A New Light on Biophotonics University of St Andrews

Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

A key driver within the emergent and rapidly growing industry of biotechnology, which is already of significant importance to the Scottish economy, is the innova- tive technology of biophotonics. This is attracting significant interest already from the end user community and will aid Scotland in developing new platforms leading to the creation of wealth in the biotech and healthcare sectors of its economy.

Making a significant contribution to this research activity A wholly new integrated trap geometry has also been is the work carried out by the Optical Trapping Group at developed, which can produce a microchip where lasers the University of St Andrews. Here studies on several and analyte are combined. This chip can be used with interrelated and patented technologies contribute to the cell sorting described above or in conjunction with a growing and commercially exploitable portfolio. advances in Raman spectroscopy. However, it is even These include the development of a novel optical way more versatile than this and can be configured to look at to separate or fractionate cells in a microfluidic environ- fluorescence, detection and analysis. This could form the ment. This enables the sorting of small volumes of ana- basis of a disposable system to be used in health centres lyte without the addition of markers. Cell sorting on this or hospitals. scale is a burgeoning and exciting new area that is likely Prof. Kishan Dholakia to be useful where bulk sorting methods are either too [email protected] cumbersome or expensive.

Currently, in healthcare, the assessment of clinical samples for the identification of cancer or its precursors requires light microscopic examination and interpretation by trained personnel. This is expensive and, often, sub- jective. The development of an optical approach would both reduce the need for human intervention and increase the objectivity of assessment, thereby reducing the costs of laboratory assessment of cytological samples.

This technology would also have applications in biological and biomedical research. The potential economic benefits are therefore two-fold, ie a reduction in healthcare costs and the production of a novel technology. It is envisaged that this potential would be realised within five years as the group has already developed new methods to use Raman spectroscopy for cells and tissue. This provides an optical signature for the type of cell or tissue, which will reduce the acquisition time to allow rapid diagosis of cancerous or other abnormal cells.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

A New Light Source for Medicine University of St Andrews and Tayside Health Board

Recent advances in organic semiconductors at the University of St Andrews have led to the development of a new range of wearable light sources for medical applications. With the help of Scottish Enterprise and a Proof of Concept award, the University and Tayside Health Board at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee have commercialised the technology and created a company, known as Lumicure Ltd. This company plans to take the products to market, the first of which will be a new treatment for skin cancer.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has become a standard Lumicure’s first product will be applied as a simple dress- therapy for approximately 20% of skin cancers, the inci- ing, in two parts, with the ability to deliver a single PDT dence of which is growing rapidly throughout the world. treatment. The first part of the device will contain the bat- Skin diseases of a malignant and pre-malignant nature teries and the microcontroller, while the second part will now affect 15 to 20% of the UK population, 40% of consist of the lightweight organic light source. Americans and up to 75% of Australians at some point in their lives. Existing treatments are, however, typically Prof. Ifor Samuel [email protected] invasive or highly unpleasant and can lead to secondary problems such as infections and scarring.

PDT, on the other hand, uses simply the combination of a light-sensitive pharmaceutical compound and a red light. When the light is shone onto the treatment area, it triggers the light-sensitive compound to undergo a pho- totoxic reaction whereby small quantities of singlet oxy- gen are produced only within the tumour. This destroys the cancerous cells without touching or accumulating within the healthy surrounding tissue.

By exploiting recent advances in organic optoelectronic materials, Lumicure has developed lightweight, flat, light-emitting panels (OLEDs) powered by small batter- ies, which can be worn by the patient in a similar way to a sticking plaster. This allows the patient to move around during treatment and avoids the need for a hospital stay. The company has also already identified a major OLED manufacturer for the pilot clinical trial.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

A Non-Invasive Optoelectronic Device for Drug Detection University of St Andrews, University of Glasgow and Tayside Health Board

This Scottish Enterprise Proof of Concept funded project aims to develop a portable instrument to optically monitor drug levels in a non-invasive manner. It brings together photophysics and optoelectronic expertise with clinical excellence at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, and has resulted in the construction of instrumentation for the detection of drugs.

and economic benefits. The technology is also forecast- ed to further assist in establishing Scotland as a major player in the development of medical instrumentation.

Technology transfer and instrumentation are fundamental to the project, which has attracted the interest of a number of large pharmaceutical companies. A technical- ly advanced, portable instrument with both medical approval and the ability to be operated easily by medical staff is clearly essential in evaluating the concept as patient data is critical. Therefore, for the project to suc- The correct dosage of pharmaceuticals is clearly of great ceed, teamwork between the photophysics, instrumenta- social benefit, especially where the drug concentration tion and clinical aspects is vital so as to easily transfer required to produce clinical results is close to that which the knowledge base to the end user, the manufacturer or causes toxicity. Historically, drug levels have been meas- service provider. ured mainly by taking blood samples and subjecting these to laboratory analysis. However, most drugs have The ultimate goal is to provide either a measurement their effect at the tissue level and there may be a large service or instrumentation sales to the medical sector. discrepancy between levels in blood and tissues. Potential markets include industrial and academic pharmaceutical research laboratories, hospitals and possibly Therefore, the ability to routinely assess drug levels in even general practice. tissues could have large implications for individual medical care. By improving treatment in this way and allow- Dr P. Marsh and Dr M. O’Dwyer ing scarce healthcare resources to be used more effec- [email protected] tively, this project, therefore, aims to result in vast social [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Adaptive Optics in SUPA UKATC and the Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Heriot-Watt and Strathclyde

In the field of adaptive optics (AO), SUPA’s activities range from the research, development and prototyping of AO devices to the design, build and testing of complete AO systems.

For example, deformable mirrors are used in telescopes to applications include improving line-of-sight optical commu- compensate for atmospheric distortions, and a mirror on a nications. glass shell only 2mm thick requires voice coil actuators to distort the surface. However, the current design of the The beam quality in high-powered lasers can be improved European Extra Large Telescope, in which SUPA has via the use of an adaptive resonator mirror to compensate been involved, requires an adaptive mirror 2.4m in diame- for thermal lensing and other distortions (Figure 1). This ter. AO is also being used to improve imaging in earth can lead to improvements in brightness and reductions in observation satellites via stabilising mirrors, and other warm-up times by a factor of ten or more.

Figure 1. High brightness lasers can use adaptive optics Figure 2. The ‘Nano Hand’ and its user interface.

AO techniques have been applied to the imaging, tracking and trapping of small particles in microscopy to compensate for optical aberrations. This enables the production of better images, an increased depth of field and tighter focusing of laser beams.

Complex holographic laser tweezer systems can now attack by viruses. Finally, studies of particle trajectories be controlled by simple yet adaptive user interfaces, and their dynamics during combustion are leading to an enabling the manipulation of particles by a ‘Nano Hand’ understanding of how to improve fuel mixes, potentially (Figure 2). Sophisticated AO systems are also being increasing the efficiency of combustion engines by up to researched that track particles in four dimensions, allow- 30%. ing relatively easy studies into cell dynamics and cell

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

The Institute of Photonics has successfully demonstrated thermal lensing com- pensation in a solid state laser using a 37-element intra-cavity adaptive optic and custom optimisation software. This provides automatic mode control of the laser and establishes and maintains laser alignment. It also has potential in ensuring stable mode operation over the entire operating range of the laser.

For laser manufacturers, an AO element could be used ration that the sample itself introduces. With suitable algo- to compensate for the effects of variation of optic specifi- rithms adjusting the adaptive mirror to maximise contrast cations. It could, additionally, allow a laser to give in the image, it gives much clearer images, a useful output within a very short time after switch on. with resolution of smaller features at much greater depth Intra-cavity adaptive optics can also be very cost effective into tissue. This has great potential for biologists and life when a laser’s location makes it expensive to service or scientists who are severely limited in the depth that can maintain. be usefully imaged with standard optical elements.

In microscopy, the Institute has used adaptive optics in imaging biological samples, to compensate for the aber-

Colin Cunningham [email protected] Trevor Whittley [email protected] Miles Padgett [email protected] Alan Greenaway [email protected] Simon Andrews [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Development of Compact Laser-Based Radiation Sources for Industrial and Academic Research University of Strathclyde

Investigations into molecular and solid structures require X-rays from today’s powerful synchrotrons and free-electron lasers (FELs). These modern light sources are based on current particle accelerator technology, which makes them both very large and very expensive, with their construction alone costing hun- dreds of millions of Euros. This, however, is not the only way to accelerate particles as researchers at the University of Strathclyde have found via an international project on the use of lasers.

lution in the way science and technology is done by making available compact sources at a fraction of the cost of large facilities.

The benefits of such technology would include significantly reduced costs, the wide availability of compact sources, ultra-short pulses synchronised with lasers, and a wide spectral range from terahertz frequencies to X- rays. These would lead to a wide range of uses in many different application areas. For example, both particles and high energy X-rays from wakefield accelerators could find use in the development of advanced detectors for medicine and nuclear and particle physics, or high contrast medical imaging using tuneable X-rays, or even the study of the structure biologically relevant macromolecules in ‘real time’.

