The five-year multi-centre research project ā€“ supported by Ā£10mn funding from Wellcome ā€“ involves researchers from the Universities of Cambridge, Kent, Ā鶹“«Ć½, Oxford, and Imperial College London. SynHG is led by Professor Jason Chin of the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology; he was also recently announced as the founding Director of the Generative Biology Institute at the Ellison Institute of Technology, Oxford, and a Professor at the University of Oxford.

A dedicated social science programme, led by Professor Joy Zhang of the Centre for Global Science and Epistemic Justice at the University of Kent, runs throughout the project alongside the scientific development. The programme will work with civil society partners around the world to actively explore, assess and respond to the socio-ethical implications of tools and technologies developed by SynHG.

The benefits of human genome synthesis to research and beyond 
Since the completion of the Human Genome Project at the start of the century, researchers have sought the ability to write our genome from scratch. Unlike genome editing, genome synthesis allows for changes at a greater scale and density, with more accuracy and efficiency, and will lead to the determination of causal relationships between the organisation of the human genome and how our body functions. Synthetic genomes have the potential to open up brand new areas of research in creating targeted cell-based therapies, virus-resistant tissue transplantation and extensions may even enable the engineering of plant species with new properties, including the ability to withstand harsh climate. 

To date, scientists have successfully developed synthetic genomes for microbes such as E. coli. The field of synthetic genomics has accelerated in recent times, and advances in machine learning, data science and AI showing promise, with synthesised DNA becoming more widely available. However, todayā€™s technology is not able to produce large, more complex sections of genetic material, such as found in crops, animals and humans. 

The research team are focusing on developing the tools and technology to synthesise large genomes exemplified by the human genome. Focusing on the human genome, as opposed to other model organisms such as mice, will allow researchers to more quickly make transformative discoveries in human biology and health.

 Professor Jason Chin, Founding Director of the Generative Biology Institute at EIT, Oxford, said: ā€œThe ability to synthesize large genomes, including genomes for human cells, may transform our understanding of genome biology and profoundly alter the horizons of biotechnology and medicine. With SynHG we are building the tools to make large genome synthesis a reality, and at the same time we are pro-actively engaging in the social, ethical, economic and policy questions that may arise as the tools and technologies advance.  We hope that Wellcomeā€™s support for this combination of approaches will help facilitate substantive societal benefit.ā€

A bold, ambitious project facing complex scientific challenges 
SynHG focuses on developing the foundational tools and methods required to equip more researchers in the future. This research journey will potentially catalyse new technologies in the field of engineering biology, generating exciting discoveries about how cells use their genomes even before achieving complete genome synthesis. 

The team of researchers hope to provide proof of concept for large genome synthesis by creating a fully synthetic human chromosome, which makes up approximately 2% of our total DNA. Initially, the team hope to establish methods where small changes are made to the sequence of a chromosome with minimal onward effect on the proteins that it produces. 

Setting the foundation ā€“ testing the concept, iterating the methods, and embedding ethical considerations ā€“ could alone take many years. Even as engineering biology technologies improve, reliably building a complete synthetic human genome and meaningfully applying it to human health will likely take decades.

Michael Dunn, Director of Discovery Research at Wellcome, said: ā€œOur DNA determines who we are and how our bodies work and with recent technological advances, the SynHG project is at the forefront of one of the most exciting areas of scientific research. Through creating the necessary tools and methods to synthesise a human genome we will answer questions about our health and disease that we cannot even anticipate yet, in turn transforming our understanding of life and wellbeing.ā€ 

Professor Patrick Yizhi Cai, Chair of Synthetic Genomics at the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ said: "We are leveraging cutting-edge generative AI and advanced robotic assembly technologies to revolutionize synthetic mammalian chromosome engineering. Our innovative approach aims to develop transformative solutions for the pressing societal challenges of our time, creating a more sustainable and healthier future for all."

Embedding global socio-ethical discussions in scientific advancements 
To effectively translate scientific ambition into meaningful and potentially profound societal benefits, it is essential that there is proactive and sustained engagement with the evolving socio-ethical priorities and concerns of diverse communities. 

Wellcome is also funding Care-full Synthesis, a dedicated social research initiative conducting empirical studies with diverse publics worldwide. Led by Professor Joy Y. Zhang and hosted by the Centre for Global Science and Epistemic Justice (GSEJ) at the University of Kent, the project builds on GSEJā€™s global network of academic, civil society, industry and policy partners to promote a new approach of scienceā€“society dialogue that is Open, Deliberative, Enabling, Sensible & Sensitive, and Innovative (ā€˜ODESSIā€™). 

Professor Joy Zhang, Founding Director of the GSEJ at the University of Kent said: ā€œWith Care-full Synthesis, through empirical studies across Europe, Asia-Pacific, Africa, and the Americas, we aim to establish a new paradigm for accountable scientific and innovative practices in the global ageā€”one that explores the full potential of synthesising technical possibilities and diverse socio-ethical perspectives with care.ā€ 

Over the next five years, the team will undertake a transdisciplinary and transcultural investigation into the socio-ethical, economic, and policy implications of synthesising human genomes. The project places particular emphasis on fostering inclusivity within and across nation-states, while engaging emerging publicā€“private partnerships and new interest groups. 

Through the generation of rich empirical data, the team will develop a toolkit to enable effective integration of careful thinking into the management, communication, and delivery of human genome synthesis. This work aims to substantially expand the practice of accountable science and innovation, reflecting the complex realities of a hyperconnected yet ideologically fragmented world. Care-full Synthesis will achieve this by advancing a fresh approach to engaging with global communities, ensuring that fast-moving science is accompanied by robust social and legal deliberation, and identifying innovative strategies to co-ordinate regional and global governance accounting for diverse social priorities and scientific pathways.

In a boon for the future of data storage technologies, the researchers have made a new single-molecule magnet that retains its magnetic memory up to 100 Kelvin (-173 Ā°C) ā€“ around the temperature of the Moon at night.

The finding, published in the journal , is a significant advance on the previous record of 80 Kelvin (-193 Ā°C). While still a long way from working in a standard freezer, or at room temperature, data storage at 100 Kelvin could be feasible in huge data centres, such as those used by Google.

If perfected, these single-molecule magnets could pack vast amounts of information into incredibly small spaces ā€“ possibly more than three terabytes of data per square centimetre. Thatā€™s around half a million TikTok videos squeezed into a hard drive thatā€™s the size of a postage stamp.

The research was led by Ā鶹“«Ć½, with computational modelling led by the Australian National University (ANU).

David Mills, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œThis research showcases the power of chemists to deliberately design and build molecules with targeted properties. The results are an exciting prospect for the use of single-molecule magnets in data storage media that is 100 times more dense than the absolute limit of current technologies.

ā€œAlthough the new magnet still needs cooling far below room temperature, it is now well above the temperature of liquid nitrogen (77 Kelvin), which is a readily available coolant. So, while we wonā€™t be seeing this type of data storage in our mobile phones for a while, it does make storing information in huge data centres more feasible.ā€

Magnetic materials have long played an important role in data storage technologies. Currently, hard drives store data by magnetising tiny regions made up of many atoms all working together to retain memory. Single-molecule magnets can store information individually and donā€™t need help from any neighbouring atoms to retain their memory, offering the potential for incredibly high data density. But, until now, the challenge has always been the incredibly cold temperatures needed in order for them to function.

The key to the new magnetsā€™ success is its unique structure, with the element dysprosium located between two nitrogen atoms. These three atoms are arranged almost in a straight line ā€“ a configuration predicted to boost magnetic performance but realised now for the first time.

Usually, when dysprosium is bonded to only two nitrogen atoms it tends to form molecules with more bent or irregular shapes. In the new molecule, the researchers added a chemical group called an alkene that acts like a molecular pin, binding to dysprosium to hold the structure in place.

The team at the Australian National University developed a new theoretical model to simulate the moleculeā€™s magnetic behaviour to allow them to explain why this particular molecular magnet performs so well compared to previous designs.

Now, the researchers will use these results as a blueprint to guide the design of even better molecular magnets.

We are sad to report that one of the founders of the science of radio astronomy, Sir Francis Graham-Smith FRS, FRAS, FInstP, has passed away at the age of 102.

Sir Francis, or Graham as he was known to friends and colleagues, was the second Director of Jodrell Bank Observatory, taking over from Sir Bernard Lovell when he retired in 1981.

His career in astronomy was remarkable.

During the Second World War, Graham had been forced to interrupt his university studies in Cambridge in order to work on the development of radar. At the end of the war, he returned to Cambridge and began working alongside Martin Ryle, another wartime radar expert. There he played a key role in pioneering the new science of radio astronomy, providing some of the most accurate positions for the newly discovered sources of cosmic radio waves using interferometers.  

In 1964, he was appointed as a Professor of Radio Astronomy at Ā鶹“«Ć½ and moved to Jodrell Bank. He worked on some early space-based radio astronomy experiments as well as ground-based detection of cosmic rays.

However, when pulsars were discovered by Jocelyn Bell and Antony Hewish at Cambridge in 1967, his focus switched immediately to these new and important phenomena. Their study, using the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank and others, was to occupy much of the remainder of his career.

Whilst Director of Jodrell Bank, Graham was instrumental in securing funding for a significant upgrade to the MERLIN telescopes, Jodrell Bankā€™s own interferometer network, including the addition of a new 32-metre telescope to be sited in Cambridge. This upgrade kept MERLIN at the leading edge throughout the 1990s and paved the way for the later development to e-MERLIN and the Observatory today.

Although he officially retired in 1988, Graham continued to be an active member of Jodrell Bankā€™s pulsar research group, completing the latest edition of the research text ā€˜Pulsar Astronomyā€™ in his 99^th year and publishing a review of Fast Radio Bursts in only April of this year, at the age of 102.

In 1970, Graham was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society. He then became Director of the Royal Greenwich Observatory in 1975 where he oversaw the development of the UKā€™s optical observatory on La Palma in the Canary Islands. In 1981, he returned to Jodrell Bank to take over as Director when Sir Bernard Lovell retired. From 1975 to 1977, he was President of the Royal Astronomical Society and, from 1982 to 1990, he was Astronomer Royal. He received a knighthood in 1986.

Outside his work in research and scientific management, Graham was always a strong supporter of and participant in public engagement with science and education. For example, he delivered the 1965 Royal Institution Christmas Lecture alongside fellow radio astronomers Sir Bernard Lovell, Sir Martin Ryle and Antony Hewish. Amongst many other activities, including writing popular books and research-level texts, he played a significant role in the development and management of the public visitor centre at Jodrell Bank.

Graham was married to Elizabeth, his wife of 76 years who died in 2021.  They had four children.  He was a keen gardener and, for many years, an avid bee-keeper, an interest which he retained well into his 90s.

Selected recent books

• Pulsar Astronomy
  Lyne, A. G., Graham-Smith, F., Stappers, B. (CUP, 2022). .
•  An Introduction to Radio Astronomy
  Burke, B. F., Graham-Smith, F., Wilkinson, P. N. (CUP, 2019). .
• Eyes on the Sky: A Spectrum of Telescopes
  Graham-Smith, F. (OUP, 2016). .
• Unseen Cosmos: The Universe in Radio
  Graham-Smith, F. (OUP, 2013). .

Selected research papers

• A New Intense Source of Radio-Frequency Radiation in the Constellation of Cassiopeia
  Ryle, M., Smith, F. G., Nature (1949). .
• An Accurate Determination of the Positions of Four Radio Stars
  Smith, F. G., Nature (1951). .
• Radio Pulses from Extensive Cosmic-Ray Air Showers
  Jelley, J. V. et al (1965). .
• Characteristics of the radio pulses from the pulsars
  Lyne, A. G., Smith, F. G., Graham, D. A., MNRAS (1971). .
• Crab pulsar timing 1982-87
  Lyne, A. G., Pritchard, R. S., Smith, F. G., MNRAS (1988). .
• Statistical studies of pulsar glitches
  Lyne, A. G., Shemar, S. L., Smith, F. Graham, MNRAS (2000). .
• Pulsars: a concise introduction 
  Graham-Smith, F. , Lyne, A. G., A&G (2023). .
• A new era for FRBs
  Graham-Smith, Francis, A&G (2025). .

Recent interviews

• (BBC Science CafĆ© from 2023)
• (Jodcast from 2016).
• (Jodcast from 2015).

Obituary written by Professor Tim O'Brien.

has been selected to receive the Robert Robinson Prize, while is one of this year's three Tilden Prize recipients.

Professor Larrosa and Professor Barran are among the more than 40 Research and Innovation Prize winners, which recognises researchers who have displayed their brilliance when it comes to research and innovation.

and have earned the Technical Excellence Prize for their outstanding dedication and technical expertise in running the at Ā鶹“«Ć½. The prize recognises outstanding contributions to the chemical sciences made by individuals or teams working as technicians or in technical roles. 

Prof Larrosa won his prize for contributions to organic chemistry in the area of ruthenium-catalysed Cā€“C bond formation, and receives Ā£3,000 and a medal.

His investigates the development of catalytic processes that enable chemists in industry and academia to synthesise valuable molecules in a more straightforward and sustainable fashion. The main approach in the group involves the application of analytical tools to the detailed study of the modes of operation of transition metal catalysts, and then using this new knowledge to develop more powerful and efficient catalysts.

After receiving the prize, Prof Larrosa said: ā€œIt is such an honour to receive the Robert Robinson Award, especially given its history of celebrating transformative contributions to organic chemistry. This recognition reflects the creativity, persistence and collaborative spirit of the brilliant researchers I have had the privilege to work with over the years. I am proud of what we have achieved together, and deeply grateful for the support of my colleagues, mentors and the wider scientific community.ā€

Professor Barran was recognised with the Tilden Prize for her work on the application of ion mobility mass spectrometry to complex biological systems, and breakthroughs in biomarker discovery ā€“ notably non-invasive sampling to diagnose Parkinson's disease.

