Awardees

Hydrogen and seek: understanding hydrogen in engineering alloys

Materials engineering of plutonium ceramics: transforming radioactive waste management policy

Climate resilience and energy harvesting of thermo-active roads

New electrolyser component designs for green hydrogen production

Preventing aeroelastic instability to enable future net-zero carbon jet engines

Multifunctional z-direction hybridisation of composites

Upskilling robotic scientists for long-term laboratory workflows

Automated and provably correct code modernisation

Ultra-deep tissue photoacoustic imaging with wavefront shaping-assisted illumination

Agri-tech for sustainable development: crop yield prediction, evaluation and improvement

Studying water intermittency in supply hydraulics

Orchestrating neural rhythms for therapy and diagnosis of neurological disorders

Light can be used to measure a wide variety of systems and samples. Dr Allen’s work looks at developing a new type of light source that can be used to reduce the effect of quantum noise and improve the sensitivity or precision of photonic sensors.

Light drives key physiological functions as well as economic activity. Dr Anaya’s research will combine unique photonic approaches with innovative ways to fabricate state-of-the-art materials to enable a future with inexpensive, ubiquitous and versatile lighting.

Light is a powerful and precise tool to mould or inspect different materials or tissues. Dr Belli’s research will deliver novel light sources based on hollow-fibres with enhanced control, fast tunability and high spectral power across the whole ultraviolet. This will impact semiconductor metrology, molecular spectroscopy, medical and free-electron lasers research.

Altered metabolism is central to brain tumours and their progression. Dr Berrington’s research aims to generate imaging approaches, using novel signal encoding strategies, to rapidly probe metabolism with magnetic resonance spectroscopy. These accelerated techniques may transform our ability to assess brain tumours and their response to therapy.

Virus–bacteria interactions are ubiquitous in nature, profoundly influencing both microbial dynamics and function. Yet, viruses are a forgotten constituent of engineered systems. Dr Brown will gain a mechanistic understanding of virus–bacteria interactions in wastewater treatment, advancing knowledge in these globally critical systems for human and environmental health.

Dr Darlington’s research addresses key challenges to the industrialisation of engineered microbes. He is designing new genetic control systems that dynamically balance growth with engineered function to maintain good performance over real-world timescales. Working with industrial partners, he is applying these methods to the sustainable bio-manufacture of high-value chemicals.

In the future, wearable healthcare technologies will require efficient, autonomous and sustainable energy sources. Dr Dharmasena investigates nanogenerator technology to develop super-smart textiles that use electro-static interactions of textile yarns to generate electricity from human body movements. These smart textiles function as energy generators and self-powered sensors for remote rehabilitation monitoring.

Batteries based on Earth-abundant elements can be lower in cost and more environmentally friendly than Li-ion, but they generally do not perform as well. Dr House is developing new cathode materials that leverage structural disorder to provide high metal-ion contents and fast ion-conduction properties for sustainable batteries with improved performance.

As robot teams, or ‘swarms’, move from the laboratory into the real world there is a clear opportunity to enhance monitoring of critical national infrastructure. Dr Hunt’s work will focus on how diverse types of robots, in form and behaviour, can contribute to enhanced collective awareness of environments.

Airport infrastructure is vulnerable to disruptions caused by severe weather events, which can cause aircraft to hydroplane. Permeable pavements allow stormwater runoff to flow through otherwise impermeable materials. Dr Kia is developing next-generation permeable pavements that have the strength and resilience for extreme use in airports.

The way in which single photon detectors transmit information bears a striking resemblance to how neurons process data. Dr Lyons’ work uses this concept to build LiDAR sensors that mimic our own eyes and brains as closely as possible and are capable of incredibly fast decision-making as a result.

Constraint optimisation solvers are computer programs used for logistics, scheduling and resource allocation problems. They use intelligent algorithms and it is hard to be sure that they are bug-free. Dr McCreesh is developing new methods to make these programs ‘show their working’, so that their outputs can be trusted.

