Nano Group, University of Southampton

Nano Group

Nano News


04 August 2017

Strength of Physical Sciences and Engineering research demonstrated in national framework agreement

The University of Southampton has secured its place within the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council Framework Agreement for the next three years.


04 August 2017

Nano in the news

Southampton??s work in advancing understanding of nanotechnology features in two prestigious publications this month.


Dr Themis Prodromakis
07 June 2017

Royal Society Industry Fellowship to advance new treatments for nervous system disorders

Dr Themis Prodromakis awarded Royal Society Industry Fellowship to progress development of bioelectronics


02 June 2017

Nanoelectronics PhD student celebrated at Doctoral Research Awards

ECS PhD student Isha Gupta awarded Engineering Sciences prize at the 2017 Association of British Turkish Academics (ABTA) Doctoral Awards.


24 March 2017

Nano memory research highlighted at national science facility

Ground-breaking research exploring X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) techniques for memory applications has been made a showcase study one of the UK??s leading science facilities.


See below for caption
15 March 2017

Southampton researcher takes Gold for Engineering display in Parliament

Miguel Xavier, from Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton, took Gold at a competition in the House of Commons


09 March 2017

ECS rising stars take their research to Parliament

Researchers from Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) and the Faculty of Physical Sciences and Engineering at the University of Southampton will be attending Parliament next week (Monday 13 March) to present their research to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of STEM for Britain.


Collaborative research has demonstrated unsupervised learning in probabilistic neural networks
26 January 2017

Nanoelectronics collaboration draws international acclaim for advances in intelligent autonomous systems

Transdisciplinary research, driven by expertise from Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton, has attracted global recognition for speeding the creation of intelligent autonomous systems.


One of the ICON students, Theresa Schötz (University of Southampton), working in a laboratory in Japan while undertaking preliminary studies relevant to her current project.
26 January 2017

International Consortium of Nanotechnologies is making an impact

International Consortium of Nanotechnologies, led by the University of Southampton, features in Lloyd??s Register Foundation review of 2016


Sir Christopher Snowden with Dr Rahim
15 December 2016

Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS visits Southampton

The International Consortium of Nanotechnologies at Southampton was pleased to host a visit by the Vice Chancellor of Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS this month.


The HAC-ER system in action
28 November 2016

Developing software to aid disaster management

Web and Internet Science (WAIS) researchers from the University of Southampton have been involved in developing essential provenance software for the award-winning ORCHID project.


Nikolaos Vasilakis (l) with Dr Themis Prodromakis (r)
17 November 2016

Student success at international healthcare technologies conference

A final year PhD student has received second best paper at the international IEEE-NIH Conference on Healthcare Innovations and Point of Care Technologies Conference


The Mountbatten Building - home to the University's cleanroom complex
02 November 2016

Southampton on the rise amongst Best Global Universities

We're in the top 100 amongst the Best Global Universities for 2017


The memristor chip
10 October 2016

First demonstration of brain-inspired device to power artificial systems

New research demonstrates that a memristor could be used to power artificial systems that can mimic the human brain.


Memresistor chip
28 September 2016

??Missing link?? found in the development of bioelectronic medicines

ECS researchers have demonstrated that memresistors could be the ??missing link?? in the development of implants that use electrical signals from the brain to help treat medical conditions


SEA-CORES
15 September 2016

Southampton to help develop software which could transform ship maintenance

Researchers from the University of Southampton are to develop software that can monitor the equipment, fuel and energy performance of a ship at sea.


Dr Ramchurn and the ORCHID team
15 September 2016

ORCHID recognised for major collaboration

The ORCHID project, a major research project involving the University of Southampton, took top prize in the data and connectivity category at the Collaborate to Innovate Awards this week.


A Southampton unmanned aerial vehicle
11 July 2016

World-leading aerospace expertise showcased at Farnborough International Airshow

Southampton to showcase world-leading aerospace research and expertise at Farnborough International Airshow


27 May 2016

ECS researcher wins best paper award at ISCAS 2016

Isha Gupta has been named winner of the IEEE International Symposium on Circuits and Systems best paper award.


09 May 2016

International Consortium of Nanotechnologies announces first PhD studentships

Lloyd's Register Foundation International Consortium of Nanotechnologies announces first ten PhD studentships


Graphene single molecular sensor detecting single CO2 molecule
15 April 2016

Atomically-thin sensor detects harmful air pollution in the home

Scientists from the University of Southampton, in partnership with the Japan Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (JAIST), have developed a graphene-based sensor and switch that can detect harmful air pollution in the home with very low power consumption.