Her focuses on developing advanced mass spectrometry techniques to study the structure and behaviour of proteins and other biomolecules, with applications in understanding the fundamentals of biology, the mechanistic reasons for diseases and the development of therapeutics and diagnostics. One of our most notable achievements is the collaborative work with Joy Milne, a retired nurse who possesses an extraordinary sense of smell and noticed a distinct odour associated with Parkinsonā€™s disease.

This observation led to research demonstrating that sebum, an oily substance secreted by the skin, contains compounds that can serve as biomarkers for Parkinsonā€™s. Using mass spectrometry, our team identified specific molecules in sebum that differ between individuals with and without Parkinsonā€™s disease. This discovery has paved the way for the development of a non-invasively sampled and rapid diagnostic test that can detect Parkinsonā€™s disease with high accuracy, potentially allowing for earlier intervention and treatment.

Prof Barran won Ā£5,000 and a medal. 

After receiving the prize, Prof Barran said: ā€œI was absolutely thrilled! This prize was formally won by both my PhD advisors, Harry Kroto and Tony Stace, my undergraduate personal tutor, Dave Garner, and many other brilliant scientists. I felt totally honoured to be among these people who I have always respected. In my case, I attribute winning to the people that I have been privileged to work with. I noted that out of about 200 recipients I was the ninth female. This also made me feel pretty pleased!ā€

Dr Muralidharan Shanmugam and Adam Brookfield are two EPSRC National Research Facility (NRF) for Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy technical specialists named as the winners of one of the Royal Society of Chemistryā€™s team prizes, which celebrate discoveries and innovations that push the boundaries of science.

The duo have been recognised for their outstanding dedication and technical expertise in running the facility at Ā鶹“«Ć½. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is the spectroscopic technique that is selective and sensitive to unpaired electrons. The unpaired electrons could be intrinsic to the materials studied or could be induced via a process (e.g light/heat/chemically) to provide information on structure, kinetics and much more, with applications covering all areas of physics, chemistry, biology and materials science. The technical team at the EPSRC NRF both maintain the equipment and assist users with the design, implementation and analysis of proposed experiments.

They will share Ā£3,000 and receive a trophy.

 After receiving the prize, Adam Brookfield said: ā€œBoth Murali and I are over the moon that our contributions have been recognised by the RSC with this award.

"We're both nosey scientists at heart, we want to provide the best instrument access and knowledge to our users to enable their world-class science. We're in a unique position where we get to see and adapt the facility to the trends and hotspots in research areas, alongside training the next generation of scientific leaders.ā€

The Royal Society of Chemistryā€™s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. This yearā€™s winners join a prestigious list of past recipients in the RSCā€™s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: ā€œThe chemical sciences cover a rich and diverse collection of disciplines, from fundamental understanding of materials and the living world, to applications in medicine, sustainability, technology and more. By working together across borders and disciplines, chemists are finding solutions to some of the worldā€™s most pressing challenges.

ā€œOur prize winners come from a vast array of backgrounds, all contributing in different ways to our knowledge base, and bringing fresh ideas and innovations. We recognise chemical scientists from every career stage and every role type, including those who contribute to the RSCā€™s work as volunteers. We celebrate winners from both industry and academia, as well as individuals, teams, and the science itself.

ā€œTheir passion, dedication and brilliance are an inspiration. I extend my warmest congratulations to them all.ā€

For more information about the RSCā€™s prizes portfolio, visit .

The Vera C. Rubin Observatory in Chile, has released a series of extraordinary images, which show millions of galaxies, stars in the Milky Way and thousands of asteroids, all in unprecedented detail.  

These images, captured in just 10 hours of observations, offer a glimpse of whatā€™s to come from Rubinā€™s forthcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST) - a 10-year mission to build the most detailed time-lapse map of the night sky ever attempted.

The UK is playing a major role in the global collaboration, as the second-largest international contributor to the project, supported by a Ā£23 million investment from the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).

The UK will host one of three international data facilities to support management and processing of the unprecedented amounts of data that Rubin will produce.

Among the UK scientists closely involved is Professor Chris Conselice, Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy at Ā鶹“«Ć½. Professor Conselice sits on the UK:LSST/Rubin Board and has contributed to key scientific analyses for preparation of the data, including techniques to detect very diffuse light around galaxies and how the data from Rubin can be used with Euclid - another international satellite mission to map the dark universe.

The images have been taken with the LSST Camera - the worldā€™s newest and most powerful survey telescope, equipped with the largest digital camera ever built and feeds a powerful data processing system.

Over the next decade, it will repeatedly scan the sky to create an ultra-wide, ultra-high-definition time-lapse record of our Universe that will bring the sky to life with a treasure trove of billions of scientific discoveries. The images will reveal asteroids and comets, pulsating stars, supernova explosions, far-off galaxies and perhaps cosmic phenomena that no one has seen before.

Already, the camera has identified more than 2000 never-before-seen asteroids in our Solar System.

The project will generate the largest dataset in the history of optical astronomy. The amount of data gathered by Rubin Observatory in its first year alone will be greater than that collected by all other optical observatories combined.

The dataset is expected to reach around 500 petabytes and catalogue billions of cosmic objects with trillions of measurements that will help scientists make countless discoveries about the Universe and will serve as an incomparable resource for scientific exploration for decades to come.

Now live across five berths in North Harbourā€”with additional capacity to expandā€”the installation is expected to reduce up to 60,000 tonnes of COā‚‚ equivalent over the next 20 years. This saving is equivalent to removing approximately 2,140 cars from the road each year. also sets out how UK Government policy changes could support faster deployment of shore power at other ports.

The success of the project not only helps Aberdeen advance its ambition to become the UKā€™s first net zero port by 2040 but also demonstrates the crucial role university research plays in real-world climate solutions. Dr Bullock and the Tyndall teamā€™s sustained involvement from early research to full deployment highlights the lasting value of academic contributions to national decarbonisation efforts.

The project, known as Shore Power in Operation, is part of the UK Department for Transportā€™s Zero Emission Vessels and Infrastructure (ZEVI) competition, delivered through UK SHORE and Innovate UK. With Ā£4 million in funding and extensive collaboration between industry and academia, it represents a landmark public-private investment in cleaner port infrastructure.

Port of Aberdeen led the initiative in partnership with a broad consortium including OSM Offshore, Tidewater Marine UK Ltd, Connected Places Catapult, and researchers from the Tyndall Centre based in the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½, with support from Buro Happold and Energy Systems Catapult. PowerCon, a global leader in shore power solutions, delivered the on-site infrastructure.

As nations around the world aim to meet climate targets set by the Paris Agreement, the researchers highlight that without careful planning, effort to cut emissions could unintentionally maintain or widen existing regional gaps in access to services, such as how energy and water are distributed.

To help address this, the team have developed a framework, published in the journal , which uses artificial intelligence tools combined with detailed country-scale digital twin simulators to help identify infrastructure intervention plans that reduce emissions while fairly managing access to vital services like electricity and water, and improving food production.

The approach aims to help achieve sustainability and climate targets, particularly in countries with complicated interdependencies between sectors and inequitable access to services. It helps ensure that no region or community is left behind in the journey to net zero and supports UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Using a case study of Ghana, the research shows that reaching a fairer, low-carbon energy transition will not only require increased investments in renewable energy and transmission infrastructure but also more informed social, economic, and environmental planning. Countries must consider who benefits from infrastructure investments ā€“ not just how much carbon they cut.

This research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Full title: Delivering equity in low-carbon multisector infrastructure planning

DOI:

Link:

John Whittaker, Engineering Director at the , is delighted to announce his appointment to the international advisory board of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in 2D Materials of Tomorrow (2DMoT CDT). The new CDT builds on the legacy of Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s pioneering Graphene NOWNANO CDT and is designed to shape the next generation of leaders in the fast-evolving field of 2D materials.

Reflecting on his new role John said, ā€œItā€™s a real privilege to be part of this initiative. The 2DMoT CDT doesnā€™t just focus on academic excellence - it brings research to life by connecting it with industry, impact, and innovation. Iā€™m excited to work alongside these emerging researchers and help create a space where science and real-world application go hand in hand.ā€

Funded by the EPSRC, the 2DMoT CDT will welcome its first student cohort in September 2025. The programme is a collaboration between Ā鶹“«Ć½ and the University of Cambridge, with initial training and the majority of research projects based in Ā鶹“«Ć½. The CDT offers an intensive four-year PhD that focuses on the science and application of the rapidly growing family of two-dimensional (2D) materials. It provides a unique training environment that blends academic excellence with industry collaboration and innovation opportunities.

The CDT aligns closely with the Faculty of Science and Engineering (FSE)ā€™s vision and the Universityā€™s ambition to define the role of a great civic university in the 21st century. Advanced materials is one of FSEā€™s core research beacons, and the CDT builds on this by promoting employability, interdisciplinary training, and values-driven partnerships. Rooted in innovation and a strong sense of purpose, the programme reflects our commitment to global impact, local engagement, and an inclusive student experience.

This vision is brought to life through the work of the GEIC, where John serves as Engineering Director. As one of the UKā€™s leading centres for the commercialisation of 2D materials, the GEIC transforms early-stage research into real-world applications, helping businesses navigate the crucial ā€˜middle groundā€™ of technology readiness (TRLs 4ā€“7). With its state-of-the-art infrastructure, industrial partnerships, and translational focus, the GEIC plays a central role in the advanced materials ecosystem. Johnā€™s involvement in the CDT advisory board strengthens the pipeline between research and industry - ensuring doctoral students gain not only technical excellence, but the commercial awareness needed to drive innovation from lab to market.

The CDTā€™s impact also extends into Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s wider innovation landscape through Unit M - a bold, University-led initiative to accelerate discovery, innovation, and inclusive economic growth. Unit M connects research, industry, investors, and civic partners to unlock the full potential of the regionā€™s innovation ecosystem. By developing skilled researchers and fostering academicā€“industry collaboration, the CDT plays a valuable role in supporting Unit Mā€™s mission to drive prosperity across Greater Ā鶹“«Ć½ and beyond.

This collaborative spirit is further exemplified by the new Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€“Cambridge partnership, with the CDT as one of its early flagship initiatives. By linking two of the UKā€™s most dynamic innovation economies, the partnership brings together Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s strengths in industry-facing innovation with Cambridgeā€™s academic excellence and world-class startup culture. Together, they represent a new model for university collaboration ā€“ one rooted in purpose, people, and place ā€“ that challenges traditional boundaries and redefines whatā€™s possible when research, talent, and enterprise move hand in hand.

As John steps into this advisory role, his appointment is a reflection not only of his leadership at GEIC but of the broader vision to ensure that materials science remains one of the UKā€™s greatest engines of innovation.

Desalination of seawater and brackish water is one of the essential solutions to the increasing global challenge of water scarcity. Yet, widespread deployment of desalination technologies remains limited due to high upfront costs and intensive energy requirements. Moreover, current desalination systems use fossil fuels contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

To address these challenges, the EU-funded project AQUASOL brings together a multidisciplinary team of seven partners from six countries to explore and develop innovative solutions to facilitate green transition in desalination processes. To achieve this, the consortium will develop a technological platform that will enable the integration of renewable energy sources into desalination technologies and provide disruptive solutions for seawater and wastewater treatment.

, a researcher at Ā鶹“«Ć½, will develop graphene-based membranes designed to treat seawater and brackish water more efficiently. The goal is to increase membrane durability and reduce energy demands, offering practical improvements over current desalination systems.

The partners, comprising of research institutions, universities and small and medium businesses, met in Barcelona to officially launch the project, which started earlier this month.

AQUASOL, which stands for Advanced Quality Renewable Energy-Powered Solutions For Water Desalination In Agriculture And Wastewater Recycling, has a total budget of over ā‚¬3.6M and will run for 3 years. Ā鶹“«Ć½ joins six other partners: Instituto TecnolĆ³gico de Canarias (Spain), Strane Innovation (France), Ferr-Tech B.V. (Netherlands), farmB (Greece), and Aarhus University (Denmark).

Acknowledgements

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.

The team designed a two-dimensional (2D) manganese-oxide/graphene superlattice that triggers a unique lattice-wide strain mechanism. This approach significantly boosts the structural stability of the batteryā€™s cathode material, enabling it to operate reliably over 5,000 charge-discharge cycles. Thatā€™s around 50% longer than current zinc-ion batteries.

The research, published in , offers a practical route to scalable, water-based energy storage technologies.

Atomic-level control over battery durability

The breakthrough centres on a phenomenon called the Cooperative Jahn-Teller Effect (CJTE). A coordinated lattice distortion caused by a specific 1:1 ratio of manganese ions (MnĀ³āŗ and Mnā“āŗ). When built into a layered 2D structure on graphene, this ratio produces long-range, uniform strain across the material.

That strain helps the cathode resist breakdown during repeated cycling.

The result is a low-cost, aqueous zinc-ion battery that performs with greater durability, and without the safety risks linked to lithium-ion cells.

ā€œThis work demonstrates how 2D material heterostructures can be engineered for scalable applications,ā€ said , lead and corresponding author from University of Technology Sydney and a Royal Society Wolfson visiting Fellow at Ā鶹“«Ć½. ā€œOur approach shows that superlattice design is not just a lab-scale novelty, but a viable route to improving real-world devices such as rechargeable batteries. It highlights how 2D material innovation can be translated into practical technologies.ā€

Towards better grid-scale storage

Zinc-ion batteries are widely viewed as a promising candidate for stationary storage, storing renewable energy for homes, businesses or the power grid. But until now, their limited lifespan has restricted real-world use.

This study shows how chemical control at the atomic level can overcome that barrier.

Co-corresponding author from Ā鶹“«Ć½ said, ā€œOur research opens a new frontier in strain engineering for 2D materials. By inducing the cooperative Jahn-Teller effect, weā€™ve shown that itā€™s possible to fine-tune the magnetic, mechanical, and optical properties of materials in ways that were previously not feasible.ā€

The team also demonstrated that their synthesis process works at scale using water-based methods, without toxic solvents or extreme temperatures - a step forward in making zinc-ion batteries more practical for manufacturing.

This research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Full title: Cooperative Jahn-Teller effect and engineered long-range strain in manganese oxide/graphene superlattice for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

DOI: 

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at Ā鶹“«Ć½, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field ā€“ a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by Ā£13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

The results have been published in the journal .

