EPSRC

Helping kites become a clean energy high-flier

The use of kites to capture wind energy and turn it into cost-effective 'green' electricity could be coming within reach.

Cambridge spin-out starts producing graphene at commercial scale

A recent University of Cambridge spin-out company, Paragraf, has started producing graphene - a sheet of carbon just one atomic layer thick - at up to eight inches (20cm) in diameter, large enough for commercial electronic devices.

Solar powered super capacitors for flexible wearables

A breakthrough in energy storage technology could bring a new generation of flexible electronic devices to life, including solar-powered prosthetics for amputees.

New hub launched to increase electrification in UK manufacturing

A new Hub, led by the University of Sheffield, is combining expertise in electrical machines and manufacturing for the first time, aiming to put the UK at the forefront of an electrification revolution.

Intellegens

Intellegens is a spin-out from the University of Cambridge that has developed an Artificial Intelligence (AI) method for training neural networks from incomplete data sets.

3D-printed robot hand 'plays' the piano

Scientists have developed a 3D-printed robotic hand which can play simple musical phrases on the piano by just moving its wrist. And while the robot is no virtuoso, it demonstrates just how challenging it is to replicate all the abilities of a human hand, and how much complex movement can still be achieved through design.

Targeting 37% efficient perovskite solar cells

Oxford PVTM announced a five year research project with the University of Oxford to develop a thin-film multi-junction perovskite solar cell, with a target 37% efficiency and long term stability.

Liquid battery could lead to flexible energy storage

A new type of energy storage system could revolutionise energy storage and drop the charging time of electric cars from hours to seconds.

EPSRC announces £16 million investment in Supergen Energy Hubs

Three £5 million energy research hubs and a new £1 million network in solar energy that will build multidisciplinary collaborations between universities, academic bodies and industry were announced by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council.

Synthetic 'brainy skin' with sense of touch gets £1.5m funding

A robotic hand covered in 'brainy skin' that mimics the human sense of touch is being developed by scientists. University of Glasgow's Professor Ravinder Dahiya has plans to develop ultra-flexible, synthetic Brainy Skin that 'thinks for itself'. The super-flexible, hypersensitive skin may one day be used to make more responsive prosthetics for amputees, or to build robots with a sense of touch.

Robotics experts to help with Sellafield decommissioning

This latest nuclear clean-up scheme sees a consortium of industry and academia tasked with designing a system for dismantling highly radioactive rooms or 'cells' at Sellafield in Cumbria, UK, Europe's most complex nuclear site.

Wearable sensor for chronic conditions

A new type of flexible, wearable sensor could help people with chronic conditions like diabetes avoid the discomfort of regular pin-prick blood tests by monitoring the chemical composition of their sweat instead.

Battery research to help super-charge electric vehicle revolution

The University of Bath is part of a consortium of academic and industry partners awarded Government funding to conduct research aimed at overcoming battery challenges to accelerate the electric vehicle revolution.

Grant to establish robotics centre for tackling nuclear waste

It will go towards the creation of the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics which is a multi-university project that has received funding and contributions totalling £40m to bring together a diverse consortium of experts in robotics, AI, sensors and radiation resilient embedded systems to address nuclear waste problems.

Liquid metal brings soft robotics a step closer

Researchers have applied electrical charges to manipulate liquid metal into 2D shapes such as letters and a heart.

Surprise discovery in energy efficient information storage

Today almost all information stored on hard disc drives or cloud servers is recorded in magnetic media, because it is non-volatile (i.e. it retains the information when power is switched off) and cheap.

£246 million to boost expertise in battery technology

The launch of the first phase of a £246 million government investment into battery technology to ensure the UK builds on its strengths and leads the world in the design, development and manufacture of electric batteries.

Hand that sees offers new hope to amputees

A new generation of prosthetic limbs which will allow the wearer to reach for objects automatically, without thinking - just like a real hand - are to be trialled for the first time.

Additive manufacturing process using energy efficient diode lasers

A new 3D printing/additive manufacturing process using energy efficient diode lasers is set to change the way parts are produced.