Science Minister meets the Zepler Institute team

The Rt Hon Greg Clark MP, Minister of State for Universities, Science and Cities, took the opportunity to find out about some of the Zepler Institute’s (ZI's) latest research and technologies during a recent visit to the University of Southampton.

Mr Clark together with the CEOs of EPSRC, BBSRC and MRC, visited the Zepler Institute stand at the RCUK (Research Councils UK) exhibition, organised by the University as part of the official opening of its new state-of-the-art Advanced Composite Materials Facility on 20 November.

ZI  and ORC Director Professor Sir David Payne was on hand to showcase to the delegation some of the Institute’s innovative research in photonics and electronics, including materials and devices such as novel glasses, microstructure fibres, silica-on-silicon waveguides, and brain-inspired chips, created in the University’s cleanrooms and now enabling new technologies in sectors ranging from telecomms and manufacturing to aerospace and healthcare.

Professor Payne was joined on the stand by Associate Dean for Research, Professor Rob Eason and Dr Themis Prodromakis, a Reader in Nanoelectronics and EPSRC Fellow from the Nano Group.

Professor Eason commented: “The minister’s visit provides us with a platform to highlight the growth and impact of the research we undertake here at the Zepler Institute.”

Speaking with ESPRC CEO Prof Phil Nelson and BBSRC CEO Prof Jackie Hunter, Dr Prodromakis had the chance to explain his EPSRC Fellowship outcomes as well as was able to highlight the biomedical applications of his recent EPSRC-funded work on low-cost point-of-care diagnostics.

Discussions at the stand noted the interdisciplinary nature of the research and its strength in bringing together young scientists with complementary expertise.

Find out more about the research highlighted on the RCUK stand:
• Microstructured fibres
• Novel glass and fibre
• Silica-on-silicon waveguides
• Brain-inspired chips
• Nanoelectronics and Nanotechnology