Using a new two-step fabrication method, the researchers demonstrated for the first time that it is possible to create and monitor, ā€˜as they switch onā€™, individual Group-IV quantum defects in diamondā€”tiny imperfections in the diamond crystal lattice that can store and transmit information using the exotic rules of quantum physics. By carefully placing single tin atoms into synthetic diamond crystals and then using an ultrafast laser to activate them, the team achieved pinpoint control over where and how these quantum features appear. This level of precision is vital for making practical, large-scale quantum networks capable of ultra-secure communication and distributed quantum computing to tackle currently unsolvable problems.

Study co-author , Department of Materials at the University of Oxford, said: ā€œThis breakthrough gives us unprecedented control over single tin-vacancy colour centres in diamond, a crucial milestone for scalable quantum devices. What excites me most is that we can watch, in real time, how the quantum defects are formed.ā€

Specifically, the defects in the diamond act as spin-photon interfaces, which means they can connect quantum bits of information (stored in the spin of an electron) with particles of light. The tin-vacancy defects belong to a family known as Group-IV colour centresā€”a class of defects in diamond created by atoms such as silicon, germanium, or tin.

Group-IV centres have long been prized for their high degree of symmetry, which gives them stable optical and spin properties, making them ideal for quantum networking applications. It is widely thought that tin-vacancy centres have the best combination of these propertiesā€”but until now, reliably placing and activating individual defects was a major challenge.

The researchers used a focused ion beam platformā€”essentially a tool that acts like an atomic-scale spray can, directing individual tin ions into exact positions within the diamond. This allowed them to implant the tin atoms with nanometre accuracyā€”far finer than the width of a human hair.

To convert the implanted tin atoms to tin-vacancy colour centres, the team then used ultrafast laser pulses in a process called laser annealing. This process gently excites tiny regions of the diamond without damaging it. What made this approach unique was the addition of real-time spectral feedbackā€”monitoring the light coming from the defects during the laser process. This allowed the scientists to see in real time when a quantum defect became active and adjust the laser accordingly, offering an unprecedented level of control over the creation of these delicate quantum systems.

Study co-author  from the University of Cambridge, said: ā€œWhat is particularly remarkable about this method is that it enables in-situ control and feedback during the defect creation process. This means we can activate quantum emitters efficiently and with high spatial precision - an important tool for the creation of large-scale quantum networks. Even better, this approach is not limited to diamond; it is a versatile platform that could be adapted to other wide-bandgap materials.ā€

Moreover, the researchers observed and manipulated a previously elusive defect complex, termed ā€œType II Snā€, providing a deeper understanding of defect dynamics and formation pathways in diamond.

Study co-author , Professor of Advanced Electronic Materials at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œThis work unlocks the ability to create quantum objects on demand, using methods that are reproducible and can be scaled up. This is a critical step in being able to deliver quantum devices and allow this technology to be utilised in real-world commercial applications.ā€

The study ā€˜Laser Activation of Single Group-IV Colour Centres in Diamondā€™ has been published in Nature Communications: 

Over 2000 scientists, veterinarians, technicians, and regulators from across Europe and beyond converged on Athens for the sixteenth FELASA Congress to hear BSF Director Dr Maria Kamperā€™s vision on transformational leadership. 

The Congress is held every three years in different European cities to advance excellence in laboratory animal science. 

FELASA - the Federation of European Laboratory Animal Science Associations - develops guidelines and policies on all aspects of laboratory animal science, including training programs, welfare standards, and scientific best practice. 

Representing professionals in over 28 countries across Europe, this year's Congress took place between June 2 and 5 at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre. 

Dr Maria Kamper, Director of the BSF, spoke to a packed audience about how exceptional leadership creates excellence in laboratory animal science.

 Drawing from her philosophy that "people are the heart of our work," Dr Kamper challenged the traditional approach to facility management. 

"We don't just ask our staff to follow protocols," Dr Kamper told the Congress. "We inspire them to see themselves as guardians of breakthrough discoveries. 

ā€œEvery refinement they create could spare suffering for thousands of animals. They go to work knowing they are advancing human knowledge while honouring every heartbeat in their care," she added. 

The BSF's Dr Jo Stanley and Mike Addelman from the University's Directorate of Communications, Marketing and Student Recruitment also addressed the Congress on the University's sector-leading openness agenda in animal research. 

The University - officially recognized as a Leader in Openness - has developed an award-winning website and engagement programme that has become a trailblazer for the sector, demonstrating how transparency fosters public trust, enhances research integrity, promotes collaboration, and exemplifies ethical rigor in the responsible use of animals in research. 

Dr Kamper said: "Being part of FELASA was an extraordinary privilege and represents the kind of strategic leadership that looks beyond daily operations toward future possibilities.

ā€œWe are proud of the culture of excellence we have cultivated at Ā鶹“«Ć½ - where our teams don't just meet standards, they set new ones.

 ā€œOur hope is that the transformational approach we've developed here will inspire colleagues across Europe and beyond to lead their teams toward excellence that serves both scientific advancement and compassionate animal care.ā€ 

• Dr Stanley's attendance was supported by a LASA (Laboratory animal science association) bursary
• To view the presentation by Dr Kamper, click
• To view the presentation by Dr Stanley and Mike Addelman click

, Reader in Engineering for Net Zero, is one of ten finalists to be awarded Ā£100,000 in seed funding to develop his solution for this yearā€™s .  

In its second year, the Ā鶹“«Ć½ Prize is looking for researchers with the most impactful and innovative artificial intelligence (AI) solution enabling the UK to accelerate progress towards net zero.  

Although AI technologies are advancing rapidly, their adoption in clean energy systems has not kept pace. The Ā鶹“«Ć½ Prize aims to accelerate progress by encouraging the development of AI solutions that support the UK in achieving its ambition to lead the world in clean energy. 

Dr Papadopoulosā€™ solution, Grid Stability, uses AI to accelerate the analysis performed which ensures electrical power systems meet the specified stability, security and reliability criteria. 

Electrical power systems worldwide are going through unprecedented changes to achieve decarbonisation targets. This drive calls for new technologies, such as renewables, electric vehicles and heat pumps, which increases the complexity and uncertainty in power system operation. System stability is the cornerstone of power system operation, and if not carefully considered, it can lead to blackouts with high economic impact and fallout.  

The tool replaces slow, complex simulations with rapid, AI-driven assessments, enabling real-time monitoring, faster decision-making, and more confident planning. This helps grid operators maintain reliability while scaling up clean energy solutions and cutting emissions. 

Dr Papadopoulos aims to work closely with utility companies to enable safe and useful implementations of Grid Stability. 

Speaking about his solution, Dr Papadopoulos said: ā€œGrid Stability uses machine learning to help bring lower, or zero, carbon technologies onto the grid faster and at the scale we need to hit net zero, but without compromising system stability.

ā€œBeing named a finalist for the Ā鶹“«Ć½ Prize is a huge boost; it not only validates the impact of our work but also gives us a platform to accelerate progress and collaborate more widely across the energy sector.ā€

Dr Papadopoulos recognised that the computational cost and complexity of assessing stability and security made it difficult to support real-time awareness, decision-making and optimisation. As a result, system dynamics are often neglected or oversimplified. Grid Stability, using machine learning, offers a promising solution to addressing this challenge. 

The Ā鶹“«Ć½ Prize will pick its winner in Spring 2026, and the winning innovator will receive a Ā£1 million grand prize to continue developing their solution. The winning solution must demonstrate not only technical innovation, but also an evidenced road map to near-term (2030) adoption and scale.  

Announced and launched in 2023, the Ā鶹“«Ć½ Prize is multi-million-pound, multi-year challenge prize, which is funded by the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology. The Prize seeks to reward UK-led breakthroughs in AI for public good and continues to secure the UKā€™s place as a global leader in cutting-edge innovation. 

The Ā鶹“«Ć½ Prize is named after the worldā€™s first stored programme computer, nicknamed ā€˜The Babyā€™, which was built at Ā鶹“«Ć½ in 1948. AI research at The University continues to build on this legacy, as shown by Dr Papadopoulosā€™ achievement. 

While pollution levels from road traffic have fallen significantly thanks to policies like the Ultra Low Emission Zone (ULEZ), new air pollution data from scientists at Ā鶹“«Ć½, in collaboration with the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH), University of York, Zhejiang University and National Centre for Atmospheric Science, reveal emissions from non-road mobile machinery, such as generators and heavy-duty construction equipment, can exceed those from vehicles, particularly in areas where there is a lot of building activity.

Black carbon is soot from combustion and is a component of particulate matter (PM2.5). These are very fine particles that can enter the lungs and bloodstream and are known to damage human health. 

The team collected the pollution measurements from the top of the BT Tower in central London over summer and winter, using a technique called eddy covariance to track how much black carbon is released into the air and where it comes from.

The findings revealed that while pollution levels were significantly lower than cities like Beijing and Delhi, who have monitored pollution using the same method, they are not low enough to meet the . They suggest similar regulatory attention to road traffic is now needed for the construction sector. 

The study, published in the journal is the first of its kind in Europe.

At 190 metres tall, the BT Tower observatory has a specialised gas inlet system installed on the towerā€™s roof, which draws air into a laboratory on the 35th floor, allowing researchers to analyse pollution as it rises from streets, buildings, construction sites and nearby parks below.

The ā€˜eddy covarianceā€™ method works by measuring the turbulent motion of air, also known as eddies, and the concentration of airborne substances like black carbon within those eddies.

The scientists also conducted a detailed spatial footprint analysis to pinpoint emission hotspots that were directly linked to active construction sites near the BT Tower.

The new findings suggest that further progress in improving Londonā€™s air quality will require stricter regulation of construction machinery, especially in rapidly developing areas.

added: ā€œWe compared observed emissions with emission standards for construction equipment and found that even with compliance, black carbon output from generators, machinery and construction vehicles remains significant. Our work highlights how measurement techniques like eddy covariance can fill critical gaps in our understanding of urban pollution and support evidence-based strategies to protect public health and the environment.ā€

This research was published in the journal Environmental Sciences: Atmospheres

Full title: Quantifying black carbon emissions from traffic and construction in central London using eddy covariance

DOI:

Led by researchers at Ā鶹“«Ć½, the study reveals that invisible, odourless gases like helium and argon are slowly seeping hundreds of kilometres up through Earthā€™s crust, reaching underground water supplies thousands of meters beneath our feet.

For decades, scientists have believed that the vast majority of Earthā€™s internal gases are either pushed deep underground through tectonic activity, or escape back to the surface through volcanic eruptions.

The new research, published in the journal , challenges this understanding  and the findings could give scientists a better idea of the geological and chemical processes that take place deep inside the Earth.

ā€œThink of it like a having small puncture in your car tyre,ā€ said lead author Dr Rebecca Tyne, Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow at Ā鶹“«Ć½.

ā€œWeā€™ve discovered a steady trickle of gases coming from deep within Earth, even though thereā€™s no obvious volcanic activity on the surface.

ā€œThis passive degassing of the mantle may be an important, yet previously unrecognised process and these findings will help our understanding of how our planetā€™s interior works  and how much gas is escaping into the atmosphere over time. It could even play an important role in the geologic carbon cycleā€

The researchers analysed groundwater from 17 wells in the Palouse Basin Aquifer in the United States - a key source of drinking water in a region considered to be geologically stable.

Using advanced measurement techniques, they measured for multiple types of helium and argon and found signatures to suggest these gases had travelled up from the Earthā€™s mantle ā€” the hot, dense layer between the outer crust and the core. Importantly, the helium and argon gases detected are inert, meaning they do not react chemically or affect water quality.

Co-author Dr Mike Broadley , NERC Independent Research Fellow at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œWe found evidence of mantle-derived gasses in 13 out of the 17 wells.  These gases ā€“ especially helium-3 and argon-40 ā€“ do not form in the atmosphere or in shallow rocks, they come from a layer of the mantle called the sub-continental lithospheric mantle, many kilometres deep in the Earth.ā€

The highest amount of gas was found in the oldest and deepest groundwater samples - some over 20,000 years old - indicating the gases have been moving slowly but steadily over a long period of time.

The researchers also found a strong correlation between the samples, suggesting they are travelling up together from the same deep source.

Their findings suggest that this kind of low-level, non-volcanic degassing may be more common ā€“ and more important ā€“ than previously thought. The team are now planning to investigate whether this is a globally consistent phenomenon by investigating groundwaters worldwide.

The research was carried out in collaboration with Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (USA),  UniversitĆ© de Lorraine (France), University of Ottawa (Canada) and the University of Idaho (USA).

Journal: Nature Geoscience

Full title: Passive degassing of lithospheric volatiles recorded in shallow young groundwater

DOI: 10.1038/s41561-025-01702-7

Link:

The breakthrough, , the U.S. Department of Energyā€™s Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, brings researchers one step closer to discovering forces or particles beyond the Standard Model of physics.

This result represents the most precise measurement ever made at a particle accelerator anywhere in the world, and could help unlock the secrets of the universe.

What is the Muon g-2 Experiment?

The Muon g-2 experiment investigates the subtle ā€œwobbleā€ in the motion of muons, particles similar to electrons but with 200 times more mass, as they move through a magnetic field.

This wobble, known as the muonā€™s ā€˜anomalous magnetic momentā€™, or g-2, provides one of the most sensitive and precise tests of the Standard Model of particle physics, the theory that explains how fundamental particles and forces interact.

Landmark results

This announcement reveals the experimentā€™s third and final measurement, which confirms earlier results, but with a much better precision of 127 parts-per-billion, surpassing the original experimental design goal of 140 parts-per-billion.

These results now stand as the worldā€™s most accurate measurement of the muon magnetic anomaly.

Representing more than a decade of work, this milestone is expected to stand as the definitive benchmark for testing the Standard Model for years to come.

Critical UK contribution

Scientists from the Universities of Ā鶹“«Ć½, Lancaster, Liverpool, and University College London were central to the experiment, which brought together 176 researchers from 34 institutions across seven countries.

The UK-built straw tracking detectors were essential in tracing the motion of the muon beam, a critical part of the analysis that enabled this unprecedented level of precision.