The laser-driven accelerator and radiation source devel- Light sources have traditionally been driven by accelerators opments will result in knowledge transfer both directly, by based on microwave cavities, but electrostatic forces with- providing unique Scottish-based facilities, and through in plasma, which is a fully ionised gas, can also be har- the direct development and commercialisation of the nessed to provide vastly higher accelerating gradients for sources, which could be installed in University sized insti- charged particles. By firing an intense laser pulse from a tutions. A patent on a compact radiation source has also tabletop terawatt laser into plasma, a charge density wake been filed in collaboration with Oxford and Berkeley similar to that behind a boat on water can be generated. National Laboratory. The huge electric fields inside the plasma can, therefore, provide immense forces to accelerate electrons to very As a first step in this direction, the University of high energies over a few millimetres whereas conventional Strathclyde has installed high-power laser and electron accelerator technology would require 10’s to 100’s of beam equipment to form a unique environment for the metres to achieve the same energy. development and application of laser-driven accelerators. Strathclyde is also leading the ALPHA-X (Advanced Small bunches of electrons from the background plasma Laser Plasma High-energy Accelerators towards X-rays) surf down the wake wave and rapidly acquire kinetic ener- project, which includes major research groups from the gy from the wave, just like a surfer catches a wave and UK and abroad, to harness laser-driven plasma waves gains energy from it to accelerate forward. The electron as a potential new generation of laser-driven radiation beams produced from these so-called plasma wakefield sources. accelerators have properties which make them very suitable as building blocks for ultra compact femtosecond light Prof. Dino Jaroszynski sources. Thus these tabletop devices could herald a revo- [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

EPCC – Making Business More Profitable University of Edinburgh

With over 15 years of experience as a University-based technology transfer centre, EPCC has developed a highly successful operational model, taking the best from academic research to application in companies of all sizes. Helping organisations understand and use computer technology effectively, EPCC has already supported over 200 companies in a number of different fields, including the games development industry, finance, oil and gas, and digital film.

In collaboration with Codemasters, EPCC has developed sis codes for Controlled Source Electromagnetic (CSEM) a short course, which focuses on applying the techniques imaging applications in the oil industry. This has enabled developed in large-scale parallel computing projects to OHM to increase the size of the problems that it can PC games development. This will help games companies analyse and the speed with which results can be to keep up with the developments in games consoles, obtained for use throughout the oil and gas industry. which require games to use parallel computing techniques. Also, in the area of finance, EPCC can offer Finally, within the film industry a period of rapid change is impartial advice to banks as to the best IT system to suit underway as companies switch from celluloid to digital recent changing financial trading environments. Banks process. However, by using its background knowledge have had to operate under tough trading conditions in and by focussing on data management and the transfer recent years and, hence, many, such as the investment of digital film media during filming, EPCC can help banking division of Barclays Bank plc, Barclays Capital, improve business workflows and decision making. EPCC have been inundated with an array of new technologies is currently working in this area with the digital post-pro- designed to help them operate successfully. EPCC’s duction company The Hot Factory Ltd and Jo Dunton & advice in this area can result in banks making the best Co Ltd, who were recently involved in the production of decision for them with regard to such business changes. the fifth Harry Potter film.

EPCC has also worked with OHM plc to optimise memo- Prof. Arthur Trew ry usage and parallelise one of the company’s key analy- [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Fast Field-Cycling Magnetic Resonance Imaging

University of Aberdeen

This project, which is funded by a £2.4M grant from RCUK’s Basic Technology scheme, aims to create new types of body scanner using Fast Field-Cycling Magnetic Resonance Imaging (FFC-MRI). It is anticipated that these scanners will be able to make visible features not detectable by conventional MRI, in order to provide earlier diagnosis of a host of medical conditions.

Although enormous advances have been made in Tesla Engineering Ltd, is to design and build the very improving the efficiency and spatial resolution of conven- special magnets required to switch the magnetic field, tional MRI, relatively little progress has been made in while being simultaneously sufficiently homogeneous adding to the diagnostic information provided and controllable. Also, an FFC-MRI scanner requires by differences in tissues’ nuclear magnetic resonance specialised hardware to control the scanner and its mag- (NMR) relaxation times. This is partly because all con- netic field. This part of the work is being carried out with ventional scanners operate at a single, fixed, magnetic Oxford Instruments Molecular Biotools Ltd. In addition, a field strength. This means that the data and images pro- spin-off company from Turin University called Invento duced, although rich in information, represent only a s.r.l. will collaborate on investigations into the possibility “snapshot” of the body’s NMR behaviour. of using FFC-MRI tailored contrast agents.

However, studies of tissues carried out in a number of As soon as the prototype FFC-MRI scanners become laboratories have shown that a wealth of extra informa- available, work will begin with the University of tion is in fact contained in the way in which a tissue’s Aberdeen’s College of Life Sciences and Medicine to relaxation time changes as a function of field strength. study the benefits of the new technique in biomedical Thus, if a patient could be placed in a scanner, and sub- research, leading ultimately to its use in clinics. In partic- jected to a range of different magnetic fields, it might be ular, FFC-MRI should be particularly sensitiveto changes possible to unlock this extra information, and use it to in proteins in the body, making it especially attractive for greatly enhance the contrast between normal and dis- research into and diagnosis of diseases including multi- eased tissues. This ability to change the magnetic field ple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease. Another potential strength is the main feature of FFC-MRI, but it does application is to study non-invasively the muscle mass of require the development of novel hardware, control soft- patients, or athletes under training. There are even pos- ware, and image analysis techniques. sible applications in the food industry.

One major technological challenge for the project, Prof. David Lurie which will be done in collaboration with Sussex-based [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Fibre Sensors Meet the Demand of Extreme Environments Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University researchers have developed a range of optical fibre sensors capable of operation in extreme environments in which traditional electrical sensors are unsuitable. A wide range of industrial applications will benefit from the enhanced sensing abilities provided by this technology including aerodynamic studies, measurements in explosive environments, and application to engineering and structural monitoring.

We have developed multi-measurand sensor arrays The fibre sensors team at Heriot-Watt has over based upon in-fibre Bragg gratings and their use in areas 20 years experience gained during a wide range of col- of restricted access is highly beneficial to minimise intru- laborative projects with universities and, in particular, sion. Depending upon the transducing element these with industrial partners. Many sensors developed in sensors can measure a wide range of physical and envi- these collaborations have been successfully demonstrat- ronmental variables, ranging from pressure, tempera- ed in industrial applications and several technologies ture, location and strain to gas sensing on the sub parts developed by the group are now actively being exploited per million (ppm) scale. by the industrial partners in a range of high-value niche applications. The Heriot-Watt team has also been involved in the research and development of miniaturised pressure sen- Dr William MacPherson [email protected] sors with a frequency response in excess of Website: www.aop.hw.ac.uk 100kHz. These devices, developed in collaboration with the Scottish Microelectronics Centre at the University of Edinburgh, have been successfully trialled in the investigation of flow in jet engine test facilities. They were also used to study complex air flows around scale model buildings following explosive air-blast conditions thereby providing information which is used to assist in the development of terrorist-proof buildings.

A new class of sensor based upon a novel multicore optical fibre has also been developed at Heriot-Watt as part of a collaborative project with Aston University. This research has resulted in the development of a sensor for measuring the shape and deformation of structures, in particular those for which traditional sensors are unsuitable. This technique will be particularly useful in monitoring thin-walled structures or components made from deformable and compliant materials.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Flexible Solar Cells on Textiles Heriot-Watt University

This project, which integrates renewable energy and the textile industry, concerns the integration of solar cells into textile fabrics. The source of direct energy with the greatest potential is the sun itself and particular success has come from its direct conversion to electricity using photovoltaic devices, or solar cells.

Problems with existing solar cells, however, include that 18% of the electricity generated in Scotland should their fragility, weight and rigidity. They are often encased come from renewable sources by 2010. This figure would between glass plates and must be carefully protected then rise to 40% by 2020. A successful outcome to this against breakage in transit and during installation. project would, therefore, mark significant progress for A consequence of their resulting rigidity is that they can both the energy and textile sectors, both of which are normally be attached only to flat surfaces. Hence, it important economically to Scotland. would be extremely advantageous to integrate cells onto flexible substrates, rather than onto glass plates. Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have, therefore, started to use a coating process, based on the Textile fabrics would be ideal for this purpose because microwave excitation of mixtures of gases, to deposit of their use in an enormous variety of applications. thin-films of nanocrystalline silicon on to polyester sub- In addition, textile fabrics can be produced by a number strates at low temperatures. The origins of the process lie of processes, such as weaving and knitting, all of which in the university’s pioneering work in the 1970's on amor- result in products that can be manufactured into a wide phous silicon devices and on its equally pioneering work rage of shapes with many different properties. Moreover, on thin-film diamonds in the 1990's. the textured nature of textile fabric surfaces promotes further absorption of light by the solar cells. Scotland's As a result of this work, therefore, and following a due textile industry also still forms an essential part of the diligence exercise by the BRE Scotland for Scottish country's overall economy, despite the severe cutbacks Enterprise Lanark, Power Textiles Limited was established in February 2007. This company, via SMART fund- suffered by some segments during the past 20 years or ing from the Scottish Executive, is currently developing a so. Despite their wide-ranging applications, however, prototype solar cell, which is fully integrated onto a textile textiles have played only a small role hitherto in the ener- fabric. gy sector. Prof. John I. B. Wilson The Scottish Executive is highly committed to developing [email protected] alternative sources of energy and has set itself the target

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Fluorescence Lifetime-Based Assays for Sensors and Healthcare University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh’s School of Physics and Division of Pathway Medicine have won funding for a major new collaborative project to develop techniques for a wide range of important biomedical applications.

