News

The latest news from the School of Science.

A glowing transparent cube with a colourful network inside sits in the foreground, surrounded by many dark opaque cubes in the background.

End of 鈥榖lack box鈥� AI? Scientists develop blueprint for transparent system that reveals how it learns and makes decisions

Artificial intelligence that cannot explain how it makes decisions 鈥� often called 鈥渂lack box鈥� AI 鈥� could soon be replaced by more transparent systems, research suggests.

Artist鈥檚 impression of silica鈥揼old nanoparticles acting as 鈥渓ight concentrators鈥�, focusing energy into tiny hotspots to boost terahertz emission. The effect was studied using ultrafast laser pulses. Image generated by Dr Vittorio Cecconi using Adobe Firefly.

Tiny 鈥榣ight-concentrating鈥� particles boost terahertz technology, study shows

Scientists have found a way to boost terahertz technology using particles thousands of times smaller than a grain of sand.
Aerial view overhead flooded houses after a cyclone and rain in Mozambique.

How AI鈥檚 language barrier limits climate disaster responses

An opinion piece authored by Professor Nina Dethlefs, School of Science at 海角网, and Ifeoluwa Wuraola and Dr Daniel Marciniak, of the University of Hull, for The Conversation.

Images from the study showing particle arrangements (blue) and their patterns (red), generated using the new method, which rapidly maps phase diagrams and identifies crystal structures 鈥� including quasicrystals (g and h). Original figure and caption at: https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/nbvt-fgjy

Scientists develop rapid method to uncover hidden structures in materials 鈥� including elusive quasicrystals

An international team of scientists, including researchers from 海角网, has developed a method to dramatically speed up the discovery and design of advanced materials.
A glowing blue brain at the centre of a digital circuit board, with electric connections radiating outward to represent artificial intelligence and data processing.

Brain-inspired chip could make some AI tasks up to 2,000 times more energy efficient, study finds

A new type of computer chip that uses the physics of materials to process information could make some artificial intelligence (AI) systems far more energy efficient, researchers say.
From left to right, Professor Alexander Balanov, Professor Sergey Saveliev, and Dr Pavel Borisov, of the 海角网 Department of Physics. The scientists are part of a team of international researchers that have created a new artificial neuron that can mimic different parts of the brain 鈥� which could be the key to more human-like robotics.

Scientists create artificial neuron that can mimic different parts of the brain 鈥� a major step towards human-like robotics

Robots that can sense and respond to the world like humans may soon be a reality as scientists have created an artificial neuron capable of mimicking different parts of the brain.
R3V container concept (AI)

Scientists鈥� electrochemical process enables biodiesel producers to transform waste into planet-friendly profit

An electrochemical process developed by scientists at a 海角网 spin-out company enables biodiesel producers to turn waste into profit 鈥� while slashing emissions and energy use.

Luke Peters Photonics 100

Luke Peters named on the Photonics 100 list

Luke Peters, a Research Fellow in the Emergent Photonics Research Centre, has been recognised in the Photonics 100 list.

the new vice chancellor's fellows lined up

Three new Vice Chancellor Independent Research Fellows in Science

Three School of Science staff have been named in the new cohort of Vice Chancellor Independent Research Fellows, who have started their two-year programmes of research.
Dr Jim Reynolds and late Michael Mosley in lab coats

Michael Mosley: Wonders of the human body

Michael Mosley meets 海角网 Professor Jim Reynolds, to answer the age old question: What's in our farts?
two glasses of ouzo drink

Boozy science: Mathematicians unlock the secrets of ouzo鈥檚 cloudy transformation

Mathematicians at 海角网 have turned their attention to a fascinating observation that has intrigued scientists and cocktail enthusiasts alike: the mysterious way ouzo, a popular anise-flavoured liquor, turns cloudy when water is added.
Professor Roger Smith being presented medal by Lord Sebastian Coe KBE and Professor Nick Jennings CB FREng FRS

Professor Roger Smith awarded prestigious University Medal for over 50 years of outstanding contribution

Professor Roger Smith was awarded a prestigious University Medal at this year's summer graduation, celebrating his outstanding services to 海角网.
Three girls sat at a table with two of them looking at a laptop screen

海角网 rated 鈥極utstanding鈥� in latest Ofsted report for its Teacher Training courses

