Research News
David Lerner becomes Visiting Professor at Peking University
David Lerner has been appointed as a Visiting Professor at Peking University (PKU), often seen as the highest ranking university in China. This arises from the close connections between the Catchment Science Centre at Sheffield and the Centre for Water Research (CWR) in PKU.
As part of the ceremony, David gave a lecture "Can we have real rivers in Urban areas?". The two groups are intending to work together in the Heihe basin, developing integrated models of hydrology and economics to support decision making in this inland basin.
New technique may help severely damaged nerves regrow and restore function
Engineers at the University of Sheffield have developed a method of assisting nerves damaged by traumatic accidents to repair naturally, which could improve the chances of restoring sensation and movement in injured limbs.
"When nerves in the arms or legs are injured they have the ability to re-grow, unlike in the spinal cord; however, they need assistance to do this," said Professor John Haycock, Associate Director of the Kroto Research Institute. "We are designing scaffold implants that can bridge an injury site and provide a range of physical and chemical cues for stimulating this regrowth."
See news release www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2012/damaged-nerves-regrow-sheffield-university.html
Scientists revolutionise electron microscope
Researchers at the University of Sheffield have revolutionised the electron microscope by developing a new method which could create the highest resolution images ever seen.
Scientists involved in the scheme consider their findings to be a `first step´ in a `completely new epoch of electron imaging´.
The process has no fundamental experimental boundaries and it is thought it will transform sub-atomic scale transmission imaging.
Project leader Professor John Rodenburg, of the University of Sheffield´s Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, said: "To understand how material behaves, we need to know exactly where the atoms are. This approach will enable us to look at how atoms sit next to one another in a solid object as if we´re holding them in our hands.
University Professor helps to put the depletion of soil carbon on the global radar
A professor from the University of Sheffield is helping to highlight the dramatic opportunities and the improvements desperately needed in the way the world manages its precious soils.
Steve Banwart, Professor of Environment Engineering Science has co-authored the Benefits of Soil Carbon chapter in the influential United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Year Book 2012.
To view this news release and images online, visit http://www.shef.ac.uk/mediacentre/2012/soil-depletion-carbon-erosion.html
New Appointment - Knowledge Transfer Chair in Water Sustainability - Professor Issy Caffoor
The Kroto Research Institute welcomes a new appointment in Civil & Structural Engineering. Professor Issy Caffoor who is Knowledge Transfer Chair in Water Sustainability. His role is to harness the multi-disciplinary activity in water and the environment within the University, and to try and optimise our funding income and the impact we have on the sector.
Issy has worked closely with the university for a number of years, first in developing a strategic relationship in water R&D during his time as Research Manager for Yorkshire Water, and subsequently working here as Knowledge Transfer Manager with the TSB Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Transfer Network.
How Honeybees Break a Decision-Making Deadlock
Dr James Marshall and Dr Patrick Hogan's research was featured in an article in Sciencexpress on 8 December 2011. Further details are available in the University's media release
The full article which can be downloaded shows how househunting honeybee swarms use cross inhibition to break decision making deadlocks.
Dr James Marshall, who led the UK involvement in the project, and has previously worked on similarities between how brains and insect colonies make decisions, said "Imagine you're trying to decide between two equally good options; you should just choose one at random instead of dithering. Models of choice from neuroscience have to be extended to deal with these problems, but the honeybees seem to have solved them. Up to now we've been asking if honeybee colonies might work in the same way as brains; now the new mathematical modelling we've done makes me think we should be asking whether brains might work like honeybee colonies."
Planet's soils are under threat warns University academic
Click the link below for the media release in June 2011 on 'Tackling the threat to Earth's soils' in which it explains how Professor Banwart aims to tackle this problem as part of a new programme of international research.
www.sheffield.ac.uk/mediacentre/2011/soil-threat-erosion-food-security.html
Dr. Ihtesham ur Rehman joins KRI
The Kroto Research Institute is delighted to welcome Dr Ihtesham ur Rehman who holds a Readership in Biomedical Materials and recently, in January 2011, joined the KRI. Ihtesham brings a wealth of experience both in biomaterials/ dental materials and vibrational spectroscopy.
Ihtesham's research interests are multidisciplinary; from polymer syntheses, surface modifications, bioceramics, composites and hard/soft tissue engineering scaffolds to spectroscopic investigations. The focal point of his research has been the identification and understanding of the fundamental mechanisms by which chemical responses are mediated by nano- to micro-scale variations in biomaterials with the main emphasis on the development of synthetic inorganic bone analogue materials and characterisation of natural tissues, including hard and soft tissues.
At present, his current research has been focused on the development of diagnostic techniques for cancer cells identification, identifying both the cancer types and their grades. A particular exciting avenue, which he seeks to develop further, is the structural characterisation of biomaterials and natural tissues using FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Both the techniques have been of great interest for the identification of tissue types, cell genotyping for in situ monitoring.
Ihtesham looks forward to interacting with colleagues in the KRI and the University of Sheffield and its related hospitals in developing and applying this technology for acquiring information on how cancer cells go to the bad!
'Microbubble' innovation wins AXA Insurance Cleantech Open UK ideas competition
A new technology with the potential to accelerate the development of algal biofuels that would transform the renewable energy market, is today announced as the winner of the AXA Insurance Cleantech Open UK ideas competition.
The microbubble maker, created by Professor Will Zimmerman from the University of Sheffield, advances both the commercial and environmental viability of algal biofuels.
The advancement – which takes its inspiration from how children blow bubbles - increases algae growth rates by improving the mixing of CO2 and stripping out waste. The technology is widely applicable, and hits the sustainability bulls-eye of being both cheaper and significantly more energy efficient than currently used methods. In treating water and waste water for example, the microbubble maker saves up to 80% less energy than existing technology.
Professor Zimmerman will now represent the UK in the Global Cleantech Open ideas competition, held in the San Jose on November 17, pitching in front of 2,500 cleantech investors, experts, media and academia.
Biofuel production device scoops third innovation award
Prof Zimmerman scoops National Award
Google celebrate Buckyball's 25th anniversary
An animated logo replaced the Google logo's middle O letter which forms into the "buckyball".
The logo was rolled out across the world on Saturday 4 September 2010 to celebrate the quarter of a century since its discovery.
Dr Nicola Green is appointed new Experimental Officer
The new role of Kroto Experimental Officer will provide scientific support within the Institute and handle general enquiries and support regarding the training and use of the Confocal Facility
Professor Sir Harry Kroto, officially opens a new centre which will house the world's most powerful microscope.
Nobel Prize winner, Professor Sir Harry Kroto, takes kids on a scientific adventure
Sheffield graduate's 'buckyball' listed in top 10 discoveries
Dr John Haycock appointed as Associate Director
Dr John Haycock has been appointed as Associate Director of the Kroto Research Institute.
The role is to help set and evaluate strategy within the Kroto Research Institute and support the Director (Professor Steve Banwart) in making the KRI an international success.
John will sit on the management board of the KRI and input in to regular Kroto management meetings, which are attended by research theme leaders. A particular role of the Associate Director is to represent academic staff based in the Institute at management and board meetings.