Atomic sensors’ scalability limit the potential growth of the quantum technology marketplace. Dr McGilligan’s research is miniaturising quantum technologies by developing micro-fabricated atomic platforms and novel atomic sources to enable a step-change in the portability of atomic-based sensors.

Dr Mingo is developing high-performance smart ceramic coatings that can interact with the environment, responding selectively to certain triggers. Her research has the potential to extend the lifetime of lightweight components used in transport, which will contribute to creating energy-efficient vehicles and guarantee sustainable consumption and allocation of resources.

Increasing industrial demands in emerging energy sectors necessitate the development of new materials; for example, low-activation radiation damage tolerant materials for nuclear fusion applications. Dr Owen’s research focuses on developing novel analytical techniques to explore the local structure–property relationships in novel chemically complex materials.

Offshore renewable energy and offshore engineering rely on accurate characterisation of the marine environment. Dr Pillai’s research explores the development of new techniques to integrate numerical physics-based models with targeted, dynamic measurement campaigns using autonomous vessels to reduce offshore uncertainty and develop a new framework for spatial data.

Dr Tobin’s research will investigate the use of state-of-the-art single-photon detection techniques for three-dimensional imaging in challenging environments, such as through high levels of atmospheric obscurants and in extremely low-light conditions. This technology can be used in a variety of applications including security, defence and automotive LiDAR.

Most commercial upper-limb prosthetics currently lack tactile feedback. Dr Ward-Cherrier aims to use biomimetic tactile sensors and algorithms to create prosthetic hands that restore a human-like sense of touch to amputees.

Dr Abby Wilson’s research focusses on delivering safe, patient-customised vision correction. She is applying advanced optical imaging methods to map corneal biomechanics and understand the effects of disease and surgical/non-surgical interventions, alongside developing diagnostic imaging tools and new therapies to facilitate personalised treatment of corneal disease and visual abnormality.

Through UQUAFA, Dr Almeida Jr is developing lighter, more damage tolerant, yet safer, composite aerostructures. Robust computational models will predict the mechanical response of fibre-reinforced composites under damage-inducing loads, accounting for material and manufacturing uncertainties, combined with a physically based damage model that spans across micro-macro scales.

Dr Bosi aims to help cardiologists select the most suitable therapy for atrial fibrillation patients. She is employing pioneering engineering techniques, including statistical shape analysis and computational modelling, to improve risk estimation of developing lethal blot clots in all heart shapes.

Traditional database systems are based on hard-coded algorithms. Although robust, they need to be tailored for different applications. Dr Cao’s research aims to build new database systems that learn to adapt while keeping the robustness guarantees of a traditional system.

Improved lubricants could reduce transportation’s energy consumption by up to a quarter. Through a combination of molecular science and engineering, Dr Ewen is developing methods to rationally design lubricants from the bottom up. The flexible approaches will also be used to optimise fluids for electric vehicles.

Natural flood management measures, including wood installations, can improve physical and ecological resilience and help bodies of water adapt to the impacts of climate change. Dr Follett’s research demonstrates how wood jams and vegetation affect flow and particle transport, developing physically based representations for flood models and design guidance.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, which is around 20 times more effective per molecule than carbon dioxide. Dr Ismaeel is developing miniaturised methane sensor that uses optical fibres to quickly and efficiently scan methane levels in the ocean.

Dr Kaul’s research employs computational, experimental and clinical methods to understand how respiratory diseases emerge at an individual level. This programme uses technology to create digital patients and recommends therapies tailored to their profiles with an aim to accelerate precision medicine.

Dr Maccarone’s research investigates state-of-the art quantum detection technologies that produce high-resolution underwater three-dimensional images with extremely low light level return – less than one photon per pixel. This research will help the use of quantum detection technologies in subsea applications, such us survey, inspection and monitoring.

Threat assessments show that extremist groups have the ambition and means to acquire and use unconventional weapons, including improvised nuclear explosive devices. Dr Martin's research investigates advanced radiation detection materials and deployment systems alongside secure intelligent networks to enhance the safety and security of nuclear and radioactive materials.

