Tag: Heriot Watt University

Expo City Dubai and Heriot-Watt University collaborate to create UAE Robotarium

Scotland and the United Arab Emirates are collaborating to launch the first Robotarium in the Middle East, driving innovation in robotics and artificial intelligence (AI).

The new UAE Robotarium is being created through a strategic partnership between Heriot-Watt University Dubai and Expo City Dubai, an innovation-driven, people-centric community and a platform for groundbreaking ideas that benefit both people and the planet.

Inspired by the successful model of the UK’s National Robotarium, located at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, the UAE facility will unite leaders from academia, industry, and government. Together, they will accelerate breakthroughs in robotics and AI, incubate startups, develop and commercialise cutting-edge technologies, and demonstrate the practical applications and benefits of automation in urban life.

A major focus of the collaboration is talent development. To support this, Expo City Dubai will sponsor new PhD research positions at Heriot-Watt’s Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

To formalise the partnership, Heriot-Watt University and Expo City Dubai have agreed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish UAE Robotarium. The agreement was signed by Najeeb Mohamed Al-Ali, Executive Director, Expo City Dubai Authority, and by Professor Dame Heather McGregor, Provost and Vice Principal of Heriot-Watt University Dubai.

Najeeb Mohamed Al-Ali, said: “We are delighted to collaborate again with Heriot-Watt University to establish the UAE’s first Robotarium, cementing Expo City Dubai’s position as an incubator for innovation, a testbed for solutions and a platform for groundbreaking ideas.

“This world-class research centre will attract the best talent to drive transformative solutions that benefit communities and improve the quality of urban living, fully supporting Dubai’s Economic Agenda (D33) and the UAE’s position as a global innovation pioneer.”

Following the signing ceremony, Professor Dame Heather McGregor said: “We look forward to working with Expo City Dubai to drive AI and robotics research.

“For 20 years, Heriot-Watt University has been a leading British higher education institution in the UAE, emphasising our commitment to academic excellence and research. We are proud to support the UAE’s bold vision and contribute to strengthening the country’s leadership in automation and advanced technologies.”

The signing ceremony was attended by His Excellency Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Richard Lochhead MSP, Scotland’s Minister for Business; Edward Hobart, British Ambassador to the UAE, and Professor Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal for Business and Enterprise at Heriot-Watt University.

Commenting on the new partnership, Professor Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal for Business and Enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, said: “The success of the UK’s National Robotarium has demonstrated the immense impact that a dedicated centre for robotics and AI can have in accelerating innovation, fostering enterprise, and driving economic growth.

“The UAE Robotarium will build on this proven model, creating a world-class hub where cutting-edge research translates into real-world applications. Through this partnership with Expo City Dubai, we will empower startups, scale businesses, and support industry in developing and commercialising transformative technologies.”

“This initiative will not only strengthen the UAE’s position as a global leader in AI and automation but also forge deeper collaboration between the UK and the UAE.”

In 2023, the UAE Government and Scottish Government signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the two regions aimed at enhancing non-oil bilateral trade and promoting collaboration in advanced technology, innovation, education and research. Plans to replicate the UK Robotarium in the UAE are a result of continued engagement between the UAE and Scottish Government after Expo 2020 Dubai.

Following the signing ceremony, Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “This is a milestone moment for Heriot-Watt and recognition of its global reputation for scientific excellence. 

“Scotland is well-known for its skills in innovation and tech development and our academic institutions are respected around the world. 

“This development is a great example of how Scottish expertise can make a global difference and deepens our economic relations with an important international partner.”

By 2031, the UAE aims to become one of the world’s leading nations in artificial intelligence, as set out in the government’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2031. The country’s National Innovation Strategy also aims to establish the Emirates as a global hub for research and innovation, while the UAE Industrial Strategy – known as Operation 300bn – is focused on developing the country’s industrial sector.

The partners said the UAE Robotarium will further these ambitions by advancing the nation’s knowledge-based economy and promoting global competitiveness in AI and robotics.

3D imaging breakthrough could mean step change for security and defence applications

Scientists have developed a detection system that could vastly improve the accuracy of human facial and activity recognition at long distances and through obstructions like fog, smoke or camouflage.

The researchers say their sensitive light detection and ranging (LiDAR) system can generate high-resolution three-dimensional images with double the efficiency of similar LiDAR systems being developed by other research groups, and at least 10 times better image resolution.

At 325 metres – the length of around three soccer pitches – researchers were able to 3D image the face of one of their co-authors in millimetre-scale detail.

The same system could be used to accurately detect faces and human activity at distances of up to one kilometre – equivalent to the length of 10 soccer pitches – the researchers say.

The research is published in the optics and photonics journal Optica and is a collaboration between the Single-Photon Group at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, led by quantum photonics expert Professor Gerald Buller, using equipment developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) at California Institute of Technology and by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States, and by the James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow in Scotland.

