Connect: Issue 64

August 2008 Issue 64

Keeping you in touch with opportunities from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

www.epsrc.ac.uk

Reading the Signs EPSRC is ‘signposting’ a number of key research topics and themes to support new activity in emerging or strategically important areas.

Signposted areas are identified based on the findings of international reviews, programme reviews, dialogues with programme SATs and community meetings.

Each one will remain in place for at least 18 months and up to 10% of a programme’s responsive mode budget is available to fund signposted areas. Some areas may be funded by more than one programme.

Signposting highlights priority areas within the responsive mode funding mechanism without the need to issue a specific call.

Proposals in these areas are reviewed by the usual process but ranked in competition with each other on a separate list at prioritisation panel meetings.

However, if the quality of signposted proposals is not comparable to those in the fundable area of the main responsive mode list, they would not be funded.

EPSRC’s associate director of programmes, Clive Hayter, said: “Signposting gives us increased flexibility. It allows us to respond to new opportunities without issuing a specific call for proposals or ring-fencing funds and allows us to support researchers in new or emerging areas. The approach has already been used in physics where the consensus within the research community is that the best way to support fundamental research is through responsive mode.”

The signposting approach is used by other funding agencies including the Medical Research Council and in the US by the National Science Foundation.

For more information on signposting, current signposted areas and answers to frequently asked questions visit the EPSRC website.

Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk/signposting

Engineering Synthetic Biology Water Engineering ICT Grand Challenges in Microelectric Design Grand Challenges in Silicon Technology Physics Plasmonics Quantum Coherence Physics/Life Sciences Interface Nanoscience Through Engineering to Application Nanometrology and Nanotoxicology

Inside 2 Doctor in the House

2 Sustainable Power Conference

3 Calls

Forthcoming EPSRC funding opportunities

4 Uncovering success stories

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

Doctor in the House EACH YEAR research councils sponsor PhD students to undertake three month fellowships at the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology (POST). POST provides Parliament with independent analysis of public policy issues related to science and technology. Teil Howard, the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council POST Fellow in 2007, reports on her experience.

Materials science is very far removed from what I would normally be working on as a mathematician but it was really interesting to be able to learn about something completely new. My research involved interviewing interested parties such as government officials, leading academics and industry representatives. Writing the note was a delicate task requiring many opposing views to be balanced accurately.

As a postgraduate researcher it is easy to think that science begins and ends with academic research but the organisations and people I spoke to whilst writing my note really opened my eyes to the wide range of science careers that exist outside of academia. It was also an opportunity to demonstrate some of the transferable skills sought after by potential employers that I might not get the chance to use during the normal course of my PhD. This is something that can be particularly important for scientists who are often stereotyped as having poor social and communication skills and only being able to focus on one specific area.

Working in Parliament was great fun. As a member of staff I was able to watch debates in both Houses, explore the labyrinthine corridors of the palace and drink on the terrace at the House of Lords bar. I saw the Queen arrive with her massive entourage for the state opening of Parliament and witnessed at first-hand the taunts of Prime Minister’s Questions.”

“I have always been interested in politics and government and I saw the placement as a great opportunity to gain an insight into how science is represented in Parliament. It was reassuring to see not only the many sources of independent advice available, but also how much genuine enthusiasm and interest there is for science among members of parliament.

POST’s main output is briefing notes on topical subjects, known as POSTnotes. These are sent to parliamentarians but are also available to the public on the POST website. My task at POST was to write a POSTnote about smart materials and systems. These are materials or systems that can sense and respond to environmental changes.

For example, the photochromic materials in spectacle lenses become darker in response to increased light.

Contact: Jenny Whitehouse, jenny.whitehouse@epsrc.ac.uk

Sustainable Power Conference

Talking to SUE RESEARCHERS and property developers joined forces this summer to discuss sustainability issues.

At April’s Challenge Event, groups from the EPSRC-funded Towards a Sustainable Urban Environment (SUE) programme presented research findings to the Kent-based developer Land Securities plc and other professionals in the development sector.