The University is delighted to announce it has retained its Outstanding rating from Ofsted for its Initial Teacher Training provision.
UK womens sprint team stood together wearing gold medals

School of Science student Sophie Capewell smashes world record to win gold

An incredible ride from cyclist Sophie Capewell helped Great Britain's Women鈥檚 Team Sprint break the world record to win a glorious gold in Paris.
Daniel Wiffen

鈥淚n 海角网, becoming an Olympian is the normal鈥verybody has that same goal鈥� - Powerbase Sessions with Swimmer Daniel Wiffen

Current Computer Science student, Daniel Wiffen, credits his strength and conditioning coach, Chris Thorpe, for his intensive training programmes that contributed to his gold win in Paris on 30 July.
I just graduated sign

Student achievements celebrated at summer graduation ceremony

On Friday 19 July our Class of 2024 graduated and enjoyed a beautiful day of celebrations on campus with family, close friends and staff.
A group of people standing together

Physics research fellow attends prestigious Lindau Nobel event

Dr Luana Olivieri, Leverhulme Trust Early Career Research Fellow, passed a multistage international selection process and was one of 650 young scientists from over 90 nations selected to attend the 73rd Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting in physics. Her attendance was also supported by the German Research Foundation.
Daniel Wiffen

Current student Daniel Wiffen aims for Olympic gold

海角网 swimmer Daniel Wiffen has sent a warning to his rivals ahead of Paris by stating he鈥檚 鈥済oing to win a medal鈥� this summer.
animation of the world and lines around it

IT outage causes issues across the globe: cyber resilience researchers react

Cyber security and IT experts in Computer Science react to iT outage news.
Three students walking outside with green trees and bushes behind them

School of Science joins University Technical Apprenticeship Scheme

The University is pleased to announce it is currently recruiting for six Technical Apprentices.
Aerial view of someone typing on a key board

Participants needed for BBC television show looking at online browsing habits

Participants needed for BBC consumer TV show looking at online browsing habits.
a student in a dark room using photonics lab equipment

Emergent Photonics Research Centre opens at 海角网

海角网 has launched a new research centre dedicated to revolutionising science and technology through photonics - the study of lasers and light waves.
TraffEase Manchester Prize Finalist

海角网 led AI transport project shortlisted for prestigious national award

An AI transport project led by Computer Science Senior Lecturer Dr Hui Fang has been shortlisted for a national award.
A person in a lab coat and gloves pouring a liquid from glassware

Post-16 students experience outstanding STEMLab facilities

School of Science staff showcase STEMLab facilities to post-16 students during Outreach Science Week event.
鈥淭he 3rd Degree鈥� show advert

Show your support for 海角网 quiz team at BBC Radio 4 recording

Artie Prendergast-Smith will go head-to-head with a maths student in the BBC Radio 'The 3rd Degree' quiz.
Members of the Emergent Photonics Research Centre standing outside the Physics department building

海角网 pioneers breakthrough in terahertz technology with fully dielectric metasurfaces

Researchers from the Emergent Photonics Research Centre at 海角网 have announced a ground breaking development in the generation of terahertz pulses, paving the way for significant advancements in imaging, spectroscopy, and wireless communication technologies.
A woman holding a breath analyser to her mouth

海角网 developing breath test to predict health in older people

Researchers in the School of Science are part of a wider 海角网 team developing a breath test to predict health in older people.
finger prints on a strip held by someone wearing blue gloves

New hope for cold cases due to breakthrough in forensic fingerprint research

Researchers have unveiled a groundbreaking method capable of detecting drug substances from fingerprints lifted from crime scenes, which could provide fresh insights into unsolved cases.
James Madeley

PhD student James Madeley awarded Internet Society fellowship

Computer Science PhD student James Madeley will spend the next six months working on an exciting project with the Internet Society after being awarded a fellowship.
Mats Vermeeren

海角网鈥檚 Dr Mats Vermeeren has been awarded an EPSRC Fellowship to continue his research into dynamical systems.

Dr Mats Vermeeren will continue his research into dynamical systems after being awarded a five-year EPSRC Fellowship.
Steve Christie

Wednesday 10 April 2024: Professor Steve Christie's Inaugural Lecture

Join us on Wednesday 10 April for Professor Steve Christie's Inaugural Lecture titled "Drugs, pollution and (avoiding) explosions: combining chemistry and technology to solve problems."