Ā鶹“«Ć½ was responsible for mapping the vertical oscillations in the beam motion using the detectors and in the theory prediction for the measured value.

Professor Mark Lancaster, Principle Investigator of the UK groups from Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œThis is the most precise measurement ever made at a particle accelerator and the culmination of over a decadeā€™s work. The motion of the muon beam was exquisitely traced by the UK-built straw tracking detectors and was a key part of the analysis. That we now have a measurement to a precision of 0.1 parts per million and a theoretical prediction, to 0.5 parts per million, is a remarkable achievement from the work of hundreds of people.ā€

STFCā€™s Professor Sinead Farrington, Director of Particle Physics, added: ā€œWhatā€™s really fascinating about this result is the way it has illustrated the interplay between theoretical predictions and experimental results - each can lead the other, and make demands on the precision of the other.  

ā€œThe UK has played critical roles of which we can be proud, both in leadership and in developing the straw tracking detectors, in this highly international collaboration.ā€

Read the at the Fermilab website.

In September 2023, scientists observed a bizarre series of global seismic signals, which appeared every 90 seconds over nine days ā€“ and then repeated a month later.

Almost a year later, two scientific studies proposed that the cause of these seismic anomalies were two mega tsunamis which were triggered in a remote East Greenland fjord by two major landslides which occurred due to warming of an unnamed glacier. The waves were thought to have become trapped in the fjord system, forming standing waves (or seiches) that undulated back and forth, causing the mystery signals.

Until now, there have been no observations of these seiches to confirm this theory.

Now, using a brand-new type of satellite altimetry, a team of researchers have confirmed the theory and provided the first observations of these waves whose behaviour is entirely unprecedented.

The new research is published today in the journal .

, Lecturer in Fluid Mechanics at Ā鶹“«Ć½, who carried out the research in Oxford, said: ā€œIt's impressive to see that machine learning plays an important role in identifying these trapped waves. This research demonstrates how advancements in technology are enabling new observations and datasets, and also importantly, changing our approach to extracting scientific insights from large-scale data.ā€

Using data from the Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, the research team were able to capture the wave activity for the first time. SWOT launched in December 2022 to map the height of water across 90% of Earthā€™s surface. It is equipped with the cutting-edge Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn) instrument, which uses two antennas to measure ocean and surface water levels across a swath 30 miles wide.

The researchers then made elevation maps of the Greenland Fjord at various time points following the two tsunamis. These showed clear, cross-channel slopes with height differences of up to two metres. Crucially, the slopes in these maps occurred in opposite directions, showing that water moved backwards and forwards across the channel.

To validate their findings, the researchers linked these observations to small movements in the Earthā€™s crust recorded thousands of kilometres away, allowing them to reconstruct the characteristics of the wave, even for periods which the satellite did not observe. They also reconstructed weather and tidal conditions to rule out alternative explanations such as wind or tides.

Lead author (DPhil student, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford) said: ā€œClimate change is giving rise to new, unseen extremes. These extremes are changing the fastest in remote areas, such as the Arctic, where our ability to measure them using physical sensors is limited. This study shows how we can leverage the next generation of satellite earth observation technologies to study these processes.

ā€œSWOT is a game changer for studying oceanic processes in regions, such as fjords, which previous satellites struggled to see into.ā€

Co-author (Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford) said: ā€œThis study is an example of how the next generation of satellite data can resolve phenomena that has remained a mystery in the past. We will be able to get new insights into ocean extremes such as tsunamis, storm surges, and freak waves. However, to get the most out of these data we will need to innovate and use both machine learning and our knowledge of ocean physics to interpret our new results.ā€

This research was published in the journal

Full title: Observations of the seiche that shook the world

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59851-7

As the UK strives to reach Net Zero emissions by 2050, secure and permanent geological storage of COā‚‚ is essential to avoid the worst-case consequences of climate change.

Storage in deep geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs and saline aquifers offers a promising solution. However, these underground environments host diverse microbial ecosystems, and their response to COā‚‚ injection remains poorly understood.

This knowledge gap poses a potential risk to long-term COā‚‚ storage integrity. While some microbial responses may be beneficial and enhance mineralogical or biological COā‚‚ sequestration, others could be unfavourable, leading to methane production, corrosion of infrastructure, or loss of injectivity.

The new flagship project with Ā鶹“«Ć½ and Equinor - global leaders in geological COā‚‚ storage - will investigate how subsurface microbial communities respond to COā‚‚ injection and storage, highlighting both the potential risks and opportunities posed by these microbes.

Principal Investigator, Prof Sophie Nixon, BBSRC David Phillips and Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: "Over the past 20 years, scientists have tested storing COā‚‚ underground in real-world conditions, but we still know little about how this affects native and introduced microbes living deep below the surface.

"Previous studies have shown that injecting COā‚‚ underground actively changes microbial communities. In some cases, microbes initially decline but later recover, potentially influencing the fate of injected COā‚‚ in geological storage scenarios. However, these studies predate the advent of large-scale metagenomic sequencing approaches. A deep understanding of who is there, what they can do and how they respond to COā‚‚ storage is crucial for ensuring the long-term success of carbon capture and storage."

The two-year project will collect samples from saline aquifer and oil producing sites to study how microbes living deep underground respond to high concentrations of CO₂ by combining geochemistry, gas isotope analysis, metagenomic and bioinformatic approaches.

Project Co-Investigator, Dr Rebecca Tyne, a Dame Kathleen Ollerenshaw Fellow at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œTo date, Carbon Capture and Storage research has focused on the physiochemical behaviour of CO₂, yet there has been little consideration of the subsurface microbial impact on CO₂ storage. However, the impact of microbial processes can be significant. For instance, my research has shown that methanogenesis may modify the fluid composition and the fluid dynamics within the storage reservoir.ā€

Currently, the North Sea Transition Authority requires all carbon capture and storage sites to have a comprehensive ā€˜Measurement, Monitoring and Verificationā€™ strategy, but microbial monitoring is not yet included in these frameworks. The projectā€™s findings will be shared with industry stakeholders and published in leading scientific journals, helping to close this critical gap and shape future operational activities.

Project Lead, Leanne Walker, Research Associate in Subsurface Microbiology at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: "This project will help us understand the underground microbial communities affected by COā‚‚ storageā€”how they respond, the potential risks and benefits, and the indicators that reveal these changes.

"Our findings will provide vital insights for assessing microbiological risks at both planned and active CCS sites, ensuring safer and more effective long-term COā‚‚ storageā€.

Led by GKN Aerospace, the consortium includes experts from Ā鶹“«Ć½, the University of Birmingham, Newcastle University, and the University of Nottingham, working in collaboration with industry partners Parker-Meggitt, Intelligent Energy, Aeristech, and the Aerospace Technology Institute. Together, weā€™re addressing the technical challenges of delivering hydrogen-fuelled regional and sub-regional aircraft, which emit only water vapour.

Aviation is a major contributor to climate change, responsible for around 7% of the UKā€™s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022 alone, the UK aviation sector emitted the equivalent of 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (COā‚‚). Transitioning to hydrogen-powered flight, which emits zero COā‚‚ and NOx, is seen as critical to reducing the sectorā€™s environmental footprint.

The collaborative research is being delivered through three projects:

• H2GEAR ā€“ A Ā£54 million programme developing hydrogen-fuelled, cryogenically cooled, all-electric aircraft for short-haul flights.
• HyFIVE ā€“ Backed by Ā£40 million, this project focuses on scalable liquid hydrogen fuel system technologies.
• H2flyGHT ā€“ A Ā£44 million initiative to scale hydrogen-powered aircraft technologies to support larger, commercial-scale aircraft.

At the core of these innovations are hydrogen fuel cells that generate electricity from cold, liquid hydrogen without combustion. Unlike rocket engines that burn hydrogen, these systems convert hydrogenā€™s flow into electric power, offering a quieter, cleaner and more efficient means of propulsion.

A crucial aspect of the H2GEAR programme is being led by Ā鶹“«Ć½, where Professor Sandy Smith and his team are pioneering the use of cryogenic cooling to increase energy efficiency. Their research leverages the extreme cold of liquid hydrogen (below -250Ā°C) to supercool electrical components (below -200Ā°C), significantly reducing electrical resistance. This results in hyperconducting systems, capable of powering electric propulsion motors with over 99% efficiency. Unlike superconductors, which rely on exotic materials and complex conditions, hyperconducting systems use more conventional conductors to deliver superior performance more rapidly and cost-effectively.

Russ Dunn, Chief Technology Officer at GKN Aerospace, said: ā€œHydrogen-powered aircraft offer a clear route to keep the world connected, with dramatically cleaner skies. The UK is at the forefront of this technology, and the H2GEAR project is an example of industry, academia and Government collaboration at its best.ā€

Launched in 2020 with support from the Aerospace Technology Institute and industrial partners, the H2GEAR programme is set to conclude in 2025. A small-scale demonstrator of the hydrogen-powered propulsion motor is currently undergoing testing at Ā鶹“«Ć½, with full integration of hyperconducting electric systems projected for as early as 2035.

The UK Hydrogen Alliance estimates that hydrogen-powered aviation could contribute over Ā£30 billion annually to the UK aerospace sector. With this collaborative research leading the way, the UK is set to become a global leader in sustainable aviation innovation.

From richer biodiversity and benefits for pollinators, to carbon storage in soils, while balancing hay yields for grazing livestock, the study published in by researchers at Ā鶹“«Ć½ and Lancaster University, in collaboration with the Universities of Yale and Bergen, shows that using combinations of different restoration techniques can markedly enhance the restoration of grasslands.

Given many current grassland recovery projects typically only use one type of technique, or ā€˜interventionā€™, in attempts to deliver ecological benefits, the scientists behind the study hope their findings can help boost grassland restoration initiatives across the country and elsewhere,

Grasslands cover nearly 40% of the Earthā€™s land surface and serve as important global reservoirs of biodiversity. They also provide a host of other benefits to people, termed ecosystem services, including food production, water supply, carbon storage, soil nutrient cycling, and tourism. Yet these critical ecosystems are increasingly being degraded, especially by overgrazing, heavy use of fertilisers, and climate change. This is undermining their ability to support biodiversity and deliver other benefits, such as carbon storage and nutrient retention.

The team of scientists show that using single restoration interventions often leads to trade-offs among key grassland ecosystem services ā€“ for example the addition of low amounts of fertiliser boosted hay yields for livestock, but suppressed plant diversity. Also, while the addition of a seed mix alone increased plant diversity and pollination, bringing benefits for nature conservation, it did not benefit hay yield or soil carbon storage. They show that using a combination of different techniques delivers better, more balanced ecological benefits than relying on one single type of intervention.

The combined approach to grassland restoration boosted plant diversity, soil health, carbon storage, pollination, flower abundance, and forage production simultaneously, offering a clear path forward for sustainable land management.

The work was based on a long-term grassland restoration experiment set up in 1989 at Colt Park Meadows, in the Yorkshire Dales, northern England. The experiment included a range of commonly used grassland restoration interventions, including the addition of farmyard manure, low-level inorganic fertiliser, a diverse seed mix, and a nitrogen-fixing red clover, which were tested individually and in all possible combinations. Over several years, between 2011 and 2014, the team measured 26 critical ecosystem functions related to hay yield, soil carbon storage, soil nutrient cycling, soil structure, water quality, pollinator visitation, and plant diversity.

Dr Shangshi Liu, the lead author of the paper from Ā鶹“«Ć½ and now based at Yale, said: ā€œSingle solutions are rarely enoughā€”we need landscapes that work on many levels: for climate, for people, and for nature. By layering complementary actions that target different components of the ecosystem, we can restore a broader suite of ecosystem functionsā€”balancing trade-offs and minimising unintended consequences.ā€

Professor Richard Bardgett, who initiated the study at Ā鶹“«Ć½ and recently moved to Lancaster, added: ā€œThese findings evidence the potential of combining interventions to boost the restoration of degraded grasslands. By combining interventions, such as adding more diverse plant seeds, small amounts of fertiliser, manure and red clover, we show that it is possible to balance hay yields for livestock as well as boosting biodiversity, carbon storage, and wild flower abundance, although each combination will need to be tailored for specific sites. These findings represent a shift from conventional approaches that typically rely on single management interventions.

ā€œIn doing so, they offer a blueprint for land managers and policymakers seeking to deliver multiple benefits from grassland restoration, which aligns the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021ā€“2030) that calls for integrated solutions to ecological degradation.ā€

The researchers also call for further experimentation across different climates and grassland types, alongside policy frameworks that incentivise grassland restoration. Programmes that currently support single interventions for grassland restoration could be restructured to favour integrated approaches that deliver broader ecological returns of benefit to a wider range of land users.

Ben Sykes, Director of the Ecological Continuity Trust (ECT), who work to secure long-term experiments such as Colt Park, said: ā€œThe Colt Park Meadows long-term grassland restoration experiment, running since 1989, is one of many decades-long ecological field experiments (LTEs) across the UK that are linked via the ECTā€™s national register of experimental sites. These latest results from the Colt Park LTE help demonstrate the irreplaceable value of LTEs in providing the real-world scientific evidence needed to promote conservation, biodiversity restoration and future effective and sustainable land management.ā€

The study was funded by the UK Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and Natural Environment Research Council (NERC), and benefits from long term support from Natural England.

The studyā€™s findings are detailed in the paper ā€˜Multiple targeted grassland restoration interventions enhance ecosystem service multifunctionalityā€™ which has been published by .

DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-59157-8

Enzymes are proteins that catalyse chemical reactions, turning one substance into another. In labs, scientists engineer these enzymes to perform specific tasks like the sustainable creation of medicines, and materials. These biocatalysts have many environmental benefits as they often produce higher product quality, lower manufacturing cost, and less waste and reduced energy consumption. But to find ā€˜the oneā€™, scientists must test hundreds of variants for their effectiveness, which is a slow, expensive, and resource-intensive process.

Research conducted by Ā鶹“«Ć½ in collaboration with AstraZeneca is changing this. The team developed a method for a technique that can test enzyme activity up to 1,000 times faster than traditional methods. The new method, developed over the last eight years and detailed today in the journal  is called DiBT-MS (Direct Analysis of Biotransformations with Mass Spectrometry).

