could from Morecambe Bay NHS “revolutionise fuel efficiency”.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 53 DRIVING INNOVATION Gateway to success

Professor Andrew Nix, Professor of Wireless Communication Systems at the University of Bristol, goes back in time to 2002, and the formation of ProVision, a company he co-founded with Professor David Bull to bring their research to market. Among their frst products was a revolutionary ‘home gateway’ – more commonly known today as a wireless router.

In 1989, when Things took a big step forward when Dave and I started talking to the I started my PhD, Professor David Bull joined us from university’s Intellectual Property (IP) it was clear that Cardiff University and brought with department, as well as to its mobile phones him his image and video group. Dave, newly-formed Research & Enterprise and wireless Joe and I got on very well. We shared Division (see page 12). This was communications similar views and visions. Dave also a revelation. were going to be had a track record of working with We suddenly had support and guidance huge. mainstream companies involved from people who knew about business. in video. Rather than go into industry, my We could have licensed our ideas PhD supervisor, Professor Joe By 1997, we knew the future lay in to industry, but RED taught us that McGeehan (see pages 40-47) the wireless transmission of video wealth generation is created in the and digital data. The problem is that persuaded me to join the lecturing industrialisation phase. So we formed the more data you want to send, the staff. I can remember his words: “You’ll ProVision. As the company was part- more wireless capacity you need in the own the intellectual property rights and owned by the university, it would retain network. For example, you need around when you come up with a good idea you IP further down the value chain. could really beneft”. 30,000 binary bits for one second of speech on your PC or mobile phone, Fortunately, we were able to secure We took the decision to form a spin- but HDTV-quality video requires fve to seed corn funding of £250,000. out because we were being asked 10 million binary bits of information This type of funding enables you to by a lot of companies to do contract per second. demonstrate your ideas and produce research and development (R&D). Most a well-developed business plan before Our challenge was to design reliable innovative research doesn’t actually you approach venture capitalists – who products that could support high bit happen in companies; companies may not be prepared to invest at such rates to improve image quality, but acquire it from universities. an early stage. The funding enabled us which were cheap and didn’t require to transform our university research But it’s not easy doing company R&D too much battery power. under the constraints of a university. into early-stage prototypes. Dave had found a way to compress You can’t take on PhD students and The launch of ProVision was video into a very, very small bit stream ask them to do development, because successful, and we were soon a using innovative algorithms that they need to focus on original research. thriving company with over 30 staff. Another problem was that many of my were way ahead of the game. This The company built on a lot of the best postdoctoral students would leave made it possible to develop a range of university’s research, much of it funded to go into industry. technologies, including what we called a ‘home gateway’, which envisaged a by EPSRC in the form of research It was very frustrating. We were set-top box in your loft that provides projects and funded PhD students. world-leading with the ‘R’ but really all the screens and computers in your David and I, thanks to EPSRC, also co- struggling with the ‘D’. The obvious home with a broadband wireless supervised a handful of PhD students, thing was to form a company in link. In other words, a video-centric several of whom went on to work partnership with the university. wireless router. at ProVision.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 54 Fifteen years on, ProVision is now part world, and in an exciting partnership of Global Invacom, one of the world’s with Cartesian we offer what has largest developers, manufacturers become Europe’s leading Wi-Fi test and suppliers of satellite and TV and validation service. Almost certainly peripheral equipment. It’s been great we’ve helped to optimise the antennas to see our research transformed into and radio frequency performance of product; streaming HD content to the wireless router in your home. TVs and mobile devices in the home. We got the basics right – and we seized the opportunity that disruptive technologies present. As for the home gateway, back at the University of Bristol’s Communication Systems & Networks group we continue to perform cutting-edge research. We work with wireless router manufacturers from all around the PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 56 Little wonders

In an EPSRC-funded study of desert Based on their fndings, the research backwards. Understanding their ants, Professor Barbara Webb, from team have been able to model the behaviour gives us new insights into the University of Edinburgh’s School of neural circuits in the ant’s brain. brain function, and has inspired us Informatics, and her colleagues have The hope is to develop robots that can to build robot systems that mimic observed that ants walking backwards navigate in natural areas such their functions.” will occasionally look behind them to as forests. check their surroundings, and use this Professor Webb (pictured) says: “Ants information to set a course relative have a relatively tiny brain, less than to the sun’s position. In this way, the the size of a pinhead. Yet they can insects can maintain their course navigate successfully under many towards the nest regardless of which diffcult conditions, including going way they are facing.

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 57 The bigger picture A spectacular image of swirling graphene ink in alcohol, which can be used to print electrical circuits onto paper, scooped the overall prize and two out of fve categories in the fourth annual EPSRC Science Photo Competition.

This image, taken by James Macleod, James says: “‘Wonder material’ in inkjet printers to print electrical Process Technician at the University of graphene is a sheet form of carbon circuits on paper. This was the frst Cambridge Graphene Centre, saw off that is a single atom thick. Among time we had used alcohol to create over 100 entries from an impressive its many remarkable properties it our ink and I was struck by how range of pictures and stories from is a superb conductor of electricity. mesmerising it looked while mixing.” EPSRC-supported researchers and However, graphene is diffcult to doctoral students that impressed the mass-produce. One way to overcome James won £800 of camera equipment judges for both the startling quality of this problem is to process powdered for his picture. You can see the the imagery and high quality science graphite in alcohol to produce category winners and runners up via behind it. conductive ink, which can be used the EPSRC web site: www.epsrc.ac.uk

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 58

Total value of EPSRC’s research and training portfolio: £4.6 billion

Percentage of research portfolio that is multidisciplinary: 68%

Total invested in research and training annually: £ 880 million

Organisations involved in collaborative EPSRC grants: 3,800

Percentage of research portfolio that is collaborative: 55% About EPSRC

Total leveraged from users: £ 1.1 billion

About the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) As the main funding agency for engineering and physical sciences research, our vision is for the UK to be the best place in the world to research, discover and innovate. By investing £800 million a year in research and postgraduate training, we are building the knowledge and skills base needed to address the scientifc and technological challenges facing the nation. Our portfolio covers a vast range of felds – from healthcare technologies to structural engineering, manufacturing to mathematics, advanced materials to chemistry. The research we fund has impact across all sectors; it provides a platform for future economic development in the UK and for improvements for everyone’s health, lifestyle and culture. We work collectively with our partners and other Research Councils on issues of common concern via Research Councils UK. www.epsrc.ac.uk Follow us on: www.twitter.co.uk/EPSRC

PIONEER 18 Summer 2017 59 Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

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