Science and Engineering

Response to the IPCC 1.5°C Special Report

By Kevin Anderson Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering Posted: October 8, 2018

The University of Manchester’s Professor Kevin Anderson responds to today’s report from the Inter-Governmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC report meticulously lays out how the serious climate impacts of 1.5°C of warming are still far less destructive than those for 2°C. Sadly, the IPCC then fails, again, to address the profound implications of reducing […]

Fine weather ahead for the nuclear industry?

By Juan Matthews Filed Under: Brexit, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering Posted: July 9, 2018

On the 28 June, the long awaited “Nuclear Sector Deal” was launched. The response from the nuclear industry has been enthusiastic and it could be an important step in establishing a nuclear renaissance. Professor Juan Matthews of the Dalton Nuclear Institute takes a closer look at the likely impact and some other recent developments. The […]

Heathrow Expansion in light of the UK’s Climate Change Commitments

By Alice Larkin and John Broderick Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering Posted: June 22, 2018

Alice Larkin, Professor of Climate Science and Energy Policy at The University of Manchester, along with Dr John Broderick consider if the level of emissions from the Heathrow expansion is in alignment with the UK’s legal commitments on climate change. They argue that the proposed expansion jeopardises these legal commitments, given the absence of a […]

To Every Thing There is a Season – lessons from the Alvey Programme for Creating an Innovation Ecosystem for Artificial Intelligence

By Luke Georghiou Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Digital Futures, Industry 4.0, Science and Engineering Posted: May 15, 2018

Last month the UK House of Lords Artificial Intelligence Committee published a report, ‘Artificial Intelligence, AI in the UK: ready, willing and able?’ In the report, which concluded that the UK is in a strong position to be a world leader in the development, use and ethics of artificial intelligence (AI), the Lords committee revisited […]

Zero-carbon UK? Let’s make zero mean something

By Joe Blakey and Marc Hudson Filed Under: Science and Engineering Posted: April 26, 2018

The UK’s minister for energy and clean growth wants to set the UK on a path to a ‘zero-carbon economy’. Marc Hudson and Joe Blakey from The University of Manchester’s Sustainable Consumption Institute ask whether ‘zero-carbon’ will give zero-thought to the emissions from the international supply chains that underpin our economy. What does a ‘zero-carbon […]

Reducing Plastic Use in Food Packaging with Innovative New Materials

By James Baker Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Science and Engineering Posted: March 13, 2018

Finding ways to reduce the amount of plastic used in food packaging, while still ensuring products are protected and kept fresh, is an increasingly important challenge. James Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains how the answer could lie in the use of novel 2D materials. Changes in consumer perception and behaviour relating to plastic […]

Electric Vehicles: The Future is Light

By James Baker Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering Posted: January 31, 2018

In this blog James Baker, the newly announced Chief Executive Officer of Graphene@Manchester, explains what’s driving demand for lightweight 2D materials for use in batteries and other components. The growth in both the demand and supply for electric vehicles is creating new opportunities and challenges for manufacturers in the UK. Heavier electric vehicles are driving […]

Artificial Intelligence and the public interest

By Barbara Ribeiro Filed Under: All posts, British Politics, Science and Engineering, Science and Technology Posted: December 7, 2017

Dr Barbara Ribeiro of the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research reflects on what the Industrial Strategy White Paper means for artificial intelligence and considers whether prioritising AI funding is really in the public interest. The Government expects a positive impact of AI on household budgets over the next 13 years Any expectations in terms of […]

Bridging the skills gap: primary to higher education

By Donna Johnson Filed Under: All posts, Science and Engineering Posted: August 21, 2017

The UK’s skills gap in science, technology, engineering and maths has been widely acknowledged, but the measures needed to address it are less clear. Here, Donna Johnson, Head of the Science & Engineering Education Research and Innovation Hub, lays out the current debate and argues for cross-sector support between schools and universities and a focus […]

Keeping us charged- addressing energy storage related issues

By Richard Fields Filed Under: All posts, Energy and Environment, Science and Engineering Posted: August 3, 2017

Last week, the Government announced that new diesel and petrol cars and vans will be banned in the UK from 2040 in a bid to tackle air pollution. In light of this, it was also announced that the Government would invest £246m in battery technology. Here, Richard Fields, a Research Associate at the National Graphene […]