Led by GKN Aerospace, the consortium includes experts from The University of Manchester, 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, we’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 UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. In 2022 alone, the UK aviation sector emitted the equivalent of 30 million tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO₂). Transitioning to hydrogen-powered flight, which emits zero CO₂ and NOx, is seen as critical to reducing the sector’s environmental footprint.

The collaborative research is being delivered through three projects:

• H2GEAR – A £54 million programme developing hydrogen-fuelled, cryogenically cooled, all-electric aircraft for short-haul flights.
• HyFIVE – Backed by £40 million, this project focuses on scalable liquid hydrogen fuel system technologies.
• H2flyGHT – A £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 hydrogen’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 The University of Manchester, 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 -250°C) to supercool electrical components (below -200°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: “Hydrogen-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.”

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 The University of Manchester, 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 £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 The University of Manchester 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 ‘intervention’, 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 Earth’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 – 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 The University of Manchester and now based at Yale, said: “Single solutions are rarely enough—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 functions—balancing trade-offs and minimising unintended consequences.”

Professor Richard Bardgett, who initiated the study at The University of Manchester and recently moved to Lancaster, added: “These 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.

“In 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 (2021–2030) that calls for integrated solutions to ecological degradation.”

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: “The 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 ECT’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.”

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

The study’s findings are detailed in the paper ‘Multiple targeted grassland restoration interventions enhance ecosystem service multifunctionality’ 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 ‘the one’, scientists must test hundreds of variants for their effectiveness, which is a slow, expensive, and resource-intensive process.

����Ӱ�� conducted by The University of Manchester 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 hours—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, The University of Manchester 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 spectrometry—DiBT-MS

DOI: 10.1038/s41596-025-01161-9

Link:

The Breakthrough Prize – popularly known as the “Oscars of Science” – honours scientists driving remarkable discoveries. 

CERN’s four major LHC experiment collaborations — , , , and  — have been recognised for testing the modern theory of particle physics – the Standard Model – 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.

The University of Manchester 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 The University of Manchester and former leader of the LHCb experiment explained that for his experiment “the department constructed a silicon pixel based ‘camera’ 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 particles”.

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

Following consultation with the experiments’ 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 collaborations’ 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 The University of Manchester’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: “Our relationship with the University is about advancing the future together by combining the power of academic research and industrial know-how.

“By 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 organisations’ laboratories.

“We 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.”

For more than a decade, Amentum has collaborated with the University’s on structural integrity, corrosion, robotics and chemistry. This work has helped ensure the safe operation and life extension of the UK’s nuclear power stations and has also enhanced a scientific and technical offering which underpins Amentum’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 government’s Engineering and Physical Sciences ����Ӱ�� 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 ����Ӱ�� and Innovation in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, The University of Manchester, said: “Our University has a proud legacy of research that transforms industries and improves lives – 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.”

Dr Louise Bates, Director of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, The University of Manchester added: “This 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 Amentum’s expertise, we can deliver positive change for society and the environment by tackling some of the greatest challenges facing the industries Amentum serves.”

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:  

����Ӱ�� and Development in AI, Robotics, and Automation – 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 – Facilitating upskilling and workforce development programs in AI and robotics for healthcare, social care, and education professionals.  

Joint Degree Programs and Curriculum Development – Establishing specialized programs in AI, robotics, and automation, incorporating theoretical and practical components with hands-on experience using InGen Dynamics’ technologies, including Fari, Senpai, and Origami AI.  

Social Care Testbed Collaboration – 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 – Promoting transparency, accountability, and ethical AI development through collaborative research and policy discussions.  

Global Exchange Programs – Enabling international knowledge-sharing by connecting students and researchers from the University of Manchester with InGen Dynamics’ 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: “This partnership with The University of Manchester is a significant step toward advancing AI and robotics research that has real-world impact.

“By combining our industry expertise with the academic excellence of Manchester, we aim to accelerate innovation and create transformative AI solutions for global challenges.”  

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

“This MoU will enable us to integrate cutting-edge technology into our programs while fostering innovation that benefits society.”  

The finding, from CERN's LHCb experiment, which includes scientists at The University of Manchester, provides new understanding of the ‘standard Model’ 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 — 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: “The 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.

“We 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 matter–antimatter asymmetry with this class of particles for the first time.”

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 don’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 (Λb), 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 Λb and its antimatter partner do not decay into other particles at exactly the same rate — 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 The University of Manchester and the former leader of the LHCb collaboration, said: “Without 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.”

 The CP violation predicted by the Standard Model is far too small to explain the matter–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: “The 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.

“The 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.”

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 Manchester.

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.

Casiraghi’s appointment marks a new chapter for the GEIC, which sits at the heart of the Graphene@Manchester ecosystem. As CSO, she will provide strategic scientific leadership to strengthen the Centre’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 The University of Manchester 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:

“It 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.

“Today, 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.

“I 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.”

James Baker, CEO of Graphene@Manchester, said:
“Cinzia 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.

“As the GEIC evolves to meet the challenges of a fast-moving innovation landscape, Cinzia’s leadership will help accelerate our mission to deliver sustainable, scalable technologies that make a meaningful impact across industry sectors.”

As CSO, Professor Casiraghi will work across the GEIC’s ecosystem — including academic departments, the National Graphene Institute (NGI), and the wider university research community — 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 The University of Manchester 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, The University of Manchester 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% – primarily made up of fibres from textiles and clothing – is instead sinking into the deep ocean.

Scientists have long suspected that turbidity currents play a major role in distributing microplastics across the seafloor – The University of Manchester were among the first to demonstrate this through their research on ‘Microplastic Hotspots’ 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 The University of Manchester, the National Oceanography Centre (UK), the University of Leeds (UK), and the Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea ����Ӱ�� 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 The University of Manchester, said “Microplastics on their own can be toxic to deep-sea life, but they also act as ‘carriers’ transferring other harmful pollutants such as PFAS ‘forever chemicals’ and heavy metals, which makes them an environmental ‘multistressor’ which can affect the entire food chain.”

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 The University of Manchester, who designed and led the research, said: “These 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.

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

“We hope this new understanding will support mitigations strategies going forward.”

Dr Mike Clare of the , who was a co-lead on the research, added: “Our study has shown how detailed studies of seafloor currents can help us to connect microplastic transport pathways in the deep-sea and find the ‘missing’ 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.”

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 Soufrière 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 (SO₂) 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, CO₂ 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 The University of Manchester, said: “Volcanoes play a crucial role in the Earth's carbon cycle, releasing CO₂ 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.

“However, it’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.”

and co-author, added: “Development 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.”

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 CO₂ Flux Underestimates at Soufrière Hills Volcano, Montserrat.

DOI:

A University of Manchester 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 – all while advancing their professional development and contributing to a global network of Young Academies focused on achieving positive outcomes.

’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 Cara’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 Academy’s activities and programmes. This will be followed by the third annual All Members’ 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:&�Բ�����;“The solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges won’t come from a single field or perspective. We need to bring together expertise and insights from a range of disciplines.

“Today, 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.

“As 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, they’ll be positioned to make a meaningful contribution.” 

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 world’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 NGI’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 Manchester’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 world’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 Institute’s pioneering research is its state-of-the-art 1,500m² 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 Fal’ko, Director of the National Graphene Institute said: “This 10-year milestone is a testament to the NGI’s relentless pursuit of excellence and the collaborative spirit that has defined our journey. 

“We are immensely proud of the tangible impact our research has had across multiple sciences and industries and remain excited about harnessing 2D materials’ potential to address some of the world’s most pressing challenges.”  

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 NGI’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.

����Ӱ��ers at The University of Manchester 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 – 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 Manchester, said: “The 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.”

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 – making it the largest area of sky ever observed with an optical/near-infrared space telescope to such depth and resolution.

Euclid’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 candidates—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 Euclid’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 The University of Manchester, are using cutting-edge AI and the power of citizen science. Nearly 10,000 volunteers helped train an AI system called ‘Zoobot’ 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 galaxies—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 Euclid’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 observatory’s three Small Aperture Telescopes (SAT) at the site and  of the universe’s oldest light — the cosmic microwave background — to help determine what happened just after the universe’s birth.

The University of Manchester is a key partner in SO, playing a leading role in the SO:UK project, which is funded by United Kingdom ����Ӱ�� 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: “After 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.”

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 image—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: “This work is the culmination of eight years of effort by dozens of SO researchers to make the world’s most capable ground-based cosmology telescope.

“At 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.”

SO Co-Director Suzanne Staggs, added: “In the space between design and proof of success, there are many sleepless nights, so the LAT’s first light observations are a highly satisfying first step toward proof of the remarkable design.”

“To 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.”

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 universe’s most massive black holes and our solar system’s asteroids.

“It’s wonderful to have this last major piece of our observatory in place,” says SO Spokesperson Jo Dunkley, the Joseph Henry Professor of Physics and Astrophysical Sciences at Princeton University. “We are excited to find out what the suite of SO telescopes will reveal to us about the universe.”

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

“The LAT coming online means so is the software that runs it,” says SO Data Manager . “The 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.”

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. ����Ӱ�� and Innovation, and the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.

The new milestone coincides with the launch of , which will help communicate the project’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, Manchester, Nottingham, Swansea and West of England, and will address challenges associated with enhancing data access and analysis within TREs – 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 The University of Manchester 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 £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, The University of Manchester 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: “TREvolution marks a step change in our efforts to transform the UK’s secure data research ecosystem. This important work will ensure that key capabilities—such as federated analysis and enhanced output checking supporting the training of AI models—are not just theoretical advancements but practical, real-world solutions that enhance the UK’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 UK’s secure data research infrastructure ecosystem.

Follow DARE UK on and , and to follow TREvolution’s progress.

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 – 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 event’s carbon impact, the Tyndall Centre team—led by The University of Manchester’s Professor Carly McLachlan and Dr Chris Jones—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 ����Ӱ�� at The University of Manchester, 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.”

While many of the attendees took advantage of incentives to travel by low carbon options such as rail – 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 – 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 – Massive Attack, said: “Massive 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: “Evidently 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.

“Music 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 – it just needs to be facilitated; fans want clean shows, that’s very clear. The challenge for promoters and government now is to meet that need.”

