Wendy Hall and Nigel Shadbolt awarded RISE fellowships

The RISE (Recognising Inspirational Scientists and Engineers) campaign was set up by the EPSRC (Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council) in partnership with the Royal Academy of Engineering to mark the 20th anniversary of the EPSRC.

It was launched by the UK Science Minister David Willetts. He said: “It’s important to celebrate and champion our leading scientists and engineers who are vital to both society and our economy. Their research has a real impact across a range of sectors, from manufacturing to financial services.”

The CEO of the EPSRC, Professor David Delpy, was chair of the appointing panel. He said: “One of the best aspects of my job at EPSRC has been the chance to meet and speak directly to some of the most exciting, innovative and enthusiastic scientists and engineers in the UK. This campaign gives us the chance to recognise these outstanding individuals, but also to let others get to know them and the great research that they are doing.”

National photonics web portal launched

Seme4 has built a web portal which maps the activity of the photonics sector in the U.K.

Photonics technology (the transmission, detection, amplification, etc. of light) has a wide range of applications, including manufacturing processes, telecommunications, healthcare, defence, data storage and renewable energy.

The portal will provide data resources and contacts for collaboration from both the industrial and academic communities.

The site uses semantic web technologies and is hosted by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Centre for Innovative Manufacturing in Photonics at the University of Southampton.