Researchers demonstrated how their work related to a planned mixed-use development in the Ebbsfleet Valley.

Discussion topics included Urban and Built Environment, Waste, Water and Land Management, and Transport.

The event was organised by the ISSUES knowledge transfer consortium to allow SUE researchers to disseminate their work.

Discussions strayed far beyond the confines of the research and the immediate project into policy and legislation, the changing ways in which people use urban spaces, and the underlying incentives for attempting to develop a Sustainable Urban Environment.

Developers attending the event felt researchers had much knowledge of great importance, but there needed to be a clear recognition of what developers already knew and what they were concerned about, together with a realistic timetable for resolution of challenges.

CHINA WILL host the first International Conference on Sustainable Power Generation and Supply.

The event, part of EPSRC’s flagship energy initiative Supergen, will be held in Nanjing on 7 and 8 April 2009.

The conference, organised by the UK-China Network of Clean Energy Research, will provide a platform for researchers and engineers to discuss clean energy issues.

Launched in January 2007, the UK-China network includes representatives from Supergen consortia and leading scientists from Chinese institutions.

Its aim is to develop links between researchers and engineers in the two countries allowing them to share knowledge and expertise.

Those wishing to present a paper at the 2009 event should submit abstracts, related to one of the conference topics, by 31 October 2008.

For submission details and further information visit www.ukchinanet.com.

Conference Topics

Further information: ISSUES team kt-sue@hw.ac.uk

Power Network Technology Distributed Power Generation Systems Solar and Wind Power

Physics Review

Energy Storage Marine and Biomass Energy

EPSRC’s input into the Research Councils UK Review of Physics is now available from the EPSRC website.

The review of the strength and role of UK physics is being chaired

by Professor Bill Wakeham.

The review panel will consider actions that might be taken to ensure the continued health of physics research and postgraduate training in the UK. It is expected to report in September 2008 to the Research Councils UK Executive Group, which will make recommendations to the Minister of State for Science and Innovation.

Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Clean Power Generation Power and Energy Infrastructure

Further information: www.epsrc.ac.uk/rcukphysicsreview

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Connect August 2008 Issue 64

The Sound of Science THE WORLD’S largest whoopee cushion, carrot whistles and watermelon drums – these

Above: Record breaking wind instrument.

Right: Musical roots at Street Vibe

were just a few of the highlights of the Street Vibe Festival of Sound that took place on London’s South Bank in June.

Funded by EPSRC, Street Vibe aims to highlight the importance of engineering and its importance in everyday life. The event focused on the role of science and engineering in making music and sound, using live performances and creative workshops on topics from how to use our bodies as instruments to ways of turning our silhouettes into sounds.

The festival also saw the world record attempt for the largest whoopee cushion ever made.

Volunteers were invited to sit on the 3-metre diameter ‘musical’ cushion in order to demonstrate how wind instruments work.

A big screen broadcast visual projections of the sounds and live events.

Further information: www.streetvibe.org

Calls Career Acceleration Fellowships – Call for Outline Applications Closing date: 23 September 2008 EPSRC invites outline applications for Career Acceleration Fellowships from talented researchers at an early stage of their career. These awards provide up to five years funding to focus on research, as well as supporting the cost of the associated research for the full duration of the fellowship. Fellows are expected to establish an independent career of international standing by the end of the award.

More details about the eligibility, process and assessment criteria can be found in the Call document.

Contact: Tracy Hanlon, tracy.hanlon@epsrc.ac.uk

INTERACT 6 – Building links with India Closing date: 30 July 2008 This INTERACT 6 call invites applications to form Networks of researchers between the UK and India in all fields within EPSRC’s remit. These Networks will build close collaborative activities between researchers in the UK and India.