Cleanroom-ready! Children dress up in their own 'bunnysuits'
17 March 2016

Nanotechnology and photonics research inspires the public

The University of Southampton opened its doors on Saturday to thousands of people for its biggest outreach event of the year, Science and Engineering Festival 2016, part of British Science Week.


07 March 2016

ECS engineers take their research to Parliament

ECS researchers will be attending Parliament today to present their research as part of SET for Britain.


Nanotechnology research in the University's cleanrooms
11 December 2015

New International Consortium of Nanotechnologies offers £750k for PhD Studentships

The new International Consortium of Nanotechnologies (ICoN) ?? led by the University of Southampton and supported by a multimillion pound grant by Lloyd??s Register Foundation ?? has announced its first call for funding. Funding of up to £50k each for fifteen PhD studentship places is now on offer to academia and industry.


Optical fibre drawing in the Cleanroom Complex
25 November 2015

Southampton to lead £10 million national Manufacturing Hub

The University of Southampton is to lead one of two £10 million research centres that will transform the UK??s manufacturing industries through the use of photonics, the science and technology of light.


30 October 2015

Tenth anniversary of the University of Southampton??s Mountbatten Building fire

Ten years ago fire ripped through the University of Southampton??s Mountbatten Building gutting the building and destroying valuable equipment and research.


03 September 2015

Multi-million pound project to use nanotechnology to improve safety

The University of Southampton has been awarded a multi-million grant from Lloyd??s Register Foundation to bring together some of the world??s brightest early career researchers to find new ways of using nanotechnologies to improve safety at sea, on land and in the air.


Professor Hywel Morgan
13 March 2015

Professor Hywel Morgan receives prestigious Wolfson Merit Award

The Royal Society, the UK??s national academy of science, has awarded Professor Hywel Morgan the Wolfson Research Merit Awards for his outstanding research work.


18 December 2014

REF2014: World-leading research in Electronics and Computer Science

The University of Southampton has come out top in the UK for Electrical and Electronic Engineering in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) results.


Optoelectronic device formed of multiple quantum wells
24 June 2014

New quantum mechanism to trigger the emission of tunable light at terahertz frequencies

Scientists have found that two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures with asymmetric design enable a new quantum mechanism, triggering the emission of tunable light at terahertz frequencies??with unprecedented efficiency.


Dr Themis Prodromakis with Philip King
08 April 2014

Hybrid technology could make Star Trek-style tricorder a reality

Scientists at the University of Southampton are aiming to develop a handheld testing device to provide same day diagnosis from a patient??s bedside.


Dr Themis Prodromakis
02 April 2014

Study into memory impedance in MIMs published in Nature

A study led by scientists from the University of Southampton??s Nano Research Group experimentally demonstrates that metal-insulator-metal devices can concurrently function as memristors, memcapacitors and meminductors.


Professor William Redman-White
06 March 2014

ECS Professor joins elite group of IEEE Fellows

Professor William Redman-White of Electronics and Computer Science has been elected a Fellow of the IEEE (the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers) in recognition of his significant contributions to integrated circuit and system design for communications.


26 November 2013

New technique for testing drugs to treat cystic fibrosis and epilepsy

Researchers from the University of Southampton, in collaboration with researchers at the University of Quebec and Montreal, have developed a new microsystem for more efficient testing of pharmaceutical drugs to treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis, MG (myasthenia gravis) and epilepsy.


ECS - Mountbatten and Zepler Buildings
29 September 2011

ECS nominated for University Electronics Department of the Year Award

ECS??Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton has been nominated for the title of ??University Department of the Year?? in the prestigious Elektra Awards of the European Electronics Industry.


27 September 2011

27 September 2011
New Electronics

The Nanotechnology Knowledge Transfer Network (NanoKTN) has announced the ongoing success of a collaboration between one of its members, Oxford Instruments, and the University of Southampton.
NanoKTN backs Oxford Instruments' drive to commercialisation


Structure of an ion channel (MacKinnon group)
06 July 2011

New microsystem for better drug-testing

A University of Southampton nanoscientist is working on a new microsystem for more efficient testing of pharmaceutical drugs to treat diseases such as cystic fibrosis, MG (myasthenia gravis) and epilepsy.


27 June 2011

Researchers develop 'atom-scale' switches for low-power processors

Revolutionary low-power logic systems that will perform instant on/off logic operations are being developed by research scientists at the University of Southampton in partnership with the National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan, and Hitachi Cambridge Laboratory.


Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
14 June 2011

Southampton to demonstrate success of industrial partnerships

Researchers from the University of Southampton will next week be demonstrating the success of an industrial collaboration which is creating cutting-edge nanotechnology needed for smaller, low power devices.