Lead author Dr Aongus McCarthy is a specialist in optical and optomechanical design and a Research Fellow at Heriot-Watt’s Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPaQS).

He said: “The results of our research show the enormous potential of such a system to construct detailed high-resolution 3D images of scenes from long distances in daylight or darkness conditions.

“For example, if someone is standing behind camouflage netting, this system has the potential to determine whether they are on their mobile phone, holding something, or just standing there idle. So there are a number of potential applications from a security and defence perspective.”

The system uses pulses of laser light to measure the distances to objects in a scene. The team’s breakthrough involved being able to measure the time it took for a laser pulse to travel from the system to the object and back with an accuracy of approximately 13 picoseconds – a picosecond being one million millionth of a second. This timing is around 10 times better than the researchers had been able to do previously. 

“The timing is really phenomenal,” Dr McCarthy explained. “It allows us to measure variations in depth very, very accurately – on a millimetre scale – which means we can distinguish between closely separated surfaces at very long distances.”

The system could lead to ‘step change improvements’ in applications such as facial and human activity recognition, and the imaging of scenes through ‘clutter and atmospheric obscurants,’ the researchers say.

A key advantage of the system is being able to accurately measure distances in broad daylight – when scattered light from the sun typically has a negative impact on the measurement process. By using a laser wavelength greater than can be seen by the naked eye – at 1550 nanometres – the daylight background is significantly reduced. This wavelength is also ideal for very high transmission in the atmosphere and in optical fibres.

Another advantage is that the laser output of the system is low power and ‘eye safe’ – meaning the laser beams from the system are safe to look at from any distance.

The researchers tested their system at three distances they could see from their rooftop laboratory. These were a neighbouring rooftop 45 metres away, a location on the ground 325 metres away and a distant radio mast exactly one kilometre away. It was at the 45 metre and 325 metre locations that research co-author Gregor Taylor posed while his colleagues scanned his head. 

Dr McCarthy said he would now like to test the system over much longer distances: “Could we recognise a vehicle type at 10 kilometres, whether it’s a car or a van or a tank? These kind of distances would be of real interest.”

Dr McCarthy said the system could also be used to monitor the movement of buildings or rock faces to assess subsidence or other potential hazards.

The team built the system using a highly advanced detector developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which are well known for their groundbreaking scientific and technological research.

This detector, called a superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD), has to be cooled to a very low temperature of approximately minus 272 degrees Celsius – or 1 Kelvin – the base unit of thermodynamic temperature measurement.

It then becomes ‘superconducting’ and has no resistance to electrical current flow until a photon of light lands on it.

The special ‘cryocooler’ fridge that cooled the team’s detector to the low temperature to carry out their research was another crucial component of the research.

This compact cooling system was designed and developed by the Quantum Sensors group of Robert Hadfield, Professor of Photonics at University of Glasgow’s James Watt School of Engineering.

The research was funded and supported by the UKRI Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), the European Research Council (ERC), the DARPA DSO Invisible Headlights program, the NASA ROSES-APRA program, and the Alliance for Quantum Technologies INQNET framework.

The research paper is entitled, High-resolution long-distance depth imaging LiDAR with ultra-low timing jitter superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors.

Students team up with Falkirk FC in new partnership

Sports performance students at Heriot-Watt University are getting the chance to trade the classroom for the football pitch as part of a new partnership with Falkirk FC.

Both institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) committing to a two-year collaboration to merge academic and professional sport expertise.

This partnership grants Falkirk FC access to Heriot-Watt’s cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities, where player performance can be analysed using advanced exercise testing and movement analysis techniques, and body composition assessed by gold standard imaging methods.

In return, Heriot-Watt students will gain real-world experience in sport and exercise science, applying their skills to tasks such as player conditioning, match performance analysis, and injury prevention.

A key component of the agreement is to provide placement and research opportunities at the Club for third and fourth-year students studying for a BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science. They will learn directly from coaches, sports scientists, and club staff to understand the strategies and techniques involved in elite performance and player development.

Leading the MoU on behalf of Heriot-Watt University is Chris Easton, Professor of Exercise Physiology at theSchool of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society.

He welcomed the signing of the MoU and is looking forward to optimising the performance levels at Falkirk FC.

Chris said: “Through this exciting partnership with Falkirk FC, our students will gain invaluable, hands-on experience in a real-world sports environment, where they can apply the principles they learn in the classroom directly to player development and performance analysis.

“This collaboration exemplifies our commitment to producing industry-ready graduates, and we’re thrilled to offer our students an opportunity to learn from and contribute to a leading football club.

“By bringing together Heriot-Watt’s academic strengths in sport science with Falkirk FC’s expertise on the field, we’re setting the foundation for a powerful exchange of knowledge that will benefit both our students and the club.”