Optical and infrared waves can be confined to the surfaces of topological insulator as plasmons. By actively controlling the behaviour of these surface states with organic molecules, Dr Moorsom will develop a high-speed, high-efficiency logic device for the next generation of computer processors.

Membranes can dramatically reduce the energy requirements of chemical separations but their use at high temperature is limited. Dr Mutch’s research is developing molten-salt membranes that will offer new ways to perform chemical reactions to tackle emerging dilute gas separations.

Dr Perego’s research focuses on developing miniaturised optical frequency comb sources with tuneable and controllable properties. Optical frequency combs are optical rulers that offer precise distance and time measurements. They can be used in a variety of technological applications including optical sensing, spectroscopy and optical communications.

Radar visibility is becoming increasingly important for safety and security in the modern world, from vision in autonomous vehicles to the detection of small drones near sensitive areas such as airports. Dr Powell’s research uses metamaterial physics and advanced manufacturing methods to develop compact, lightweight structures that boost the radar visibility of any hard-to-detect object.

Advanced biomedical imaging techniques offer a promising non-invasive, intraoperative alternative to biopsies for diagnosing diseases such as bowel cancer. However, they currently require highly complex and expensive lasers, which prevents their widespread use in hospitals. Dr Runcorn is engineering new fibre laser technology to develop cost-effective clinical endoscopes using these imaging techniques.

Dr Simmons will lead a research programme that will advance state-of-the-art experimental and machine-learning techniques. The goal is to develop a novel intelligent framework for ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) to enable mission-critical applications, such as autonomous driving and industry automation in 5G and 5G+ networks.

Dr Suzuki is developing a novel, completely non-invasive technique that visualises blood vessels and flows in patients with vessel-narrowing diseases in the brain using an arterial spin labelling technique. She aims to provide an alternative to X-ray angiography examination to reduce the burden on patients.

Dr Afolabi will deliver a synergic system to deploy biological and thermochemical waste conversion processes to manage highly heterogenous agri-food waste and create clean renewable biofuels. Taking a strategic approach, his research aligns with waste management and clean energy generation policy priorities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Dr Batzelis is an expert in solar photovoltaic systems, power electronic converters and power system stability. His research investigates how to bring more clean and reliable electricity from the Sun to people in developing countries, leveraging recent advances in solar and energy storage technologies.

Dr Bonilla is developing a new technique to dope semiconductors, using field-effect doping (FED) from a charged dielectric. He has recently developed a new class of charge dielectrics that can overcome the charge control issue, by introducing tailored solid-state ions to produce a permanent electric field.

Minimally invasive procedures are replacing traditional surgery but significant improvements in sensor technology are required now. Dr Colchester’s research focuses on building a dedicated single optical fibre endoscope to provide all-optical ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging for this purpose. Realising this technology could revolutionise healthcare and open the path to new treatments.

Dr He’s research tackles the affordability of energy and water provision in rural Indian homes, by creating low-cost, cold-storage-based air conditioning. This can be used in flexible electrodialysis for ‘solar-centric’, home-scale cooling and freshwater production. The project is being undertaken in collaboration with MIT, SELCO-India, Anna University and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore.

Data is the lifeblood of the new machine learning tech industry, but its necessity threatens privacy and for many applications scarce or rare data is left underserved. MEMO will investigate algorithms that learn from small amounts of personalised data, using meta-learning (‘learning-to-learn’). Practical applications include robotic navigation and medical diagnostics.

Jet Engines and nuclear fusion/fission reactors operate at high temperatures that are likely to increase further in future high-efficiency designs. Dr Knowles’ research proposes a step change in material temperature capability through the realisation of a new class of high melting point body-centred-cubic (bcc) superalloys based on titanium, tungsten steel.

By measuring tiny variations in gravitational acceleration, we can ‘see’ things underground. Dr Middlemiss develops miniaturised gravity sensors that will be cheaper and smaller than existing devices. These sensors will be used to create gravity imaging networks for monitoring magma movements underneath volcanos.