Contact: Hannah Foreman, Infrastructure and International Programme, hannah.foreman@epsrc.ac.uk Nanotechnology Grand Challenges: Healthcare Closing date: 5 August 2008 This call invites proposals for large-scale, integrated projects to exploit nanotechnology in the healthcare domain. Specifically we are seeking proposals that address the development of: • Nanotechnologies for the targeted delivery of therapeutic agents • Nanotechnologies for healthcare diagnostics This call is a major element of the Cross Council programme Nanoscience through Engineering to Application, where we are seeking to support the application of nanotechnology to healthcare through projects incorporating significant novelty in engineering or physical sciences integrated with relevant biological and medical elements.

Contact: Liam Blackwell, liam.blackwell@epsrc.ac.uk

Postdoctoral Fellowships Call 2008 Closing date: 30 September 2008 We are offering Postdoctoral Fellowships in theoretical physics, theoretical computer sciences, mathematical sciences and life sciences interface to enable the most talented new researchers to establish an independent research career, shortly or immediately after completing a PhD. The awards are for a period of up to three years and primarily cover the salary costs of the Fellow, travel and subsistence.

Contacts: Theoretical Physics Jonathan Williams, jonathan.williams@epsrc.ac.uk Theoretical Computer Science Claire Hinchliffe, claire.hinchliffe@epsrc.ac.uk Mathematical Sciences Janet Edwards, janet.edwards@epsrc.ac.uk Life Sciences Interfaces Samantha Madden samantha.madden@epsrc.ac.uk

Science and Heritage Research Clusters Closing date: 4 September 2008 The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) and EPSRC are jointly funding a programme ‘Science and Heritage’ to support leading-edge research which will explore new ways to understand the cultural and physical nature of heritage and to prepare society for the challenges that cultural heritage will face in the 21st Century. This £8.1m programme will run for five years until May 2012.

As part of this programme, AHRC and EPSRC are making funding available to support cross-disciplinary network activities through Research Clusters.

Proposals with full economic costs of up to £30,000 and for a period of between 4 and 12 months may be submitted. It is expected that the programme will fund around 10 clusters through this call.

Full details of the call are available on the AHRC website www.ahrb.ac.uk EPSRC Contact: Louise Tillman, louise.tillman@epsrc.ac.uk

Leadership Fellowships – Call for Outline Applications Closing date: 9 October 2008 EPSRC invites outline applications for Leadership Fellowships from talented academics with the potential to develop into the UK’s international research leaders of tomorrow. These awards provide up to five years funding to focus on research, as well as supporting the cost of the associated research for the full duration of the fellowship. Fellows are expected to establish themselves as internationally leading in their area by the end of the award.

More details about the eligibility, process and assessment criteria can be found in the Call document.

Contact: Tracy Hanlon, tracy.hanlon@epsrc.ac.uk

Energy and Equity & Sustainable Energy and Energy Security Closing date: 4 September 2008 EPSRC and ESRC are seeking to support a number of interdisciplinary Research Clusters under two key research themes: ‘Energy & Equity’ and ‘Sustainable Energy & Energy Security’.

Up to £2m is available for this call and it is expected that up to five clusters will be funded in total.

EPSRC Contact: Neil Bateman, neil.bateman@epsrc.ac.uk ESRC Contact: Paul Rouse, paul.rouse@esrc.ac.uk

For up to date information and details of how to apply see www.epsrc.ac.uk

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Connect August 2008 Issue 64

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

EPSRC Contacts Head of Materials Mechanical and Medical Engineering Annette Bramley 01793 444398 annette.bramley@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Information and Communications Technology Peter Hedges 01793 444217 peter.hedges@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Energy Multi-Disciplinary Applications Rachel Bishop 01793 444241 rachel.bishop@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Peer Review Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Digital Economy John Hand 01793 444394 john.hand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Nanotechnology and Next Generation Healthcare John Wand MBE 01793 444335 john.wand@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Knowledge Transfer John Baird 01793 444047 john.baird@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Mathematical Sciences and Public Engagement David Harman 01793 444304 david.harman@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Energy Research Capacity Jason Green 01793 444208 jason.green@epsrc.ac.uk

Uncovering Success Stories EPSRC is asking the academic community for help in promoting the full impact of funded research over the last two decades.