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 The University of Manchester, can reliably detect even the tiniest amounts of hydrogen in seconds. It is small, affordable, and energy-efficient – 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 °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.

LIBRTI is a £200 million initiative spanning four years, dedicated to demonstrating controlled tritium breeding—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.

The University of Manchester 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 concepts—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.

The University of Manchester-led initiative will build upon its existing digital fusion industrial metaverse platform, developed through UKAEA’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 energy—mirroring the processes that power the sun and stars. This reaction forms the basis of most fusion power plant designs.

The University’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 UK’s leadership in fusion energy research and its commitment to developing sustainable energy solutions. The integration of The University of Manchester’s tritium inventory model into LIBRTI’s breeder systems will play a vital role in achieving the initiative’s ambitious goals of advancing tritium handling and safety technologies.

Professor Philip Edmondson, Chair in Tritium Science and Technology, The University of Manchester, said: “This 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.”

Dalton Nuclear Institute at 20 Years

The University of Manchester’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, Manchester 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.

The CDT programme – led by the Universities of Manchester, Sheffield, Liverpool and Birmingham, in partnership with the Fusion Futures’ FOSTER programme (Fusion Opportunities in Skills, Teaching Education and ����Ӱ��) at the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) – will enable over 150 post-graduates to tackle the critical challenges of fusion energy.

Fusion energy has never been so prominent in this country, thanks to significant investment from both successive Governments and private capital sources which has accelerated cutting-edge research and development, technical and engineering innovations, and knowledge advancements that have bolstered the UK’s reputation as the world leader in the sector.

With a focus on advanced problem-solving, the CDT’s specialist training programme will balance theoretical, practical, and computational training in academic and industrial settings, spanning the entire fusion engineering lifecycle. Students will also gain advanced skills in data-driven modelling and simulation, developing fusion engineering experts (aka ‘fusioneers’) who will lead the design, building, safe operation, maintenance and eventual decommissioning of fusion power plants.

Training will be led by some of the most respected fusion energy experts from UK academia and industry. Each of the lead university partners has a professorial chair in fusion energy, sponsored by either UKAEA or the private fusion energy company, Tokamak Energy. Training will be enhanced with extensive industry input, with expertise provided from the aerospace, space, automotive, civil, nuclear fission, manufacturing, AI, robotics, and exascale computing sectors.

Doctoral students will work on real-world fusion engineering challenges, collaborating with industrial partners, to earn a Doctor of Engineering (EngD) qualification over the four-year programme. This is the highest degree in engineering, and renowned for its industry focus and impact. The programme will support CDT graduates to achieve Chartered Engineer (CEng) status within a few years.

To ensure accessibility for graduates from across STEM disciplines, all students will begin the programme with three months of foundational fusion engineering training. Delivered in a hybrid format through academic and industry partnerships, this training accommodates both university-based and industry-based students. Throughout the programme, students will receive specialized, project-specific training to deepen their expertise in their research areas. This approach not only strengthens technical skills but also fosters career networks within the fusion engineering industry, supporting graduates in their professional development.

The Fusion Engineering CDT will leverage a ‘hub-and-spoke’ model to widen access. An Associate Membership scheme allows any UK university to apply to access the FOSTER studentships and support research and training. UK-based academics who wish to participate in the Associate Membership scheme can express interest via the Fusion Engineering CDT Hub email at fusion-engineering@sheffield.ac.uk.

, UKAEA Chair in Digital Engineering for Fusion Energy at The University of Manchester and the Fusion Engineering CDT Principal Investigator, explains: “Students recruited into the Fusion Engineering CDT are expected to work in the fusion industry sector for the next 40 years, where they will face huge challenges and knowledge gaps, at a scale we’ve never encountered before. The CDT will cultivate Fusioneers who are ready to tackle these critical challenges for fusion energy. With training delivered by world-leading experts, we’re creating a workforce with the skills to design, build, and operate fusion power plants – who are able to make an immediate contribution."

Nick Walkden, Head of Fusion Skills and FOSTER Programme Director at UKAEA, commented: “I am delighted that after a very competitive bidding process, we have been able to select an academic team to embark on this exciting collaboration, which will supercharge the development of specialist engineering skills for the fusion sector. The programme combines international research excellence with deep fusion engineering expertise, and we look forward to working together in the coming years to build a world-leading platform for fusion engineering training.

“A particular highlight of this collaboration is the Fusion Engineering CDT Associate Membership scheme which will provide PhD support to a wider landscape of universities who share our commitment to invest in the future of fusion energy.”

The Fusion Engineering CDT will start recruiting immediately for their first cohort to join at the beginning of the 25-26 academic year. Sign up to receive further news and attend an introductory webinar at www.fusion-engineering-cdt.ac.uk.

The Options Roundabout event on the 19^th February 2025 was the culmination of the which saw our researchers pitch to a panel of commercialisation experts, entrepreneurs and funders. The event was a resounding success and an opportunity for the cohort to network and celebrate their achievements with peers and supporters of the programme.

The programme aims to inspire and accelerate the translation of the knowledge created through academic research into products, services or processes to deliver tangible benefit through a series of bespoke workshops and mentoring opportunities. The workshops helped researchers articulate their ideas by taking them through a lean start-up pathway to explore the commercial potential of their research.

The Innovation Enabling Awards were granted to acknowledge the impact and growth potential with early career researchers receiving between £1000 to £8000 to further develop the commercial potential of their ideas and businesses.

Aline Miller, Professor of Biomolecular Engineering and Associate Dean for Business Engagement and Innovation, presented the Innovation Enabling Awards to the six winning projects.

Award Winners

Innovation Enabling Award: £8,000

Tiny Human Dramas 

Dr Meghan Rose Donnelly (School of Social Sciences)

“The R2I programme provided me with the skills I needed to take my research out into the world and make a real impact: connecting with industry, refining ideas, building a plan for the future, pitching to potential investors, and much more. R2I absolutely brought me from researcher to innovator.”

Innovation Enabling Award: £5,000

Antenatal Education

Dr Holly Reid (School of Medical Sciences)

"The programme and the award have meant that the little idea with which I started R2I, could now be a commercially viable business very soon and that's really exciting."

Innovation Enabling Awards: £3,000

Graphene Vision

Dr Rui Zhang and Dr Matthew Lindley (School of Natural Sciences)

"The R2I programme has equipped us with the skills and confidence needed to navigate the entrepreneurial journey. The Innovation Enabling Award will help accelerate the commercialization of our innovation and has given us even more motivation to succeed." 

AI- GPR

Dr Frank Podd (School of Engineering)

“R2I was a fantastic way to learn about the best approach to starting a company, from the inception of an innovation through to the collaborative development of a product with customers” 

Innovation Enabling Awards: £1,000

Green Terra Energy Storage

Camilo Salazar (School of Engineering)

&�Բ�����;“R2I is a very user-friendly program that provides you with the fundamental tools to start becoming an entrepreneur. The key is to believe in your role, you are already the best.”

Battery Waste Recycling

Dr Amal Nadri (School of Engineering)

The prize winners will also receive expert support and signposting to regional and national accelerator programmes and all the participants on the MEC R2I programme will be connected to the wider ecosystem for further support, mentoring and guidance in taking their research ideas forward.

The organisers wish to thank the  Fellowship for their sponsorship of the Innovation Enabling Awards.

Get Involved

If you are an early career researcher looking for an exciting opportunity to develop your innovative thinking and enhance your understanding of creating and developing impact join the next round of the R2I programme. Find out more .

The is supported by the University’s Innovation Academy. The Innovation Academy is a pan University initiative and joint venture between the , the and the Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange team, bringing together knowledge, expertise and routes to facilitate the commercialisation of research.

The station, part of the UK’s programme, will monitor and provide crucial data on key climate-relevant gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), and nitrous oxide (N₂O). A new high-precision analyser for monitoring atmospheric hydrogen (H₂) is also being deployed at the site to monitor atmospheric hydrogen (H₂) generated through the growth of the UK’s hydrogen economy.   

The project is a collaboration between The University of Manchester’s Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences and the Atmospheric Chemistry ����Ӱ�� Group at the University of Bristol.

Simon O’Doherty, Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry at the University of Bristol, added: “We can only understand the levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere by making continuous high-quality, physical measurements of the atmosphere. The current UK network of monitoring stations set up in 2012 has been a huge success in furthering our understanding, however, the addition of the Jodrell Bank station to the network will enhance our ability to determine emissions in the north-west region of the UK.” 

Data collected from Jodrell Bank will be added to a long-term dataset collected by the UK’s Deriving Emissions linked to Climate Change (DECC) network. These measurements are combined with a computer model that represents the transport of gases from the emission sources to the measurement locations. This enables scientists to estimate the size and location of emissions for each measured gas. The total UK emissions estimated for CH₄ and N₂O using this method are included in the UK’s National Inventory Report that is submitted annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

As the first site in North West England, the new Jodrell Bank station will provide more granular detail on emissions from Wales and North West England. This will help to improve the accuracy of UK emission estimates and will also permit new studies focused on regional greenhouse gas emissions. Jodrell Bank is also well placed to monitor changes in atmospheric H₂) resulting from planned industrial developments near Ellesmere Port. 

Alistair Manning, Met Office greenhouse gas monitoring Scientific Manager, said: “Jodrell Bank is ideally located to monitor emissions from north Wales and the north-west of England. It complements the existing network perfectly and will enable a better spatial understanding of the emissions of greenhouse gases from these regions. The resulting information will enable the UK to better understand its current emissions and monitor its progress to net zero.” 

The GEMMA Programme is a consortium led by the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), which includes the Met Office, National Centre for Earth Observation, National Centre for Atmospheric Science, University of Bristol, University of Manchester, and others working together to create a single integrated network to monitor all sources and sinks of greenhouse gases in the UK, funded by NERC and the Building a Green Future Programme. 

Richard Barker, Head of Environment, NPL, said: “With the welcome addition of Jodrell Bank, we can start to provide greater resolution of UK emissions now and also assure the UK network is better suited to the future, more challenging, demands of achieving net zero.”

Scientists from The University of Manchester used advanced X-ray imaging techniques to examine fossilised bones of the prehistoric flying reptile at the smallest scale, revealing hidden engineering solutions right in the palm of their hands…or fingers to be precise.