With Falkirk FC currently topping the Championship and aiming for a Premiership return, this partnership arrives at an opportune time for the club to leverage scientific support for player performance.

The MoU is not the only link between the University and Falkirk FC in recent times. In October, the Club signed a new centre-forward, Barney Stewart, from Heriot-Watt University Football Club. Barney has been loaned back to the University squad until January after which time he will move to Falkirk under contract until June 2027.

Blair Doughty, Head of Physical Performance at Falkirk FC, added: “This partnership has the potential of huge benefit for both Falkirk FC and Heriot-Watt University.

“The University share the same values and vision to help improve performance which is something we look for in a strategic partner. The access to cutting-edge Sport Science Laboratory facilities will be of great value to the performance department as we seek to provide a best-in-class performance services for our players to give them the tools needed to perform at the highest level.

“As well as facilities another benefit of this partnership is the ability to keep up to date with the latest research developments helping inform best practise and also develop our own process and frameworks to push performance both for the First Team and Academy.

“Lastly, this partnership will help Heriot Watt develop their students into industry ready candidates and allows us to shape the practitioners of the future. Through learning and seeing firsthand the work done at Falkirk Football Club”

To find out more about Heriot-Watt’s BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science programme visit the website.

Prostate cancer detection: ‘Extremely encouraging’ clinical trial results

New ultrasound imaging technique reliably spots prostate cancer, initial patient trial reveals

A groundbreaking new imaging approach developed by researchers at Heriot-Watt University has shown ‘extremely encouraging’ results in early-stage clinical trials on prostate cancer at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

The ongoing clinical trial demonstrated an initial 94% sensitivity rate in tumour detection. The new test is delivered in less than 20 minutes and relies on existing clinical ultrasound equipment. 

The cost of an ultrasound scanner is a fraction of an MRI scanner (around 10%), so the new approach provides clinicians with a valuable new tool to help better guide prostate biopsies and focal therapy, a technique that destroys cancer cells.  

All men are at risk of prostate cancer with 1 in 8 diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime. 52,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year – 144 every day.

Currently, a relatively unreliable blood test, called a Prostate Specific Antigen or PSA test, means many men are unnecessarily sent for an expensive MRI scan in an attempt to spot cancerous tissue. Current long waiting lists for tests mean treatment can be delayed.

Despite using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI – a specialist type of scan) for prostate cancer diagnosis, up to 28% of clinically significant tumours are missed and 1 in every 2 individuals with positive MRI findings receive a negative biopsy result. 

Less Grey Imaging Ltd is a spin-out from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, with the mission to bring greater clarity to prostate imaging. The technology offers clinicians up to a 20-fold increase in resolution compared to mpMRI, which provides a grey and difficult-to-read image. 

The new imaging test begins by injecting a commonly used contrast agent into a vein that contains millions of tiny and harmless microbubbles that travel through the patient’s bloodstream to the prostate.

The team uses a technique known as super resolution ultrasound imaging (SRUI) to track these microbubbles as they flow inside the prostate. Due to the altered blood flow in cancerous tissue, the image highlights previously unseen tumours, enabling earlier diagnosis.

Dr. George Papageorgiou, CEO of Less Grey Imaging, explains how the new technique aligns well with histopathology, the diagnosis and study of diseases of the tissues which involves examining tissues or cells under a microscope. He said: “Our initial clinical findings in prostate imaging align well with histopathology, highlighting its potential to reliably detect clinically significant prostate cancer.

“Currently, prostate cancer diagnosis varies widely across the country, with many patients being diagnosed too late for curative treatment. By integrating ultrasound more prominently into the diagnostic pathway, we can ensure equal opportunities for early diagnosis across all regions of the UK.

“Less Grey Imaging’s mission is to revolutionise prostate imaging by delivering clarity and precision. Urologists will have an imaging tool that enables accurate diagnoses and quicker decision-making. Our software deploys existing ultrasound equipment to enhance image quality down to microscopic detail. By minimising reliance on radiologist assessment, we intend to streamline workflows, reduce NHS costs, and improve patient efficiency.”

The potential of the technology has been recognised by Innovate UK, which awarded the company a £370,000 grant through its ICURe Exploit Funding programme. This is being used to support the company’s product development and attract further investment.

The UK has a higher cancer mortality rate compared to several other developed countries, and more recently, the Darzi report, a bleak review of the NHS published in September 2024, revealed that waiting times targets for the first treatment for cancer have not been met since December 2015. 

Professor Vassilis Sboros from Heriot-Watt University and co-founder of Less Grey Imaging, explained how the technique can help support an NHS that is fit for the future. He said: “Our super-resolution ultrasound imaging technology provides a leap in imaging resolution.

