Log in
Research into industrial process tomography has been performed at the University of Leeds from 1999 to the present day with much of this being in collaboration with Industrial Tomography Systems plc (ITS). This research, together with the associated intellectual property, has provided the foundation of 5 innovative new products developed and produced by ITS during the eligible period. These new products have generated sales of £5m and are in large part responsible for increases in turnover and employment of approximately 60%, and exports of 67% since 2008. These instruments are used in a significant number of new applications and are generating major benefits to end users in the oil and gas, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, consumer products, minerals and food sectors.
The innovative application of laser micromachining research has been effected through Bangor's spin-out company Laser Micromachining Ltd , LML (established in 2005). The versatile approach adopted by LML has enabled it, since 2008, to undertake of order 1000 commercial contracts for more than 280 industrial customers and 60 academic institutions. That work has contributed directly to product development and related economic growth in sectors including medical devices, biotechnology, energy, photonics, optoelectronics, aerospace, automotive and microelectronics. With an annual turn-over of circa £0.5M LML has created and sustained 5 full-time jobs. LML also contributes to training in laser micro-machining techniques on a European basis.
Research into on-line control of crystallisation at the University of Leeds started in 2002 which led to a collaboration being formed with Malvern Instruments Ltd (MIL) in 2006 and subsequently to the development of a new type of instrument capable of measuring particle shape and shape- distribution. The instrument range, Morphologi, launched in 2007 has since generated sales for MIL of approximately £11 million since January 2008. The instrument is now operational within many industrial sectors and used e.g. to optimise process efficiency and enhance product quality. The success of this instrument has contributed to providing secure employment at MIL and to obtaining the "Queen's Awards for Enterprise: International Trade" in 2011.
This impact case concerns the stimulation of public discourse, informing the awareness, attitudes and understanding of the public as to the potential for automating science, and the consequences that then arise regarding ethics, rights and the acquisition of knowledge. It also concerns debate among legal practitioners.
The Robot Scientist was the first system to fully automate the process of scientific investigation. This work showed that it was possible. The idea was immediately picked up by the popular press and covered worldwide (the fourth most significant discovery in 2009 according to TIME magazine, reported by TV, radio, national newspapers and magazines, and bloggers). It engaged the public in debate about AI, robotics, lab automation, and science.
Research at the University of Leeds underpinned the development and manufacture of RF filter technology by Radio Design Ltd, including the 3G `Universal RF Combiner Unit' with sales of >£18M (40,000 units) since 2008, which led to the company's Queen's Award for Enterprise (Innovation) in 2011. This technology was subsequently improved specifically for the 2012 London Olympics for shared use by all five cellular operators, and has now been further developed, again using Leeds research, for 4G systems (with >£4.2M sales in 2013). Leeds research has contributed directly to ~75% of Radio Design's products, and its expansion from 11 employees in 2008 to 150 employees today. Leeds-designed RF filters have also been widely utilized by other manufacturers, with estimated annual international sales of tens of millions of pounds since 2008.
In parallel, Leeds research on the physical modelling and design of pHEMT switches has been used since 2008 by RFMD (UK) Ltd (previously Filtronic Compound Semiconductors), who supply all major mobile phone manufacturers — over 2 billion pHEMT switches are used worldwide, with RFMD's estimated sales exceeding £250M since 2008.
Research at the University of Leeds led to the development of UltraCane — an ultrasonic cane for people who are visually-impaired that gives tactile feedback to the user's hand with progressive non-contact warning of obstacles (ground-to-head) up to 4 m. [text removed for publication]. Testimonials from users describe its transformative nature on their quality of life, giving `a true feeling of independence', whilst healthcare professionals commend `the simplicity of operation and ease of use'. Furthermore, with a technology mimicking bat echolocation, the UltraCane has informed and engaged the wider public in science and engineering through, for example, the BBC `Miracles of Nature' series. The technology has also been developed to allow people who are visually-impaired to cycle independently and safely around a cycle track — the `UltraBike'.
Work and tool temperature are major issues in abrasive machining. Cooling fluids, usually oil based, are used to control these temperatures. This research aimed to achieve much more effective use of coolant. The established industrial practice was to use very high volumes of oil, under very high pressures. This is an expensive and environmentally unfriendly approach. This research improved coolant flow quality by improving nozzle design and established the underlying physics to improve penetration of coolant into the cutting zone. It then went on to show that it was not only possible, but sometimes it may actually be beneficial, to dramatically reduce coolant flow volume by a factor of up to 20,000. Before industry would adopt these ideas it was necessary to have firm scientific evidence of their validity. This research by the General Engineering Research Institute (GERI) provided that foundation and has led to successful adoption by industry, which has in turn led to both economic and environmental impact. This case study will evidence industrial take-up via specific examples and shows that GERI's research in this area has had a global impact on the training of industrial engineers employing the grinding process.
Material characterisation research in the UOA has helped Orchid Cellmark Europe Ltd (Cellmark) to deliver forensic services to 85% of the police forces in England and Wales. The work of the UOA has helped Cellmark to participate successfully in National Forensic Framework tendering exercises and to double their market share. The work of the UOA in partnership with Cellmark has been accredited by the UK Accreditation Service and the UOA now provides an average of 360 forensic glass analyses and 60 gunshot residue analyses to Cellmark each year. These analyses have secured, amongst others, convictions for perpetrators of serious gun crime.