They discovered that pterosaur bones contained a complex network of tiny canals, making them both lightweight and incredibly strong — details of its structure that have never been seen before.

The researchers say these ancient adaptations could have the potential to start a ‘palaeo-biomimetics’ revolution—using the biological designs of prehistoric creatures to develop new materials for the 21^st Century.

The findings are published today in Nature’s .

The study’s lead author, Nathan Pili, a PhD student at The University of Manchester, said: “For centuries, engineers have looked to nature for inspiration— like how the burrs from plants led to the invention of Velcro. But we rarely look back to extinct species when seeking inspiration for new engineering developments—but we should.

“We are so excited to find and map these microscopic interlocking structures in pterosaur bones, we hope one day we can use them to reduce the weight of aircraft materials, thereby reducing fuel consumption and potentially making planes safer.”

The pterosaurs, close relatives of dinosaurs, were the first vertebrates to achieve powered flight. While early species typically had wingspans of about two metres, later pterosaurs evolved into enormous forms with wingspans reaching upwards of 10 metres. The size means they had to solve multiple engineering challenges to get their enormous wingspan airborne, not least supporting their long wing membrane predominantly from a single finger.

The team used state-of-the-art X-ray Computed Tomography (XCT) to scan the fossil bones at near sub-micrometre resolution, resolving complex structures approximately 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair. 3D mapping of internal structures permeating the wing bones of pterosaurs has never been achieved at these resolutions (~0.002 mm).

They found that the unique network of tiny canals and pores within pterosaur bones—once used for nutrient transfer, growth, and maintenance—also help protect against microfractures by deflecting cracks, serving both biological and mechanical functions.

By replicating these natural designs, engineers could not only create lightweight, strong components but could also incorporate sensors and self-healing materials, opening up new possibilities for more complex and efficient aircraft designs.

The team suggests that advancements in metal 3D printing could turn these ideas into reality.

Nathan Pilli said: “This is an incredible field of research, especially when working at the microscopic scale. Of all the species that have ever lived, most are extinct, though many died out due to rapid environmental changes rather than ‘poor design’. These findings are pushing our team to generate even higher-resolution scans of additional extinct species. Who knows what hidden solutions we might find!”

Senior author of the study Professor Phil Manning, Professor of Natural History at The University of Manchester and Director of Science at the Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, added: “There is over four billion years of experimental design that were a function of Darwinian natural selection. These natural solutions are beautifully reflected by the same iterative processes used by engineers to refine materials. It is highly likely that among the billions of permutations of life on Earth, unique engineering solutions have evolved but were lost to the sands of time. We hope to unlock the potential of ancient natural solutions to create new materials but also help build a more sustainable future. It is wonderful that life in the Jurassic might make flying in the 21^st Century more efficient and safer.”

With the aerospace industry constantly striving for stronger, lighter, and more efficient materials, nature’s ancient flyers may hold the key to the future of flight. By looking back hundreds of millions of years, scientists and engineers may well be paving the way for the next generation of aviation technology.

Scientists discovered that even brief exposure to high concentrations of PM may impair a person’s ability to focus on tasks, avoid distractions, and behave in a socially acceptable manner.

����Ӱ��ers exposed study participants to either high levels of air pollution - using candle smoke - or clean air, testing cognitive abilities before and four hours after exposure. The tests measured working memory, selective attention, emotion recognition, psychomotor speed, and sustained attention.

Publishing their findings today (6 Feb) in , researchers from the Universities of Birmingham and Manchester reveal that selective attention and emotion recognition were negatively affected by air pollution – regardless of whether subjects breathed normally or only through their mouths.

The experts suggest that inflammation caused by pollution may be responsible for these deficits noting that while selective attention and emotion recognition were affected, working memory was not. This indicates that some brain functions are more resilient to short-term pollution exposure.

Co-author Dr Thomas Faherty, from the University of Birmingham, said: “Our study provides compelling evidence that even short-term exposure to particulate matter can have immediate negative effects on brain functions essential for daily activities, such as doing the weekly supermarket shop.”

Co-author Professor Francis Pope, from the University of Birmingham, added: “Poor air quality undermines intellectual development and worker productivity, with significant societal and economic implications in a high-tech world reliant on cognitive excellence.

“Reduced productivity impacts economic growth, further highlighting the urgent need for stricter air quality regulations and public health measures to combat the harmful effects of pollution on brain health, particularly in highly polluted urban areas.”

Cognitive functioning encompasses a diverse array of mental processes crucial for everyday tasks. Selective attention, for example, helps decision-making and goal-directed behaviour, such as prioritising items on your shopping list in the supermarket, while ignoring other products and resisting impulse buys.

Working memory serves as a temporary workspace for holding and manipulating information, vital for tasks requiring simultaneous processing and storage, essential for tasks that require multitasking, such as planning a schedule or juggling multiple conversations.

Socio-emotional cognition, which involves detecting and interpreting emotions in oneself and others, helps guide socially acceptable behaviour. Although these are separate cognitive skills, they work together to enable the successful completion of tasks both at work in other aspects of life.

Overall, the study highlights the need for further research to understand the pathways through which air pollution affects cognitive functions and to explore the long-term impacts, especially on vulnerable populations like children and older adults.

The study is the first to experimentally manipulate inhalation routes of PM air pollution, providing valuable insights into how different pathways affect cognitive functions. ����Ӱ��ers emphasise the need for further investigation into long-term impacts and potential protective measures.

Globally, air pollution is the leading environmental risk factor to human health, increasing premature mortality. The detrimental impacts of poor air quality on cardiovascular and respiratory systems are widely acknowledged, with links to neurodegenerative conditions such as multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer’s disease, and Parkinson’s disease.

PM_2.5 is the air pollutant most responsible for human health effects with some 4.2 million deaths attributed to this size of particle alone in 2015. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends that 24-hour and annual limits are below 15 μg m^‑3 and 5 μg m^‑3 respectively.

The asteroid material, delivered in September 2023, contains an abundance of organic molecules, salts, and minerals, some of which have never been observed in meteorites that have fallen to Earth.

The findings, published today in two papers in and , suggest that Bennu originated from an ancient wet world, possibly from the icy regions beyond Saturn.

These discoveries shed new light on how the building blocks of life, such as water and essential chemicals, could have been delivered to Earth—and possibly other planets—by asteroids billions of years ago.

The University of Manchester received part of the sample from asteroid Bennu to support the international analysis effort. In this latest piece of research, Rhian Jones, Professor of Cosmochemistry at The University of Manchester, played a key role in examining the mineralogy of the samples and interpretation of the data.

Professor Jones said: “ is like opening a time capsule from the early solar system. We were surprised to find that the asteroid sample held such a complete library of minerals and some unique salts.

“The salt minerals discovered in the sample are similar to those in dried-up salty lakes on Earth. We think that these briny conditions played a key role in how water and the ingredients for life might have been delivered to our planet billions of years ago. There is evidence for similar brines on Saturn’s moon Enceladus and the dwarf planet Ceres. ”

In the , scientists report that they have discovered some key ingredients for life, including 14 of the 20 amino acids that living organisms use to build proteins and all five nucleobases that form DNA and RNA. They also found high levels of ammonia, a potential precursor for these compounds.

Unlike meteorites that fall to Earth and are altered by the atmosphere, Bennu’s sample was carefully preserved during its journey, with the team protecting every pebble and speck of the Bennu sample while maintaining its pristine quality. As a result, the asteroid sample is giving scientists around the world a rare glimpse at our solar system's earliest days, without having to separate or account for changes caused by exposure to Earth’s atmosphere.

Professor Jones said: “Some of the salts we have found in Bennu have never been seen in meteorites that have fallen to Earth. This is likely because these substances were broken down by exposure to Earth’s environment. Meteorites similar to the Bennu material are also very rare because they do not easily survive their journey through the Earth’s atmosphere.”

The new results are the culmination of years of international collaboration involving scientists from NASA, the Smithsonian, London’s Natural History Museum and Universities across the world.

Professor Jones added: “These results were only possible because of the extremely careful curation of the Bennu sample from the moment the capsule landed. It’s a testament to what we can achieve with international collaboration and cutting-edge technology.”

The research marks the first in-depth analysis of Bennu’s organics and minerals and more scientific results from the OSIRIS-REx team are due in the coming months.

NASA has also stored 70% of the sample at Johnson Space Center's curation lab for study by the broader research community, including by scientists who have yet to be born and who will study it with instruments that do not exist today.

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, provided overall mission management, systems engineering, and the safety and mission assurance for OSIRIS-REx. Dante Lauretta of the University of Arizona, Tucson, is the principal investigator. The University leads the science team and the mission’s science observation planning and data processing. Lockheed Martin Space in Littleton, Colorado, built the spacecraft and provided flight operations.

In the last few years, researchers have found that surfactants—the molecules found in soap—can naturally find its way through a maze using the shortest path, with little penetration into dead ends

The discovery may sound a little peculiar, but the finding mimics transport processes in complex branching networks found in the human body, such as lungs. It may hold the key to understanding how liquids, such as certain drugs, travel through these networks, which could help medical scientists find new and more effective therapies.

Now, scientists at The University of Manchester, working with colleagues from France and the US, have published a theory in the journal explaining the phenomenon.

Dr Richard Mcnair, ����Ӱ�� Associate in the Department of Mathematics at The University of Manchester, said: “When we put soap into a liquid filled maze, the natural surfactants already present in the liquid interact, creating an omniscient view of the maze, so the soap can intuitively find the correct path, ignoring all other irrelevant paths.

“This behaviour occurs due to very subtle but powerful physics where the two types of surfactants generate tension forces that guide the soap to the exit.”

The researchers used advanced mathematical models and simulations to replicate how these forces gather an awareness of the maze’s overall shape and structure. The mechanism can help scientists understand how materials move in confined spaces in complex, branching environments.

Surfactants are substances that help fluids spread. They naturally exist in the human lungs and when doctors treat lung diseases, they sometimes use "exogenous surfactants" (from external sources) to help the lungs work better. However, the surfactants already in the lungs can interfere with these treatments, making it harder for the added surfactant to travel around the airways to where they are most needed.