Dr Millar develops detectors that can measure single photons of infrared light, using materials that can be mass-produced cheaply. This technology will enable low-cost 3D imaging systems for driverless cars that can penetrate fog and rain, as well as quantum encryption systems for securing data sent over optical fibre.

Suspensions of particles in liquid are among the most widespread product forms involving several industries including food and pharmaceuticals. However, shortcomings in our understanding of the mechanics behind these are challenging engineers. Dr Ness develops new rational approaches to formulation and processing using insight from novel experiments and simulations that expose the underlying microphysics.

The fibre-optic gyroscope is a key navigation technology for today’s airliners and satellites. Dr Fokoua develops optical fibres that guide light in air or vacuum, to enable low-cost and significantly more precise fibre-optic gyroscopes. Such devices will navigate autonomous vehicles, especially when fragile global navigation satellite system signals are inaccessible.

The noise emitted from ducted rotors in aero-engines, marine propellers, unmanned aerial vehicles rotors and industrial ventilation fans is a major environmental concern. Noise is one of the key factors that restrict the growth of the UK economy. Dr Paruchuri’s research aims to understand and reduce the tip noise in ducted fans.

Dr Pedrazzini will lead a research programme employing state of the art experimental and computational techniques to provide new, fundamental insight into the environmental degradation of nickel superalloys and steels, to be used to design a new generation of alloys, whose corrosion resistance will be tailored to their specific applications.

Cryogenic electronics can reduce thermal noise in analogue amplifiers and enable scalability for quantum computing. However, existing semiconductor components are not well suited to operating at very low temperatures. Dr Thompson’s research focuses on using graphene and other 2D materials to develop the necessary components for future cryogenic electronic instruments.

Micropollutants, such as pesticides, pose a great risk to drinking water and human health, particularly in developing countries. Dr Vignola aims to develop biofilter systems for the sustainable removal of pesticides from polluted source waters, by exploiting the power of microbial communities to harvest energy and carbon from targeted compounds.

Waste-heat recovery power systems have an important role in improving the energy efficiency of many processes. Dr White’s research will investigate, through a combination of numerical and experimental studies, developing new expander technologies that can successfully expand a liquid-vapour mixture, leading to improvements in the performance waste-heat recovery systems.

Dr Wu develops novel techniques that speed up diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the only method that can map white matter pathways in the living human brain. This will provide clinicians and neuroscientists with data of unprecedented quality and enable new insights into brain connectivity, health and disease.

Dr Zabek is developing a new class of smart fluids, ferromagnetic-ferrofluids, with a permanent magnetic moment that exhibits solid-magnetic and liquid-fluid properties. These properties allow the development of flexible, light and more efficient heat transport and energy applications with the potential to resolve current technological limitations.

A data-driven ‘clinical AI’ system is proposed for low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). It will cluster complex patient data to identify phenotypic subgroups and provide personalised early-warning of deterioration in the presence of multimorbidities. It can be embedded within electronic systems to help clinicians to reduce mortality for patients through predictive inference.

Dr Halimi aims to develop new computational methods for next-generation smart sensing systems that are scene-dependent and task-optimised. These methods address challenges raised by real-world applications such as the extreme conditions of data acquisition and large volumes of high-dimensional data.

The emergence of machines that interact with their environment has led to an increasing demand for automatic visual understanding of real-world scenes. Dr Mustafa aims to better understand complex scenes so that machines can efficiently model and interpret real-world settings for a range of socially beneficial applications including autonomous systems, augmented reality and healthcare.

Secure communication based on long-distance quantum cryptography will require the realisation of quantum networks. The development of quantum ‘amplifiers’ is needed to achieve this and Dr Green exploits point defects in diamond to produce robust spin-photon interface devices with optimal photonic properties. This will enable communication of quantum states between potentially heterogeneous hardware.

Dr Sheil aims to develop bespoke geotechnical monitoring systems to provide real-time, automated feed-back to site engineers. He also develops and validates new design methods for underground construction processes. This will be achieved through the development of fibre optic sensors and their deployment in upcoming UK construction projects.