The research promises to yield imaginative approaches unique combination of expertise and resources within to the development of molecular medical devices and the consortium, their physical proximity, and DIUS fund- diagnostics, and will address new and improved sensing ing will help the project develop a lead in next generation and measuring systems. These will have particular refer- technology for use in application areas from instrumenta- ence to advances in cancer, diabetes and inflammatory tion through to novel materials and molecular architec- diseases as well as influencing progress towards person- alised healthcare. tures. The goal is to use the advantages generated by the research to take a significant fraction of the market, The development of robust, label-free methods of render radioisotopes obsolete and eliminate false hits in biosensing is critical in improving performance, cost, drug screening. time to result, and simplicity. Edinburgh’s DNA nanoswitch programme will enable the development of The £1.7 million project will be undertaken in partnership miniaturised ultra-high throughput screening systems, with Edinburgh Instruments, the University of Dundee more reliable diagnostic assays and handheld point-of- care devices. Such novel biosensing approaches will, and Almac Sciences, under the latest DIUS funded subsequently, have immediate impact on in vitro diag- Technology Programme competition, and will run for nostics, biomedical research and drug development. the next two years.

As experts in fluorescence technology, the university’s Prof. Jason Crain lead partner Edinburgh Instruments believes that the [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Gyrotron Amplifiers for High Field Gradient Accelerators and Industrial Applications University of Strathclyde

At present the cavities of high-energy particle accelerators are largely driven by klystron amplifiers operating at frequencies of 1.3 and 3GHz, induced output tubes or magnetron oscillators. This situation is likely to continue for several years, but accelerator designers are constantly seeking to increase the accelerating field gradients in order to make either more compact or higher energy accelerators. Increasing the drive frequency from the low GHz range to the 10 to 20GHz range is one very promising route to achieving this higher accelerating field gradient. Also, looking ahead to medical and particle accelerator requirements in 10 to 20 years time, sources and amplifiers that can provide as much, or even more, power than the current GHz sources at these higher frequencies will be needed.

Gyro-devices, because they are not limited in power by physical dimensions to the same extent as klystrons and magnetrons, can provide these higher powers at higher frequencies. Recent research at the University of Strathclyde has therefore concentrated on the production of a gyrotron amplifier, which successfully exploits the mechanism of gyrotron oscillators, supported by PPARC, the Faraday Partnership in High Power RF and Elekta Oncology and in close collaboration with e2v Technologies and TMD Technologies. Exploiting a novel cusp electron gun the amplifier has been tested with an 120 keV, 37A electron beam measured at the output of the amplifier using an in-line Faraday Cup beam diagnostic, which closely matches the 35A predicted by numerical modelling. The amplifier achieved a peak Technologies. These funds are being used to support the power of 1.3MW and a saturated gain of 35dB corre- transfer of knowledge between the University of sponding to an efficiency of 30%, with a 5% tuning range Strathclyde and UK industry, thereby enabling this new in the X-band (8.2-12.4GHz). technology to be applied to commercial products to the benefit of the UK economy as a whole. The collaboration with industry undertaken as part of this project has strengthened the research and its success K. Ronald, A.W. Cross, A.D.R. Phelps, C.G. Whyte, has laid the basis for increased future collaboration as A.R. Young, W. He, D.H. Rowlands, C.W. Robertson demonstrated by a recent award of £830k from e2v [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Heriot-Watt/Renishaw Strategic Alliance Heriot-Watt University

Renishaw and Heriot-Watt (HW) have launched a strategic alliance, designed to build on their long-standing collaboration in a number of areas of physics and engineering. This includes the provision of rolling funding for research projects and equipment based at HW, the establishment of a metrology laboratory at HW and the provision of courses to Renishaw.

The bulk of the rolling funding (£100k per annum) is available for pilot projects, which have proven to be an ideal route for the expansion of the number of peo- ple, and the number of research topics, within the collaboration. To date, 15 proposals have been submitted to the alliance. A number of these are at a very tentative stage, so discussions are still ongoing. However, there are also five projects approved for funding, three in the area of physics. If a pilot project is successful, proposals for larger scale projects are planned, with the primary funding source pursued, be it research council or full funding from Renishaw, dependent on the nature of the project.

Under the terms of the alliance, Renishaw is investing £0.5M in a state-of-the-art metrology lab for Heriot-Watt, which will contain co-ordinate measurement machines, a 3D digitising system, and a Raman microscope. Application areas for the lab will include the analysis of laser-modified materials, such as laser-written wave- guides, re-solidified and heat-affected material as a result of laser machining processes, using the Raman microscope, and 3D shape measurement using the 3D digitising system as part of a laser-based manufacturing process.

Renishaw benefits from this strategic alliance via the joint selection of projects, access to the outcomes of the projects for commercialisation and an ongoing collaboration with a cutting edge research facility, which utilises state-of- the-art equipment targeted to produce future commercialisation opportunities. Most impor- tantly, however, the alliance encourages contact between world leading experts and researchers at the Heriot-Watt University with experts and developers within Renishaw. This enables the rapid development of ideas and shows signs of being able to accelerate the journey from lab demonstration model to commercial product.

Prof. Duncan Hand [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

High Performance Computing Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow

HECToR Now widely regarded as a fundamental research tool, computational simulation is increasingly being used in a range of both academic and industrial areas to improve understanding and to enable the speedy design and manufacture of better products. This technique was pioneered at Edinburgh in the early 1980’s and today the university is a world-leader in computational science, with the EPCC being regarded as the top centre for the transfer of these techniques to industry and commerce.

For example, the EPCC provides all of the national high Edinburgh now intends to use this facility to promote performance computing services for the UK through the computational science within SUPA and the other pooling HPCx system and the new HECToR system, which is a initiatives. It supports a very wide range of applications 60-frame Cray XT4 computer housed at the Advanced ranging from the design of new materials to combustion Computing Facility. This facility represents a major modelling, and from climate simulations to aerodynam- increase in Scotland’s research infrastructure and the ics. addition of HECToR makes it one of the ten most powerful computing facilities in the world. The combined value Prof. Arthur Trew of the HECToR and HPCx contracts is roughly £150 mil- [email protected] lion.

FPGA High Performance Computing Alliance (FHPCA) Consisting of several leading Scottish technology companies and the EPCC, the FHPCA has designed and built a 64-node supercomputer, which is the most powerful of its kind in the world. It is based on configurable silicon chips called FPGAs, or Field Programmable Gate Arrays. This results in the supercomputer being a cost-effective, low-power solution for applications where the processing demands of the numerical applications are difficult to meet using conventional microprocessor-based technology.

This £3.6m project, supported with funding from Opportunities exist for scholars to undertake research Scottish Enterprise, builds on Scotland’s existing interna- and collaborate with FHPCA members through the tional reputation in the field of reconfigurable computing. FHPCA Visiting Academic Programme. It is also revolutionising the development of FPGA computing solutions for business sectors including in the Prof. Arthur Trew [email protected] areas of drug design, defence, seismology, medical imaging, mobile telecommunications and computer modelling.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

SCOTGRID The goals of ScotGrid are to engage with and disseminate information, to a wide business community, about the importance and usefulness of grid computing concepts, as part of an overall knowledge exchange (KE) programme, in order to transform the global landscape of distributed computing for Scottish businesses.

Knowledge exchange activities are now regarded as an therefore, is to help Scottish businesses understand how essential component within the innovation cycle of any grid computing can improve their profitability, for example knowledge driven economy. As such it involves facilitat- by reducing research and development time and costs. ing the exchange of novel technologies and associated skills between the academic research base and commer- Prof. Tony Doyle cial arena as well as within the academic community [email protected] itself, where there is particular relevance to enhancing cross-disciplinary research. The aim, within ScotGrid,

Blue Sky, Blue Gene and Big Blue The theory of the strong nuclear force, which powers the Sun, is difficult to solve and represents an enormous challenge. However, computer simulation can come to the rescue despite the fact that the numerical simulation of the strong force has been classified a Grand Challenge problem by Nobel laureate Ken Wilson.

As solving this problem requires massively parallel com- led to a better understanding of the big bang and other puters, Edinburgh University and Columbia University aspects of new physics. have teamed up with IBM Research to make use of nas- cent system-on-a-chip technology in order to design our Edinburgh University, Columbia University, and IBM own hugely scalable 14,000 processor computer, known Research are now embarking on a further design, which as QCDOC. is expected to yield a 100-fold increase in speed over QCDOC. This may eventually result in a continuation of This research project has had a tremendous influence on the successful BlueGene product line, which the original the directions taken by the successful IBM BlueGene/L research work had a key role in seeding. system, later developed by colleagues at IBM Research. This 131,072 processor system is based on QCDOC’s The Blue Gene computer is being used in other applica- low power and scalability design and, hence, remains the tions areas including molecular modelling, drug design, fastest computer in the world. global weather prediction, and financial modelling.