This research helps scientists understand why surfactant therapies might not always work as expected, especially for diseases like acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), which has a high mortality rate and may be able to design more effective therapies.

Dr Mcnair said: “But the applications of this research doesn’t stop there. Many other systems such as microfluidic devices that transport chemicals and other substances through intricate networks could benefit from this insight for informing better designs for these systems, inevitably improving efficiency and reducing costs.”

The research team has already developed preliminary models involving surfactants spreading in realistic lung-scale geometries which could directly connect the findings of this research to clinically important research.

Just like the proteins in our muscles, which convert chemical energy into power to allow us to perform daily tasks, these tiny rotary motors use chemical energy to generate force, store energy, and perform tasks in a similar way.

The finding, from The University of Manchester and the University of Strasbourg, published in the journal provides new insights into the fundamental processes that drive life at the molecular level and could open doors for applications in medicine, energy storage, and nanotechnology.

The artificial rotary motors are incredibly tiny—much smaller than a strand of human hair. They are embedded into polymer chains of a synthetic gel and when fuelled, they work like miniature car engines, converting the fuel into waste products, while using the energy to rotate the motor.

The rotation twists the gel’s molecular chains, causing the gel to shrink, storing the energy, much like winding like an elastic band. The stored energy can then be released to perform tasks.

So far, the scientists have demonstrated the motor’s ability to open and close micron-sized holes and speed up chemical reactions.

Professor Leigh added: “Mimicking the chemical energy-powered systems found in nature not only helps our understanding of life but could open the door to revolutionary advances in medicine, energy and nanotechnology.”

The Ring Nebula is perhaps one of the most photographed objects in the night sky, dating back to its first image in 1886, but its intrinsic structure has been debated for as long as it has been observed.

Now, using Submillimeter Array (SMA) advanced radio-wavelength mapping techniques, the team has determined that the nebula has an ellipsoidal structure, resolving the longstanding debate.

By mapping the emission from carbon monoxide (CO) gas, the observations provided valuable insights into its structure. The CO emission highlights cold molecular gas surrounding the hot gas and dust seen in images captured by the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) and the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).

The findings are the result of collaborative work by researchers from institutions including Rochester Institute of Technology, the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard & Smithsonian, Macquarie University, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the National Radio Astronomy Observatory, alongside The University of Manchester’s Professor Albert Zijlstra.

Professor Joel Kastner from Rochester Institute of Technology, said: "We looked at the data and the ellipsoidal structure was obvious, so we could put together a simple geometrical model. Now, we understand the structure of this nebula.

“The James Webb Space Telescope gives us a collapsed image of what the object looks like in the sky. The SMA allows us to accurately measure the velocities of the molecular gas in the nebula, so we can see what's moving toward or away from us."

Previous theories suggested the nebula might be ring-shaped or resemble a soap bubble. However, the new model, based on SMA data, confirms its ellipsoidal structure and provides a more detailed understanding of the velocities and locations of carbon monoxide molecules ejected by the dying star that generated the Ring Nebula – detail that can't be inferred from telescopic images, even using powerful NASA space observatories like HST and JWST.

The team’s findings indicate that roughly 6,000 years have elapsed since the dying star, then a red giant, ejected the molecular gas that envelopes the nebula. The SMA data also reveal high-velocity blobs of gas observed at each end of the ellipsoidal shell suggesting the presence of a companion star influencing the nebula’s formation.

Professor Zijlstra from The University of Manchester said: “The Ring Nebula is an iconic object in the night sky, a favourite for professional and amateur astronomers alike. But understanding the real structure of this nebula has been very hard. The appearance of a ring is deceptive. The new data reveals a slightly deformed barrel seen from the top, with a large bubble coming out through the top and bottom of the barrel. In JWST images, these are seen superposed, but the new data allows us to separate them from their different velocities. The bubble is inclined with respect to the barrel. Now we will need to find out how a star can eject two such different structures in different directions! That remains a bit of a mystery.”

These findings follow , one of the first objects observed by the JWST. This new approach of using the combination of SMA mapping and JWST imaging to tease out the 3D structures of these objects gives scientists a fresh way to understand the final, dying stages of sun-like stars.

Kastner added: “The stars that generate planetary nebulae like the Ring and Southern Ring may have produced much of the carbon in the Universe.

“We can watch that carbon on its way to being recycled into the next generation of stars and planets when we observe these amazing objects.”

The research will be presented at the  on 12 – 16 January 2025 and has been sent for publication in a journal .

Cosmologist Dr Steve Cunnington has been awarded the Early Career Award for early achievement in astronomy. This award is presented to individuals in a UK institution whose career has shown the most promising development within five years of completing their PhD.

Dr Cunnington began working at the at The University of Manchester in 2022. His research focuses on using radio telescopes to map our Universe’s structure across billions of light years. Through this, clues about phenomena such as dark matter and dark energy are revealed, and we can gain a better understanding of how gravity behaves.

Dr Cunnington said: “I am very passionate about my research and am thrilled that the Royal Astronomical Society is highlighting it. There is a long list of inspirational scientists who have won this award in previous years, and I see it as a challenge to continue the prestigious legacy.”

As for what is next for Dr Cunnington’s research, he said: “I am involved in the preparations for the SKA Observatory (SKAO), set to be the largest radio telescope ever constructed. The SKAO precursor, MeerKAT, is already operational and was used to validate our novel mapping technique. We are now making further progress with MeerKAT mapping volumes of the Universe hundreds of times larger than before.”

Dr Michael Keith, Lecturer in Astrophysics at Jodrell Bank is also the recipient of a Royal Astronomical Society Award. Dr Keith is part of the (EPTA) which has won a Group Award, given in recognition of an outstanding achievement made by a large consortium of academics.

The EPTA is a multinational European collaboration between scientists from over ten institutions. It unites collaborators of different nationalities and backgrounds, and encourages and supports early career researchers, resulting in an egalitarian and diverse team structure.

By bringing together the efforts and resources of multiple scientists and six large radio telescopes (including the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank), the EPTA monitor pulsars, which are used to detect gravitational waves from supermassive black hole binary systems in distant galaxies.

In 2023 the EPTA published the first seen evidence of ultra-low-frequency gravitational waves; their findings stemmed from observations made over 25 years.

Each year the RAS recognise significant achievement in the fields of astronomy and geophysics through many awards, medals and prizes, encompassing different types of talent from research to education and outreach.

The extinction of the Dinosaur was a tumultuous time that included some of the largest volcanic eruptions in Earth’s history, as well as the impact of a 10-15 km wide asteroid. The role these events played in the extinction of the dinosaurs has been fiercely debated over the past several decades.

New findings, published today in the journal , suggest that while massive volcanic eruptions in India contributed to Earth’s climate changes, they may not have played the major role in the extinction of dinosaurs, and the asteroid impact was the primary driver of the end-Cretaceous mass extinction.

By analysing ancient peats from Colorado and North Dakota in the USA, the researchers – led by The University of Manchester – reconstructed the average annual air temperatures in the 100,000 years leading up to the extinction.

The scientists, including from the University of Plymouth, Utrecht University in the Netherlands, and Denver Museum of Nature and Science in the USA, found that volcanic CO₂ emissions caused a slow warming of about 3°C across this period. There was also a short cold “snap” — cooling of about 5°C — that coincided with a major volcanic eruption 30,000 years before the extinction event that was likely due to volcanic sulphur emissions blocking-out sunlight.

However, temperatures returned to stable pre-cooling temperatures around 20,000 years before the mass extinction of dinosaurs, suggesting the climate disruptions from the volcanic eruptions weren’t catastrophic enough to kill them off dinosaurs.

Dr Lauren O’Connor, lead scientist and now ����Ӱ�� Fellow at Utrecht University, said: “These volcanic eruptions and associated CO₂ emissions drove warming across the globe and the sulphur would have had drastic consequences for life on earth. But these events happened millennia before the extinction of the dinosaurs, and probably played only a small part in the extinction of dinosaurs.”

The fossil peats that the researchers analysed contain specialised cell-membrane molecules produced by bacteria. The structure of these molecules changes depending on the temperature of their environment. By analysing the composition of these molecules preserved in ancient sediments, scientists can estimate past temperatures and were able to create a detailed "temperature timeline" for the years leading up to the dinosaur extinction.

Dr Tyler Lyson, scientist at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, said: “The field areas are ~750 km apart and both show nearly the same temperature trends, implying a global rather than local temperature signal. The trends match other temperature records from the same time period, further suggesting that the temperature patterns observed reflect broader global climate shifts.”

Bart van Dongen, Professor of Organic Geochemistry at The University of Manchester, added: “This research helps us to understand how our planet responds to major disruptions. The study provides vital insights not only into the past but could also help us find ways for how we might prepare for future climate changes or natural disasters.”

The team is now applying the same approach to reconstruct past climate at other critical periods in Earth’s history.

January

To start the year, astronomers found a mysterious object in our Milky Way. The unknown object, which was located around 40,000 light years away, is heavier than the heaviest neutron stars known and yet simultaneously lighter than the lightest black holes known. It could be the first discovery of the much-coveted radio pulsar – black hole binary

Later in the month, two University of Manchester professors,  and , were recognised in the prestigious 2024 Blavatnik Awards for Young Scientists. The pair were named among the three Laureates in recognition of their research that is transforming medicine, technology and our understanding of the world in the field of Chemical Sciences and Physical Sciences & Engineering, respectively.

February

In February, the Dalton Nuclear Institute welcomed Professor Zara Hodgson as its new Director and Manchester researchers were awarded £4.2 million funding award from UK ����Ӱ�� and Innovation to tackle some of the UK’s most challenging resilience and security problems. 

March

March saw the Faculty of Science and Engineering’s marketing team successfully launch a new podcast, Big Sisters in STEM, which aims to amplify marginalised voices in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) industry. Episode one was launched to more than 1000 listeners and has since been listened to in almost 60 countries. By May 2024, BSIS became the most listened podcast of The University of Manchester and is rated five stars across podcast platforms.

The University was also named an Academic Centre of Excellence (ACE-CSR) in recognition of its internationally leading cyber security research. And new research found that reduced snow cover and shifting vegetation patterns in the Alps, both driven by climate change, are having major combined impacts on biodiversity and functioning of ecosystems in the high mountains.