It builds on an existing technology called DESI-MS (Desorption Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry), a powerful tool that allows scientists to analyse complex biological samples without the need for extensive sample preparation. 

By making small adaptations to the technology, the scientists designed a protocol to directly analyse enzyme-triggered chemical reactions, known as biotransformations, in just minutes. The new method can process 96 samples in just two hoursā€”tasks that would previously take days using older techniques.

It has also been optimised to allow the researchers to reuse sample slides multiple times improving testing efficiency and decreasing the use of solvents and plasticware.

The team has already successfully applied this technique to a range of enzyme-driven reactions, including those enzymes particularly valuable in the development of therapeutics.

Looking ahead, Ā鶹“«Ć½ will continue to explore ways to boost partnerships between laboratories and tackle other challenges that often hinder collaboration, such as geographical barriers and limited funding.

This research was partly funded by a UKRI Prosperity Partnership grant in collaboration with AstraZeneca.

Journal: Nature Protocols

Full title: Direct analysis of biotransformations with mass spectrometryā€”DiBT-MS

DOI: 10.1038/s41596-025-01161-9

Link:

The Breakthrough Prize ā€“ popularly known as the ā€œOscars of Scienceā€ ā€“ honours scientists driving remarkable discoveries. 

CERNā€™s four major LHC experiment collaborations ā€” , , , and  ā€” have been recognised for testing the modern theory of particle physics ā€“ the Standard Model ā€“ and other theories describing physics that might lie beyond it to high precision.

In particular, the team have been awarded for discoveries made during the LHC Run-2 data up to July 2024, including detailed measurements of Higgs boson properties, the discovery of new particles, matter-antimatter asymmetry and the exploration of nature at the shortest distances and most extreme conditions.

Ā鶹“«Ć½ researchers are involved in two of the four projects, ATLAS and LHCb. ATLAS is designed to record the high-energy particle collisions of the LHC to investigate the fundamental building blocks of matter and the forces governing our universe in order to better understand building blocks of life, while LHCb focuses on investigating the slight differences between matter and antimatter.

, Head of Physics and Astronomy at Ā鶹“«Ć½ and former leader of the LHCb experiment explained that for his experiment ā€œthe department constructed a silicon pixel based ā€˜cameraā€™ for the new version of the experiment that takes images 40 million times per second. Members played significant roles in the discovery of new matter antimatter differences and the discovery of new particlesā€.

The four LHC experiment collaborations involve thousands of researchers from over 70 countries. The $3M award was collected at a ceremony in LA by Parkesā€™ successor as leader of the experiment along with the leaders of the other three experiments.

Following consultation with the experimentsā€™ management teams, the Breakthrough Prize Foundation will donate the $3 million Prize to the . The Prize money will be used to offer grants for doctoral students from the collaborationsā€™ member institutes to spend research time at CERN, giving them experience in working at the forefront of science and new expertise to bring back to their home countries and regions.

Going forward, the LHC experiments will continue to push the boundaries of knowledge of fundamental physics to unprecedented limits. The upcoming upgrade of the Large Hadron Collider, the High-Luminosity LHC, which many of Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s physicists and engineers are involved in, aims to ramp up the performance of the LHC, starting in 2030, in order to increase the potential for discoveries.

Andy White, Senior Vice President of Amentum Energy & Environment International, said: ā€œOur relationship with the University is about advancing the future together by combining the power of academic research and industrial know-how.

ā€œBy working together, Amentum and the University have had great success in delivering impressive solutions for customers, creating opportunities for our people, and supporting research and development work at both organisationsā€™ laboratories.

ā€œWe have now signed a new memorandum of understanding for the next phase of our collaboration, which will see us delivering ground-breaking research and developing new technologies with the potential to change the world and applying them in the industries where Amentum operates.ā€

For more than a decade, Amentum has collaborated with the Universityā€™s on structural integrity, corrosion, robotics and chemistry. This work has helped ensure the safe operation and life extension of the UKā€™s nuclear power stations and has also enhanced a scientific and technical offering which underpins Amentumā€™s leading role in key growth areas such as the design and development of small modular and advanced reactors.

More recently, Amentum and the UK governmentā€™s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council have funded the Centre for Robotic Autonomy in Demanding and Long-lasting Environments with the University to develop advanced robotics for hazardous or hard to access environments and to research the ethical and regulatory implications for society from the proliferation of autonomous systems.

, Vice-Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œOur University has a proud legacy of research that transforms industries and improves lives ā€“ from initiating the computer revolution to isolating graphene. But it's what comes next that will define us. Together with Amentum, we share a bold ambition: to deliver research that is not only world-leading but world-changing.ā€

Dr Louise Bates, Director of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, Ā鶹“«Ć½ added: ā€œThis partnership presents an exciting chance to push boundaries, redefine knowledge and accelerate the journey from discovery to real-world impact. By uniting our community's pioneering research with Amentumā€™s expertise, we can deliver positive change for society and the environment by tackling some of the greatest challenges facing the industries Amentum serves.ā€

Researchers at Ā鶹“«Ć½ have developed a ground-breaking method to precisely measure the strength of hydrogen bonds in confined water systems, an advance that could transform our understanding of waterā€™s role in biology, materials science, and technology. The work, published in , introduces a fundamentally new way to think about one of natureā€™s most important but difficult-to-quantify interactions.

Hydrogen bonds are the invisible forces that hold water molecules together, giving water its unique properties, from high boiling point to surface tension, and enabling critical biological functions such as protein folding and DNA structure. Yet despite their significance, quantifying hydrogen bonds in complex or confined environments has long been a challenge.

ā€œFor decades, scientists have struggled to measure hydrogen bond strength with precision,ā€ said , who led the study with and Dr Ziwei Wang. ā€œOur approach reframes hydrogen bonds as electrostatic interactions between dipoles and an electric field, which allows us to calculate their strength directly from spectroscopic data.ā€

The team used gypsum (CaSOā‚„Ā·2Hā‚‚O), a naturally occurring mineral that contains two-dimensional layers of crystalline water, as their model system. By applying external electric fields to water molecules trapped between the mineralā€™s layers, and tracking their vibrational response using high-resolution spectroscopy, the researchers were able to quantify hydrogen bonding with unprecedented accuracy.

ā€œWhatā€™s most exciting is the predictive power of this technique,ā€ said Dr Yang. ā€œWith a simple spectroscopic measurement, we can predict how water behaves in confined environments that were previously difficult to probe, something that normally requires complex simulations or remains entirely inaccessible.ā€

The implications are broad and compelling. In water purification, this method could help engineers fine-tune membrane materials to optimise hydrogen bonding, improving water flow and selectivity while reducing energy costs. In drug development, it offers a way to predict how water binds to molecules and their targets, potentially accelerating the design of more soluble and effective drugs. It could enhance climate models by enabling more accurate simulations of waterā€™s phase transitions in clouds and the atmosphere. In energy storage, the discovery lays the foundation for ā€œhydrogen bond heterostructuresā€, engineered materials with tailored hydrogen bonding that could dramatically boost battery performance. And in biomedicine, the findings could help create implantable sensors with better compatibility and longer lifespans by precisely controlling water-surface interactions.

ā€œOur work provides a framework to understand and manipulate hydrogen bonding in ways that werenā€™t possible before,ā€ said Dr Wang, first author of the paper. ā€œIt opens the door to designing new materials and technologies, from better catalysts to smarter membranes, based on the hidden physics of water.ā€

This research was published in the journal Nature Communications.

Full title: Quantifying hydrogen bonding using electrically tunable nanoconfined water

DOI: 

The research was supported by the European Research Council and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at Ā鶹“«Ć½, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field ā€“ a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by Ā£13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

The University and the Santa Clara-based company have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), marking a strategic partnership aimed at leveraging the strengths of both organisations to drive advancements in AI applications across multiple sectors, including healthcare, social care, education, and sustainability. 

This collaboration will provide a foundation for joint research projects, academic exchange programs, and curriculum development initiatives that will shape the future of AI-driven solutions.  

Under the terms of the MoU, the partnership will focus on key initiatives, including:  

Research and Development in AI, Robotics, and Automation ā€“ Exploring applications of AI in healthcare, education, and sustainability, including the development of AI-powered robotic solutions such as Fari for elderly care and Senpai for special needs education.   

AI for All Initiative ā€“ Facilitating upskilling and workforce development programs in AI and robotics for healthcare, social care, and education professionals.  

Joint Degree Programs and Curriculum Development ā€“ Establishing specialized programs in AI, robotics, and automation, incorporating theoretical and practical components with hands-on experience using InGen Dynamicsā€™ technologies, including Fari, Senpai, and Origami AI.  

Social Care Testbed Collaboration ā€“ Deploying and evaluating AI-driven robotics solutions in real-world environments to improve care delivery and assess the impact of AI in social care settings.  

AI Ethics and Responsible AI Initiatives ā€“ Promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical AI development through collaborative research and policy discussions.  

Global Exchange Programs ā€“ Enabling international knowledge-sharing by connecting students and researchers from the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ with InGen Dynamicsā€™ Futurenauts initiative in India and beyond.  

The collaboration will be overseen by a Steering Committee co-chaired by Professor Andrew Weightman, Professor of Medical Mechatronics the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Arshad Hisham, Founder & CEO of InGen Dynamics. The committee will meet biannually to define strategic roadmaps and identify new areas of mutual interest.  

Mr Hisham, said: ā€œThis partnership with Ā鶹“«Ć½ is a significant step toward advancing AI and robotics research that has real-world impact.

ā€œBy combining our industry expertise with the academic excellence of Ā鶹“«Ć½, we aim to accelerate innovation and create transformative AI solutions for global challenges.ā€  

Professor Weightman added: ā€œWe are excited to collaborate with InGen Dynamics to drive forward research and education in AI and automation.

ā€œThis MoU will enable us to integrate cutting-edge technology into our programs while fostering innovation that benefits society.ā€  

 Ā鶹“«Ć½ is globally renowned for its pioneering research, outstanding teaching and learning, and commitment to social responsibility. We are a truly international university ā€“ ranking in the top 50 in a range of global rankings ā€“ with a diverse community of more than 44,000 students, 12,000 staff and 550,000 alumni from 190 countries.  Sign up for our e-news to hear first-hand about our international partnerships and activities across the globe. 

The finding, from CERN's LHCb experiment, which includes scientists at Ā鶹“«Ć½, provides new understanding of the ā€˜standard Modelā€™ of particle physics and a new piece in the puzzle to explain how and why matter ended up dominating over antimatter after the big Bang to form the Universe we see today.

The finding was presented at the Rencontres de Moriond conference in La Thuile, Italy, on 24 March and posted on .

Scientists have known since the 1960s that particles have a distinct asymmetry and can behave differently from their antimatter counterparts ā€” a phenomenon called "CP violation." While this effect has been seen before in the break-up of certain particles, known as mesons,  this is the first time it has been definitively observed in particles similar to those of ordinary matter, known as baryons. Baryons, which include protons and neutrons, make up most of the visible matter in the Universe and consist of three quarks.

LHCb spokesperson Vincenzo Vagnoni, said: ā€œThe reason why it took longer to observe CP violation in baryons than in mesons is down to the size of the effect and the available data.

ā€œWe needed a machine like the Large Hydron Collider (LHC) capable of producing a large enough number of beauty baryons and their antimatter counterparts, and we needed an experiment at that machine capable of pinpointing their decay products. It took over 80 000 baryon decays for us to see matterā€“antimatter asymmetry with this class of particles for the first time.ā€

Every particle has an antimatter counterpart with the same mass but an opposite charge. Normally, these pairs should behave like perfect mirror images of each other. However, when particles break down or transform, such as during radioactive decay, this symmetry can be slightly distorted (CP violation). This means that matter and antimatter particles donā€™t always decay at the same rate. Scientists can detect and measure this tiny difference using advanced detectors and powerful data analysis techniques.

The LHCb collaboration observed CP violation in a particle called the beauty-lambda baryon (Ī›b), a heavier, short-lived cousin of the proton. They analysed data from millions of particle collisions collected during two runs of the LHC between 2009 and 2018 in search of a certain decay.

The team discovered that the Ī›b and its antimatter partner do not decay into other particles at exactly the same rate ā€” a difference of about 2.45%. The difference is large enough to exceed the threshold physicists use to confirm an observation of CP violation. Physicists calculate that the odds of such a discrepancy occurring by chance is less than one in three million.

Chris Parkes, Professor of Experimental Particle Physics at Ā鶹“«Ć½ and the former leader of the LHCb collaboration, said: ā€œWithout a difference in the behaviour of matter and antimatter there would be not matter in the universe. All the matter and antimatter would have annihilated and the universe today would be made only of light. The LHCb experiment is specifically designed to look at differences between matter and antimatter in the break-up of particles. This is a landmark discovery in these studies, as it is the first time a difference is seen in particles similar to heavy versions of the proton or neutron.ā€

 The CP violation predicted by the Standard Model is far too small to explain the matterā€“antimatter asymmetry observed in the Universe. This suggests that there may be additional, unknown sources of CP violation that scientists have yet to discover. Finding these is a key goal of research at the Large Hadron Collider and will remain a focus for future experiments.

 LHCb spokesperson Vincenzo Vagnoni, said: ā€œThe more systems in which we observe CP violations and the more precise the measurements are, the more opportunities we have to test the Standard Model and to look for physics beyond it.

ā€œThe first ever observation of CP violation in a baryon decay paves the way for further theoretical and experimental investigations of the nature of CP violation, potentially offering new constraints for physics beyond the Standard Model.ā€

The LHCb Collaboration is continuing its studies with the second generation version of the large experimental apparatus, key elements of which were built in the Physics and Astronomy department at the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½.

Professor Cinzia Casiraghi has been appointed as Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) at the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC), bringing with her more than two decades of pioneering research experience in graphene and 2D materials.

Since the early 2000s, Professor Casiraghi has been at the forefront of the graphene journey. From identifying the optical fingerprint of graphene to engineering ink-jet printable 2D materials for use in electronics and biomedical applications, her work has paved the way for the development of functional, scalable applications that are now becoming reality across industries.

