Polarised light and Nanowires advance Computing Capability


Researchers at the University of Oxford have developed a method exploiting the properties of light in combination with nanowires to maximise information storage density and computing performance using nanowires. Fibreoptics use different wavelengths of light to carry parallel streams of data as they do not interact with each other; similarly, different polarisations of light do not interact with each other either. Each polarisation can be used as an independent information channel, enabling more information to be stored in multiple channels, hugely enhancing information density.


First author and DPhil student June Sang Lee, Department of Materials, University of Oxford said: ‘We all know that the advantage of photonics over electronics is that light is faster and more functional over large bandwidths. So, our aim was to fully harness such advantages


of photonics combining with tunable material to realise faster and denser information processing.’


In collaboration with Professor C David Wright, University of Exeter, the research team developed a HAD (hybridized-active-dielectric) nanowire, using a hybrid glassy material which shows switchable material properties upon the illumination of optical pulses. Each nanowire shows selective responses to a specific polarisation direction, so information can be simultaneously processed using multiple polarisations in different directions.


The researchers have used this concept to develop the first photonic computing processor that utilises polarisations of light leading to an enhancement in computing density by several orders compared to that of conventional electronic chips promising to be more than 300 times faster and


denser than current electronic chips.


For over a decade, researchers in Professor Harish Bhaskaran’s lab in the Department of Materials, University of Oxford have been looking into using light as a means to compute.


Professor Bhaskaran, who led the work, said: ‘This is just the beginning of what we would like to see in future, which is the exploitation of all degrees of freedoms that light offers, including polarisation to dramatically parallelise information processing. Definitely early-stage work – our speed estimates still need research to verify them experimentally – but super exciting ideas that combine electronics, non- linear materials and computing. Lots of exciting prospects to work on which is always a great place to be in!”


The full paper, Polarisation-selective reconfigurability in hybridized-active-dielectric nanowires, is published in Science Advances.


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/wXBD 58162pr@reply-direct.com


£118 Million to Jumpstart Knowledge Exchange


Funding of £118 million has been made available by UKRI in the latest round of Impact Accelerated Accounts (IAAs) to translate research across 64 universities and research organisations. Now in its 10th year, IAA scheme provides early-stage support for promising research to break into commercial fields.


Previous IAA success stories have included include autonomous vehicle software leader Oxbotica, spun out of University of Oxford research in 2014; and the leading haptics and hand-tracking firm Ultraleap whose founder and CEO Dr Tom Carter commercialised his PhD research at the University of Bristol.


The company, that pioneers touchless digital interaction, now has teams of more than 150 people across its Bristol and California locations and is working with major brands including PepsiCo.


“Academic research and the priorities of start-up investors are different. To create a spin out company you need to bridge the gap between the two.Impact Acceleration Account funding allowed us to figure out our target market and build a business plan to complement the technology,” Tom Carter said.


UKRI Director of Commercialisation Tony Soteriou, commented: “The UK is home to some of the brightest, most innovative and creative research teams in the world. They have the ideas


Dame Ottoline Leyser CEO of UKRI and Director of the Sainsbury Laboratory at the University of Cambridge (Credit: Sainsbury Laboratory)


and they have the entrepreneurial energy to create businesses and services that could turn sectors on their head.


“What they need, what every great commercial idea needs, is support in the critical early stages. The Impact Acceleration Account is the catalyst that allows projects to grow to the next level, attracting investment, forging partnerships and creating jobs.


“The breadth of UKRI allows us to work right across the UK’s world-class research and innovation system to ensure it builds a green future, secures better health, ageing and wellbeing, tackles infections, and builds a secure and resilient world.”


Extending over three years funding enables researchers to focus on maximising impact, knowledge exchange, translation, and commercialisation potential within research organisations.


UKRI Chief Executive Professor Dame Ottoline Leyser said: “Research and innovation has the potential to improve people’s lives and livelihoods, rejuvenating communities across the UK and tackling global challenges and it is imperative that we harness that potential.


“The path between discovery and impact is not simple and so it is vital that we provide flexible support that allows talented people and teams, and world-class institutions to connect discovery to prosperity and public good.


“Our impact acceleration funding has a fantastic track-record in providing support that helps brilliant ideas become realities that make a real difference. The new IAA offers a UKRI-wide simplified model with a single application with centralised reporting and monitoring that aims to improve strategic planning.”


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/5zvv 58163pr@reply-direct.com


Ancient DNA Analysis Lab takes its place in History


A specialist laboratory that will enable studies of DNA from ancient and environmental samples has been opened on the Sutton Bonington Campus at the University of Nottingham, the first of its kind in the region. Allowing isolation and analysis of damaged, degraded and low-copy DNA, the Nottingham Ancient and Environmental DNA Laboratory (ÆDNA) will address research questions across biology, environmental science, geography and archaeology.


Built as a clean room environment the new laboratory incorporates a bespoke air filtration system and contamination- destroying ultraviolet lights for overnight use.


Laboratory lead Dr Andrew Clarke, Assistant Professor in Archaeogenetics and for the ÆDNA project said: “The new lab will represent a significant advance in research capability at the University and provide a great opportunity for researchers from different disciplines to work together on important projects. Having access to this state-of-the-art facility will allow researchers to analyse DNA from archaeological material, preserved plant specimens, ancient soils and museum pieces


that are hundreds to thousands of years old.”


Professor Hannah O’Regan will be among the first scientists to start using the lab. She said: “I’m really excited by the opportunities offered by the new lab for archaeology research at the University of Nottingham. For my research area, ancient DNA can tell us about the relatedness of domestic animals, to allow us to look at breeding and in very special cases coat colour. I’m currently working on several projects involving extinct or endangered wild mammals in Britain, and the lab will be a crucial part of piecing together their stories.”


The lab was officially opened by Pro-Vice Chancellor for Science, Zoe Wilson who commented: “As well as offering a fantastic new research facility for multidisciplinary research, the ÆDNA lab will also bring new opportunities for external collaborations which will also extend our international reach in this area. It also has the potential to bring commercial and civic opportunities with possible heritage and historic projects that will benefit the local and wider community.”


Dr Andrew Clarke


More information online: ilmt.co/PL/EyXw 58161pr@reply-direct.com


TO BE INCLUDED IN OUR NEXT ISSUE, SEND ALL YOUR RESEARCH AND EVENTS NEWS STORIES TO: HEATHER@INTLABMATE.COM


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36