Professor Hywel Morgan and Dr Matt Mowlem with the sensors
06 May 2011

Miniature sensors will measure the health of the oceans

The first miniature sensors designed to measure saltiness and temperature across the world??s oceans are currently in use as part of an ambitious expedition.


Dr Zakaria Moktadir
03 February 2011

Atomically thin ??switch?? makes for smarter electronic devices in the future

A new transistor made from graphene - the world??s thinnest material ?? has been developed by a research team at the University of Southampton in the new world-class Southampton Nanofabrication Centre.


06 September 2010

ECS student named Best Electronic Engineering student in Europe

An ECS student who graduated in July with First Class Honours has won the title of Best Electronic Engineering Student in Europe.


Steffi Sesuraj
05 August 2010

ECS student in line for prestigious European award

An ECS student who graduated with First Class Honours in July and will shortly embark on a PhD in the School has been short-listed for the title of Best Electronic Engineering Student in Europe.


29 July 2010

ECS and Oxford Instruments sign research-based collaboration

The School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) at the University of Southampton has signed a research-based collaboration agreement with Oxford Instruments.


23 June 2010

Researchers pioneer new technology for pharmaceutical drug development

A new technology platform for testing drugs will simplify the process and drive new research for the treatment of diseases such as chronic pain, epilepsy, and certain types of heart disease.


26 May 2010

Electron ??spin?? in silicon will lead to revolutionary quantum chips

Researchers forecast ??paradigm shift in information and communication technology?


17 March 2010

Southampton to host Solar Energy Conference

The sixth Photovoltaic Science Application and Technology Conference (PVSAT-6) will be hosted by the University of Southampton??s School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) later this month.


24 February 2010

Symposium to reveal breakthroughs in low-power smaller silicon devices

A symposium which will reveal new methods for making future low-power, lighter, smarter and more economical computers and mobile phones will take place at the University of Southampton next week and has attracted almost 100 delegates.


Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
16 February 2010

Southampton to host international conference on nanotechnologies

A conference which will discuss emerging silicon-based nanotechnologies for advanced information and communication devices which mean that mobile phones and computers will be even lighter, more functional and more economical, will be held at the University of Southampton next month.


Southampton Nanofabrication Centre
16 February 2010

Moving into a new era of nanotechnologies

Two new appointments at the University of Southampton's Nano Research Group will drive research into a whole new range of nano and bio-nano technologies and lead to global industrial research collaborations.


12 January 2010

??Wet?? computing systems to boost processing power

A new kind of information processing technology inspired by chemical processes in living systems is being developed by researchers in the School of Electronics and Computer Science.


Professor Peter Ashburn
29 October 2009

Revolutionising healthcare in the 21st century

New nanoelectronics technologies for healthcare applications, including blood-testing kits which can be mass produced using nanowires, will be unveiled next week by Professor Peter Ashburn at UK NanoForum & Emerging Technologies 2009.


01 September 2009

New Southampton clean room to push the boundaries of technology

The University of Southampton??s Southampton Nanofabrication Centre, which opens next week (9 September), will make it possible to manufacture high-speed and non-volatile ??universal memory?? devices for industry within 5 years.


27 August 2009

Device being developed for on-the-spot blood analysis

A hand-held device which could offer point-of-care blood cell analysis in doctors?? surgeries is being developed by University of Southampton researchers led by Professor Hywel Morgan of ECS.


The Focussed Ion Beam system from Zeiss
24 August 2009

Europe's leading clean rooms to make major savings for industry

The Southampton Nanofabrication Centre, which holds its first Open Day on 9 September, will make smaller, more powerful nano- and bio-nanotechnologies possible and save industry time and money.


22 July 2009

Sculpture at the nanoscale!

The power and potential of the equipment in the School's new clean room is now apparent as the systems begin to come on-line.


21 May 2009

Mountbatten Building wins top architecture award

The Mountbatten Building has received a prestigious award from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA).


23 April 2009

Nanotechnology promises significant impact on healthcare

Professor Peter Ashburn is leading a team of University researchers who are developing low-cost, disposable blood-testing kits that can be made available in GPs' surgeries.


03 April 2009

New age of exploration touches the limit of the nano world

The extraordinary technology in the new Southampton Nanofabrication Centre is demonstrated in this image of tungsten atoms - the group of three atoms in the centre of the image is close to being 100,000 times smaller than a human hair.


clockwise from top left: Alex Rogers, Nick Harris, Dave Millard, Nic Green, mc schraefel
27 February 2009

Academic promotions for ECS researchers

The University of Southampton announced this week that five members of ECS academic staff had received promotions.