Casiraghiā€™s appointment marks a new chapter for the GEIC, which sits at the heart of the Graphene@Ā鶹“«Ć½ ecosystem. As CSO, she will provide strategic scientific leadership to strengthen the Centreā€™s role as a world-leading facility for the translation of 2D materials research into commercial products and technologies. 

She will play a key role in connecting academic expertise with industrial needs, supporting collaborative research at higher Technology Readiness Levels (TRLs), and steering the scientific direction of GEIC projects.   

Her research group at Ā鶹“«Ć½ has led groundbreaking work in Raman spectroscopy of carbon-based nanomaterials, and 2D material ink formulation, with an emphasis on industry-funded projects. Her contributions to printable electronics, ranging from photodetectors, transistors and memories printed onto low-cost and biodegradable substrates, such as paper, have significantly advanced the field. Casiraghi is also a prominent advocate for cross-disciplinary research, building bridges between chemistry, physics, materials science, and engineering.

Professor Casiraghi said:

ā€œIt is an exciting time for 2D materials. I am honoured to take on the role of Chief Scientific Officer at the GEIC. For the past 20 years, I have been dedicated to graphene and 2D materials research, witnessing remarkable progress along this journey. Two decades ago, I was looking at tiny graphene flakes, produced by mechanical exfoliation, with the aim to identify their optical fingerprint.

ā€œToday, academics and companies regularly use this framework to identify graphene. Today, we have graphene and 2D material inks that can be printed onto paper and plastic to create functional devices, or can be combined with other materials to enhance specific properties. Today, we have well-established methods for large-area deposition of graphene and 2D materials, paving the way for their integration into next-generation electronics.

ā€œI look forward to driving innovation, advancing our research capabilities, and working alongside the team at the GEIC and the academic community to develop cutting-edge solutions. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, we aim to demonstrate the value of 2D materials and their transformative potential.ā€

James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Ā鶹“«Ć½, said:
ā€œCinzia has been a driving force in the field of graphene and 2D materials research for over two decades, and her appointment as Chief Scientific Officer marks a significant development opportunity for the GEIC. Her depth of expertise, combined with a passion for innovation and collaboration, will ensure we continue to bridge the gap between fundamental science and real-world application.

ā€œAs the GEIC evolves to meet the challenges of a fast-moving innovation landscape, Cinziaā€™s leadership will help accelerate our mission to deliver sustainable, scalable technologies that make a meaningful impact across industry sectors.ā€

As CSO, Professor Casiraghi will work across the GEICā€™s ecosystem ā€” including academic departments, the National Graphene Institute (NGI), and the wider university research community ā€” to ensure alignment of scientific vision with industrial ambition. She will lead a team of Theme Leads, drawn from disciplines including materials science and physics, to guide project direction, advise on research outcomes, and lower the barrier between industry and academia.

The role also includes high-level engagement with strategic partners and national innovation stakeholders, helping to position the GEIC as a key player in addressing global challenges around clean growth, mobility, and sustainable development. Casiraghi will support the evaluation of major project proposals, mentor scientific staff, and champion excellence in research infrastructure, collaboration, and impact.

Professor Casiraghi has held academic roles at Ā鶹“«Ć½ since 2010 and currently serves as Chair of Nanoscience and Head of Materials Chemistry in the Department of Chemistry. She previously held research fellowships in Berlin and Cambridge and holds a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Cambridge.

With this appointment, Ā鶹“«Ć½ continues to reinforce its commitment to translating cutting-edge research into real-world impact, supporting the advancement of graphene and 2D materials through collaborative innovation and industrial engagement.

The findings, published in the journal ,  show that these powerful flows could be capable of traveling at speeds of up to eight meters per second, carrying plastic waste from the continental shelf to depths of more than 3,200 meters.

Over 10 million tonnes of plastic waste enter the oceans each year. While striking images of floating debris have driven efforts to curb pollution, this visible waste accounts for less than 1% of the total. The missing 99% ā€“ primarily made up of fibres from textiles and clothing ā€“ is instead sinking into the deep ocean.

Scientists have long suspected that turbidity currents play a major role in distributing microplastics across the seafloor ā€“ Ā鶹“«Ć½ were among the first to demonstrate this through their research on ā€˜Microplastic Hotspotsā€™ in the Tyrrhenian Sea, published in the journal . However, until now, the actual process had not been observed or recorded in a real-world setting.

The latest study conducted by Ā鶹“«Ć½, the National Oceanography Centre (UK), the University of Leeds (UK), and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research provides the first field evidence showing the process.

The findings pose a significant threat to marine ecosystems and highlight the urgent need for stronger pollution controls.

Dr Peng Chen, lead author on the study at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said ā€œMicroplastics on their own can be toxic to deep-sea life, but they also act as ā€˜carriersā€™ transferring other harmful pollutants such as PFAS ā€˜forever chemicalsā€™ and heavy metals, which makes them an environmental ā€˜multistressorā€™ which can affect the entire food chain.ā€

The research focused on Whittard Canyon in the Celtic Sea, a land-detached canyon over 300 km from the shore. By combining in-situ monitoring and direct seabed sampling, the team were able to witness a turbidity current in action, moving a huge plume of sediment at over 2.5 metres per second at over 1.5 km water depth. The samples directly from the flow revealed that these powerful currents were not only carrying just sand and mud, but a significant quantity of microplastic fragments and microfibres.

Further analysis found that the microplastics on the seafloor are mainly comprised of fibres from textiles and clothing, which are not effectively filtered out in domestic wastewater treatment plants and easily enter rivers and oceans.

, Geologist and Environmental Scientist at Ā鶹“«Ć½, who designed and led the research, said: ā€œThese turbidity currents carry the nutrients and oxygen that are vital to sustain deep-sea life, so it is shocking that the same currents are also carrying these tiny plastic particles.

ā€œThese biodiversity hotspots are now co-located with microplastic hotspots, which could pose serious risks to deep-sea organisms.

ā€œWe hope this new understanding will support mitigations strategies going forward.ā€

Dr Mike Clare of the , who was a co-lead on the research, added: ā€œOur study has shown how detailed studies of seafloor currents can help us to connect microplastic transport pathways in the deep-sea and find the ā€˜missingā€™ microplastics. The results highlight the need for policy interventions to limit the future flow of plastics into natural environments and minimise impacts on ocean ecosystems.ā€

The study team are now focussing on efforts to better understand the effect that microplastics have on marine organisms, for example sea turtles and deep-sea fauna.

This research was published in the journal Environmental Science and Technology.

Full title: Direct evidence that microplastics are transported to the deep sea by turbidity currents

DOI:

Published in the journal, , scientists have developed an advanced sensor that can detect volcanic gases with rapid speed and precision.

Using the sensor mounted on a helicopter, the research team measured emissions at SoufriĆØre Hills Volcano on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat, revealing that the volcano emitted three times more CO₂ than earlier studies had estimated.

Scientists typically monitor volcanic emissions by focusing on hot vents, known as fumaroles, which release high concentrations of easily detectable acid gases like sulphur dioxide (SOā‚‚) and hydrogen chloride (HCl). However, many volcanoes also have cooler fumaroles, where water-rich hydrothermal systems on the volcano absorb the acidic gases, making them harder to detect. As a result, COā‚‚ emissions from these cooler sources are often overlooked, leading to significant underestimations in volcanic gas output.

The new technology exposes those hidden emissions, offering a more accurate quantification of the volcanoes gas output.

The findings also have significant implications for volcano monitoring and eruption forecasting.

, lead researcher from Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œVolcanoes play a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle, releasing COā‚‚ into the atmosphere, so understanding the emissions is crucial for understanding its impact on our climate. Our findings demonstrate the importance of fast sampling rates and high precision sensors, capable of detecting large contributions of cooler CO₂-rich gas.

ā€œHowever, itā€™s also important to realise that despite our findings that CO₂ emissions could be around three times higher than we expected for volcanoes capped by hydrothermal systems, volcanoes still contribute less than 5% of global CO₂ emissions, far less than human activities such as fossil fuel combustion and deforestation.ā€

and co-author, added: ā€œDevelopment of high-sensitivity high-frequency magmatic gas instruments opens up a new frontier in volcanological science and volcano monitoring. This work demonstrates the new discoveries which await us. By capturing a more complete picture of volcanic gas emissions, we can gain deeper insights into magma movement, observe potential signs of impending eruptions and signs that an ongoing eruption might be ending. For the people living near active volcanoes, such advancements could enhance early warning systems and improve safety measures.ā€

The research was carried out in collaboration with Montserrat Volcano Observatory and the National Institute of Optics, Firenze, Italy. Now, the study team are searching for funding to make this instrument suitable for unmanned aerial vehicle platforms, opening up new opportunities for performing delicate gas measurements in challenging and hazardous environments.  

This research has been published in the journal Scientific Advances. 

Full title: Quantification of Low-Temperature Gas Emissions Reveals COā‚‚ Flux Underestimates at SoufriĆØre Hills Volcano, Montserrat.

DOI:

The scientists also found slightly less, but still significant levels of microplastics in other organs of both male and female turtles, including the heart, kidney, liver and spleen, as well as skeletal muscle, subcutaneous fat, stomach and intestines.

They studied the bodies of 10 stranded loggerhead sea turtles, recovered by the OceanogrĆ fic Foundation of Valencia, that suffered drowning and exhaustion when they were accidently caught up in commercial fishing nets. 

The findings, published in the journal , could spell disaster for the majestic creatures already found in declining numbers in the worldā€™s oceans.

It is the first study to show that microplastics from the gut can translocate in sea turtles, opening up the possibility of different organs  especially the reproductive system -  being directly affected.

The scientists believe microplastics may also lead to systemic inflammation  in the animals.

The largest median particle size  of around 25 microns was found in the intestines and fat, and the smallest median particle size  - of around 15 microns was found in the stomach and reproductive organs.

Lead author Leah Costello, a PhD researcher from Ā鶹“«Ć½ was funded under a Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council Doctoral Training Studentship. 

She said: ā€œMicroplastics are a pervasive marine environmental pollutant, on a par with other global threats such as climate change and ozone depletion. 

ā€œOur study is the first to show direct evidence of the presence of microplastics in the reproductive and other organs of loggerhead sea turtles.

ā€œSea turtles already face many pressures from human activity and although we have been aware that they ingest plastic throughout their range, the finding of microplastics in almost every tissue sample was quite shocking.

ā€œThese findings show that even seemingly healthy individuals could be under physiological stress, impacting the reproductive success of vulnerable and recovering populations.ā€

Foreign microparticles were identified in 98.8% of all samples, of which around 70% were  microplastics. 

Analysis revealed that polypropylene, polyester fibres, and polyethylene were the most common microparticle types. 

Polypropylene is used in include food packaging, clothing, bottle caps, ropes, personal care products, fishing gear and twine. 

Loggerhead turtles are regularly reported to ingest plastic bags  - made from polyethylene -  who misidentify them as  jellyfish and algae. 

Polyester is another dominant microfiber releasing large numbers of microfibres into the oceans and seas. 

And further analysis provided direct visualisation of cotton microfibres embedded in loggerhead heart tissue.

 Three million tonnes of primary microplastics are released into environment every year, with a further 5.3 million tonnes of larger plastic items that can degrade into secondary microplastics over time.

Because plastics can remain in the gut for up to four months in sea turtles, the scientists speculate that microplastics can cross biological barriers from the gut to organs via the circulatory system contributing to a suite of adverse biological effects.

Co-author Professor Holly Shiels from the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½  added: ā€œMicroplastic accumulation is likely to be associated with organ damage and toxicity in these incredible marine reptiles that can live for 70 years.

ā€œOf particular concern is the impact on reproduction, with implications on growth, development and viability of offspring which could spell trouble for the stability of these already vulnerable sea turtle populations. 

ā€œHowever, further studies are required to more broadly assess the biological and health impacts of microplastic on sea turtle reproduction.ā€

• Images: fibre lodged in sea turtle heart; microplastics found in the turtles; drawing of sea turtle by Eve Boswell 
• Microplastics accumulate in all major organs of the Mediterranean loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) is published in Marine Environmental Research  

The breakthrough centres around an active spatial light modulator, a surface with more than 300,000 sub-wavelength pixels capable of manipulating THz light in both transmission and reflection. Unlike previous modulators, which were limited to small-scale demonstrations, the Ā鶹“«Ć½ team integrated graphene-based THz modulators with large-area thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays, enabling high-speed, programmable control over the amplitude and phase of THz light across expansive areas.

, Professor of 2D Device Materials at Ā鶹“«Ć½, commented, ā€œWe have developed a new method to dynamically control THz waves at an unprecedented scale and speed. By integrating graphene optoelectronics with advanced TFT display technologies, we can now reconfigure complex THz wavefronts in real time.ā€

The research demonstrates various capabilities, including programmable THz transmission patterns, beam steering, greyscale holography, and a proof-of-concept single-pixel THz camera. These functionalities are made possible through fine-tuned electrostatic gating of graphene, a material known for its unique electrical and optical properties at THz frequencies.

Co-author Dr M. Said Ergoktas, now a lecturer at the University of Bath, added, ā€œOur devices operate by adjusting local charge densities on a continuous graphene sheet, allowing for pixel-level control without the need for graphene patterning. This architecture allows for scalable fabrication using commercial display backplanes.ā€

The teamā€™s device architecture also supports dynamic beam steering and the generation of structured THz beams carrying orbital angular momentum, key features for advanced THz communication systems. One striking demonstration showed how a binary ā€œforkā€ diffraction pattern generated donut-shaped beams with tunable vortex order, useful in multiplexed data transmission and beam shaping.

Beyond communications, the researchers showcased a single-pixel THz camera capable of imaging concealed metallic objects, representing a significant advance for non-invasive inspection in security, industrial monitoring, and medical diagnostics. This approach uses compressive sensing algorithms to reconstruct images from modulated THz patterns, highlighting the flexibility of their programmable platform.

