Two engineering academics who are global leaders in their fields have each been awarded a Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies. Both will receive £2.5 million in funding over the next ten years to lead on developing emerging technologies that will deliver the next generation of quantum sensors and improve the electrical efficiency of machinery.
These two latest Chairs in Emerging Technologies will join the four Chairs also supported in the latest funding round and announced in December 2022.
Funded by the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology, the Academy’s Chair in Emerging Technologies scheme aims to identify global research visionaries and provide them with long-term support. Each £2,500,000 award covers employment and research costs, enabling each researcher to focus on advancing their technology to application in a strategic manner over a period of up to 10 years. Since 2017, the programme has awarded a total of over £95 million to 40 Chairs.
The two Chairs and their research projects are:
Professor Melissa Mather, University of Nottingham
Integrated diamond photonic platforms: the next generation of quantum sensors
Professor Mather is turning tiny flaws in diamond into the next generation of incredibly sensitive quantum sensors. Diamond quantum sensors can be used to measure magnetic fields, temperature, pressure, and even biological or chemical substances. Melissa’s work will enhance the measurement speeds and sensitivity of these sensors to create customised sensing methods and prototype devices that will translate the technology for use by non-specialists, as well as unlocking new applications in sectors such as healthcare, food security and defence.
Professor Markus Mueller, University of Edinburgh
SuperMachine: high power density, high efficiency modular Superconducting electrical Machines
Professor Mueller will use high-temperature superconductors (HTS) to develop electrical machines with high power density and high efficiency. The project will demonstrate new topologies of machine in which the conventional materials of iron, copper and magnets are replaced with HTS coils combined with composite structural materials with low mass density. The approach allows greater flexibility in design and the introduction of a high degree of modularity, enabling greater system integration within the application and better exploitation of the materials. The new electrical machines will contribute to the electrification of transport and to energy generation, both vital to achieving net-zero targets.
Notes for editors
- The Academy’s Chair in Emerging Technologies scheme aims to identify global research visionaries and provide them with long-term support to lead on developing emerging technology areas with high potential to deliver economic and social benefit to the UK.
The 2023/24 Chair in Emerging Technologies call is open. Application deadline is 11 April 2023. For more information please see:https://raeng.org.uk/ciet