Dr Veiga’s research aims to reduce the risk of radiotherapy-induced side-effects in later life of childhood cancer survivors. This can be achieved by engineering a computational framework tailored to predicting and modelling the risk of side-effects based on the analysis of complex medical imaging and outcome data of large populations.

Dr Hagen is developing a new x-ray imaging technology for tissue engineering that provides a flexible way to accommodate the increasingly complex imaging needs of this field. The technology supports correlative and/or multi-contrast approaches that are frequently required and facilitates high-resolution, low-dose scanning techniques for pre-clinical development.

Next-generation robots will be physically manipulating and interacting with objects in their environment, using robotic arms and hands. Dr Johns uses current artificial intelligence techniques, such as deep learning, to develop these robots. Computer simulations are also used to generate the huge datasets necessary for operation across diverse, everyday environments.

Dr Perez-Cota’s research focuses on phonon microscopy, which uses sound at the nano-scale to offer a label-free, super-resolution, non-invasive imaging tool. This new instrument enables the characterisation of living biological cells by contrast derived from their elasticity. These capabilities offer great potential for the life-sciences and healthcare.

In East Africa, excessive fluoride in drinking water causes large-scale health problems. Dr Shen’s research aims to provide fluoride-free water to local communities by using CDI technology. This approach integrates three areas of research: development of fluoride-selective electrodes, design of solar-powered CDI, and sustainability assessment of CDI.

LEGS aims to overcome the enormous energy and engineering costs associated with isolating ethylene and propylene, materials that are in high demand. By using new mixed gas absorption equipment in real-world industry settings, Dr Moura will determine the potential of a series of solvents as separation agents.

Optical fibre underpins our global communications infrastructure, transporting over 99% of global internet traffic data. Dr Galdino’s research redefines how optical networks are designed by harvesting the whole 50THz spectrum of optical fibres. This will lead to faster internet and a more digitally enabled society, as well as promoting economic productivity.

Dr To uses engineering expertise to strengthen the resilience of energy systems with a particular focus on building community energy resilience strategies and local innovations in Malawi and Nepal. Methods and tools will also be developed to improve energy infrastructure design by using an interdisciplinary, socio-technical systems approach.

Dr Sorokina’s research project – Laser Brain – is a novel ultra-fast optical computing technology with record bandwidth and number of nodes. This cutting-edge technology aims to revolutionise neuroscience, computing, and the generation of novel human machine interfaces. Its applications range from engineering and biology to medicine and security.

Dr Materazzi examines how to efficiently generate light biofuels from waste residues by using new advanced thermal treatment technologies that combine fluid-bed reactors and catalysts design. This includes using advanced diagnostic techniques to improve understanding of complex solid-gas interactions at every step of the transformation sequence.

Dr Jimenez’s research tackles the challenge of rapid medical diagnosis by engineering a suite of new microsystems capable of performing a fast purification and detection of bacteria from clinical samples (eg blood). These technologies have the potential to reduce unnecessary administration of antibiotics, enabling a personalised approach to therapy.

Dr Cook is developing automated game design, an emerging field in AI concerned with engineering computationally creative systems to support game development. This work ranges from building new creative tools to support big-budget blockbuster studios, to designing autonomously creative software that can support and collaborate with artists and hobbyists.

SMART infrastructure aims to enhance the resilience of road networks through data analytics and greater interoperability across asset management systems. Dr Lydon will use the Northern Ireland road network as a research platform to develop a new bridge management tool by focusing specifically on the vulnerability of bridge structures within the network.

Dr Al Nasiri aims to develop durable and affordable environmental barrier coatings for silicon carbide ceramic matrix composites for aerospace applications. This research supports the development of a next generation of aerospace engines that are lighter, faster, cheaper, more efficient and less polluting.

Modern computing systems are necessary for innovative, fast and energy-efficient applications, however programming for them requires significant effort and expertise. Dr Petoumenos uses artificial intelligence to understand, rewrite and optimise computer code without expert knowledge or supervision, making programming for modern hardware accessible to all developers.