“By utilising existing ultrasound scanners found in hospitals and clinics worldwide, we’re able to produce high-resolution images of the prostate that clinicians have never seen before. This is exactly what the new Government needs to tackle the challenges facing the NHS.

“Back in 2019, we proved the concept worked in our lab but now we have shown it works during our initial patient trials. It’s just like looking inside the body with a microscope, allowing clinicians to see 20 times more detail than before. Even concealed tumours are possible to identify.

“With one man dying from prostate cancer every 45 minutes in the UK, we hope earlier detection will radically improve treatment outcomes, saving lives while reducing the number of people sent for unnecessary and often risky tests.”

Professor Alan McNeill is a Consultant Urological Surgeon at the Western General Hospital, Edinburgh and founder trustee of charity Prostate Scotland. He said: “The initial trial results are extremely encouraging, providing really useful information for the diagnosis and treatment of prostate cancer. This is the most common cancer in men but, if it is caught early while the cancer remains within the prostate, it can be cured in the majority of cases.

“The technology has the potential to significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy, help clinicians like me to carry out more targeted biopsies and even focus treatments with greater precision.

“I can anticipate it benefiting treatments like focal therapy by allowing us to pinpoint and treat cancerous tissue with greater accuracy. Nearly every week, my colleagues and I meet men in their 50s or early 60s suffering from advanced prostate cancer that leaves them with fewer treatment options. We continue to raise awareness and encourage earlier diagnosis for all men.”

Gary Tait was treated for prostate cancer five years ago after his wife, a practice nurse, encouraged him to see his GP. He is now Chair of Edinburgh & Lothian Prostate Cancer Support Group. He said: “Being diagnosed and treated for prostate cancer is an incredibly anxious time so it is very positive to see these trial results which indicate that the new ultrasound technique could lead to more accurate diagnosis of prostate cancer.

“From the perspective of men who are unaware of a developing tumour in their prostate, this improved method of diagnosis could lead to earlier treatment which improves the likelihood of a good outcome.

“We fully support the development of this new technology which raises the possibility of enabling more men to be both diagnosed and treated earlier than they can be at present.”

Professor Gill Murray, deputy principal of business and enterprise at Heriot-Watt University, said: “This breakthrough exemplifies Heriot-Watt’s commitment to transforming innovative research into real-world healthcare solutions with global applications.

“Less Grey Imaging represents exactly the kind of high-impact spinout company we aim to nurture – one that combines cutting-edge science with clear commercial potential and significant societal benefit.

“These early clinical trials are particularly encouraging as they demonstrate how our research excellence can help address critical healthcare challenges while creating economic opportunities.

“By developing technology that makes cancer diagnosis more accessible and accurate, we’re supporting the NHS and positioning Scotland as a leader in medical innovation.

“Addressing global challenges through the real world application of our research is why we established our Global Research Institutes. Each institute has its own distinctive DNA, and our global research institute in health and care technologies excels in the creation and growth of new innovative businesses.

“Less Grey is a fantastic example of one of these businesses and perfectly aligns with our enterprise strategy of fostering research-led companies that can scale globally while delivering tangible benefits to patients and healthcare systems worldwide.”

Fighting cancer is one of the five key themes for Health and Care Technologies. Anyone interested in collaborating with the new Health and Care Technologies global research institute at Heriot-Watt University can contact GRID@hw.ac.uk. 

Sustainable reusable operating theatre caps created for NHS Scotland

Sustainable reusable theatre caps made from plant-based material created for NHS Scotland

The Golden Jubilee University National Hospital has become the first hospital to co-design friendly and reusable theatre caps made from sustainable plant-based material as part of a research project being led by the University of Strathclyde and Heriot-Watt University.

The project aims to reduce waste created by single-use disposable theatre cap products used by NHS Scotland while alleviating patient anxiety and improving the identification of theatre staff roles.

Around 800,000 single-use disposable theatre caps are consumed every year in Scottish hospitals. The new caps are made from cellulosic fibre which is derived from plant-based material. They offer a sustainable alternative to traditional disposable options.

At the end of their lifecycle, the new reusable theatre caps will be biodegradable, reducing the environmental impact of medical waste. Some existing single use theatre caps contain materials that can take up to 300 years to decompose entirely.

Beyond their eco-friendly credentials, the theatre caps serve multiple practical purposes. They aim to relieve anxiety among patients, through the use of fabric colours and patterns and help staff to more easily identify each other in busy clinical environments, which is beneficial for patient care. Current headwear doesn’t differentiate between different roles in hospitals.

The theatre caps have been carefully designed with input from NHS Golden Jubilee theatre staff to ensure they meet practical needs while maintaining sustainability goals. Staff will now test and feedback on the innovative caps to assess their potential for wider adoption across NHS Scotland.

