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Innovation - Economics - 20.03.2023

Launch of the MIOIR Working Paper Series
We are delighted to announce the official launch of the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research Working Paper Series. The MIOIR Working Paper Series provides a platform for discussing and disseminating studies from across the disciplines, covering a range of issues related to Innovation. Our series will publish high-quality research papers with a focus on the Institute's primary research themes, including: Innovation management; Sustainable innovation; Science, technology, and innovation policy; and Emerging technologies.

Health - Innovation - 20.03.2023

Lighting up tumours could help surgeons remove them more precisely
A new technique that combines highly detailed, real-time images of inside the body with a type of infrared light has, for the first time, been used during surgery to differentiate between cancerous tumours and healthy tissue. The pioneering technique, demonstrated in mice, has been developed by engineers at the Wellcome/EPSRC Centre for Interventional and Surgical Sciences (WEISS) at UCL and surgeons at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH).

Health - Innovation - 06.03.2023

Detecting anaemia earlier in children using a smartphone
Researchers at UCL and University of Ghana have successfully predicted whether children have anaemia using only a set of smartphone images. The study, published in PLOS ONE , brought together researchers and clinicians at UCL Engineering, UCLH and Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana to investigate a new non-invasive diagnostic technique using smartphone photographs of the eye and face.

Innovation - 28.02.2023

Social media posts around solar geoengineering ’spill over’ into conspiracy theories
Researchers from the University of Cambridge have analysed more than 800,000 tweets and found that negative emotions expressed about geoengineering - the idea that the climate can be altered using technology - can easily fall into conspiracy. The researchers analysed tweets 2009 and 2021 tagged with #geoengineering.

Innovation - 07.02.2023

Why reflecting on your values before opening your mouth makes for happier relationships
A process of reflecting on life values before a debate can enhance people's willingness to listen to others, a new study has found. The interdisciplinary study was conducted by philosophers and linguists at Cardiff University and psychologists at the University of Bath. The research team recruited 303 participants, who were all put in small groups where they were asked to discuss the merits of charging tuition fees for education.

Electroengineering - Innovation - 26.01.2023

3D-printed radio antennas could bring 5G and 6G to remote communities
University of Sheffield researchers have developed 3D-printed radio antennas that could be used to bring the fastest mobile phone networks to people living in remote areas for the first time 3D-printed millimetre wave aerials are much quicker and cheaper to produce than those currently used by the telecommunications industry, but have the same level of performance Development could help to drive innovation, speed up the production of new prototy

Chemistry - Innovation - 20.01.2023

Researchers unravel the complex reaction pathways in zero carbon fuel synthesis
Researchers have used isotopes of carbon to trace how carbon dioxide emissions could be converted into low-carbon fuels and chemicals. The result could help the chemical industry, which is the third largest subsector in terms of direct CO2 emissions, recycle its own waste using current manufacturing processes.

Physics - Innovation - 20.01.2023

Method to preserve entanglement could enable new quantum tech
An international team of researchers has developed a new method of overcoming a key challenge for the development of future quantum tech. In a new paper published in the journal Physical Review X Quantum, the researchers describe how they may have solved a key problem for quantum technologies by keeping particles entangled in previously impossible conditions.

Economics - Innovation - 04.01.2023

Researchers investigate the housing and construction sector’s key role in net-zero challenges
MIOIR Researchers have begun working on an important project 'Addressing the net-zero and productivity challenges: How could the housing and construction sector play a key role', funded by The Productivity Institute. A research team from the Alliance Manchester Business School and Manchester Institute of Innovation Research (MIOIR) has officially begun working on an important project for The Productivity Institute: 'Addressing the net-zero and productivity challenges: How could the housing and construction sector play a key role?'.

Astronomy / Space Science - Innovation - 20.12.2022

Science and Engineering: a review of our top stories
2022 was another packed year for news from the Faculty Science and Engineering. From dinosaurs, to robots and amazing students to distant stars, here are some of our highlights: Palaeontologists working on the Ichthyosaur skeleton found at Rutland Water August 26 2021 Matthew Power Photography www.matthewpowerphotography.co.uk 07969 088655 matthew@matthewpowerphotography.co.uk @mpowerphoto In January we kicked the year off with a colossal story.