ā€œUntil now, THz modulators have struggled with scale and speed,ā€ Kocabas noted. ā€œBy leveraging display technology, we demonstrate that it's possible to bring this field from lab-scale demonstrations to real-world applications.ā€

Future directions

The authors indicate that the next steps involve enhancing modulation speeds and extending these systems to operate in reflection mode for full spectroscopic imaging. Future work may also focus on integrating this platform with advanced beamforming systems and next-generation 6G wireless technologies.

The is a world-leading graphene and 2D material centre, focussed on fundamental research. Based at Ā鶹“«Ć½, where graphene was first isolated in 2004 by Professors Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov, it is home to leaders in their field ā€“ a community of research specialists delivering transformative discovery. This expertise is matched by Ā£13m leading-edge facilities, such as the largest class 5 and 6 cleanrooms in global academia, which gives the NGI the capabilities to advance underpinning industrial applications in key areas including: composites, functional membranes, energy, membranes for green hydrogen, ultra-high vacuum 2D materials, nanomedicine, 2D based printed electronics, and characterisation.

A University of Ā鶹“«Ć½ academic has been selected as a member of the UK Young Academy - an interdisciplinary network of early-career professionals and researchers working together to tackle pressing global and local challenges and promote lasting change.

is among 42 emerging leaders from across the UK named as the newest members of the UK Young Academy, who come from a wide range of sectors, with backgrounds in political science, engineering, government, communications and the creative and performing industries, and more.

As a member of the UK Young Academy, will have the opportunity to take action on both local and global issues. Through interdisciplinary projects and working across sectors, the members will bridge gaps, drive innovation, and develop the solutions needed to address critical challenges ā€“ all while advancing their professional development and contributing to a global network of Young Academies focused on achieving positive outcomes.

ā€™s expertise is in nuclear reaction theories and is particularly interested in working on projects related to physics education, science communication, and supporting early-career researchers from at-risk or underrepresented backgrounds. 

For the first time, a select group of emerging leaders have been chosen for membership in the UK Young Academy through a dedicated route in collaboration with the Council of At-Risk Academics (Cara). At-risk academics from Caraā€™s network were invited to apply for membership as part of a UK Young Academy member-led project focused on supporting at-risk early-career researchers across the UK. 

Next week, the newest members of the UK Young Academy will come together for their Induction Day, where they will learn about the UK Young Academyā€™s activities and programmes. This will be followed by the third annual All Membersā€™ Meeting, marking the first opportunity for this new group to connect with the wider membership. 

Speaking on behalf of the UK Young Academy Membership Selection Committee, Alistair McConnell, said: ā€œThe solutions to the worldā€™s most pressing challenges wonā€™t come from a single field or perspective. We need to bring together expertise and insights from a range of disciplines.

ā€œToday, we are delighted to welcome our newest members, whose diverse backgrounds and expertise will bring fresh perspectives to the UK Young Academy. These members will have the opportunity to challenge boundaries, make new connections, and work together to develop innovative solutions to the challenges that matter most.

ā€œAs we enter our third year as an organisation, the new members will be able to contribute right from the outset. Through involvement in innovative projects, work programmes, or by ensuring that early-career voices are part of key global and local debates, theyā€™ll be positioned to make a meaningful contribution.ā€ 

The new members take up their posts from 1 April 2025, and membership runs for five years.  

The NGI opened in 2015 and became the home of research into the worldā€™s thinnest, strongest, and most conductive material. Since then, the institute has established itself as a global leader in the research and development of graphene and other advanced 2D materials.  

Through the translation of graphene science into tangible, real world applications, the NGI has provided the opportunity for researchers and industry to work together on a variety of potential applications. The institute has been at the forefront of numerous pioneering projects that have reshaped industries and set new benchmarks for innovation. 

The NGIā€™s community of leading academics has played a pivotal role in advancing 2D material research, producing some of the most influential and highly cited studies in the field. Their pioneering work has accelerated the transition of graphene from the laboratory to real-world applications, driving innovation at an unprecedented pace. This collective expertise has cemented Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s position as the global home of graphene, ensuring it remains at the forefront of discovery and innovation. 

One of the many groundbreaking innovations from the NGI is the recent advancement of graphene-based neural technologies, now entering the first phase of human trials. is using graphene-based brain-computer interface therapeutics to improve precision surgery for diseases such as cancer. 

The NGI has also seen the establishment of many high-profile collaborations and spinouts founded by its academics, or as a result of NGI-based research: 

• A collaboration between Inov-8 and the University led to the development of the worldā€™s first graphene-enhanced running shoes, proven to be 50% stronger and more durable than other running shoes. This demonstrates the potential of graphene to revolutionise performance sportswear. 
• seeks to increase accessibility to clean water and air through 2D-enhanced membranes.  
• is using breakthrough technology to control infrared thermal radiation, which could have applications in aerospace engineering. 
• are designing and building mineral recovery systems from various sources, such as brines, industrial wastewater, and used batteries. 

At the heart of the National Graphene Instituteā€™s pioneering research is its state-of-the-art 1,500mĀ² nanofabrication facility, featuring ISO Class 5 and 6 cleanrooms spread across two floors. This advanced facility is dedicated to the fundamental research of graphene and 2D materials, and the development of cutting-edge devices that harness their exceptional properties. By providing such unique environment for precision research and innovation, the NGI continues to drive breakthroughs that push the boundaries of material science. 

Reflecting on the anniversary, Professor Vladimir Falā€™ko, Director of the National Graphene Institute said: ā€œThis 10-year milestone is a testament to the NGIā€™s relentless pursuit of excellence and the collaborative spirit that has defined our journey. 

ā€œWe are immensely proud of the tangible impact our research has had across multiple sciences and industries and remain excited about harnessing 2D materialsā€™ potential to address some of the worldā€™s most pressing challenges.ā€  

Looking ahead, the NGI is committed to furthering its legacy of groundbreaking research and sustaining the pipeline of innovation together with its sister institute, the (GEIC), and the nurturing of the next generation of 2D materials scientists with the PhD programme. 

Innovative research remains at the forefront of the NGIā€™s mission, with the Institute currently exploring green hydrogen technologies, next-generation batteries and supercapacitors for faster AI and machine learning, advanced quantum electronics, and the continued development of research into nanofluidics, nanocomposites, and van der Waals materials.  

The Euclid space telescope, launched by the European Space Agency (ESA), is designed to create the most detailed map of the night sky ever made, helping scientists understand the evolution of our Universe and mysterious forces like dark matter and dark energy.

Researchers at Ā鶹“«Ć½ have played a key role in leading the Euclid scientific mission and preparing for publication the papers in this new release.  This includes a preview of Euclid's deep fields, showing the capability of the mission with less than 1% of the data. These new images showcase hundreds of thousands of galaxies in various shapes and sizes ā€“ most never seen before - highlighting their expansive arrangement within the cosmic web.

Euclid Science Coordinator, Chris Conselice, Professor of Extragalactic Astronomy at the University of Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œThe Euclid telescope and mission has exceeded our expectations and has produced a slew of new science investigating galaxies, stars, and the large-scale structure of the universe in a way that has never been done before.  This release is only a very tiny fraction of the survey and it is a preview of things to come whereby Euclid will solve many of the existing problem in astronomy from the nature of the universe to the formation, the evolution of galaxies, and properties of extrasolar planets.ā€

This first set of data released in this Quick Release 1 (Q1) covers approximately 63 square degrees of the sky - the equivalent area of more than 300 times the full Moon ā€“ making it the largest area of sky ever observed with an optical/near-infrared space telescope to such depth and resolution.

Euclidā€™s extraordinary insights into the huge variety of shapes and the distribution of billions of galaxies are made using its visible instrument (VIS) is essential for measuring their distances and masses.

Among the discoveries reported today are vast thread-like structures known as galaxy filaments that form the backbone of the cosmic web. Scientists have also identified more than 500 strong gravitational lens candidatesā€”rare cosmic phenomena where massive galaxies bend and magnify light from more distant sources, revealing hidden details about the distribution of dark matter.

This release represents just 0.45% of Euclidā€™s full survey. Over the course of the mission, the telescope is expected to capture more than 1.5 billion galaxies, transmitting nearly 100GB of data each day.

To make sense of this enormous dataset, scientists, including those at Ā鶹“«Ć½, are using cutting-edge AI and the power of citizen science. Nearly 10,000 volunteers helped train an AI system called ā€˜Zoobotā€™ to classify galaxies based on their features, such as spiral arms or evidence of past collisions. Their work has resulted in the first detailed catalogue of over 380,000 galaxiesā€”an essential resource for future discoveries.

These results are described in a series of 27 scientific publications alongside seven technical reports detailing how the data is processed by Euclidā€™s expert teams.

The scientific papers which have not yet been through the peer-review process, but which will be submitted to the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. .

The telescope joins the observatoryā€™s three Small Aperture Telescopes (SAT) at the site and  of the universeā€™s oldest light ā€” the cosmic microwave background ā€” to help determine what happened just after the universeā€™s birth.

Ā鶹“«Ć½ is a key partner in SO, playing a leading role in the SO:UK project, which is funded by United Kingdom Research and Innovation (UKRI). SO:UK is currently constructing two additional SATs for the observatory, significantly enhancing its observational capabilities. The University also hosts a major data centre dedicated to processing the wealth of data generated by all four SO telescopes.

Professor Michael Brown, Head of Cosmology at the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics and Principal Investigator of the SO:UK project, said: ā€œAfter eight years of design and construction work, first light for the SO LAT telescope is a major milestone for SO and paves the way for a huge range of exciting science to come over the next decade. Together with data from the first three SO SATs, we are excited to start searching the first LAT observations to reveal new secrets of the Universe.ā€

The LAT receiver camera, measuring 2.4 by 2.6 metres, was carefully installed last year, with the final step being the placement of its two six-metre mirrors. Shortly after completion in late February 2025, the telescope obtained its first celestial imageā€”an observation of Mars. With this successful test, the LAT is set to begin collecting observations in the coming months.

SO Co-Director Mark J. Devlin, said: ā€œThis work is the culmination of eight years of effort by dozens of SO researchers to make the worldā€™s most capable ground-based cosmology telescope.

ā€œAt the moment the second mirror went in, we moved to make the first observations with the telescope, and all initial indications point to a huge success.ā€

SO Co-Director Suzanne Staggs, added: ā€œIn the space between design and proof of success, there are many sleepless nights, so the LATā€™s first light observations are a highly satisfying first step toward proof of the remarkable design.ā€

ā€œTo achieve the gamut of the SO science objectives, the SO team designed the LAT and its camera to have unprecedented sensitivity and excellent optical quality.ā€

The LAT and the three SATs will closely measure the cosmic microwave background, which is essentially the afterglow of the Big Bang, as well as observe other targets such as the universeā€™s most massive black holes and our solar systemā€™s asteroids.

ā€œItā€™s wonderful to have this last major piece of our observatory in place,ā€ says SO Spokesperson Jo Dunkley, the Joseph Henry Professor of Physics and Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University. ā€œWe are excited to find out what the suite of SO telescopes will reveal to us about the universe.ā€

With all four telescopes now online, the software behind SO is now hard at work operating the observatoryā€™s mechanics and managing the influx of data.

ā€œThe LAT coming online means so is the software that runs it,ā€ says SO Data Manager . ā€œThe software is now controlling the movements of the telescopes, analysing the incoming data and backing everything up to two sites in North America and another in the UK.ā€

Future upgrades to the Simons Observatory are already in the works, including enhancing the sensitivity of the LAT and adding new SATs. These upgrades come thanks to funding from the National Science Foundation, U.K. Research and Innovation, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

The new milestone coincides with the launch of , which will help communicate the projectā€™s incredible science and technological advances to the public. The SO team also  chronicling the SO progress through March 2025.

The programme will be jointly led by five leading research institutions in the UK: the Universities of Dundee, Ā鶹“«Ć½, Nottingham, Swansea and West of England, and will address challenges associated with enhancing data access and analysis within TREs ā€“ secure environments where approved researchers can access sensitive data for research to benefit the public, such as national public health and population-level surveys.

The in the Department of Computer Science at Ā鶹“«Ć½ is leading the TREvolution approach to (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable) and transparent analysis of sensitive data. The eScience Lab is expanding on its effort in the programme in , building on two decades of experience providing computational analysis and data infrastructure to internationally support open research practices in life sciences and other disciplines.

The programme was awarded Ā£4.94 million from under the .

TREs in the UK are internationally renowned for establishing the, but they have some limitations for researchers. The manual application processes and disclosure checks make it challenging to keep up with today's scientific needs, like federated learning, analysis across sectors and research domains, and large-scale correlation studies.

TREvolution will address these challenges to evolve UK TRE capabilities across three themes:

• TRE reference architecture and implementations: Standardising UK TRE architectures to enable seamless interoperability.
• AI and semi-automated output checking: Enhancing research output review processes to ensure non-disclosure of personal information.
• Federated analysis: Enabling secure analysis of datasets stored in multiple TREs located across the UK.

The work will be delivered in collaboration with NHS Scotland, Lancashire Teaching Hospital, Durham University, Lancaster University, University College London, University of Queensland, University of Basel and University of Cape Town.

It builds on existing work done by the delivery partners, with experience across the themes, as well as the , which developed initial versions of some of the key components of TREvolution.

In the first collaboration, Ā鶹“«Ć½ established : a mechanism of structurally documenting the evidence of computational processes, along with the chain of human reviews for legally accessing sensitive data. Five Safes RO-Crate is based on open Web standards and wider community efforts and has been adopted by several research projects in the European Open Science Cloud () including , and forms the basis for the common metadata standard of TREvolution.

TREvolution is the first of three initiatives under the DARE UK (Phase 2) Transformational Programme, advancing the further development and testing of core TRE components and capabilities developed in the first phase of the DARE UK programme.

Further funding will also be provided to support the early adoption of these capabilities by UK TREs and data services and to demonstrate their application through real-world research exemplars. The goal is to showcase the potential for a connected and efficient national network of secure data infrastructures.