Also, by using QCDOC, researchers at Edinburgh are Dr Peter Boyle [email protected] able to simulate strongly interacting particles and predict their weak decays with unprecedented control. This has

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Imaging and Sensing in SUPA Universities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, UWS and Heriot-Watt

Astronomers Aid Medical Imaging The University of Edinburgh has developed a unique, ultra-efficient parameter extraction algorithm based on optimal data compression for use in the analysis of astrophysics data, where a data bottleneck occurs. This algorithm has resulted in processing and parameter extraction speed increases of 100 or more, a million in extreme cases, thereby allowing previously impossible analyses to be undertaken.

Known as the MOPED algorithm, it is generic and can be applied to a range of image postprocessing tasks where there is a robust underlying parameter-based model. The project aims to prove the applicability and optimise the effectiveness of this unique processing technique in the field of medical imaging where it has the potential to improve patient throughput, efficiency of facility utilisation and clinical time. It will also enable the use of the newest and most time-consuming imaging techniques in routine diagnosis.

Prof. Alan Heavens [email protected]

Active-edge 3D Detectors The University of Glasgow PPE group is at the forefront of the development of a new type of silicon radiation detector, namely the 3D detector. Standard detectors are based on the planer diode while the 3D detector is realised by forming inter- posed electrode arrays etched orthogonally to the silicon surface. The device exhibits a significant increase in radiation hardness with an order of magnitude lower depletion voltage than standard detectors. This is coupled with sensitivity to within less than 5 microns of the physical edge.

Glasgow University is developing 3D detectors for both tronics modules to be produced in Scotland. This will the Diamond Synchrotron light source and the upgrade contribute greatly to a local pool of expertise being estab- of the ATLAS pixel detector at CERN. To enable this lished to drive future physics applications. Glasgow is building a partnership with IceMOS Technology Ltd, to fabricate and commercialise these Dr Richard Bates [email protected] devices. It is also exploring collaborations with intercon- nect suppliers to allow full 3D sensor and readout elec-

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Active Pixel Sensors (APS) CMOS APS detectors have become increasingly popular as portable, low power, low cost imagers. APS technology, coupled with on/near chip signal processing, is now also resulting in system-on-chip devices featuring improved sensitivity and quality, superresolution and an enhanced dynamic range.

Glasgow is part of the Multi-dimensional Integrating Intelligent Imaging (MI3) group, a consortium of eleven partners, that is currently working on a wide range of applications for APS. End users have direct input to the design, functionality and testing, and recent designs include a Vanilla sensor capable of reading six separate regions of interest at up to a readout speed of 20,000 frames per second for optical tweezing experiments, and a low noise sensor, which can yield a sufficient signal-to- Figure 1. Digital Autoradiography Imaging Using CMOS noise ratio for future pixel based particle physics experi- Technology: First Tritium Autoradiography with a Back-Thinned ments. CMOS Detector and Comparison of CMOS Imaging Performance with Autoradiography FilmJ. Cabello, K. Wells, Because this technology offers significant advantages in A. Bailey, I. Kitchen, A. Clark, M. Prydderch, R. Turchetta terms of speed and power consumption, over its com- School of Electronics and Physical Sciences, Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing, University of Surrey, Guildford, petitors, it is attractive for use in a vertex detector at the Surrey,United Kingdom presented at IEEE Nuclear Science Next Linear Collider. This forms a cornerstone of the par- Symposium and MedicalImaging Conference, Hawaii, ticle physics theme bid to SUPA2 with our partners in Nov 2007. Edinburgh and the UK Astronomy Technology Centre.

Dr Andrew Blue [email protected]

Delivering KT Success Via a Consulting Role in Microscale Sensors Jean-Francois Saillant has been piloting a new knowledge transfer role during the last year in the UWS Microscale Sensors (MSS) Group. Operating as a consulting applications engineer, he has been instrumental in building relationships between the MSS group and external organisations, and the transfer of knowledge from the group to external parties.

Major benefits can be gained by companies forming part- sonar company, Piezo Composite Transducer (PCT) Ltd, nerships with the MSS group, particularly small and on the development of a transducer for acoustic cavita- medium-sized businesses (SMEs) who do not have tion. This involved the testing of the device, and has access to specialists or the appropriate resources and helped PCT gain a contract with a major multinational facilities. The MSS group can provide these companies company. with simulation work, design and fabrication, and all aspects of ultrasonic transducers. For example, Dr Dr Jean-Francois Saillant [email protected] Saillant performed a feasibility study for Aberdeen based

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Extending the Capabilities of Optical Techniques for IC Inspection and Debug As sub-100nm feature sizes are now routine in modern integrated circuits (ICs) there is a need for high resolution optical techniques that can be used for device inspection, and online debug processes, such as non-contact electrical waveform measurement.

The Ultrafast Optics Group at Heriot-Watt University has spent more than five years developing backside optical imaging techniques for ICs that are now capable of approaching 100nm resolution in all three dimensions. The technology has a role as a navigation tool in the design-test-debug cycle of new devices and is particularly appropriate for imaging the electrical characteristics of an IC. The research group has also shown that non-contact electrical probing is possible by using femtosecond lasers, which could facilitate methods of high-speed device testing that are currently impractical.

Prof. Derryck Reid [email protected]

Optoelectronic Methods for the Detection of Restricted Drugs The aim of this project is to solve the increasing problem of identifying those peo- ple who may be intoxicated with drugs while performing activities that may be dangerous for others as well as themselves. Distinguishing between acceptable and dangerous drugs is difficult and, hence, it is proposed that this will be done by using optoelectronics to analyse samples using a handheld drug detector.

The unit will allow low concentrations of narcotics There are currently a number of organisations, such as present in drivers’ saliva to be detected by UV fluores- the Home Office and a number of small SMEs, interest- cence, which is visible to the naked eye. It will operate by ed in this idea. The Royal Infirmary in Edinburgh has also fluorescing a sample to give significant spatial informa- shown a great deal of interest tion, which is necessary in order to differentiate between legal and illegal drugs. Dr P. J. Henderson [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

IMSaT – the Institute for Medical Science and Technology University of Dundee and University of St Andrews

In today’s fast-moving world incremental innovations are insufficient, and, hence, biomedical device companies have had to recognise the need to invest in more disruptive innovation in order to protect and grow their businesses. Identifying and capturing such disruptive opportunities is, however, both hard for a company and often high risk.

IMSaT can help bind together researchers from physics and other disciplines with clinicians, health service providers, biomedical device companies and funders/investors, to rapidly identify and implement new devices in a variety of areas. These include:

• Advanced cellular and molecular imaging techniques, which will revolutionise drug discovery and evaluation, diagnostics, and therapies via MRI ship in the Scottish Universities Physics Alliance (SUPA), and ultrasound, and instrumentation such as the Scottish Research Partnership in Engineering robotics. These will enable the precise placement (SRPe), the Scottish Imaging Network: a Platform for of probes and provide destructive energy to Scientific Excellence (SINAPSE) and the Scottish destroy or shrink malignant tumours; Universities Life Sciences Alliance (SULSA). IMSaT now • New technologies for delivering drugs in a highly provides a new focus for this work, via collaboration with targeted, efficient fashion, which will establish industry and knowledge transfer including: new standards of clinical efficacy, efficiency and patient care; • Interdisciplinary brainstorming and fertilisation • Technologies for wound healing and tissue cor- of ideas for future research and development; rection, which have a huge economic potential for • Complete integration of clinical device technology the medical device and allied biotechnology and commercial development aspects throughout industries; and, the process; • Minimally invasive surgical techniques, such as • Rigorous front-end assessment of clinical, com- Minimal Access Surgery, ultrasound imaging, mercial and technical feasibility; radio-frequency devices, cryogenics and lasers, • Rigorous management reviews at key points in which are driving the potential for new state-of- the project lifecycle with clear “go” or “no- go” the-art equipment; decisions; and, • Multi-disciplinary development teams. Interface translational science, or the convergence of traditional scientific disciplines, is the key to major IMSaT’s development processes will also crucially be medical advances and innovations in areas such as certified through recognised routes, such as ISO and these. Experts within the physics departments at the Good Lab Practice, in order to facilitate the efficient, eco- Universities of Dundee and St Andrews, along with their nomic transfer of new device technologies to our corpo- colleagues in the medical and life sciences departments, rate partners from the very beginning of each project. have been working like this for years, pooling their talents Prof. Andreas Melzer and resources on world-class research of enormous ben- [email protected] efit to 21st century healthcare. This approach has been further advanced through IMSaT’s links with and partner-

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Laser Machining of Zirconia Ceramic for the Manufacture of Dental Restorations Heriot-Watt University

Heriot-Watt University has been carrying out research into the laser machining of Yttria-stabilised Tetragonal Zirconia Polycrystal (Y-TZP) as part of a project jointly funded by EPSRC and Renishaw plc.

Y-TZP is a tough, bio-compatible ceramic used for bone, joint and tooth implants. Its toughness results from a crack arresting process arising out of a stress induced phase transition at the crack tip. However, the one-off nature of dental restorations means that conventional ceramic manufacturing processes, such as moulding or extrusion, cannot be used.