Maurits de Planque
26 February 2009

Adventurous research will investigate the safety of nanoparticles

Dr Maurits de Planque of the Nano and SENSe research groups in ECS has been awarded funding of over £50,000 to investigate nanoparticles and to begin to develop new ways of determining their safety.


Professor Darren Bagnall
04 September 2008

New Professor forecasts exciting times for solar cell research

New ECS Professor Darren Bagnall manages an energetic research group within the Nano Group that is investigating new types of solar cell based on nanotechnology.


Professor Darren Bagnall
23 July 2008

Nanotechnology to provide cheap solar energy

Research into new types of solar cells produced by nanotechnology was described by Professor Darren Bagnall at the World Renewable Energy Conference in Glasgow.


Fibre optics
09 May 2005

ECS inaugural lectures to address advances in photonics

The ??magical?? qualities of technology and its potential to transform our lives will be addressed this week in lectures to be given by two of the School's professors. The Inaugural lectures by Professor Greg Parker and Professor James Wilkinson from the University??s School of Electronics and Computer Science (ECS) and Optoelectronics Research Centre (ORC), will take place on Wednesday 18 May, and will address how technological advances in the worlds of photonics and nanoscale systems are making far-reaching new developments possible.


Professor Neil White
28 April 2005

ECS researchers to present at world??s biggest nanotechnology show

The future of intelligent sensor networks will be a key theme for ECS researchers when they deliver papers at Nanotech 2005. Seven researchers from Electronics and Computer Science have been invited to present at Nanotech 2005, the largest international nanotechnology conference and trade show in the world, which will take place in Anaheim from 8-12 May 2005, with over 2500 delegates. Professor Neil White (pictured) will give a plenary lecture on 'Intelligent Sensors: Systems or Components'.


a wafer of the impedance measurement chip
21 April 2005

New microchip to identify the world's smallest plants

Professor Hywel Morgan and his team at the School of Electronics and Computer Science have developed a sensor which, when dropped into the sea, can record information about the types and quantities of algae present, providing valuable information for climate studies. The ECS team is working with Professor Peter Burkill of the National Oceanography Centre, Southampton.


The researchers with the Innos epitaxy system
08 April 2005

Major funding for silicon device applications of nanomaterials

A research team in ECS has been awarded over £400,000 to develop future applications of nanomaterials in silicon-based devices. The EPSRC has awarded a prestigious Platform Grant to Professor Peter Ashburn, Dr Darren Bagnall and Dr Kees de Groot of the Nanoscale Systems Integration Group. They plan to research metal catalyst-free growth of carbon nanotubes for electronic devices, and integration of self assembled optical and magnetic dots with Si processing for on-chip lasers and non-volatile memory storage.


chiral nanostructures
03 February 2005

Nano surfaces could slash cost of solar energy

Nanotechnologies which can artificially change the optical properties of materials to allow light to be trapped in solar cells could greatly reduce the cost of solar energy. Research being carried out by Dr Darren Bagnall of the School's Nanoscale Systems Integration group is focusing on nanopatterning as the way to design effective solar panels.


01 February 2005

New name for world-leading ECS research group

Nanoscale Systems Integration (NSI) is the new title for one of the School of Electronics and Computer Science's eight world-leading research groups. According to Head of Group, Professor Greg Parker, NSI (previously known as Microelectronics) has undergone considerable change and development over the years and the new title reflects new research directions and interests.


28 January 2005

£3.3 million technology grant for researchers to fill nano-pores

Professor Greg Parker, Head of the School's Nanoscale Systems Integration group, is part of a University project team which has won substantial funding for a four-year nanotechnology project. The £3.3 million award will fund research into a materials deposition technology that enables tiny pores on the nano-meter scale to be filled with a wide range of metals and semiconductors.


Jeremy Baumberg
23 November 2004

Nanotechnology expert honoured by Royal Society

Professor Jeremy Baumberg is this year's winner of the Royal Society's prestigious Mullard Award. The award has been made to Professor Baumberg for his work in nanoscience and nanotechnology and for his contribution to the national prosperity of the UK through the University's spin-out company Mesophotonics Ltd in developing optical chips. He will receive his award from Paul Boateng MP, Chief Secretary to the Treasury on Monday 29 November at a Royal Society dinner.


Professor Hywel Morgan
19 October 2004

Lecture honours ECS Professor's contribution to separation science

Techniques for the separation and detection of nano-particles, which have the potential to identify genetic mismatches in DNA, will be honoured by the 9th Desty Award for Innovation in Separation Science this Wednesday (20 October) at the Royal Institution. The award, which will be presented to this year??s winner Professor Hywel Morgan from the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton, recognises real innovation in the area of separation science and chromatography, a science which uses a broad range of physical methods to separate and analyse complex mixtures.