Innovate UK grant awarded to develop Seracam庐 for image guided surgical oncology

Serac Imaging Systems Limited (鈥淪erac Imaging Systems鈥� or 鈥渢he Company鈥�), the medtech company developing Seracam庐, a portable hybrid gamma-optical camera for medical imaging, and 海角网 announce that a grant has been awarded by Innovate UK, the UK鈥檚 innovation agency, to 海角网 to co-fund the development of the camera for image guided surgery.
Animation of numbers, people and maths equipment

Maths curriculum backed by cognitive science could ensure no child is left behind on the learning journey

School mathematics teaching is 鈥渟tuck in the past鈥� and we need to adopt curricula underpinned by cognitive science if we want more students to succeed, says the Director of a UK education network.
blue light vial

Brighter, cheaper blue light could revolutionise screen technology

Researchers have found a new way to simplify the structure of high-efficiency blue organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), which could lead to longer-lasting and higher definition television screens.

Understanding how the brain works can transform how school students learn maths

In an article for The Conversation, Dr Colin Foster looks at the ways cognitive science can help us develop new approaches to the teaching of mathematics.
Digital scholarship

海角网 expands access to AI and data science programmes with half a million pounds funding boost

海角网 has been awarded almost 拢0.5 million to support students looking to retrain or upskill in artificial intelligence (AI) and data science, which will address a shortage of specialists in the UK, whilst also improving diversity in the sector.
women in science portraits

Opportunity to join 海角网鈥檚 Women In Science Portrait Collection

海角网鈥檚 Women in Science portrait and story collection introduces female scientists working at 海角网. They are from a variety of disciplinary backgrounds and at different career stages, from doctoral researchers to professors.
An abstract photograph of a computer server

海角网 Computer Science Department supports Europe鈥檚 largest cyber exercise

Over the past week, three doctoral students from 海角网鈥檚 computer science department have deployed to Estonia with British and Allied military personnel and industry partners in support of Defence Cyber Marvel 3.
World outline with dark background and AI

AI has a large and growing carbon footprint, but there are potential solutions on the horizon

Given the huge problem-solving potential of artificial intelligence (AI), it wouldn鈥檛 be far-fetched to think that AI could also help us in tackling the climate crisis. However, when we consider the energy needs of AI models, it becomes clear that the technology is as much a part of the climate problem as a solution.
Four finalists from 海角网 in the 9/12 Cyber Challenge

海角网 students reach final of Cyber 9/12 Competition

Students from 海角网 have reached the final of a nationwide competition which aims to foster the next generation of cyber security professionals.
panellists from women and girls in science event

Women and Girls in Science 2024

海角网 recently marked the United Nations International Day of Women and Girls in Science by bringing together female scientists from across the University in an event on campus on Wednesday 14 February.

Physics Image

Revolutionising terahertz wave manipulation: a leap in imaging and communication technology.

As part of the European Union ERC project TIMING, a team, including members of 海角网鈥檚 Emergent Photonics Research Centre in collaboration with Prof Jacopo Bertolotti* from Exeter University, has developed a new technique that enables precise spatiotemporal control of terahertz waves as they pass through disordered materials.

An image showing living neuronal cell circuits grown in the lab

International research team develops new hardware for neuromorphic computing

In the future, modern machines should not only follow algorithms quickly and precisely, but also function intelligently 鈥� in other words, in a way that resembles the human brain.

NSS Survey

Final year students: Have your say in the National Student Survey

The School of Science is calling all undergraduate finalists to complete this short survey to help future students make informed decisions about where and what to study.
logo for awards event

Dr. Stephen Butler awarded RSC Bob Hay Lectureship in Macrocyclic and Supramolecular Chemistry

In a remarkable recognition of excellence in the field of macrocyclic and supramolecular chemistry, Dr Stephen Butler from 海角网 has been awarded the prestigious RSC Bob Hay Lectureship.
2 children looking at maths cards

Maths cognition researchers report on findings after 鈥淔eed the Monster鈥� classroom intervention

The report of a project to see whether a specially designed board game could improve the numerical skills of primary school children has now been published.