April

In April, Dr Dean Lomax identified the fossilised remains of what could be the largest known marine reptile. The fossilised remains measured more than two metres long and was identified as belonging to the jaws of a new species of enormous ichthyosaur, a type of prehistoric marine reptile. Estimates suggest the oceanic titan would have been more than 25 metres long.

Manchester scientists also started to develop a world-first Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) that integrates cutting-edge imaging and spectroscopy with artificial intelligence and automated workflows (AutomaTEM). The development will accelerate innovation in materials applications for quantum computing, low power electronics, and new catalysts to support the energy transition.

Also in April, six scientists in the Faculty of Science and Engineering were awarded highly prestigious European ����Ӱ�� Council (ERC) advanced grants designed to provide outstanding research leaders with the opportunity to pursue ambitious, curiosity-driven projects that could lead to major scientific breakthroughs.

May

In May, scientists made an exciting breakthrough in quantum computing. They produced an enhanced, ultra-pure form of silicon – thought to be the world’s purest silicon  –&�Բ�����; that allows construction of high-performance qubit devices – a fundamental component required to pave the way towards scalable quantum computers. The finding could define and push forward the future of quantum computing.

Also in May, the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC) was launched, , Director of Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics, was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society in recognition of his “invaluable contributions to science” and scientists released the first set of scientific data captured with the Euclid telescope.

June

In June, two Professors in the Faculty were recognised in the King’s Birthday Honours.  was awarded an OBE for his services to public health, to epidemiology and to adult social care, particularly during Covid-19, while Professor Paul Howarth was awarded a CBE for his significant contribution and service to the nuclear industry and to UK research and development (R&D).

Scientists also unlocked a new design for a robot that could jump twice the height of Big Ben – higher than any other jumping robot designed to date. Applications of the robot range from planetary exploration to disaster rescue to surveillance of hazardous or inaccessible spaces.

July

July was a bumper month for health research. Scientists in the Department of Earth and Environment Sciences discovered a way to control mutation rates in bacteria, paving the way for new strategies to combat antibiotic resistance. In the Institute of Biotechnology, researchers developed a new approach to store and distribute crucial protein therapeutics without the need for fridges or freezers, significantly improve accessibility of essential protein-based drugs. They also uncovered a more efficient and sustainable way to make peptide-based medicines, showing promising effectiveness in combating cancers.

August 

During summer, scientists published findings from their study investigating triggers of explosive volcanic eruptions. For the first time, they were able to effectively simulate how bubbles grow in volcanic magma, shedding new light on one of nature’s most astonishing phenomena.

A project that aims to advance research software practices across the UK, was awarded a record £10.2 million in funding.

September

September was all about ocean waves. The M4 wave energy converter, developed by Professor Peter Stansby was successfully launched in Albany, Australia. The device is designed to harness the power of ocean waves to generate electricity, representing a significant step forward for renewable energy technology.

Scientists also discovered that ocean waves could be far more extreme and complex than previously imagined. They found that waves can reach heights four times steeper than what was once thought possible and could have implications for how offshore structures are designed, weather forecasting and climate modelling.

October

October was an exciting month as we celebrated the 20^th anniversary of graphene; the Nobel Prize-winning ‘wonder material’, which was first isolated by Professor Sir Andre Geim and Professor Sir Kostya Novoselov.

In the same month, the Department of Maths was gifted a unique mathematical object known as a  - the first known physical example of a new class of shapes called mono-monostatics. The ��ö����ö�� has the unique serial number 1824, in honour of the University’s 200^th anniversary, which has been celebrated throughout 2024.

November

In November, Professor Carly McLachlan attended a sustainability event at Buckingham Palace, hosted by King Charles III to talk about her work in sustainable live music. She attended the event as part of a delegation representing the Act 1.5 and Accelerator City initiative, alongside Robin Kemp, Head of Creative at Culture Liverpool; and four-time grammy award winning musician Nile Rodgers.

The University also partnered on two new projects – one in cyber security and one in nuclear robotics – each supported by a £5million grant by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences ����Ӱ�� Council (EPSRC) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.

Ending the month, scientists unlocked the secrets of one of the most remarkable seed dispersal systems in the plant kingdom – the squirting cucumber.

December

To end the year on a high, the University’s Great Science Share for Schools was granted UNESCO Patronage for the second year in a row. Its sibling programme Engineering Educates was also endorsed by UNESCO’s Ocean Decade for its recent challenge ‘Motion in the Ocean’. And a new study from the  describes a novel biological method to convert mixed municipal waste-like fractions – including food scraps, plastics, and textiles – into valuable bio-products. 

A group of leading international scientists is calling for a global conversation about the potential creation of "mirror bacteria"—a hypothetical form of life built with biological molecules that are the opposite of those found in nature.

In a new report published today in the journal , the researchers, including Professor Patrick Cai, a world leader in synthetic genomics and biosecurity, from The University of Manchester, explain that these mirrored organisms would differ fundamentally from all known life and could pose risks to ecosystems and human health if not carefully managed.

Driven by scientific curiosity, some researchers around the world are beginning to explore the possibility of creating mirror bacteria, and although the capability to engineer such life forms is likely decades away and would require major technological breakthroughs, the researchers are calling for a broad discussion among the global research community, policymakers, research funders, industry, civil society, and the public now to ensure a safe path forward.

Professor Cai said: “While mirror bacteria are still a theoretical concept and something that we likely won’t see for a few decades, we have an opportunity here to consider and pre-empt risks before they arise.

“These bacteria could potentially evade immune defences, resist natural predators, and disrupt ecosystems. By raising awareness now, we hope to guide research in a way that prioritises safety for people, animals, and the environment."

The analysis is conducted by 38 scientists from nine countries including leading experts in immunology, plant pathology, ecology, evolutionary biology, biosecurity, and planetary sciences. The publication in is accompanied by a detailed 300-page .

The analysis concluded that mirror bacteria could broadly evade many immune defences of humans, animals, and potentially plants.

It also suggests that mirror bacteria could evade natural predators like viruses and microbes, which typically control bacterial populations. If they were to spread, these bacteria could move between different ecosystems and put humans, animals, and plants at continuous risk of infection.

The scientists emphasise that while speculative, these possibilities merit careful consideration to ensure scientific progress aligns with public safety.

Professor Cai added: “At this stage, it’s also important to clarify that some related technologies, such as mirror-image DNA and proteins, hold immense potential for advancing science and medicine. Similarly, synthetic cell research, which does not directly lead to mirror bacteria, is critical to advancing basic science. We do not recommend restricting any of these areas of research. I hope this is the starter of many discussions engaging broader communities and stakeholders soon. We look forward to hosting a forum here in Manchester in autumn 2025.”

Going forward, the researchers plan to host a series of events to scrutinise their findings and encourage open discussion about the report. For now, they recommend halting any efforts toward the creation of mirror bacteria and urge funding bodies not to support such work. They also propose examining the governance of enabling technologies to ensure they are managed responsibly.

The Hidden REF awards celebrate the impact and roles that are vital to research but are overlooked by traditional research evaluation. It aims to build a more effective and more equitable system for recognising contributions to research success.

The awards are split into five ‘output panels’ with 24 categories, each organised by output type. The panels include Applications of ����Ӱ��, Communicative Outputs, Context, Practices and Hidden Role.

SEERIH was Highly Commended in the Communicative Outputs panel under the category of ‘Campaigns’ for the success of its campaign, a pioneering campaign dedicated to fostering scientific curiosity and education among young learners.

The category recognises campaigns that  initiate change that is adopted across the research community and creates significant positive impact in a broad range of areas, including the way research is conducted, the diversity of the research community, the pipeline of people involved in research, or any other change that can be demonstrated to be beneficial for the research environment.

Professor Lynne Bianchi, Director of SEERIH, said: “We are very proud to have had our work recognised in this new competition across the Higher Education sector. It really does shine a light on the campaign which makes research more visible to young children, as well as empowering them to think and work scientifically themselves. We’d love for more Higher Education Institutions to get involved. I’d also like to say a special thank you to the Faculty of Science and Engineering's Kerry Wilkins for doing such a great job (as always) in supporting the application.”

and the panellists were chosen based on their experience of the submission categories.

The winners were announced at an online awards ceremony on 29 November. You can find all of the winners and re-watch the ceremony

The endorsement reinforces the programme’s significant role in inspiring scientific curiosity, inquiry, and global citizenship among young people and underscores its profound alignment with UNESCO's (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization) values through inclusive and equitable quality science education and promotion of sustainable lifestyles.

Now celebrating its tenth year, the pioneering initiative empowers children aged 5-14 to explore and share scientific questions they are passionate about with peers, families, and communities worldwide. Topics relate directly to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, sparking inquiry on issues such as biodiversity, carbon reduction, and sustainable practices.

In 2023-24, the GSSfS campaign reached over 670,000 pupils in more than 3,500 schools, spanning 36 countries. Of these, 50% were in areas of high socioeconomic deprivation.

Next year, the campaign seeks to be even bigger with young people responding to the theme ‘����Ӱ��ed Science’. Across a range of free resources teachers, pupils and whole schools are inspired to develop genuine awareness and engagement in global climate action.

James Bridge, Chief Executive and Secretary-General, UK National Commission for UNESCO, added: “We are delighted to grant UK National Commission for UNESCO Patronage to the Great Science Share for Schools campaign for a second time in 2025. Education, Science, and Communication & Information are three fundamental pillars of UNESCO’s global work, so it is great that the UK National Commission can support an initiative here in the UK that brings these together in such an imaginative and collaborative way. The GSSfS initiative aligns with UNESCO’s mandate of promoting knowledge sharing and the free flow of ideas to accelerate mutual understanding and a more perfect knowledge of each other's lives.”

SEERIH’s other campaign ‘’, has also received UNESCO endorsement of its ‘Motion in the Ocean’ challenge, which has been recognised by the (‘Ocean Decade’).  

The is a global effort to promote transformative ocean science and aim to inspire actions that will preserve ocean health for future generations.

Newly launched in September 2024, “Motion in the Ocean” is one of eight challenges within the EPSRC Robotic Autonomous Systems (RAS) Network led by The University of Manchester. This has been designed to upskill teachers and pupils (7-14 years) in applying design technology, computing and science skills to find solutions to real-world problems.

