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As standard commercially-available imaging systems were unable to deliver the performance necessary for our astronomy research programmes, we formed a partnership with Andor Technology to develop two new specifically-tailored novel imaging systems: one to allow high-speed, high cadence imaging over an array of detectors whose capture times were precisely synchronised (for solar research); one to combine large format CCD detectors with a thermoelectric deep cooling design, removing the need for a separate, expensive cooling system (for exoplanet research). This partnership contributed to the development of new imaging products within Andor Technology (2008 — present), for which the company estimates a current total revenue value of over £1.7M per year. It has also helped Andor to maintain a leading position in the scientific camera market on a global scale, via the press and industry coverage obtained for the new technology development.
Recognising a national shortage of young people adopting careers in physics, particularly in Wales, we used our experience in engaging the public with physics research to have an impact on the work of the young people's organisation Urdd Gobaith Cymru at its National Eisteddfod, one of the largest cultural youth festivals in Europe. At the heart of the pavilion, Aberystwyth researchers presented an exhibition of our research on the Sun and the Solar System, supported by the STFC Science in Society scheme. This core activity convinced the organisation to reintroduce a prominent science pavilion (the GwyddonLe), having originally planned not to host a science event. Since 2010, this has grown to be one of the largest and most popular events at the Eisteddfod, attracting external funding and allowing DMAP researchers to have a further impact on society by demonstrating physics to tens of thousands of school children and their parents.
Research conducted within the Department of Space and Climate Physics at UCL has had a significant impact upon e2v Ltd., a manufacturer of charge-coupled devices (CCDs). Through working collaboratively with e2v, UCL has helped the company to secure major contracts and business [text removed for publication]. This includes two contracts for the supply of CCDs for the European Space Agency (ESA) missions Gaia (€20 million) and Euclid (€10 million). Furthermore, the symbiotic relationship has contributed to the establishment of e2v as Europe's leading supplier of high-quality CCDs for space science applications and has underpinned an improved understanding of device design and optimisation within the company.
Research carried out by Dr Helen Mason, University of Cambridge, on solar space projects such as SoHO, Hinode and the Solar Dynamics Observatory (SDO), led to increased public interest in astronomy, space science, physics and mathematics, and has inspired school students to study science subjects, which should ultimately enhance the UK's technical and scientific expertise. This impact was achieved via sustained engagement activities including public lectures, work with the media and the Sun|trek project. Sun|trek (www.suntrek.org) is an educational website informed by Dr Mason's research targeted at UK teachers and school students about the Sun and its effect on the Earth's environment. Sun|trek also attracted a large user base in the USA, Australia, India and worldwide.
The Space & Atmospheric Physics (SPAT) group's magnetometer laboratory at Imperial has developed a small and lightweight magnetic field instrument intended to be flown on future generations of extremely small satellites or planetary landers. The instrument will be used for planetary research or plasma physics in the space environment, and also has application for attitude determination on satellites in Earth-orbit, by comparison with the geomagnetic field (`digital compass'). In 2010 Imperial Innovations granted Satellite Services Ltd (now the SSBV Aerospace and Technology Group) an exclusive 3-year license to market the design for the commercial satellite sector. Satellite Services have sold seven units (circa. € 10,000 per unit) with further commercial sales anticipated in the coming years. Sales of the device have contributed significantly to SSBV's company turnover, indicating the economic impact of the SPAT group's research.
An ambitious programme of research has discovered entirely new families of orbits for solar sails, spacecraft propelled by the pressure of sunlight. The unique applications of these new orbits for space weather, Earth observation and communications are directly influencing top-level space agency thinking and have unlocked industry investments to bring the technology to flight readiness. The new families of orbits are now embedded in agency roadmaps (NASA, European Space Agency (ESA), German Space Agency (DLR)) and help underpin a $20M NASA solar sail demonstration mission. The supporting research has substantial reach due to its impact across a broad range of sectors and has international significance through industry-led technology demonstration missions.202f
Lancaster undertakes fundamental research into the space plasma environments. AuroraWatch UK, a spin-out of this research, provides a free service alerting when aurorae may be visible from the UK. The number of AuroraWatch subscribers has increased significantly from 22,000 in 2008 to over 109,000 at present. A survey by the Royal Astronomical Society suggests that AuroraWatch is very effective in promoting interest in science. As a result of subscribing to AuroraWatch, 3667 respondents watch science on television, 4437 read science magazines, websites and blogs, 524 now study science, 865 participate in citizen-science projects, and 1400 listed other changes in their behaviour (e.g. aurora sightseeing trips). The AuroraWatch School programme involves 1800 pupils across UK.
Keele's WASP program of discovering extra-solar planets has had an impact on an international audience of: newspaper science writers; TV science-program producers; radio-program producers; popular-science writers; internet web-page writers; popular book and textbook writers; and through them the wider public. More locally Keele's exoplanet outreach has had an impact on school teachers and children in the surrounding area, on visitors to Keele campus, and through local newspapers and radio. Thus the WASP program has helped to develop the public's interest in planets and astronomy and our understanding of Earth's place in the universe.
The National Space Centre (NSC), sited in the Abbey Meadows area of the City of Leicester, combines elements of museum and visitor attraction with an educational mission to attract 8-14 year olds to the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects using the inspiration of space science and exploration. Since its opening on June 30th 2001, the NSC has welcomed almost 2.5 million visitors to its galleries and full-dome planetarium. Space science research within the UoA was a driving force in the establishment of the NSC and continues to contribute to its success. Members of the Unit serve as non-executive Directors on the NSC Operating Company (OPCO) Board and as Trustees, while others contribute to its Space Now public outreach programme and to the Space Academy teacher engagement project which began in the East Midlands region, but now has national scope. The claimed impact is not only related to outreach and quantitative educational outcomes, but also to long-term economic benefit to the City of Leicester, through the regeneration of a brownfield site in a disadvantaged inner-city district, now featuring the development of a science park with the National Space Centre as its focus.