This makes it necessary to resort, with zirconia, to individual diamond grinding machining. This is a very slow process, taking typically a couple of hours to machine a single tooth crown. In order to speed up this process, therefore, Heriot-Watt has been looking into using laser-manufacturing processes to remove material more quickly. However, because of the high thermal expansion, low thermal conductivity and high level of hardness of zirconia, it is easy to create unwanted crack- Renishaw already provides a service to dentists, which ing while machining. includes the measurement of the three-dimensional shape of tooth impressions. The company then uses this Novel laser-based processes have, hence, been devel- information to machine crowns and bridges. Heriot-Watt oped, which can remove material much more quickly is, therefore, discussing with Renishaw the transfer of the without cracking. These processes enable the manufac- university’s laser-based technology into the company’s ture of more detailed features in order to ensure a better industrial processes. fit for the crown to the prepared tooth. Patents are currently being drawn up with Renishaw to cover aspects of Prof. Duncan Hand the research. [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Materials Characterisation Laboratory University of Glasgow

The Institute for Gravitational Research’s (IGR) Materials Characterisation Laboratory was funded by the Scottish Funding Council to enhance the infrastructure and diagnostic equipment available to the IGR and it’s research partners. Access to the facilities of the laboratory and its associated expertise is, therefore, creating opportunities for collaborative research and development with partners throughout the world.

The research carried out by the IGR requires the devel- and expertise available through the Materials opment of extremely sensitive optical detection tech- Characterisation suite have supported broader research niques and systems for space and ground based meas- by other groups within the University of Glasgow working urements. These, in turn, demand the development of in areas such as experimental particle physics and advanced manufacturing techniques, processes and nuclear physics, in addition to several groups within the testing encompassing a number of disciplines. Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering and the Glasgow Dental Hospital and School. The equipment The Materials Characterisation Laboratory, hence, has characterised a wide range of materials and the has been designed to provide: lab’s expertise has allowed the development of new micro-machining processes for the fabrication of experi- • A ZYGO interferometer for analysing the flatness mental particle detectors as well as several optoelectron- and form of optical components with diameters up ic applications. to 100mm; • A WYKO NT1100 optical surface profiler for the Finally, these enhanced capabilities are generating inter- non-contact analysis of surface roughness and est from industry, and, in the last few months, delegates feature heights over a range of from approximate- from several local, national and international companies ly 0.5nm to several mm; have visited the facility on pre-arranged tours or to test • A Hitachi TM1000 tabletop scanning electron their samples. microscope (SEM) for the imaging of large samples with a maximum resolution of approximately Dr Liam Cunningham [email protected] 100nm; • Cleaning facilities for all samples and high temperature bake-out if required; • An Olympus Nomarski microscope with DIC capa- bility; and, • A HAAS VM-2 5 axis milling centre for the production of precision machined parts.

The addition of this new state-of-the-art facility has enhanced the IGR's core research input to several major international collaborations. For example, the new equipment has been used to support the development of the flight hardware for the LISA Pathfinder space mission. The clean room facilities have also been used to define and refine developments within the hydroxy-catalysis bonding process before transferring the technology to This metal baseplate, fabricated on the HAAS vertical milling US based colleagues for the Advanced LIGO gravitation- centre, has been used as a reference piece to develop a CMM al wave project. measurement program prior to receiving the Zerodur(R) Optical Bench Interferometer baseplate As well as strengthening the IGR’s contribution to a number of international research collaborations, the facilities

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Micro-LED Arrays University of Strathclyde

Recent work carried out at the University of Strathclyde’s Institute of Photonics has demonstrated the potential of ultra-violet (UV) light emitting diodes (LEDs) to illuminate red, green and blue light emitting polymers, or blends thereof to give white light. Also, ten thousand individually switchable micro-LEDs have been made in array format covering less than three square millimetres for applications in micro-projection displays, board-to-board communications and, more recently, to control the growth of a variety of DNA strands as a microfluidic path flows over the array.

Conventional macro-LED devices have an active area The rapid switching and pattern programmability of the approximately 350 microns in diameter and have a num- arrays makes them ideal light sources for use in a variety ber of drawbacks. In a micro-LED array format, each of printing and mask-less lithography applications. With microLED has a diameter of about 30 microns or less, spot sizes produced down to a few microns, resolution of and so is more compact, each has a better efficiency 3000 dots per inch could be obtained. than its macro counterpart, better beam quality and faster operating speeds. Arrays of stripes, dots and rings have been produced, and arrays of micro lenses have been produced in poly- Micro-LED array technology has the ability to underpin mers and diamond to give a collimated or focussed out- several major areas: put. More recently, work with the Department of Chemistry at the University of Strathclyde has produced • displays UV transmissive and UV curable polymers, which offer • lighting the possibility of self-aligned cured polymer lenses. • chemical and biological sensors • printing and lithography The light emitting diode market has grown strongly in 2003 and 2004, and is forecast to reach over $6 billion in The display and lighting industry worldwide is being rev- 2010. This suggests that the market potential for this new olutionised by the advent of high brightness LEDs. An development is considerable. array of individually switchable microLEDs produce enough light to be used as the engine for a micro-projec- Simon Andrews [email protected] tion display, eliminating the need to use an image generating layer. Gallium nitride (GaN) materials are also being used to make devices at the blue end of the spectrum (UV/violet/blue/green) and the same technology forms the basis of white light LEDs. Light emitting polymers have been used with microLEDs to produce red, green, blue and white light.

The micro-LEDs also have great potential as bio-sensors where the light emitted from each element of the array Figure 1. Striped LED array Figure 2. Micro-lens array could excite chemical markers for the detection and identification of diseases. The final array devices can also be made small enough to be carried on the person, thereby opening up the possibility of having personal units capable of detecting a range of different chemicals and biological targets.

Figure 3.A microLED array

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

MM-Wave Knowledge Transfer Activities at St Andrews University of St Andrews

The mm-wave technology group at St. Andrews has been designing, developing, constructing and testing components and instrumentation, for the last 25 years, for a wide variety of applications. The group has been involved in magnetic resonance applications for over 15 years and originally developed a continuous wave mm-wave Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) spectrometer that was subsequently commercialised and is now used in many major international laboratories as well as becoming a UK National facility.

The large bandwidth, small antennas, penetration through dust and fog and high resolution of mm-wave Radar systems are also currently attracting strong interest for mili- tary and geo-sensing applications. St. Andrews has been In 2003, the group was funded to develop the next gener- involved in a number of large MOD funded programs, ation of pulse ESR systems in what was the top rated UK based on original design concepts from the group, and Basic Technology proposal, from 140 applications from all current work includes a major collaboration with ERA areas of science. This £2.6M programme, known as Technology, competitively won against major UK defence HIPER, has been highly successful in terms of develop- firms. Other development projects include the AVTIS sys- ing both instrumentation and applications, and has just tem, which is a portable battery powered radar system for received major follow-up funding from BBSRC and volcano monitoring, in collaboration with leading UK vol- EPSRC to exploit the new technologies, particularly tar- canology groups. This provides accurate topographical geting long range distance (nanometre) measurements in and temperature imaging through cloud and dust at biomolecules. A related magnetic resonance technique is ranges up to 7km. A new system is now being developed Dynamic Nuclear Polarisation, which uses mm-wave ESR that will allow autonomous all-weather measurements in to significantly improve the sensitivity of both Nuclear hostile environments over extended periods. Magnetic Resonance (NMR) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurements. The group is now actively Finally the group also runs an EPSRC funded public edu- involved in three major collaborations with leading NMR cation program on mm-wave technology and applications, and ESR UK and European groups and industries. in collaboration with St. Andrews start-up company FIFEX. It is therefore also active in the development of The ability of mm-waves to image objects through common novel interactive exhibits, activities, lectures and presen- fabrics also has major applications in both security and tations given at science fairs and schools, which seek to medical imaging and St. Andrews has supplied specialist highlight the impact and importance of mm-wave tech- components to a number of international firms targeting nologies. mm-wave imaging for security applications. A passive mm- wave camera system called MISTM has been developed Dr Graham Smith for medical imaging, in collaboration with the Photonics [email protected] Innovation Centre at St. Andrews, which allows the healing of wounds or burns to be monitored through bandages. This system is currently undergoing trials at Ninewells hospital in Dundee with a view to commercialisation.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Nanostructure Activities and Photonic Integration in SUPA Heriot-Watt University

Nanoscale Optics - a new technology for optical elements There are diverse markets for micro optics, for example microlenses and diffractive optical elements (DOEs) with a range of requirements. However, although the design and fabrication of these products uses established technology, there remain important devices, particularly in the fields of fast optics and continuous phase-profile beam shaping, which current microfabrication technologies cannot produce easily or at all. In particular, problems exist in relation to small feature sizes, mass production and packaging.