The theatre cap project is part of the broader Design HOPES project (Healthy Organisations in a Place-based Ecosystem, Scotland) which is led by Professor Paul Rodgers at the University of Strathclyde and Professor Mel Woods at the University of Dundee.

Design HOPES was recently awarded more than £4.6M by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) as one of four Green Transition Ecosystem (GTE) Hubs in the UK, which aim to address distinct challenges posed by the climate crisis including, but not limited to, realising net zero goals.

Dr Euan Winton, Assistant Professor of Design at Heriot-Watt University, commented on the urgent need for innovations like the new theatre caps:

“NHS Scotland faces massive resource-driven issues, with millions of single-use disposable theatre caps going to incineration in Scotland annually. The new sustainable theatre caps represent a crucial step in addressing this significant wastage and demonstrating the power of design in tackling environmental challenges in healthcare.

“Our specialist School of Textiles and Design in the Scottish Borders is proud to be part of the Design HOPES GTE Hub tackling a broad range of global challenges, using our expertise to find new and innovative solutions to sustainability.

“Along with Professor Paul Rodgers of the University of Strathclyde, we are working closely with user groups to create new products that are fit for purpose.

“We’ve worked closely with theatre staff on the design of the new caps and feedback has shown they will have other benefits like reducing anxiety among patients.”

Carole Anderson, Director of Transformation, Strategy, Planning and Performance at NHS Golden Jubilee, expressed enthusiasm for the project: “NHS Golden Jubilee is proud to be at the forefront of this sustainable innovation in healthcare.

“These new theatre caps align with our commitment to reducing our environmental impact and also enhance our ability to provide safe and high quality patient care. By improving staff identification and potentially easing patient anxiety, these caps offer multiple benefits beyond their eco-friendly design.”

Professor Paul Rodgers from the University of Strathclyde’s Department of Design, Manufacturing and Engineering Management, said: “Working closely with our NHS Scotland partners, we will continue to support them on their green transition journey, developing collaboratively design-led solutions that will create positive change.

“This project showcases the power of collaboration between universities, healthcare providers, and design researchers. By bringing together expertise from various fields, we’ve been able to create a solution that is both practical and sustainable. Moreover, this project has potential for creating new green jobs across Scotland that will have socio-economic as well as environmental impact.

“The success of this project opens the door for further design-led innovations in health and social care. As we continue to face the realities of climate change, it’s crucial that we find creative ways to reduce our environmental footprint while maintaining and improving the quality of care. The new reusable theatre caps are a significant step in that direction.”

Dr Lisa Macintyre, Associate Professor in Textile Technology at Heriot-Watt’s School of Textiles and Design added: “The caps have been carefully developed at our facilities to establish the most sustainable and comfortable materials and most efficient printing methods.

“We will be ensuring they meet the high standards required for medical use while maintaining their eco-friendly properties.”

Design HOPES forms part of the wider Future Observatory programme, which fosters collaboration, research, and innovation within the design field. Funded by AHRC in partnership with Future Observatory at the Design Museum, the £25m multimodal investment aims to bring design researchers, universities, and businesses together to catalyse the transition to net zero and a green economy.

Design HOPES will present a new work-in-progress display, running at the V&A Dundee from 6 December 2024 to 17 February 2025.

This display marks an exciting milestone in the first year of Design HOPES, giving an insight on the people, processes and progress of this transformational initiative, and asks ‘How can design help us live healthier lives, for people and planet?’

Oriam completes synthetic pitch renovation project

A major upgrade to the playing surfaces at Oriam is now complete ushering in a new era of sporting excellence at the Edinburgh venue.

The £800,000 project, funded by Heriot-Watt University, has resulted in the renovation of three synthetic pitches. Each was uplifted and then replaced with cutting-edge materials using sustainable innovations.

Such is the quality of the new playing surfaces that they have achieved the prestigious FIFA 2 Star* MX Elite Professional Standard and IRB Compliant World Rugby certification.

This upgrade is expected to have a lasting impact on Oriam’s customers and professional athletes and teams who use the venue, including the Scottish Rugby Union, Scottish Football Association, Heart of Midlothian FC, and Heriot-Watt University Sports Union. It also reaffirms Oriam and Heriot-Watt University as a hub for sport and exercise in Scotland, catering to professional, university, and recreational athletes alike.

The project was led by Oriam’s Head of Operations, John Lowe, and took six months to complete. Reflecting on this achievement, John said: “It has been an honour to oversee the synthetic pitch replacement project.

“Heriot-Watt University’s £800,000 investment not only ensures Oriam remains a leader in world-class sports facilities but also demonstrates remarkable ambition. Completing the project from financial approvals to installation in under eight months is a testament to the dedication of my colleagues and the successful collaboration with Sportex and Sports Labs.”

The refurbishment was carried out by Sportex, a company who specialise in sports surfacing.

