Easter 2010
Finding real-world uses for efficient non-linear optical materials
Contacts: Dr. Jacqui Cole, Tze-Chia Lin & Andrew Higginbotham, Physics Non-linear optical materials have a wide range of uses, including high-speed optical switching and phase modulation. This makes them important as electro-optic modulators in fibre-optic telecommunications, optical computing, and in the development of lasers operating at different frequencies (for example, a red laser can be converted…
Barcode biosensors – developing a new generation of diagnostic devices
Contacts: Dr Al Edwards & Dr Nuno Reis, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology Mentor: Marc Bax Immunoassays are the most powerful and widely-used biochemical detection method. They are currently used to measure a vast number of different biomolecules for applications ranging from the detection of pathogens, drugs and diseases to environmental contaminants and biowarfare agents. While most…
Using bistable metal sheets as hinges
Contacts: Dr. Keith Seffen, Engineering Mentor: Martin Sabry Dr Seffen and his team have spent many years investigating the manufacture and operation of bistable and multi-stable structures. They are now able to create a novel class of bistable structures which can be used as single-piece hinges and fine-tuned to meet the requirements of a particular real-world…
Carbon Capture via Mineralisation
Contacts: Derek Fray, Materials Science, & Michael Priestnall, Cambridge Carbon Capture Mentor: Dr. Nicky Athanassopoulou Professor Derek Fray and his team in the Department of Materials Science, in partnership with Cambridge Carbon Capture, is investigating novel chemistry and electrochemistry to cost-effectively capture and sequester CO2 from fossil fuel power generation as a solid carbonate mineral. Compared to…
A low-cost computer for the developing world
Contact: Jack Lang, Lecturer, Computer Lab Mentor: Amy Weatherup A team from The Computer Lab here at Cambridge is currently developing a low-cost computing box initially designed to allow kids and other enthusiasts to learn how to write programs. Led by Jack Lang, who was one of the creators of the BBC Micro (recently featured in…
Non-labelled and selective detection of bacteria at the point-of-care
Contacts: Sourav Ghosh, Engineering & Dr Viktor Ostanin, Chemistry Mentor: Marc Bax Rapid detection of pathogenic micro-organisms is getting increasingly important in clinical, bio-defence, food processing and environmental applications. However, the conventional biochemical techniques, such as ELISA and PCR, are time-consuming and expensive, and are dependent on complex sample preparation which requires skilled personnel. The problems…