The social and economic impact of EPSRC-funded research may not be felt until many years after the initial grant has finished.

The connection between grant-supported research and subsequent impact is not always apparent due to the contributions of others, commercial sensitivities or the passage of time and the changing roles of those involved.

But these success stories form valuable evidence in demonstrating the significant contribution scientific research has made to both the economy and society.

EPSRC’s Alasdair Rose, who is leading the project, said: “If you are aware, from your own work or that of others, of any such economic, societal or policymaking impact that resulted from research or people funded by EPSRC or SERC, even if the impact became apparent many years later, we would like to hear from you.”

Contact: Alasdair Rose, economicimpact@epsrc.ac.uk

Head of Engineering for Sustainability Philippa Hemmings 01793 444378 philippa.hemmings@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Cross Disciplinary Research Kedar Pandya 01793 444317 kedar.pandya@epsrc.ac.uk Head of User Led Knowledge and Skills Alan Thomas 01793 442806 alan.thomas@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Infrastructure and International Jane Nicholson 01793 444065 jane.nicholson@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Physical Sciences Andrew Bourne 01793 444358 andrew.bourne@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Policy and Relationships for People Support Andrew Bourne 01793 444358 andrew.bourne@epsrc.ac.uk Head of Business Relationships Emma Feltham 01793 444321 emma.feltham@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Research Capability Neil Viner 01793 444310 neil.viner@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Mission Programmes Alison Wall 01793 444176 alison.wall@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Research Base Programmes Clive Hayter 01793 444440 clive.hayter@epsrc.ac.uk Associate Director Economic Impact Vince Osgood MBE 01793 444084 vince.osgood@epsrc.ac.uk Senior Manager International Edward Clarke 01793 444438 edward.clarke@epsrc.ac.uk

Bright Lights at euroLED CUTTING-EDGE lighting research took centre-stage when EPSRC returned to the euroLED conference.

Following the huge success of last year’s event, EPSRC hosted a ‘UK academic pavilion’ showcasing leading Light Emitting Diode (LED) and solid-state lighting research.

The conference, held at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry, attracted more than 700 delegates from across the globe, including the US, Japan and a 27-strong delegation from the Chongqing region of China.

On the EPSRC stand, researchers representing seven key universities presented posters and demonstrated their work to industry figures, CEOs and venture capitalists.

Exhibitors enjoyed the chance to meet with business representatives to discuss commercial possibilities of new technologies and research.

Duncan Allsop, University of Bath, said: “euroLED was an industry-focused event that provided universities working in solid-state lighting a wonderful opportunity to showcase their research. The interest from companies was so strong that, at times, non-specialist EPSRC staff had to help the university specialists deal with enquiries.”

EPSRC invests approximately £35m in research of relevance to the LED industry.

Contact: Nicolas Guernion, nicolas.guernion@epsrc.ac.uk

Senior Manager Public Engagement Joanna Coleman 01793 444209 joanna.coleman@epsrc.ac.uk IDEAS Factory Contact Susan Morrell 01793 444462 susan.morrell@epsrc.ac.uk

For current grant maintenance and grant assessment enquiries Engineering Chris Elson 01793 444504 chris.elson@epsrc.ac.uk

Email alerts Register to receive latest funding opportunities.

You can now register on our website to receive a weekly alert containing details of our latest calls for proposals. To register visit: www.epsrc.ac.uk/emailalert

Technology Valerie Hibberd 01793 444560 valerie.hibberd@epsrc.ac.uk Science Jo Garrad 01793 444348 jo.garrad@epsrc.ac.uk EPSRC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon SN2 1ET Telephone: 01793 444000 www.epsrc.ac.uk Editor: Christopher Buratta, christopher.buratta@epsrc.ac.uk Circulation amendments: connect@epsrc.ac.uk © Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council 2008.

ISSN 1476-6485 Material may be reproduced providing the source is acknowledged.

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