Luke McGeechan from Sportex highlighted their commitment to sustainability during the process: “At Sportex, we are proud to support sustainability through our Sportex Recycling programme. By carefully removing, separating, and repurposing the old turf from Oriam, we’ve minimised waste while promoting a more eco-friendly sports industry.”

The arrival of the new playing surfaces highlights the University’s commitment to deliver the best facilities for its students. This continued investment in sport has seen Heriot-Watt attract top sporting talent from across the world through the introduction of a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses and the University’s innovative Sports Scholarship Programme, which allows student athletes to balance their studies whilst continuing to compete at the highest level.

Lynda Johnstone is Global Director of Estates and Facilities at Heriot-Watt University. She said: “This major upgrade to the playing surfaces at Oriam is an £800,000 investment by Heriot-Watt University and showcases our continued commitment to providing world-class facilities for athletes at all levels, from students to professionals.

“By embracing cutting-edge, sustainable innovations, we have reaffirmed Oriam’s position at the heart of sports and exercise in Scotland.”

Edinburgh to host European quantum light tour

Scotland is to host a quantum light source that is travelling across 12 countries in Europe.

Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh is the only Scottish stop on the tour – called the QuanTour – which aims to raise interest in quantum physics ahead of next year’s UNESCO International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025.

The quantum light source is a device that produces single particles of light, called photons. By engineering on a microscopic level, scientists are harnessing the physics of these single photons to develop ultra-high performance applications, including more powerful computing and unconditionally secure communications.

At Heriot-Watt, the QuanTour will arrive today (Monday 11 November) at the lab of Brian Gerardot, an expert in quantum photonics – the science of light – who is a Professor of Physics at Heriot-Watt’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences and head of the University’s Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences (IPAQS).

IPAQS carries out a wide range of world-leading research in photonic physics, engineering photonics and quantum sciences, building on Heriot-Watt’s 40+ years legacy in global photonics research.

Professor Gerardot said: “We’re very excited to be hosting the QuanTour light source. It’s a great opportunity to connect with the research community in this area and also to celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology.

“Heriot-Watt has been at the forefront of this field of quantum optics for more than 25 years and a lot of the technology behind the quantum light source has been developed here and in the other laboratories taking part.”

From its starting point in Germany, the QuanTour is visiting labs in Austria (Linz), Italy (Rome), Switzerland (Basel), Spain (Madrid), France (Paris), England (Cambridge), Ireland (Cork), Scotland (Edinburgh), the Netherlands (Leiden), Denmark (Copenhagen), Sweden (Stockholm) and Poland (Wrocław). The quantum light source is being carried in a silver metal case and will arrive in Scotland from Cork in Ireland, before heading to Leiden in the Netherlands.

The tour aims to show how photons are being used in quantum communication and why this is important.

“Using single photons to encrypt data makes communication completely unhackable,” explained Frederik Brooke Barnes, a Postgraduate Research Student working with Professor Gerardot and an expert in quantum cryptography – which broadly involves using quantum mechanics in cybersecurity.

“It means that someone trying to eavesdrop on the information being sent can’t do so without being detected. This means that the information is always going to be secure and is guaranteed by the laws of physics.”

The quantum light source was built at Technische Universität Berlin, a research university in Berlin, and generates photons using a ‘quantum dot.’

This is a tiny structure made of semiconductor materials commonly found in our mobile phones, but in this case shrunken to just a few nanometres in size.

A nanometre is one billionth of a metre. The quantum dot is embedded in a bull’s eye-like structure, which acts like mirrors to direct the single particles of light into a beam that can be transmitted long-distances.

“The bull’s eye is about 20 times smaller than the width of a human hair,” Frederik explained. “And the quantum dot is about 1,000 times smaller than that!”

Frederik and fellow PhD student Sheena Shaji have organised a welcoming event for the QuanTour, including a Scottish bagpiper.

During its three-week stay at Heriot-Watt, the team will measure and record the characteristics of the photons produced and share this data with the other quantum teams taking part.

Although the QuanTour’s visit to Edinburgh won’t be open to the public, Heriot-Watt University is hosting a separate Single Photon Workshop event that is open to all. This takes place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre over five days from 18 to 22 November, 2024, and will showcase cutting-edge advances in photonics and quantum technology.

Quantum 2025 Poster A2 (1)Download

The UNESCO International Year of Quantum Science and Technology 2025 is a year-long, worldwide initiative to increase public awareness about the importance of quantum science and its applications.

The year 2025 was chosen for this international year because it recognises 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics.

UNESCO – the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organisation – is a United Nations agency that promotes international cooperation in education, sciences and culture.

The United Nations is an international organisation founded in 1945 after the Second World War to find shared solutions to common problems. It currently has 193 Member States.