In response to this, the diffractive optics group at Heriot- nents from one fabrication run. Watt is developing nanoscale optics technology based on an existing fibre drawing one. This involves the draw- In addition to installing the fabrication facilities for this ing of glass rods, with differing refractive indices, to a technology, Heriot-Watt is developing algorithms for the diameter of approximately 1mm. The rods can then be design of devices, which exploit it. This work will initially stacked into the appropriate pattern for the desired opti- focus on lens and DOE design before examining the cal function, which can be drawn down again to give potential for 3D photonic structures. nanoscale feature sizes. The final rod can then be sliced and each component polished to give the required Dr M Taghizadeh [email protected] length. This process will produce many identical compo-

Surface acoustic wave mediated single charge effects in semiconductor nanostructures for information technology In modern transistors binary code information is maintained by the presence or absence of electrons. The number of electrons has been reduced by several orders of magnitude in recent years and that reduction will continue according to Moore’s law. Therefore, a single charge will gradually become more and more important in modern information technology.

Heriot-Watt is, therefore, currently investigating single There are numerous potential applications for this tech- charge effects in semiconductor nanostructures in opti- nology ranging from high frequency single photon cal, transport and quantum systems, which are mediated sources to high frequency single electron transistors. by surface acoustic waves. The project’s specific areas of investigation include single charge transport in carbon Dr Jens Ebbecke [email protected] nanotubes and gallium arsenide (GaAs) quantum wells, the manipulation of charge and spin quantum bits, and single photon emission in carbon nanotubes, nanowires and GaAs quantum wells.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Nanostructuring Platform for Photonic Integration University of St Andrews

The creation of world class Nanophotonic devices depends on expensive fabrication facilities and in-depth expertise built up at high cost. This creates a barrier to those wishing to enter the field or to exploit it commercially. The Nanostructuring Platform for Photonic Integration was created by the Framework 6 Network of Excellence ePIXnet as part of its foundry strategy to address this issue. The platform coordinates the activities of several leading Nanophotonics groups in Europe, thereby creating a coherent fabrication service with a single interface to the users. The platform is currently grant-funded but has the goal of evolving into a self-supporting semi-commercial operation. By drawing on the expertise of multiple partners, the service offers redundancy against machine downtime and can offer a wider range of processes.

Figure 1. An ferred. The platform has a number of high performance example of a processes, into which considerable time and expense Silicon photonic has already been invested. They are now reliable and integrated circuit that was fabricated capable of producing results comparable with the best of by the platform. the world. They are: The best aspects of Photonic Wires • Silicon Photonic crystals and Photonic • Silicon Photonic wires Crystals can be combined. • GaAs Photonic crystals • GaAs Nanostructured Lasers The Platform performs work in two broad areas: • InP Photonic crystals

• Standard Processes - A limited range of highly Some of the highlights are silicon photonic wires with developed processes based on Electron Beam 1db/cm losses, silicon membrane photonic crystals with Lithography (EBL), with a set of design rules to which 4db/cm losses. users’ designs will largely have to conform. These processes have produced some world leading results. The fabrication of novel devices is an important area of The service is offered with a guaranteed performance research, which this platform can undertake with greater level against reference structures - this is one of the ease and economy than other foundries. Facilities at the platform’s unique selling points relative to other following institutes are available: Photonics foundries. • Process development - Novel fabrication is an impor- • University of St Andrews (UK) tant area of research. To cover this, the platform has a • University of Glasgow (UK) wide range of partners with a comprehensive set of facil- • ETH-Zurich (Switzerland) ities, including techniques such as Focused Ion Beam • COM-Technical University of Denmark (Denmark) Etching (FIB) and Nano-Imprint Lithography (NIL). • Universidad Poletechnica de Valencia (Spain) • CNRS-LPN (France) The platform has well developed links to other ePIXnet platforms- Silicon Photonics and InP Photonics- that offer Each of these has a range of facilities, and in combina- volumes of production useful to Small to Medium sized tion form a very well equipped distributed foundry that Enterprises. The Nanostructuring Platform is ideally suit- can offer solutions to a large range of problems. ed for rapid prototyping (anticipated turnaround time Prof Thomas Krauss once a job has been defined and agreed: 2-4 weeks) and [email protected] development of new processes that are compatible with William Whelan-Curtin these platforms, to which the process may be trans- [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Novel Dental Imaging University of Strathclyde

In recent years, the desire for dentists to be able to detect, and subsequently diag- nose, early caries has increased significantly. This is because, in the case of early lesions, the initial loss of mineral from the tooth can frequently be reversed and, through the use of good oral hygiene and fluoride, the tooth can “heal itself” and is often more resistant to further attack.

In a bid to aid dentists in this regard, researchers at the systems could be sold as capital equipment or offered on Institute of Photonics (IoP) at the University of a free lease basis with charges made per image cap- Strathclyde have built a system suitable for use in the tured. However, the most likely model would be to offer oral cavity by adapting technology originally developed the equipment at minimal cost to the user and generate for the telecommunications industry. This system uses revenue through the sale of the necessary sterile, single- low-cost laser diodes and optical fibres to make it capa- use disposable tips. ble of recording depth profiles through a tooth. The resulting curves can then be analysed and the depth and The system, see Figure 1, also has applications to other state of de-mineralisation within the lesion determined. areas of the body and, via the use of a different light source, fluorescence detection can be used if more appli- For treatment to be effective, the disease within a tooth cable for the disease of interest, thus providing a product needs to be detected and diagnosed as early as possi- pipeline. The commercialisation route for this would be a ble. Dentists have always used the optical properties of mix of possible company start-ups or licensing of the teeth for diagnosis but the challenge to an optical physi- technology to interested parties around the world. cist is to quantify and classify lesions. Simon Andrews [email protected] Although X-rays can help, in general, if a lesion is visible by X-rays, then it has progressed beyond the point of self-healing. The IoP system can, therefore, offer a num- 810nm Fibre optic coupler ber of advantages: Laser Diode

• Superior detection compared with dentists’ eyes, Hand piece with scanning through which early lesions appear as white spots Fibre coupled miniature optics & chopper on a white background; Photodiode • It provides diagnosis as well as detection for efficient treatment plans; Lock-in Amplifier Computer • It is suitable for inter-proximal, lingual and bucal lesions; • It can detect lesions earlier than X-rays and, Figure 1. The set-up for the University of Strathclyde’s dental hence, will reduce the number of fillings required; imaging system. • It is suitable for the imaging of every tooth at every visit, which is inadvisable and expensive with X-rays; • The capital equipment is not expensive and avoids the costs of photographic plates and chemical processing; • It is safer for dentists and dental staff as they will be exposed to fewer X-rays; and, • It offers a minimally invasive diagnosis.

Ideally the system would be used by every dentist for Figure 2. A diseased tooth every routine check-up and there are approximately 21,000 dentists in general practice in the UK alone. The

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Organic Semiconductor Centre University of St Andrews

Designed to bring together physicists and chemists to perform interdisciplinary research on organic semiconductors, the Organic Semiconductor Centre at the University of St Andrews works on the electrical and optical characterisation of these materials. Its facilities include a clean room, femtosecond spectroscopy, transient luminescence, tuneable lasers, spectroscopic ellipsometry and a scanning near field optical microscope, which enable the physics of organic semiconductor materials and devices to be understood and improved.

Combining novel semiconducting optoelectronic properties with the scope for simple fabrication with plastics, organic semiconductors can be deposited onto flexible substrates from solution by simple techniques, such as ink jet printing, and their properties can be ‘tuned’ by changing their chemical structure. Their unusual properties also make them suitable for a wide range of applications.

They can be used to make a wide range of optoelectronic devices, such as light-emitting diodes, photodiodes, developed for skin cancer treatment applications. Inventions have been commercialised by licensing and solar cells, lasers and optical amplifiers. They also have by spin-out company formation, and members of the very different properties from inorganic semiconductors centre have performed pioneering research leading to and devices can be made by much simpler fabrication the filing and licensing of more than ten patents in the procedures. They can be flexible and emit light with a past five years. range of colours in the visible spectrum. In addition to their application for displays, organic semi- Within the Organic Semiconductor Centre, the range of conductors have the potential to make low cost solar facilities and expertise available for contract research cells that could contribute to solving the energy crisis. and consultancy, and sponsored research programs The scientists in the Organic Semiconductor Centre are have led to world-leading results. For example, recent now vigorously pursuing this research direction. They are inventions have included highly efficient materials giving also working on polymer lasers, which could provide con- the world’s most efficient solution-processed light-emit- venient low cost sources for point-of-care medical diag- ting diodes, a new class of laser material, and a simple nostics. way of patterning materials on nanometre length scales. Prof. Ifor Samuel In addition, polymer light-emitting diodes have been [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Photonics Innovation Centre University of St Andrews

Based in the University of St Andrews’ School of Physics and Astronomy, the Photonics Innovation Centre offers a state-of-the-art facility for application orientated research and development in photonics based technologies. Formed in 1997, the facility addresses key knowledge transfer objectives and aims to help bridge the gap between the financing of fundamental research and its subsequent application and commercialisation.

