Projects
Investigating the need for a compact ultra-low-temperature cooler in quantum
Contact: Dr. Malte Grosche, Dr. Michael Sutherland, Physics Mentor: Adrian Swinburne Access to low temperatures close to absolute zero is needed for a range of applications in sensing, for example to cool transition edge detectors in particle physics experiments or infrared detectors in astrophysics, as well as in emerging quantum technologies such as quantum communications…
Using satellite imagery to count whales and other animals
Contact: Dr. Peter Fretwell & Dr. Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley, British Antarctic Survey Mentor: Bob Pettigrew Press coverage: National Geographic Satellite imaging is in a time of rapid change, with a satellite capable of recording details down to 50cm coming online only four years ago, and already being replaced with one capable of a 25cm resolution (4 times as…
From sensors to gas purification – investigating the best markets
Contact: Dr. David Fairen-Jimenez, Dept. of Chemical Engineering & Biotechnology Mentor: Michael Katz There is a wide body of research looking at the synthesis and properties of metal-organic framework materials (MOFs) such as ZIF-8, which are generally easy to synthesize, very stable, and offer very high levels of porosity (1500 square metres per gram…
Market opportunities for colour-changing coatings
Contact: Prof. Jeremy Baumberg, NanoPhotonics Centre, Dept. of Physics Mentor: Dr. Julian White Nanostructured materials can give a brilliantly coloured appearance without any need for dyes or pigments. These 'structural colour' materials are inspired by the iridescence of butterfly wings and peacock feathers, which derive their colour from the interaction of light with their periodic…
Building Collaborative Networks – finding the best market opportunities
Contact: Dr. Rafael Carazo Salas, Genetics Mentor: Simon Pulman-Jones The WEAVER software was first invented to meet the researchers' own needs as they reached the end of a collaborative research project across three countries. How could they ensure that their meeting attendees received the maximum benefit from being in the same place at the same…
Enhancing teacher professional development with advanced digital technology
Contacts: Dr Steven Watson & Dr. Phil Kirkman, Faculty of Education Mentor: Dr. Moira Sheehan, Villiers Park Educational Trust The team at the Faculty of Education are developing a range of advanced multimedia materials to help existing teachers improve their teaching, as well as to help train new teachers. The materials will include a range…
Capturing industrial CO2 emissions and adding value to large-scale mining
Contact: Michael Priestnall, Cambridge Carbon Capture & Dr Vasant Kumar, Materials Science Mentor: Wouter Meuleman, Illumina The inventors have been working jointly with researchers in Cambridge and Sheffield to develop a 2-stage chemical process that adds value to large-scale magnesium-containing mineral silicate rocks and metal-ore wastes through conversion and recovery of higher value materials. One high-volume, low-cost product of the process -…
Developing a new platform for protein biomarker diagnostics
Contacts: Dr. Aron Rachamim & Dr Sai Giridhar Shivareddy, Engineering & Orphidia Mentor: Dr. Karin Schmitt A team of researchers from the department of Engineering have developed and patented a new idea in medical diagnostics, which could revolutionise the time to market for new biomarker diagnostic tests. Currently new diagnostic tests are developed in the…
Delivering nutrients and medications via breastmilk – developing an appropriate
Contact: Rebekah Scheuerle & Stephen Gerrard, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, and JustMilk Mentor: Marc Bax The JustMilk Nipple Shield Delivery System (NSDS) is a device for dosing infants with nutrients and medications during breastfeeding. By supplementing breast milk with nutrients and medicines, the device has the potential to combat malnutrition, and prevent or treat conditions including…