Innovation - Computer Science - 16.12.2022

MIOIR Researchers launch new report on the Adoption of Digital Technologies and Skills in Greater Manchester
Silvia Massini, Mabel Sanchez-Barrioluengo, Xiaoxiao Yu have published a report exploring the key findings from ADiTS survey, in collaboration with the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce. High costs and a lack of access to people with the relevant skills are significant barriers to businesses adopting digital technologies across Greater Manchester, according to a major new AMBS report.

Electroengineering - Innovation - 09.11.2022

AI helps optimise power electronic converters
A new and more efficient way of modelling and designing power electronic converters using artificial intelligence (AI) has been created by a team of experts from Cardiff University and the Compound Semiconductor Applications (CSA) Catapult. The method has reduced design times for technology by up to 78% compared to traditional approaches and was used to create a device with an efficiency of over 98%.

Health - Innovation - 21.10.2022

Imperial students create low-cost technology solutions to build better world
Five teams of undergraduate students have had the opportunity to develop impactful new technologies in Imperial labs this summer. The Faculty of Natural Sciences' Make A Difference (FoNS-MAD) competition, which is open to all undergraduate students from across the College, gives students the resources to develop low-cost technologies that will have a positive impact on society.

Innovation - Computer Science - 20.10.2022

Artificial intelligence powers record-breaking all-in-one miniature spectrometers
Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to replace optical and mechanical components, researchers have designed a tiny spectrometer that breaks all current resolution records. We see light and colours around us every day. However, to analyse the information it carries, we must analyse light using spectrometers, in the lab.

Innovation - Environment - 20.10.2022

Science, technology and innovation is not addressing world’s most urgent problems - major new study
Global science research serves the needs of the Global North, and is driven by the values and interests of a small number of companies, governments and funding bodies, finds a major new international study published today. As such, the authors find, science, technology and innovation research is not focused on the world's most pressing problems including taking climate action, addressing complex underlying social issues, tackling hunger and promoting good health and wellbeing.

Innovation - Microtechnics - 07.10.2022

New bee-inspired drone fleet works together to build 3D objects
A new system of flying drones working together to 3D print material, has been developed by a team involving researchers at UCL and Imperial College London. It's the first time flying drones have been coordinated like this to 3D print an object. The system, called Aerial Additive Manufacturing (Aerial-AM), is a new approach to 3D printing using collaborative flying robots to transport and deposit building material.

Innovation - 03.10.2022

How to tell if that plastic bottle or bag has recycled material in it
Materials researchers have developed a new technique to successfully determine the recycled contents of plastic products. To encourage more recycling, some countries are taxing single-use plastic products containing less than 30% recycled plastic material. But aside from a manufacturer's word, there isn't an easy way to verify this.

Innovation - Microtechnics - 21.09.2022

3D printing drones work like bees to build and repair structures while flying
Imperial College London and researchers have created a fleet of bee-inspired flying 3D printers for building and repairing structures in-flight. The technology could ultimately be used for manufacturing and building in difficult-to-access or dangerous locations such as tall buildings or help with post-disaster relief construction, say the researchers, who publish their work in Nature .

Art and Design - Innovation - 02.09.2022

X-rays, AI and 3D printing brings a lost Van Gogh artwork to life
Using X-rays, artificial intelligence and 3D printing, two UCL researchers reproduced a "lost" work of art by renowned Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, 135 years after he painted over it. PhD researchers Anthony Bourached (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) and George Cann (UCL Space and Climate Physics), working with artist Jesper Eriksson, used cutting edge technology to recreate a long-concealed Van Gogh painting.

Art and Design - Innovation - 02.09.2022

X-rays, AI and 3D printing bring a lost Van Gogh artwork to life
Using X-rays, artificial intelligence and 3D printing, two UCL researchers reproduced a "lost" work of art by renowned Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh, 135 years after he painted over it. PhD researchers Anthony Bourached (UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology) and George Cann (UCL Space and Climate Physics), working with artist Jesper Eriksson, used cutting edge technology to recreate a long-concealed Van Gogh painting.