DARE UK Interim Director, Professor Emily Jefferson, said: ā€œTREvolution marks a step change in our efforts to transform the UKā€™s secure data research ecosystem. This important work will ensure that key capabilitiesā€”such as federated analysis and enhanced output checking supporting the training of AI modelsā€”are not just theoretical advancements but practical, real-world solutions that enhance the UKā€™s ability to do impactful research. We look forward to working closely with the TREvolution team to advance these innovations and drive meaningful progress in how sensitive data is accessed and used for the public good."

The TREvolution team will work closely with the DARE UK Delivery Team and early adopter TREs, fostering stronger collaboration and synergy as these critical capabilities are integrated into the UKā€™s secure data research infrastructure ecosystem.

Follow DARE UK on and , and to follow TREvolutionā€™s progress.

The new project, POUNDS (Prediction Of UnqualifieD losseS from offshore wind farm wakes), aims to provide a national-scale assessment of interactions between wind farms, supporting policymakers and industry leaders to optimise offshore wind energy production in the drive to net zero.

The UK government has set a target to reach 43-50 GW of offshore wind by 2030. Rapid progress has already been made with 16 GW now in operation and further projects are ongoing development under the recent Contract for Difference Allocations. Nevertheless, achieving the 2030 target requires an up to three-fold increase of capacity, potentially reaching over 100 GW installed capacity by 2050. 

Such substantial expansion of offshore wind farms means they must be built closer together, making it crucial to understand how this affects predictions of annual energy production.

When large groups of turbines are built in close proximity, they create ā€˜wakesā€™ where wind slows down behind them. and are increasingly impacting the performance of neighbouring farms, reducing the efficiency of the turbines in producing energy and causing conflicts between wind farm operators.

Project Lead , Research Fellow in the Department of Civil Engineering and Management at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œAchieving the target of 43-50 GW of deployed offshore wind farms by 2030 is crucial for NetZero and energy security, but reduction in energy prediction due to wind farm wakes must be addressed.ā€

ā€œOur POUNDS project is key to overcoming these challenges, informing policy makers and project developers about strategies to better quantify these losses. Similar initiatives of national importance have been developed in Germany, The Netherlands and the US, and our project aims to support the whole UK offshore wind industry.ā€

POUNDS, funded by Engineering and Physical Science Research Council (EPSRC) Supergen Offshore Renewable Energy Impact Hub, will be carried out in partnership with the UKā€™s leading Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) institutes, industry experts, and policymakers, including ORE Catapult, Arup, EDF, RWE, and The Crown Estate.

The projectā€™s key aims include:

• Assessing how offshore wind farms affect each otherā€™s energy production, and the revenue implications of these impacts.
• Helping to identify the best locations for future offshore wind farms to minimise these losses and ensure the UKā€™s renewable energy targets are met.
• Validating modelled performance data against operational data.
• Improving model accuracy in forecasting wind farm energy production.

As for its methodology, POUNDS will use state-of-the-art mesoscale models ā€“ a type of advanced numerical weather forecasting model ā€“ to model the performance of wind farms spanning UK waters at a resolution of 1 km. It will assess both the wind farms operational in 2023, and the thousands more wind turbines that are planned by 2030.

The analysis will evaluate accuracy of the model relative to real-world data and quantify the effects of inter-farm wakes on predicted energy yield. It will also capture wind-farm wakes and wind-farm performance in comparison to energy export grid data.

This combination of advanced modelling and collaboration with leading stakeholders is designed to support delivery of the UKā€™s target to become NetZero by 2050.

, Energy Economist with Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, said: "The UK Government's recent   identification of inter-farm wind wakes as an area of focus highlights this issue's importance. This study could make important contributions towards better understanding and planning around them."

, Wind Skills Leader, UKIMEA, Arup, added: "As the UK continues to expand its offshore wind capacity, balancing the need for security and affordability of supply is becoming increasingly complex. To ensure a just transition, which balances private and public interests, it is critical that we take a collaborative approach to advance our scientific understanding of inter-farm wakes and our ability to quantify the impacts."

By modelling the interactions between wind farms more precisely, the team hopes to provide better guidance for developers and policymakers, reduce investment risks, and resolve conflicts between wind farm operators.

POUNDS could ensure that both the UKā€™s offshore wind expansion, and 2030 target, remain on track.

The project POUNDS will be officially launched at the , which will be held at Ā鶹“«Ć½ on 15th April 2025 and is open to academic colleagues.

Further information on the Supergen ORE Impact hub is available .

Commissioned by the band, the roadmap set out clear, measurable targets for the live music industry to significantly reduce its carbon footprint and align with the Paris Agreement.

Using this framework, Massive Attack hosted ACT 1.5 ā€“ a one-day music festival over the August bank holiday in 2024.

Analysis in the new report shows that the event had significant reductions in carbon emissions compared to a typical outdoor concert, including:

• 81-98% emissions reduction from power
• 89% emissions reductions from food/catering
• 70% emissions reductions from equipment haulage 
• 73% emissions reductions from artist travel 

The festival was attended by over 32,000 fans and implemented a range of climate measures, including:

• The first ever 100% battery powered festival of its size
• Electric trucks taking batteries offsite to recharge with renewable power
• 100% plant-based catering
• The provision of five times extra show trains one hour after the national network had closed
• Fleets of electric shuttles buses to get fans home. 

To evaluate the eventā€™s carbon impact, the Tyndall Centre teamā€”led by Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s Professor Carly McLachlan and Dr Chris Jonesā€”worked with leading sustainability organisation A Greener Future (AGF). They analysed emissions data from ACT 1.5 and compared it to a hypothetical outdoor concert where environmental measures have not been prioritised.

The results revealed the concert produced the lowest ever carbon emissions from a show of its kind.

It is hoped that the roadmap and insights from the Act 1.5 show are used by other event organisers to transform the live music industry.

Professor Carly McLachlan, Associate Director at the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: "This proof-of-concept show could change the landscape for outdoor festivals. It demonstrated that there are real opportunities for promoters, providers, local authorities and central government to create the conditions for the UK to lead the world in super-low carbon events. A willingness to do things differently was demonstrated by the audience and crew members alike. The unwavering commitment to sustainability from senior members of the production team, including the artist, was essential for the success of the show and inspiring to see.ā€

While many of the attendees took advantage of incentives to travel by low carbon options such as rail ā€“ including VIP bar wristbands for rail travellers, a localised pre-sale, the chartering of trains and the provision of free electric shuttle buses to train stations ā€“ data shows that 5% of the audience chose to fly to the show. Those who flew were responsible for 64% of the overall greenhouse gas emissions of the show.

Robert Del Naja, 3D ā€“ Massive Attack, said: ā€œMassive Attack are hugely grateful to both the team and the fans that produced a world leading event, and to the scientists and analysts who - via the huge progressive leaps made in producing the ACT 1.5 show - identified a serious emerging issue for all live music events in the context of climate emergency. If fans are encouraged to tour the world to see their favourite artists this sector can simply forget about hitting any emissions reductions targets, let alone Paris 1.5 compatibility. There's a huge question now for tour planning, but also for media and promotor marketing campaigns high on the glitz of epic summer tours that normalise leisure aviation."

Mark Donne, ACT 1.5 Lead Producer, added: ā€œEvidently this show proved to be the cleanest, greenest festival event ever staged - but in terms of popular take up of clean practices, it feels like we and others working on this stuff are attempting to create smart productions within dumb regulation.

ā€œMusic fans showed quite categorically that they are up for taking the train if there are reliable services available and they can get to the station post-show - but those arrangements are unnecessarily bureaucratic, with dysfunctional timings that must be made simpler.  High polluting power sources like diesel that dominate the festival world, creating huge amounts of greenhouse gas and toxic air pollution for those that live near festival sites, or work on them are cheap and abundant. Central and local government must address this urgently, either via regulation or a deterrent tax. Clean technology is ready ā€“ it just needs to be facilitated; fans want clean shows, thatā€™s very clear. The challenge for promoters and government now is to meet that need.ā€

As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, hydrogen is considered a key player to the transition to cleaner energy. However, the clear, odourless and highly flammable gas is hard to detect using human senses and poses a challenge for its safe deployment.

The sensor, developed by a scientist at Ā鶹“«Ć½, can reliably detect even the tiniest amounts of hydrogen in seconds. It is small, affordable, and energy-efficient ā€“ and its results outperform portable commercial hydrogen detectors.

The research, in collaborations with the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, was published today in the journal .

The operation of the new organic semiconductor sensor relies on a process known as "p-doping," where oxygen molecules increase the concentration of positive electrical charges in the active material. When hydrogen is present, it reacts with the oxygen, reversing this effect and causing a rapid drop in electrical current. This change is fast and reversible at room temperature up to 120 Ā°C.

The sensor was tested in various real-world scenarios, including detecting leaks from pipes, monitoring hydrogen diffusion in closed rooms following an abrupt release, and even being mounted on a drone for airborne leak detection. In all cases, the sensor proved faster than portable commercial detector, demonstrating its potential for widespread use in homes, industries, and transport networks.

Importantly, the sensor can be made ultra-thin and flexible and could also be integrated into smart devices, enabling continuous distributed monitoring of hydrogen systems in real time.

The team is now focusing on advancing the sensor further while assessing its long-term stability in different sensing scenarios.

Throughout the two-day event held this month, spinout founders presented their innovative projects across Life Sciences, Science & Engineering and Next-Stage Investment categories. These sessions were followed by lively Q&A discussions, with investors and attendees posing insightful questions about the future potential of these groundbreaking technologies.

Professor Duncan Ivison, President & Vice-Chancellor of Ā鶹“«Ć½, delivered a keynote speech on the global impact of university spinouts and reinforced the role of research-led innovation in shaping industries worldwide.

He said at the event: ā€œOne of the things that distinguishes Ā鶹“«Ć½ globally is the connectivity of the city and its institutions and the ecosystem between business, universities and government in a way that is unique in the world.

ā€œIt is the superpower of Ā鶹“«Ć½. I donā€™t know of any other city in the world in which the connectivity between the main institutions in the city are so deep, so dynamic, and so alive.ā€

Richard Jones, Vice President for Innovation at Ā鶹“«Ć½, also commended how commercialisation of university research can benefit the wider innovation ecosystem.

Break-out partnering sessions allowed for in-depth discussion and provided invaluable opportunities for spinout teams to meet privately with investors to discuss their commercialisation journeys.

Catherine Headley, CEO at Ā鶹“«Ć½ Innovation Factory said: ā€œThe conference truly demonstrated the strength and diversity of spinout companies emerging from Leeds, Ā鶹“«Ć½ and Sheffield. The level of investor engagement was remarkable, reflecting the exciting momentum behind innovation across the North of England.ā€

The 2025 Investor Conference reaffirmed the Northern Triangle of Universitiesā€™ role as a hub fostering cutting-edge innovation collaborations that shape the future of science, technology, and business. It is hoped that fresh partnerships and investments will emerge from the event and that steps will be taken towards real world impact.

LIBRTI is a Ā£200 million initiative spanning four years, dedicated to demonstrating controlled tritium breedingā€”a crucial step toward realising commercial fusion power plants. By establishing the capability to accurately predict and reproduce tritium production for a given neutron flux and lithium substrate, LIBRTI will help pave the way for large-scale fusion powerplant tritium breeding. This project is supported by a multi-million-pound investment and aims to fast-track fusion fuel development and advance technologies critical to sustainable energy production.

Ā鶹“«Ć½ will leverage its renowned expertise in tritium science and technology and digital engineering to develop an innovative tritium inventory model. Using Bayesian statistics, the model will provide improved predictions and uncertainty quantification, enhancing the safety and efficiency of breeder blanket systems. A breeder blanket system is a key component in a fusion reactor, designed to breed tritium and extract heat to sustain the fusion reaction. It surrounds the fusion core and converts the energy from fusion into a usable form, making it a fundamental element in future fusion power plants.

The project will integrate the advanced model into a digital twin framework, designed to simulate tritium behaviour within different LIBRTI breeder conceptsā€”liquid lithium, lead-lithium (PbLi), molten salt (FLiBe), and lithium-based ceramic materials. These breeder concepts are being developed in collaboration with digiLab, UKAEA, and partners from Lancaster University, Kyoto Fusioneering, and The University of Edinburgh.

Ā鶹“«Ć½-led initiative will build upon its existing digital fusion industrial metaverse platform, developed through UKAEAā€™s Fusion Industry Programme. By adopting a Bayesian Inference-based approach, the project will enable the development of computationally efficient and adaptive models. These tools will ensure real-time tritium monitoring, uncertainty quantification, and predictive analytics, addressing critical challenges in tritium management and advancing the design of next-generation fusion reactors. Tritium is combined with deuterium in fusion reactions to produce helium and vast amounts of energyā€”mirroring the processes that power the sun and stars. This reaction forms the basis of most fusion power plant designs.

The Universityā€™s collaboration with industrial and academic partners provides unique opportunities for integrating the latest advancements in fusion energy. The project will benefit from data and expertise shared by partners, including Commonwealth Fusion Systems and other LIBRTI awardees. This collaboration ensures a holistic approach to addressing the complexities of tritium inventory management.

The LIBRTI project underscores the UKā€™s leadership in fusion energy research and its commitment to developing sustainable energy solutions. The integration of Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s tritium inventory model into LIBRTIā€™s breeder systems will play a vital role in achieving the initiativeā€™s ambitious goals of advancing tritium handling and safety technologies.

Professor Philip Edmondson, Chair in Tritium Science and Technology, Ā鶹“«Ć½, said: ā€œThis project exemplifies the power of collaboration and innovation in tackling some of the most complex challenges in fusion energy. By combining our expertise in tritium science with cutting-edge digital engineering, we are contributing to a sustainable energy future.ā€

Dalton Nuclear Institute at 20 Years

Ā鶹“«Ć½ā€™s Dalton Nuclear Institute is celebrating 20 years as the biggest and broadest nuclear capability in UK academia. With over 170 PhD researchers, postdocs, and fellows, and 120 academics, Ā鶹“«Ć½ is the only UK university to cover the full nuclear fuel cycle, as well as fusion, health, and social research. As a trusted authority in the field, the Institute engages with the public, media, stakeholders, and government, driving innovation and shaping the future of nuclear science and technology.