“Motion in the Ocean” introduces challenges related to ocean sustainability and marine conservation through practical applications of engineering and design.

Professor Andrew Weightman, Programme Director for RAS, said: “The new robotics theme within Engineering Educates has taken our outreach to a new level. By working with Lynne and her team we now have a much stronger focus on how our research can inspire curriculum learning. We are really delighted that we can also support the Ocean Decade.”

As extreme weather events, such as heatwaves, droughts, floods, and freezes become more common due to global heating, understanding how soil microbes – critical for healthy ecosystems – respond is crucial.

These microbes play a key role in natural processes like carbon cycling, which helps determine how much carbon is stored in the soil and how much is released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide, a major driver of global heating.

����Ӱ��ers from The University of Manchester, working with a network of scientists across Europe, collected soil samples from 30 grasslands in 10 countries. They experimentally exposed the samples to simulated extreme weather events under controlled laboratory conditions to find out how the microbes would respond.

The team found that microbial communities in soils from different parts of Europe each reacted in unique ways to the extreme events. For example, soils from cooler, wetter climates were particularly vulnerable to heatwaves and droughts, while soils from dry regions were more affected by floods.

However, the scientists also found encouraging patterns and signs of consistency. In particular, microbes that can "pause" their activity and go dormant—essentially waiting out tough conditions—in any weather condition.

The findings are published today in the journal .

, Senior Lecturer in Earth and Environment Sciences at The University of Manchester, said: “Soil microbes are vital for our ecosystems. Their ability to adapt or struggle with climate change has a direct impact on soil health, plant growth, food production and carbon storage.

“By understanding the microbes’ ‘survival strategy’, we can better predict and possibly mitigate future impacts of these extreme weather events, giving us crucial insights to safeguard vulnerable regions.

“But our research highlights just how complex and varied the effects of climate change can be. The fact that local conditions play such a huge role in how vulnerable soils are means that a "one-size-fits-all" approach won’t work when it comes to protecting soil ecosystems, suggesting tailored strategies will be key.”

Each sample site represents the diversity of biogeographic regions present in Europe: alpine (Austria), subarctic (Sweden), Arctic (Iceland), Atlantic (Oxford and Lancaster, UK), boreal (Estonia), continental (Germany), Mediterranean (Spain and GR, Greece) and steppe climate (Russia).

The research offers a key first step in predicting how microbial communities respond to climate extremes, helping inform conservation efforts and climate policies around the world.

, who conducted the research while at The University of Manchester, now a Professor of Earth Surface Science at the University of Amsterdam, added: “This study is one of the largest of its kind. By working across multiple countries and ecosystems, we have been able to provide key insights that could guide future research and environmental management strategies ensuring the health of our ecosystems in the face of increasing climate challenges.”

Formed to challenge and disrupt the global conveyor belt market, Ecobelt Ltd is an environmentally ambitious company that champions environmental sustainability and fosters a circular life-cycle approach for belting use.

In the UK alone, 4,000 tonnes of conveyor belts are incinerated or sent to landfill every week.

The ‘Sustainable Materials Innovation for Net-zero’ award recognises Ecobelt’s patented innovative belt splice technology to address the main cause of belt failure. The technology extends belt lifespan from months to years, therefore improving the upstream sustainability by reducing the demand for new belts.

Through partnership and collaboration with The University of Manchester—supported by its UKRI Impact Acceleration Account and the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub at the Henry Royce Institute—Ecobelt tested the performance of their technology to develop an approach to repair damaged conveyor belts, employing a whole life-cycle environmental impact approach.

The judges from the Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining commended Ecobelt’s technology, citing the robust research base and collaboration with partners as key indicators to Ecobelt’s commitment to environmental sustainability.

Conveyor belts service virtually all consumer products, production and manufacturing facilities globally, driving a market valued at $6 billion (USD) annually, fuelled by e-commerce and industry 4.0.

Despite this, the industry has been remarkably stagnant in relation to innovation, sustainability and the manufacturing process of materials used in conveyor belts. As conveyor belts are fossil fuel based, manufacturing consumes huge natural resources whilst producing significant Greenhouse Gases – an issue that Ecobelt seeks to change.

Whilst Ecobelt’s next steps for commercial scale up are still unfolding, the technology’s potential for lasting impact in the industrial settings are clear.

Professor Michael Shaver, Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub said: “Our world is driven – both literally and figuratively – by conveyor belts. Yet we don’t think of them as essential in championing Manchester as a sustainable city.

“Our eyes have been opened by this hidden gem of a local business: Ecobelt have tackled an invisible material flow that is essential to keeping our manufacturing and delivery systems moving by improving material repair, reuse and circularity. It has been a privilege to work on assessing the AnnStuMax technology and quantifying its impressive environmental credentials.”

While most plants rely on external forces such as animals, wind, or water to spread their seeds, this cucumber – scientifically known as Ecballium elaterium - launches them at high speed in a pressurised jet, sending seeds over 10 metres from the parent plant.

The fruit has long intrigued scientists for its dramatic seed dispersal method, but the exact mechanism and its benefits were poorly understood.

The new research, published in the journal , uses high-speed videography, image analysis, lab experiments and mathematical modelling to examine each phase of the ejection process.

They found that as the cucumber ripens, fluid from the fruit is squeezed into the stem, causing it to stiffen and straighten, and changing the inclination of the fruit so that it is better suited for launching seeds over long distances. The internal pressure in the fruit is so high that, once it detaches from the stem, the fluid and seeds within the shell are explosively launched in a powerful jet.

The finding has important implications for understanding the plant’s population dynamics and offers insights into evolutionary adaptations related to explosive fruit mechanisms. Its seed dispersal strategy could also inspire new technologies.

Lead researcher Finn Box from The University of Manchester, said: “Seed dispersal is incredibly important for plant survival and population, and we see a wide range of dispersal strategies across the plant kingdom, each adapted to different ecological needs.

“This research is the first comprehensive mechanical explanation for how the cucumber plant launches its seeds with remarkable speed and precision – a process almost unheard of in the plant world.

“The explosive launch of the cucumber plant has evolved over generations to help it survive. The way that the stem is able to re-position itself to the perfect angle and build enough pressure to maximise spread has been key to help regulate the plant’s population. These mechanisms allow the plant to disperse seeds over a wide area and reduce overcrowding and competition among offspring and other neighbouring plants, ensuring a better chance of survival for the next generation.”

The research could also help scientists better understand how plants might adapt to environmental changes such as temperature, rainfall patterns and soil conditions due to climate change. Effective seed dispersal plays a critical role in this adaptation as it allows them to move on and colonise new, more stable environments.

It is also thought that understanding the mechanics of explosive seed dispersal could inspire new technologies, such as smart medical devices that can eject drugs on demand and thereby increase the concentration of medication at target sites within the body.

The projects are supported through £22 million of funding – of which each will receive £5 million - by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences ����Ӱ�� Council (EPSRC) Place Based Impact Acceleration Account (PBIAA) scheme.

The first project, CyberFocus, led by Lancaster University, will strengthen and deliver strategic investments in the region’s cyber ecosystem, fuelling the potential of the North West cyber sector and keeping the UK at the forefront of advance cyber security.

Danny Dresner, Professor of Cyber Security in the Department of Computer Science and the University’s academic lead for CyberFocus, said: “The volatile, risk-filled landscape of cyber security so often gives our adversaries free rein to innovate faster than those who create for the online safety of all of us."

CyberFocus brings together the universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Salford, Manchester Metropolitan, Central Lancashire, Cumbria and Liverpool.

It will also be supported by other partners including Team Barrow (Westmorland & Furness Council, and BAE Systems), Cumbria Chamber of Commerce, Cumbria LEP, Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Lancashire County Council.

The project aims to act as a catalyst for cyber knowledge exchange across the North West, fostering a collaborative approach to research and innovation, and helping the region drive economic growth and improve cyber resilience.

CyberFocus aims to:

• Create 85 new collaborative partnerships
• Develop 400 new products, processes, or services
• Secure £40m additional funding for the region
• Train 300 individuals in cyber innovation skills

The second project, led by the UK Atomic Energy Authority, focuses on nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence. It will connect academia with the supply chain, with the aim of decommissioning the country’s nuclear legacy, as well as developing technology that can be exploited by the nuclear fusion sector.

Barry Lennox, Professor of Applied Control, in the School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, is the University’s lead for this project.

The project will link Cumbria and Oxfordshire – its' university partners being The University of Cumbria, The University of Manchester and The University of Oxford – and hopes to mobilise significant knowledge and technology transfer between these areas.

Being the only research focused university with a research base in West Cumbria, The University of Manchester will also attempt to bring other universities into the region and support them, as they develop technology for the nuclear industry.

The project aims to:

• Create 200 business opportunities
• Establish 10 spin-out companies
• Generate 200 new jobs
• Engage 5,000 people in cluster-driven events

UK Science Minister, Lord Vallance said: “We are backing universities across the UK to home in on local strengths in research – from cybersecurity in Lancaster to maritime in Liverpool, offshore wind in Edinburgh to digital healthcare in Belfast – to support thousands of local jobs, boost skills and bring new technologies to market.

“This investment will allow innovators up and down the country to continue or expand their pioneering work to improve lives and kickstart growth in our economy with new opportunities.”

Other ongoing projects at The University of Manchester, funded by EPSRC PBIAA, include the Industrial Biotechnology Innovation Catalyst (IBIC), which is a collaborative project led by the University, aimed at creating a cohesive ecosystem for Industrial Biotechnology innovation. 

UKRI also funds the Impact Acceleration Account (IAA), which provides flexible support to progress the commercialisation and translational development of University research.

The NorthWest Doctoral Programme in Biosciences (NWD) unites the strengths of the Universities of Manchester and Liverpool, to train a diverse community of motivated, inquisitive bioscientists for tomorrow’s workforce.

Alongside the partnership between Manchester and Liverpool university, NWD is also in collaboration with industrial partners Boots No7, Unilever, Waters, and Bionow, who will all provide training and research opportunities.

NWD will centre on four scientific and cross-cutting themes that bring together the complementary strengths of UoM and UoL in areas critical to the UK scientific, societal and economic landscape: Discovery Bioscience, Agrifood & Sustainable Systems, Engineering Biology & Industrial Biotechnology, and Advanced Tools and Technology.