Professor Brian Gerardot has been researching quantum photonics for around 25 years and holds a Chair in Emerging Technologies from the Royal Academy of Engineering. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Materials Science from Purdue University in Indiana, United States, and a PhD from University of California, Santa Barbara.

Frederik Brooke Barnes has a Master of Physics degree from the University of Manchester and is researching the science of quantum cryptography with quantum dots for his PhD at Heriot-Watt University.

Sheena Shaji has a Master of Physics degree from the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research in Thiruvananthapuram, India, and for her PhD at Heriot-Watt University is researching a technique to collect light from multiple quantum dots on one chip to study their interactions.

Scottish brewing and distilling award to help open a new distillery in Hawaii

Hawaii could soon be welcoming a new distillery after a postgraduate student at Scotland’s Heriot-Watt University won a prestigious entrepreneurial award.

Canadian student Ethan Wang, 42, wants to open a new distillery on Hawaii’s scenic volcanic island of Maui and said he was in “total shock” after winning cash and support from an industry membership organisation to help make his idea happen.

The award, called the Worshipful Company of Distillers’ Entrepreneurship Award, is designed to help students apply their science in the real world and is run jointly by Heriot-Watt’s respected International Centre for Brewing and Distilling (ICBD) and The Worshipful Company of Distillers, a historic trade association in the City of London.

“Maui is an ocean paradise and is one of the finest places in the world to get botanical ingredients and clean flavours,” said Ethan, who is currently studying online with ICBD to complete a Master of Science degree in Brewing and Distilling.

“Winning this award was such great news to wake up to in Hawaii. It will help me buy additional expensive tools for flavour extraction – and having an experienced industry body to guide me with my planning will be a huge help.”

Ethan is originally from Victoria in British Columbia, Canada, where he studied a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Victoria. He first visited Hawaii during his early career in accountancy and finance and got married there in 2011. Since then, he has visited Maui, the second largest island in the Hawaiian archipelago, every year.

Ethan says the £5,000 prize money from the award is an important addition to the personal savings he is investing to open the distillery, which will produce spirits including gin, vodka, blended whisky, Japanese shochu – a spirit typically distilled from ingredients including rice, barley and sweet potatoes – and Korean soju, also traditionally made from rice.

Called the Kamehameha Distillery, Ethan’s distillery will be based in Kula, a scenic rural area of Maui on the slopes of a dormant volcano called Haleakalā.

“The site offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and the lush, rolling hills of upcountry Maui,” Ethan says. “Hawaii’s tropical climate is warm and humid, but up in Kula, the air is cooler and crisper, especially in the evenings.

“This variation in temperature, along with the volcanic soil and the sea air, has a profound influence on the ingredients we use, from the hibiscus flowers to the sea grapes. The clean, fresh environment helps preserve the natural flavours, giving our products a unique and authentic taste that truly reflects the land they come from.”

Kamehameha’s products are designed to appeal particularly to American and Japanese markets. But Ethan’s longer-term vision is to expand globally and to create opportunities locally in Hawaii.

“Supporting the island’s economy is vital – and I want to create meaningful opportunities for the local community, including creating jobs and fostering partnerships with local farmers and suppliers,” he says.

“In the long term, I see Kamehameha Distillery expanding beyond Hawaii and introducing the world to unique, authentic Hawaiian flavours. International expansion is a goal, as I want our spirits to be enjoyed globally, not just as beverages but as an experience of Hawaiian culture.”

Heriot-Watt University has been researching brewing and distilling since 1903 and formed the International Centre for Brewing and Distilling in 1990 to meet the needs of the brewing, distilling and malting industries worldwide.

Part of the university’s School of Engineering & Physical Sciences, the centre has an international reputation for learning and teaching in brewing and distilling.

Its degrees prepare students to enter the malting, brewing or distilling industries and cover a broad range of subjects including brewing and distilling science, chemical engineering, business studies and production management.

The centre’s on-campus facilities in Edinburgh include a 200-litre capacity brewery, a mobile mashing unit and cereal cooker, a mash filter, fermentation vessels, stills and a laboratory.

Dr David Jenkins, Assistant Professor in Brewing and Distilling at ICBD and also an MSc programme leader, said: “Ethan’s plans for his Hawaiian distillery are incredibly exciting and it’s fantastic to help fund his vision.

“Jumping from a science degree to the real world can be challenging – so our focus is on helping students apply what they learn to their own entrepreneurial ideas. There are always new opportunities in the drinks industry – and we look forward to seeing Ethan’s business grow.”

Lorne MacKillop of the Worshipful Company of Distillers – the company’s ‘Master’ this year and figurehead – has spent 47 years in the wines and spirits sector. He said: “Education is an important part of our role and we support a number of awards and scholarships in the science of distilling.