In today’s knowledge driven economy, it is vital that strong industry/academia links are forged. An infrastructure that promotes the successful commercial exploitation of world leading photonics research in St Andrews, therefore, forms an important part of this activity. The Photonics Innovation Centre (PIC) provides a positive contribution to this requirement in that it:

• Undertakes basic to applied research programmes with a strategic applications focus; • Promotes the further development of research 'breakthroughs' by enabling prototype devices to be designed, manufactured, characterised and fully tested; • Promotes enhanced opportunities for the assessment and development of prototype devices in new applications; • Enables the more widespread use of novel prototype devices within the area of photonics; • Nurtures and encourages potential spin-out com- sources, optomechanical mounting systems and state-of- panies by offering access to necessary facilities; the-art diagnostic devices, such as optical spectrum analy- and sis and beam profiling. • Enhances the training of post-graduate and post- The Photonics Innovation Centre’s expertise spans appli- doctoral Research Fellows by working in close col- cations in a number of fields, including interferometry, laboration with industry. spectroscopy, remote sensing, imaging, and specialist illu- mination. These applications, in turn, address a broad The Photonics Innovation Centre occupies some 250m2 of range of market sectors, including industrial, medical, modern and purpose built space, which consists of five defence and security. development laboratories, clean room space, and office and administration areas. The laboratories are equipped to Recent project work undertaken in the Photonics a high standard, with vibration-isolated optical benching Innovation Centre ranges from proof of concept type activ- for sensitive devices and clean air laminar flow systems. ities to highly specific application-orientated prototype development. Project funding may be through industrial For the assembly and development of devices highly sen- sponsorship or collaborative government body schemes, sitive to particulate contamination, a clean room is also such as the DIUS Technology Programme, SCORE, available, while multiple optical, mechanical and electron- TTOM and others. ic CAD packages can assist development work. The centre also maintains a substantial inventory of equipment for Dr Cameron Rae general use on projects, which includes coherent laser [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Radiation Detection with Medipix University of Glasgow

Medipix, which features an array of 256 by 256 pixels, is capable of supplying a configurable image for the measurement of radiation energy per hit or for counting the number of hits depending on the application. It is suitable for use in a wide range of applications from dosimetry to confocal microscopy, but the core concept of the Medipix2 chip was originally invented for pattern recognition in the tracing of particles in the Large Hadron Collider (LHC). Since then the technological platform has evolved and is now being developed for different applications.

The Medipix Collaboration, which is made up of researchers from CERN, the University of Glasgow and 21 other institutes, actively manages the application roll out of the Medipix technology and has granted four commercial licenses to date for its deployment in specific areas. The most recent applications to join this venture have been from organisations that wish to be part of the knowledge pool built up over the years rather than just to have access to the technology. However, the format of collaboration that has recently evolved between the partners has also generated many original ideas and applications, which have had considerable success in attracting funding throughout Europe including via five Framework projects from the European Commission.

The Medipix2 device is a high spatial, high contrast resolving CMOS pixel read-out chip that works in single photon counting mode. It can be combined with different semiconductor sensors, which convert the X-rays directly into detectable electric signals for X-ray and gamma ray imaging applications. The Timepix chip, which has evolved from the Medipix2, features pixels that are identical in size to those in Medipix2, but the functionality diffraction analysis and astrophysics, are also possible, within each pixel has been changed. In Timepix each with members of the collaboration keen to explore such pixel can be programmed to count hits like Medipix2, to opportunities. record Time-Over-Threshold, for rough analogue information, or to measure the arrival time of the first particle The X-ray diagnostic capabilities of this system are cur- to impinge on the pixel. rently, for example, being exploited to characterise the This technology also comes with a host of Wakefield acceleration technique that is being developed side-technologies, such as read-out electronics, dedicat- as part of SUPA2 for the application of high powered ed chipboards, data acquisition systems, and software, lasers to the challenging needs of particle acceleration developed by the Medipix Collaboration. It is ready for for high energy physics experiments. licensing with or without the side-technologies, and part- nerships for further application specific developments, in Dr. Val O’Shea areas such as digital autoradiography, neutron imaging, [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Semiconductor Thin Disk Lasers University of Strathclyde

Semiconductor Thin Disk Lasers (SDLs) are a category of semiconductor laser, which form the basis of modern optoelectronics technology for applications in areas as diverse as optical data storage, telecommunications, and displays.

Optically pumped SDLs are becoming more and more Figure 1. popular because they offer: Schematic of the VECSEL. • Wavelength flexibility from ultra-violet (UV) to near infrared (IR) • Watt-level output • High-quality beams from lower quality beam pump sources

Researchers at the University of Strathclyde’s Institute of Photonics (IoP) have made these optically pumped SDLs which operate at numerous wavelengths including Figure 2. Red 670nm, 850nm, 980nm, 1060nm, 1300nm, 1500nm and VECSEL 2.2microns all of which depend on the same core technology developed at the IoP.

The applications demonstrated by the team at the IoP include optically pumped SDLs in the 1.3 to 1.6microns telecomms spectral band. These are based on the use of gallium arsenide (GaAs), and, therefore, offer power-scalability. These have the potential to be produced cost-effectively and are readily manufac- Optically pumped SDLs could provide a new source for turable. (see Figure 1). large displays, for optical data storage, or in such medical applications as photodynamic therapy (PDT) for the The optically pumped SDL concept combines the bene- treatment of cancer. fits of optical (diode) pumping and a flexible cavity geometry to, for example, produce ultra-short pulses from The technology is currently protected by patent applica- mode-locked variants. tions filed by the University of Strathclyde as WO2004/086578 and WO2004/086577. It may be possi- Lasers based on this optically pumped SDL technology ble, however, to grant licenses exclusive in particular will be suitable for use in areas requiring efficient cou- sectors, e.g. telecommunications, optical data and dis- pling of power into optical fibres and accurate wave- plays. length selection and control, such as are required in some telecommunications applications. In the US alone, In summary, therefore, the new technology has a simple, it is estimated that $23.4 billion was pumped into the compact semiconductor structure and produces a communications sector in 2000, with long haul communi- high power output with high beam quality that meets cations generating revenues of approximately $10.3 bil- commercial requirements for performance, packaging, lion. Since 2000, however the telecommunications indus- manufacturability and cost. try has experienced a decline. Nevertheless, the market is still a large and a valid one, and it will be an important Simon Andrews target to address for commercialisation of these devices [email protected] in due course.

Application of this new technology is not, however, nec- essarily limited to the telecommunications industry.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

The Institute of Photonics – A Model of Knowledge Exchange University of Strathclyde

Forming part of the University of Strathclyde, the Institute of Photonics (IoP) is a commercially oriented research unit, whose aim is to ‘bridge the gap between academic research and the industrial application of photonics through excellence in commercially relevant research and its exploitation’. Its research agenda is, therefore, influenced both by latest developments in academic research and by industry requirements.

The research environment at the IoP mixes the purely academic with the real world requirements of industry, and spans a broad range of photonic source development, semiconductor materials and devices, all-solid- state lasers and applications. It has established research in biophotonics, optical communications, imaging, materials processing and a host of other areas, with research teams combining to create a blend of semiconductor, laser and applications expertise.

The IoP seeks to establish long-term, on-going relationships with companies, and provide research capabilities, which complement their internal research activities and enhance their business performance. While the IoP can also offer shorter-term technical support for companies, this very often tends to be as an introduction to more extensive research programmes.

Located in self-contained premises in the Wolfson Centre at the University of Strathclyde’s John Anderson campus in central Glasgow, the IoP’s facilities include 12 fully-equipped laser laboratories, extensive diagnostic equipment and a range of software tools for optical and multi-physics modelling and design. In addition, researchers at the IoP can also access equipment as a new department at Strathclyde. The IoP is an enthu- at several other facilities, such as: siastic member of SUPA, particularly in the Photonics and Knowledge Transfer activities. • At the Photonix Ltd multi-user III-V semiconductor fabrication facility, in which the IoP is a partner; Nominally structured into the four teams of Solid State • At the Centre for Biophotonics, which is on cam- Laser Engineering, Semiconductor Materials and Devices, pus; and, GaN Materials and Devices, and Applications, the IoP also • At the Department of Physics, which is also has productive relationships with many other departments on campus. within Strathclyde University including physics, chemistry, electronic and electrical engineering, bioscience, biopho- The IoP’s portfolio of activities covers a wide range of tonics, pharmacology and the Business School as well as contract, collaborative research as well as consultancy. equivalents in other Universities. It now has more than 50 Its patent portfolio includes technologies with applications full-time staff and PhD student researchers, and, having in telecommunications, medical imaging, printing, dis- raised more than £2.5M in research funds last year, contin- plays, drug delivery, novel materials and materials pro- ues to grow every year. cessing. Several of these patents have been licensed. The researchers at the institute have also assisted in the Simon Andrews formation of a number of new spin-outs/start-ups as well [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

The Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre University of Glasgow

By combining top quality electron microscopy, focused ion beam, and specimen preparation facilities under one roof, the Kelvin Nanocharacterisation Centre (KNC) aims:

• To develop and use state-of-the-art imaging, diffraction and analytical techniques for the characterisation of advanced functional and structural materials; • To interact with academic and industrial colleagues to improve its understanding of fundamental processes in solids; and, • To use the new knowledge to improve the performance of materials with properties tailored for specific applications A metal inserted high-k gate stack as proposed for the next The KNC offers a wide range of expertise including generation of computer processors. nanostructural characterisation using transmission elec- Asymmetric transverse tron microscopy (TEM) imaging and diffraction with a domain wall in a 10 nm spatial imaging resolution of better than 0.2nm, and bet- thick permalloy wire ter than 0.1nm when working in collaboration with the Daresbury SuperSTEM project. Its researchers can also provide facilities for the imaging of magnetic structures using different modes of Lorentz microscopy, and nanochemical characterisations using energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) and energy filtered imaging. Focused researchers’ expertise can bring added value and aid the ion beam (FIB) techniques for the preparation of TEM transfer of knowledge between the academic and indus- samples and the property modification of magnetic mate- trial sectors. It is also willing to undertake a limited rials can also be supplied, as can the high resolution amount of service work for industrial clients. scanning electron microscopy (SEM) characterisation of materials. For example, the KNC has recently applied its nanocharacterisation techniques to the development of III-V A wide range of equipment is available at the KNC, MOSFETs in collaboration with Freescale including a FEI Tecnai F20 TEM/STEM equipped with an Semiconductors and the University of Glasgow’s EDAX EDX system and a Gatan Enfina EELS spectrom- Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. eter, supported by a full suite of specimen preparation The resulting information has contributed to the contin- equipment including a Technoorg Linda Gentlemill and ued miniaturisation of MOSFETs. Much of the KNC’s Gatan PIPS ion-mills. However, the centre is also a part- research on magnetic films, multilayers and nanowires is ner in the SuperSTEM project based in Daresbury, also highly applicable to a number of areas including Cheshire, which gives its researchers access to a state sensing, storage and logic functions. This is recognised of the art facility providing imaging resolutions of better by the centre’s close association with Seagate, with than 0.1nm, and Å-scale spatial resolution electron ener- whom it has collaborated on key EPSRC projects. gy loss spectroscopy. Prof. Alan Craven The centre welcomes collaborative projects with both [email protected] academic and industrial colleagues where its

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Thin Film Centre SEEKIT Project University of the West of Scotland

With the addition of equipment valued in excess of £2.4 million, funded by the Scottish Executive Knowledge and Innovation Transfer (SEEKIT) programme, the University of the West of Scotland has embarked on a new scheme to make its Thin Film Centre a renowned worldclass Centre of Excellence. It is envisaged that the Thin Film Centre will support the productive transfer of knowledge to businesses, thereby promoting greater collaboration with Scottish companies via a dedicated team of staff.

properties, for example, can be modified to provide a number of desired characteristics from anti-fog, anti-corrosion or biocompatibility qualities. This scheme will, therefore, result in the building of long-term productive relationships with SMEs in key sectors and working in a wide range of applications areas including ophthalmic, optoelectronics, microelectronics, telecommunications, flexible displays, energy generation, decorative and barrier coatings for pharmaceutical and food products.

Competitive benefits to SMEs will include access to:

• The creation of an industry standard ‘Applications Development Laboratory’; • Process development from concept to production; • Expert product/process problem solving support; Companies operating in the thin film industry face a num- • New product test and evaluation facilities; ber of difficult issues. Access to customer sites is • State of the art process monitoring and character- extremely limited because of confidentiality, and compa- isation tools; and, nies lack the necessary resources to make a significant • Enhanced system demonstration facilities. impact in their market sector. By enabling close collaboration with the Thin Film Centre, this project offers small New market opportunities for the commercialisation of and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) a competitive advantage by providing them with access to resources, thin film technologies are rapidly developing in such mar- staff and expertise. kets as energy with major opportunities in photovoltaics, which represent a potential multi-billion dollar market. This is a unique service to industry, which will aid compa- Another energy opportunity is in thin film coatings for nies in the research and development of deposition pipelines to combat corrosion and the Thin Film Centre is processes for thin films, the design and fabrication of thin already developing this technology as part of an ITI film products, and the characterisation of thin films. It will Energy project. In addition, packaging for the food and provide them with the immediate access to resources drink industry is an area where the University of Paisley that can only be matched by the largest multinational believes that thin film technology can contribute to prod- organisations, but without the inherent costs. As such, it uct freshness and customer appeal. will be of huge benefit to SMEs working in this area. Julie Thomson Thin films are ubiquitous over many industries. Thin film [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Towards a Retinal Prosthesis for the Blind University of Glasgow

Degenerative retinal disease represents one of the leading causes of blindness in the western world, with an estimated 0.5 million sufferers in the UK alone. The majority of these patients suffer from the degenerative condition of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which affects the light-sensitive photoreceptor layer, specifically the cones, which, in turn, are responsible for colour and detailed vision.

Another important cause of blindness is Retinitis between neighbouring pixels in order to reproduce the Pigmentosa (RP), which is a congenital disease. natural interactions that occur in the retina. It affects the rod photoreceptors, which are responsible for peripheral and night vision, before resulting in com- As well as leading to a viable prosthesis, this technology plete blindness. At present there is no cure for any of can be applied to other areas of the life sciences. these diseases and in the medium term the best prospect For example, it would allow, for the first time, an insight to restore useful vision is a microelectronic retinal pros- into the large scale lateral interactions that occur within thesis, such as that under development at the University the retina. This has implications for understanding the of Glasgow. information sent by the eye to the brain. A key outcome is the development of a tool crucial to further understand- Advances in microelectronics have made it possible ing in other areas of brain science. These include studies to manufacture a device a few millimetres in diameter, of cortical slices for investigating brain diseases, such as which can be implanted onto the inner surface of the reti- Alzheimer's, and monitoring the neural activity of na. This would contain an imaging detector with hun- cultured neurons. dreds of pixels. Each of these pixels would be connected to its own electrode, such that, when light falls on the Glasgow’s multi-disciplinary project sits very well in the imaging detector, stimulus pulses activate the output Physics and Life Sciences theme that is being put in cells located on the surface of the retina immediately place for SUPA2. It will by its very nature bring together under the platinum electrodes. An image on the pixellat- a range of scientists from diverse backgrounds with ed detector results in electrical stimulation of the corre- tremendous potential for knowledge exchange, both sponding retinal output cells, or ganglions, and the trains within the group as well as in other research areas. of nervous impulses produced will help the brain recognise the image. Dr Keith Mathieson [email protected] Other research groups aim to use subretinal implants to replace the defective photoreceptor cells and harness the remaining signal processing capabilities of the retina via the use of the surviving intra-retinal pathways. However, the nanofabrication techniques used at Glasgow allow for the production of arrays with very high numbers of electrodes. The array can then be mounted on a flexible film of only 20 microns thickness, which readily assumes the curvature of the eye. Each device also offers the capacity to programme interactions

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

Ultrahigh Resolution Real-time Ultrasonic Imaging

University of Dundee

Used in more than 20% of hospital imaging scans, as well as in non-destructive testing (NDT), underwater SONAR, and other remote sensing applications, ultrasound enables us to see through optically opaque materials safely, in real time, and with inexpensive equipment.

the real-time imaging arrays used for conventional applications. Many efforts have been made to overcome the barriers to ultrahigh resolution real-time imaging with ultrasound arrays over the past 20 years but they have failed to develop because of their reliance on poor performance materials or conventional mechanical machining techniques.

Now, a team from the universities of Birmingham, Dundee, Strathclyde and UWS has been assembled to take advantage of opportunities in net-shape material processing to tackle this problem. This team crosses the academic-industry divide, with research funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Figure 1. The world’s smallest routinely mass-manufacturable and development funding within a spin-out company, piezoelectric ceramic pillars for use in arrays for ultrahigh Applied Functional Materials Ltd. resolution real-time ultrasound imaging.

It is best known for its use in foetal scanning, but ultra- Net-shape material processing allows the microscale sound also has applications in the imaging of cancer ceramic components required for ultrahigh resolution cells, and ultrasonic NDT is crucial in safety-critical struc- ultrasound imaging to be created as part of the ceramic tures such as aircraft and nuclear power plants. In manufacturing process, rather than by later mechanical SONAR, ultrasound is the most widely used and indeed shaping. This is potentially a revolutionary step forward, often the only technique capable of creating images which has already allowed the team to produce the through turbid water for areas as diverse as pollution world’s smallest massmanufacturable components from monitoring, offshore oil and gas production, deep sea fishing, and harbour surveillance.

These many applications for ultrasound have led to a thriving and well-developed industry with equipment sales of about $5billion per annum, which, in turn, supports a much larger service sector. However, there are still many areas where further work is needed, including ultrahigh resolution real-time ultrasonic imaging.

The vast majority of conventional ultrasonic systems operate with a spatial resolution of at best 0.1mm. However, most medical and NDT applications require a resolution at least ten times higher. At the moment, these needs are either unsatisfied or met by mechanical scan- Figure 2. A high resolution scan of an ovine eye, illustrating the ning systems based on specialised high-frequency ultra- success of the material development in a mechanically-scanned sound devices, which are slower and less reliable than system.

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance Knowledge Transfer Showcase 2008

an appropriate ceramic (see Figure 1).

Further significant developments are also required, however, in the necessary microelectronic patterning and packaging stages. These demand that the ceramic is combined with a polymer, and then finished to a precise thickness and with the extremely flat surfaces required for photolithography. These tasks are made very difficult by the different natures of the ceramic and the polymer.

The team is, therefore, working hard on these issues and on the design processes that have so far been neglected for want of suitable manufacturing facilities.

Dr Sandy Cochran [email protected]

The Scottish Universities Physics Alliance