Funding success supports research in photon detection and superconductivity.
Congratulations to Dr Federica Oliva and Dr Israel Osmond who have received Royal Society of Edinburgh research grants.
The Royal Society of Edinburgh’s (RSE) Research Awards Programme opens in spring and autumn each year and aims to support Scotland’s research sector by nurturing promising talent, stimulating research in Scotland, and promoting international collaboration. In this latest round of awards, 92 research projects were selected, funding innovative research across a range of academic fields.
Enhancing photon detector research & development capability
Dr Federica Oliva
Photon detectors record single photons with exceptional precision, enabling advances in physics, astronomy, medicine, and quantum technologies. Future high energy physics experiments, operating at extremely high rates, will further challenge the performance limits of current detector technologies. New devices are needed that are more sensitive, faster, and more reliable over long periods, even in demanding conditions. This RSE grant will support the expansion of facilities in Edinburgh, enabling the testing of silicon photomultipliers for future applications in high energy physics experiments and beyond. The project will strengthen UK capability in advanced photon detection technology, drive innovation across research and healthcare, and help train future experts.
Developing technology for novel hydride superconductor characterisation
Dr Israel Osmond
Superconductivity, the ability of certain materials to conduct electricity without resistance, has transformative potential for energy transmission and quantum computing, but it is observed at extremely low temperatures (typically below -200°C). Recently discovered hydrogen-based compounds can host superconductivity at temperatures approaching 0°C, but require millions of atmospheres of pressure to stabilise the hydrogen networks beneficial to superconductivity.
Achieving these required pressures requires diamond anvil cells (DACs), where samples are compressed between the tips of two opposing diamonds. This RSE grant will produce bespoke DACs for measuring samples at the low-temperature, high-pressure and high-magnetic field conditions to characterise novel hydride superconductors.