“These are designed to help students achieve excellence in their craft and apply their knowledge to real-world businesses and innovations. We were hugely impressed with Ethan’s submission for our Heriot-Watt University award and are delighted to support him in his new venture.”

The Worshipful Company of Distillers (the WCD) was formed in 1638 when King Charles I granted the company a Royal Charter. The organisation is a City Livery Company – a trade guild that once acted as a modern day trade association, but whose powers to regulate alcoholic spirits were discontinued in the 19th Century. Today its function revolves around industry philanthropy, education, networking and fellowship.

The company’s industry mentoring capacity will involve providing a hand-picked mentor from amongst those members freely giving their time to help support mentees like Ethan.

The WCD has run its mentoring scheme for three years and has about 45 mentees presently in the programme, chosen from those students who are sponsored with bursaries at the training providers used.

Ethan hopes to have the Kamehameha Distillery open by the end of 2024.

Webinar examines the key role of higher education in supporting enhanced healthcare innovation

InnoScot Health’s last ‘lunch & learn’ session for the first half of 2024 is entitled Engaging students in healthcare innovation for an improved NHS and will provide interesting perspectives on this key facet of turning ideas into health service improvements. 

Hosted on Microsoft Teams on Wednesday 26 June from 12 until 12.45pm, the free to join webinar will be introduced by Innovation Manager, Fiona Schaefer. 

She will discuss InnoScot Health’s work over the past two years in providing more than 10 teams of students from Heriot-Watt University Engineering Design and Manufacture and Glasgow School of Art’s product design manufacture students with real world project briefs from NHS innovators. 

Fiona will be joined by two guest speakers: 

  • Dr Faezeh Shalchy, Assistant Professor at Heriot-Watt University’s School of Engineering and Physical Sciences who has been providing academic support to engineering design and manufacturing students working on healthcare projects 
  • Lorraine Thomson, Business Engagement Manager at Interface who works with organisations to match them to Scotland’s world-leading academic expertise, helping to turn innovative ideas into reality 

Fiona said: “Over the past couple of years, InnoScot Health has successfully engaged with students at Heriot-Watt University and Glasgow School of Art. This has resulted in enduring collaborative relationships and this webinar will provide a showcase of successes to date. 

“We’re also delighted to have great guest speakers – Dr Shalchy who is a forward-thinking engineer specialising in projects which aim to enhance lives. 

“Interface will also provide engaging views which draw on its role as a central hub connecting industry and academia, often leading to enhanced healthcare innovation. 

“A Q&A section will round off the webinar, allowing attendees to probe and receive guidance on their own particular areas of interest.” 

“While InnoScot Health is pausing its webinar series for the summer holiday season and recommencing in late August, we’re already looking to the autumn for innovation challenges which could suit engagement with engineering students to explore a new concept, test ideas, or explore solutions to a pressing problem.” 

Heriot-Watt University to host the 44th Annual Sunbelt Conference

Heriot-Watt University will host the 44th Annual Sunbelt Conference from 23-30 June at its campus in Edinburgh. The conference, widely known as the most significant annual event in network analysis, has never been held in Scotland before.

It has been organised by Heriot-Watt University’s Centre for Networks and Enterprise Excellence (CNEE), together with the International Network for Social Network Analysis (INSNA).

Social Network Analysis (SNA) is a methodological approach for studying social structures through the use of networks and graph theory. It involves mapping and measuring relationships and flows between people, groups, organisations, and other connected entities. This analysis is used to understand the patterns and implications of these relationships.

The theme of Sunbelt 2024 is ‘Networks and Resilience’, and it will examine how resilience determines the ability of socio-economic, socio-ecological, infrastructural, and organisational systems to function while under strain.

Professor Dame Heather McGregor, member of the Heriot-Watt University Executive as well as a member of the organising committee for Sunbelt 2024 said: “The conference will bring several advantages to Scotland.

“Not only will it offer the Scottish academic community, including Heriot-Watt’s own staff and students, the chance to meet these world class scholars in person, but the arrival of an extra 1,000+ visitors from across the world will be an opportunity to showcase our wonderful country and boost the local economy.”

The Sunbelt Conference is an interdisciplinary event, with academic papers and presentations on social science, mathematics, humanities and physics.

This year, the Conference will see over 700 papers being presented in 59 thematic areas, representing work across more than 500 Universities. It will host a total of 39 workshops, four keynotes, a poster session, a number of satellite events and panels.

There will be several contemporary debates on sustainability, complexity, social influence, innovation, organisational efficiency, and phase transitions associated with Network Resilience.

Heriot-Watt University is home to CNEE which has active projects on innovation, knowledge exchange, decarbonisation, and finance that transform practice and shape the future.

INSNA is the professional association for researchers interested in social network analysis. The association is a non-profit organisation incorporated in the state of Delaware and founded by Barry Wellman in 1977.