Dr Hoye’s research focuses on the development of low-cost, lead-free semiconductors that tolerate defects and increase performance. When deposited on silicon solar cells, these materials can convert higher levels of sunlight to electricity, potentially increasing efficiency by 50%. This could support photovoltaics in reaching the 10 terawatt deployment level needed to meet climate targets by 2030.

Instabilities are an important failure mode for lightweight aerospace structures as they can cause collapse. However, research developments are shifting perspectives by using controlled instabilities for new functions, such as shape adaptation. Taking this approach, Dr Groh applies new analysis and experimental techniques towards designing and validating novel structures for industrial application.

Creating a global quantum network is an important task for quantum communications. Global connection via low-earth-orbit satellites is seen as the fastest route. Dr Donaldson’s research investigates new photonic technology to enable practical optical receivers that can communicate with satellites, which is crucial to expanding the connectivity of the network.

A range of fields, including autonomous navigation, manufacturing and healthcare, have advanced due to 3D imaging. Dr Kissinger’s research seeks to demonstrate the concept of ‘Doppler-enhanced lidar’, where depth and velocity images are simultaneously acquired. This allows quantification of object movements, which is useful in applications such as robotic obstacle avoidance or monitoring patient breathing.

A remaining challenge in silicon photonics is to produce a light source that can be easily used in standard manufacturing processes. Dr Wang is developing silicon-based light emitters, made from two-dimensional materials, that operate at near-infrared wavelengths. This will create new opportunities in data communications and bio and chemical sensing.

Since the widespread introduction of plastic materials in the 1950s, large concentrations of floating plastic debris have accumulated in the world’s oceans. Professor van den Bremer’s research aims to determine the fundamental mechanisms of transport and dispersion of plastic pollution in realistic, stochastic seas focusing on the role of waves.

Dr Altmann’s research bridges the gap between the photonics and the signal and image processing communities by developing new statistical tools for enhanced information extraction from particle (eg photon) detectors. The research also embeds computational tools within the design of future low-illumination sensing and imaging solutions.

Dr Chen aims to develop and demonstrate the first photonic optical transmitter silicon microchip made up of a high-performance III-V quantum dot distributed feedback laser, an electroabsorption modulator and a silicon-on-insulator waveguide on a silicon substrate. This integrated circuit tackles the challenge of slow data transfer capacity faced by conventional copper-based interconnectors.

Dr Vaughan’s research on VR medical training is helping to develop frameworks and enhance capabilities in three main areas: skill assessment, material modelling and adaptation. As VR develops, the frameworks can bring global benefit to all disciplines using VR technology and haptic interaction. This will enhance the assessment of medical procedures with virtual soft tissues.

Most gases, chemicals, and biological molecules absorb light at specific mid-infrared wavelengths. Systems that measure this property can detect different substances for applications such as environmental monitoring or healthcare. Dr Nedeljkovic’s research seeks to drastically reduce the size and cost of such systems by making them on silicon chips.

Dr Chernysheva’s research builds on her knowledge of fibre lasers and the generation of ultrashort pulses to develop versatile diagnostic tools based on mid-infrared laser systems. These new laser systems could replace the bulky and complicated infrared interferometers that are currently used for vibrational spectroscopy and could be translated for cancer diagnostics.

Simultaneous measurement of electroencephalography (EEG) and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) provide complementary information on brain function. Dr Chiew’s research takes new ideas in image reconstruction, signal processing and machine learning to integrate both techniques, leveraging their respective strengths to enable richer characterisation of the brain and its function.

Neuromorphic memristive systems promise to improve the power efficiency of hardware for AI and machine learning (ML) applications. This will lead to direct implementation of AI and ML in mobile and embedded systems, facilitating local data processing instead of relying on data streaming and latency-prone cloud computing.

Dr van Batenburg-Sherwood focuses on biofluid dynamics and experimental techniques for yielding precise data on biological flows. His main interest is in microscale blood flow and understanding how red blood cell properties change microvascular function in diseases such as diabetes.