NWD will offer PhD students a strong sense of community and team-led research, face-to-face training - including mandatory training in digital/AI skills - networking events and individualised training plans.

The programme also recognises that many biosciences doctoral graduates pursue careers beyond research. To aid students looking at careers elsewhere, the NWD will be underpinned by innovative PhD-to-workforce programmes - PhD-PROSPER and BIOBRIDGE – which will empower PhD students to plan, develop, and pursue future careers across diverse sectors.

Rasmus Petersen, Professor in the School of Biological Sciences and academic lead for NWD said: "I am delighted that the BBSRC has made this award to our new Doctoral Training Programme: an innovative new partnership between the University of Manchester and University of Liverpool, in collaboration with industry and charity partners.

Professor Peter McCormick from the University of Liverpool said: "We are delighted to win this award in conjunction with our partners at the University of Manchester. Together we build on our tradition in the North West of England in training world class researchers in the biosciences arena. The proximity of our partnership allows the students to take advantage of both our facilities and will enhance the cohort community."

As NWD is committed to accelerating equality of access and opportunity, the University will work in partnership with social mobility charity to engage and create opportunities for those currently underrepresented in UK doctoral training. This will include a significant institutional investment into Widening Participation Masters bursaries.

Doctoral Landscape Awards are funded by UK ����Ӱ�� and Innovation, who are investing more than £500 million across universities to support doctoral training.

Prospective postgraduate researchers can register their interest and receive updates about the programme .

The team is a collaboration between The University of Manchester and sector partners, including BASF, Siemens, the Ogden Trust, Primary Science Teaching Trust, the Comino Foundation, the Royal Society, ASE, PSQM, SSERC, Leeds Trinity University, and CREST – involving hundreds of schools across the UK.

They won the prize in recognition of their work inspiring 5-14 years olds in practical science, through a collaborative campaign focused on pupils asking, investigating and sharing their scientific questions. Supported by their teachers, young people work scientifically to gather evidence, draw conclusions and share their learning with new audiences, from fellow pupils to community groups and dignitaries.

GSSfS is relevant to all young people, in whatever educational setting, anywhere across the world. This year, the campaign reached over 670,000 pupils in more than 3,500 schools, spanning 36 countries.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: “The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.

“The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences – shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.

“The team’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. This year’s winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC’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.

The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education – including teachers, technicians and more. These prizes recognise a wide range of skills – from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career.

, which aims to improve the way prosthetics for people who have suffered traumatic limb loss work, wowed the judges at the (iGEM) 2024 Grand Jamboree.

The non-profit iGEM Foundation hosts an international student competition each year to promote education and collaboration among new generations of synthetic biologists.

Human-machine interfaces are becoming more advanced, with new technologies harnessing the body’s electric signals to control devices.

Artificial limbs, known as myoelectric prosthetics, are directed by electrical signals generated by muscle contractions in the residual limb, which can be translated to motion.

However, heavy batteries and motors in myoelectric prosthetics can cause excessive sweating and make the electrodes slip from their contact points, resulting in discomfort and imprecise limb movement.

To solve the problem, the team proposed using synthetic biology to create tiny specially designed wires that work with skin cells.

They engineered a type of bacteria – Escherichia coli – to express tiny, hair-like structures known as pili (e-pili) found on electricity conducting bacteria called Geobacter sulfurreducens.

By combining the Escherichia coli with a protein-binding peptide, the team created nanowires that specifically target and bind to proteins at the skin’s surface, potentially enhancing the precision of an artificial limb.

The Manchester iGEM team were Damian Ungureanu, Devika Shenoy, Francisco Correia, Janet Xu, Jia Run Dong, Usrat Nubah, Yuliia Anisimova, and Zainab Atique-Ur-Rehman.

, said: “I’m delighted our team won gold at the iGEM 2024 Grand Jamboree for an innovation which could make a difference for people who need artificial limbs.

She added: “I have supervised the Manchester iGEM teams together with Professor Rainer Breitling since 2013.

“Our teams, based in the (MIB), have been very successful and have achieved a gold medal all but one of the years that we participated - which is quite an achievement.

“In 2016, the team also scooped the special award for ‘Best Computational Model’ and were shortlisted for the ‘Best Education and Public Engagement’ award.”

This year’s Manchester iGEM team worked in the MIB labs throughout the summer, with financial and logistical support from the MIB, School of Biological Sciences, School of Social Sciences/Department of Social Anthropology, School of Arts Languages and Cultures, and the Future Biomanufacturing ����Ӱ�� Hub.

The team also worked with the (AMBS) to comprehensively explore the social and economic implications of their ideas using a (RRI) approach.

The competition provides an interdisciplinary learning opportunity for students outside biology, by encouraging participants to think beyond their lab work.

Damian Ungureanu, second year Biochemistry student, said: “Working with people from different cultural and academic backgrounds has allowed me to substantially develop my communication skills. Even though this was a synthetic biology project, the human practices aspect was just as important as the science. Winning the gold medal felt like the culmination of one year of hard work.”

Devika Shenoy, second year Biomedical Sciences student, said: “I am grateful to have gotten the opportunity to work with so many like-minded individuals and under the guidance of skilled advisors and PIs. iGEM has truly broadened my horizons and understanding of how science and synthetic biology can be used to solve world issues.”

The lecture, which celebrates the significant contributions made by women to the study of the Natural Sciences, was delivered in collaboration with the prestigious Linnean Society of London.

Hosted by Dr Maggy Fostier, Faculty Associate Dean for Environmental Sustainability, Professor Bamford took the audience on a journey from her industrial roots in Essex to her conservation work in Costa Rica and Panama, offering insight into the world of plant science and environmental issues like climate change along the way.

She described how her childhood interest in botany had been inspired by wild orchids growing in an abandoned chalk quarry in her local area in Essex. Her passion for plants and wildlife eventually led her to conservation work in Central America, where she has helped protect critically endangered amphibian and bird species from extinction.

She said: “It was a great honour to give the 2024 Irene Manton lecture. I wanted to show the importance of taking every opportunity to engage with wildlife and conservation, even in an abandoned chalk quarry reclaimed by nature, and the importance of connecting with people and their communities in order to conserve  endangered species."

Taking place at Manchester Museum, Professor Bamford’s lecture attracted an audience of academics, conservation enthusiasts, and students from local schools and colleges.

Robbie Blackhall-Miles, former Vice-President of the Linnean Society, also told the gathering that British botanist Irene Manton studied for her PhD at the University of Manchester and went on to an influential career which included becoming the first female President of the Linnean Society.

Amanda was joined by Matt O’Donnell, the Museum’s Curator of Herpetology, who spoke about his own work as a frog conservationist. He carries out  important frog research and conservation projects in Costa Rica. He also brought along some particularly popular contributors – several live tropical frogs from the Museum’s vivarium!

With the aim of the lecture being to encourage young people to explore a career in the natural sciences, Professor Bamford’s story demonstrated the impact conservation work can have on animals, plants, and the humans who protect them.

Professor Carly McLachlan, Director of Manchester Tyndall Centre for Climate Change ����Ӱ��, was among a group of government officials, business leaders and climate organisations at the exclusive conference hosted by King Charles III.

The reception, on 6 November, aimed to accelerate climate action before the UN climate change conference Cop29.

Professor McLachlan represented the University’s collaboration with Act 1.5, an artist-led research and action initiative incepted by the band Massive Attack to address carbon reduction within live music. Act 1.5 works closely with climate scientists at the , with its name referencing the goal of keeping global temperature rises below 1.5°C, in line with the Paris Agreement.

At the event Professor McLachlan and the team had the opportunity to discuss their project to the UK’s climate leaders, highlighting how the live music industry can play a pivotal role in reducing carbon emissions and inspiring sustainable practices across the entertainment sector and beyond.

Following several years of developmental work by Act 1.5 in collaboration with the Tyndall Centre at The University of Manchester, the city of Liverpool was recently named the . The city will become a testing ground for innovative ideas and climate strategies in music, film, and television.

The initiative will officially launch later this month in Liverpool with three nights of live performances and a two-day conference, one for industry and one for the public, dedicated to exploring sustainable practices in the live entertainment sector.

It builds on a commissioned by the band Massive Attack to produce what is anticipated to have been the lowest greenhouse gas emissions show of its size ever staged.

After a year, the Accelerator status will be passed to another global city. The University’s researchers will work with various ‘experiments’ across the Liverpool City Region to capture and synthesise the insights gained from Liverpool’s experiences to inform the next Accelerator City.

The Act 1.5 and Accelerator City initiative were represented by Robin Kemp, Head of Creative at Culture Liverpool; and musician Nile Rodgers, alongside Professor McLachlan at the Buckingham Palace Reception. Four-time Grammy Award winner Nile Rodgers will play one of the three nights of shows in Liverpool later this month.

Biocatalysis is a process that uses enzymes as natural catalysts to carry out chemical reactions. Scientists at The University of Manchester and AstraZeneca have developed a new biocatalytic pathway that uses enzymes to produce nucleoside analogues, which are vital components in many pharmaceuticals used to treat conditions like cancer and viral infections.

Typically, producing these analogues is complicated, time consuming and generates significant waste. However, in a new breakthrough, published in the journal , the researchers have demonstrated how a "biocatalytic cascade" — a sequence of enzyme-driven reactions — can simplify the process, potentially cutting down production time and reducing environmental impact.

The researchers engineered an enzyme called deoxyribose-5-phosphate aldolase, enhancing its range of functions to efficiently produce different sugar-based compounds, which serve as building blocks for nucleoside-based medicines, such as oligonucleotide therapeutics. These building blocks were combined using additional enzymes to develop a condensed protocol for the synthesis of nucleoside analogues which simplifies the traditional multi-step process to just two or three stages, significantly improving efficiency.

With further refinement, this method could help streamline the production of a wide range of medicines, while significantly reducing their environmental footprint. The team are now continuing this work with the MRC funded , which looks to develop sustainable biocatalytic routes towards functionalised nucleosides, nucleotides and oligonucleotides.

The study, led by scientists at The University of Manchester, has revealed that a material known as a metal-organic framework (MOF) - an ultra-porous material - can be modified to capture and filter out significantly more benzene from the atmosphere than current materials in use.

