Research Fellowship winner to tackle laser-assisted engineering challenges

Research Fellow, Dr Martynas Beresna of Southampton’s Optoelectronics Research Centre has been awarded one of only eight Research Fellowships announced today (17 December 2015) by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE). 

The fellowships are awarded to those perceived by the RAE led panel as some of the UK’s top engineering researchers.

‘Tackling issues in medical science, computing and mechanical engineering, each of the funded projects has been selected to address a critical or unresolved issue in engineering. The projects will build on recent scientific developments to provide practical solutions that can be deployed in a lab, home, or factory.’ states the RAE in their press announcement today.

Martynas will develop a manufacturing platform that uses laser-assisted engineering technology to restructure the glass in optical fibres. Combined with the flexibility of fibre optics, this will enable the production of new types of all-fibre optical devices for next generation of telecom networks, high power light sources, low cost sensors and high-resolution imaging systems.

Martynas says, “I am proud to have received this fellowship from the Academy: it will help me tackle the challenges inherent with this research and it is an accolade to the value of laser-assisted manufacturing for the future.”

As well as having the potential to make a significant impact on both industry and the research community, the Fellowships help talented engineering academics establish their research careers by providing financial support and mentoring for the next five years.

Professor Ric Parker CBE FREng, Chair of the Academy's Research and Secondments Committee, said: “Continued innovation is key to making the important steps from scientific ideas to fully functioning technology that we can see used in our homes, hospitals, laboratories, computers, and across our communication networks. The Academy has a great track record is selecting and supporting promising young researchers. These eight Research Fellowships will build on earlier research to take the important next steps to bring these products and projects to fruition.

“From our personal electronics to the latest medical diagnostic tools, we will feel the future direct benefit from the work of these researchers. Continued investment in their work and the work of other engineers like them is crucial for the UK to remain successful not just economically, but in improving our quality of all our lives.”

Learn more about the research fellowships at the Royal Academy of Engineering.