Benzene is primarily used as an industrial solvent and in the production of various chemicals, plastics, and synthetic fibres, but can also be released into the atmosphere through petrol stations, exhaust fumes and cigarette smoke. Despite its widespread applications, benzene is classified as a human carcinogen, and exposure can lead to serious health effects, making careful management and regulation essential.

The research, published in the journal today, could lead to significant improvements in air quality both indoors and outdoors.

MOFs are advanced materials that combine metal centres and organic molecules to create porous structures. They have a highly adjustable internal structure, making them particularly promising for filtering out harmful gases from the air.

The researchers modified the MOF structure – known as MIL-125 – by incorporating single atoms from different elements, including zinc, iron, cobalt, nickel and copper to test which would most effectively capture benzene.

They discovered that adding a single zinc atom to the structure significantly enhanced the material’s efficiency, enabling it to capture benzene even at ultra-low concentrations – measured at parts per million (ppm) – a significant improvement over current materials.

The new material – now known as MIL-125-Zn – demonstrates a benzene uptake of 7.63 mmol per gram of material, which is significantly higher than previously reported materials.

It is also highly stable even when exposed to moisture, maintaining its ability to filter benzene for long periods without losing effectiveness. Tests show that it can continue removing benzene from air even under humid conditions.

As the research progresses, the team will look to collaborate with industry partners to develop this and related new materials, with the potential of integrating it into ready-made devices, such as air purification systems in homes, workplaces, and industrial settings.

Plastics play a crucial role in healthcare, but the current linear model of using and then incinerating leads to significant waste and environmental harm. Through a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP), materials experts at Manchester will work in collaboration with Vernacare – specialist manufacturers of infection prevention solutions – to investigate how the sustainability of plastics can be improved through the creation of more circular products from waste polypropylene (PP) and polycarbonate (PC).  

A 24-month project, led by an interdisciplinary team from The University of Manchester and Vernacare, aims to create new insight into the behaviour of real-world polypropylene and polycarbonate products during mechanical recycling. The team will be led by experts including Dr Tom McDonald, Dr Rosa Cuellar Franca, Professor Mike Shaver, Simon Hogg, and Dr Amir Bolouri. It also will advance knowledge on the selection, characterisation and use of plastic to optimise recyclability, while developing understanding of the complex environmental impacts of product design and supply chain. 

Finally, life cycle assessment will be used to evaluate the sustainability for different approaches to the circularity of these plastics. This project will involve the knowledge transfer of the academic team’s expertise in plastics recycling, plastics circularity and rigorous life cycle assessment. 

Alex Hodges, CEO of Vernacare, explained: “Through this project we aim to change how plastics are viewed and used in healthcare. Our work with Manchester will ensure we’re at the forefront in sustainable single use healthcare product research. It will enable us to embed product lifecycle, environment assessment capability and materials research and development into our business culture so that we’re in pole position, able to lead the market in the development and testing of future solutions. It will also help Vernacare economically, by offsetting a portion of our £7m annual polypropylene costs while also broadening their appeal to eco-conscious customers.” 

The research will be conducted through the (SMI Hub), a cutting-edge facility dedicated to sustainable plastic solutions. The SMI Hub is part of the Henry Royce Institute at The University of Manchester and is partly funded by the European Regional Development Fund.                                                                                           

Innovate UK’s Knowledge Transfer Partnerships  funding support innovation by matching businesses with world-leading research and technology. Projects are focused on delivering a strategic step change in productivity, market share and operating process by embedding new knowledge and capabilities within an organisation. Delivered through the Knowledge Exchange Partnerships team, part of Business Engagement and Knowledge Exchange, The University of Manchester has collaborated on more than 300 KTPs and in the last five years alone, has supported 42 KTPs with a total research value of £11 million. 

By working together, The University of Manchester and Vernacare aim to lead the way in sustainable healthcare products, ensuring a healthier planet for future generations. 

This innovative programme, named Inciner-8-2-Net0, seeks to repurpose incineration waste in the UK and Singapore, with the aim of reducing the mounting strain on landfill and lowering the embodied carbon in cement and concrete mixes.

Inciner-8-2-Net0 will pioneer a method to accelerate carbonation, a natural process that turns CO2 into a solid form for use in construction materials, effectively locking away carbon.

The method was developed by The University of Manchester team - Concrete Materials, Resource Efficiency and Advanced Technology for Sustainability – a research group dedicated to attaining a Net Zero built environment, through exploring new materials and developing novel methods that optimise the use of concrete materials.

CREATES’ approach will involve the use of wastewater and CO2 from flue gas. Such a combination will enable the permanent storage of CO2 in the processed IBA, while improving its stability and making it suitable for construction application purposes.

, Chair in Net Zero in the Department of Civil Engineering and Management, leads , and is the principal investigator for Manchester’s Inciner-8-2-Net0 team. , Senior Lecturer in Structural Engineering in the Department of Civil Engineering and Management, is a co-principal investigator.

The University of Manchester’s team will work with industry partners and their academic partner, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore, to create a technical solution for this excessive waste, that is more consistent and less harmful to the environment.

Inciner-8-2-Net0 is led by , a consultancy which works with leaders across both public and private sectors to help deliver positive social, economic and environmental impact.

The programme’s industry partners - Blue Phoenix, Carbon Upcycling, Marshalls, PanUnited, PCE and Recycl8 – will work to establish a commercially viable pathway to enable widespread adoption, offering clear guidelines for the construction industries in both the UK and Singapore.

Dr Meini Su said: “Utilising incineration bottom ash in construction is a significant step towards reducing the environmental burden of waste. By transforming this byproduct into a functional material, we not only conserve natural resources but also support more sustainable construction approaches.”

John Handscomb, Partner at Akerlof said: “This project exemplifies the power of multinational collaboration in solving complex global challenges. By turning waste into a resource, we’re not only addressing immediate environmental concerns but doing so in a way that is both impactful and scalable.”

The UK produces a staggering 3 million tonnes of processed incinerator bottom ash annually from waste incineration, which is not aided by the growing global pressure on waste management.

At the heart of this project is a vision set to shape the future of the construction sector, and its route to achieving Net Zero. The transfer of knowledge between the UK and Singapore will help to advance the construction industry’s transition to a circular economy, reducing both waste and emissions on a global scale.

Although scientists knew one atom thick, two-dimensional crystal graphene existed, no-one had figured out how to extract it from graphite, until Professor Geim and Professor Novoselov’s groundbreaking work in Manchester in 2004.

Geim and Novoselov frequently held ‘Friday night experiments’, where they would play around with ideas and experiments that weren’t necessarily linked to their usual research. It was through these experiments that the two first isolated graphene, by using sticky tape to peel off thin flakes of graphite, ushering in a new era of material science.

Their seminal paper ‘, has since been cited over 40,000 times, making it one of the most highly referenced scientific papers of all time.

What Andre and Kostya had achieved was a profound breakthrough, which would not only earn the pair a Nobel Prize in 2010 but would revolutionise the scientific world.

The vast number of products, processes and industries for which graphene could significantly impact all stem from its extraordinary properties. No other material has the breadth of superlatives that graphene boasts:

• It is many times stronger than steel, yet incredibly lightweight and flexible
• It is electrically and thermally conductive but also transparent
• It is the world’s first two-dimensional material and is one million times thinner than the diameter of a single human hair.

It’s areas for application are endless: transport, medicine, electronics, energy, defence, desalination, are all being transformed by graphene research.

In biomedical technology, graphene’s unique properties allow for groundbreaking biomedical applications, such as targeted drug delivery and DIY health-testing kits. In sport, graphene-enhanced running shoes deliver more grip, durability and 25% greater energy return than standard running trainers – as well as the world’s first .

Speaking at the , hosted by The University of Manchester, Professor Sir Andre Geim said: “If you have an electric car, graphene is there. If you are talking about flexible, transparent and wearable electronics, graphene-like materials have a good chance of being there. Graphene is also in lithium ion batteries as it improves these batteries by 1 or 2 per cent.”

The excitement, interest and ambition surrounding the material has created a ‘graphene economy’, which is increasingly driven by the challenge to tackle climate change, and for global economies to achieve zero carbon.

At the heart of this economy is The University of Manchester, which has built a model research and innovation community, with graphene at its core. The enables academics and their industrial partners to work together on new applications of graphene and other 2D materials, while the accelerates lab-market development, supporting more than 50 spin-outs and numerous new technologies.

Professor James Baker,  CEO of Graphene@Manchester said: “As we enter the 20^th anniversary since the first discovery of graphene, we are now seeing a real ‘tipping point’ in the commercialisation of products and applications, with many products now in the market or close to entering. We are also witnessing a whole new eco-system of businesses starting to scale up their products and applications, many of which are based in Manchester."

What about the next 20 years?

The next 20 years promise even greater discoveries and The University of Manchester remains at the forefront of exploring the limitless graphene yields.

Currently, researchers working with INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, with funding from the European Commission’s Graphene Flagship, are developing brain implants from graphene which could enable precision surgery for diseases such as cancer.

����Ӱ��ers have also developed wearable sensors, based on a 2D material called hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN), which have the potential to change the way respiratory health is monitored.

As for sustainability, Dr Qian Yang is using nanocapillaries made from graphene that could lead to the development of a brand-new form of , while others are looking into Graphene’s potential in grid applications and storing wind or solar power. Graphene is also being used to reinforce , to reduce cement use – one of the leading causes of global carbon dioxide.

Newly-appointed Royal Academy of Engineering ����Ӱ�� Chair, Professor Rahul Nair, is investigating graphene-based membranes that can be used as water filters and could transform access to clean drinking water.

Speaking at the World Academic Summit, Professor Sir Andre Geim said: “Thousands of people are trying to understand how it works. I would not be surprised if graphene gets another Nobel prize or two given there are so many people who believe in this area of research.”

Discover more

To hear Andre’s story, including how he and Kostya discovered the wonder material in a Friday night lab session, visit: 

To find out more about The University of Manchester’s work on graphene, visit: 

To discover our world-leading research centre, or commercial accelerator, visit

To find out how we’re training the next generation of 2D material scientists and engineers, visit:

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