Congratulations to Dr Ross Howie and Dr Davide Michieletto who were awarded European Research Council starting grants.
The European Research Council (ERC) awards starting grants each year to talented early-career scientists who have already produced excellent supervised work and show potential to be a research leader.
Metallisation of hydrogen
Ross’s project concerns the metallisation of hydrogen. Element number one, hydrogen, is the simplest and most abundant element in the universe. The relative abundance is reflected in the gas giant Jupiter, where under extreme pressures and temperatures, hydrogen exists in a dense metallic fluid state. In 1935, it was predicted that such a metallic state could also be realised at considerably lower temperatures, but up to now this has not been achieved. The metallic state of hydrogen is expected to exhibit a whole host of fascinating properties at high pressure, from room temperature superconductivity, to a novel superfluid liquid ground state. It is thus the holy grail of extreme condition science. Recent experimental progress has brought us tantalizingly close to the metallisation conditions, but the metallic state has remained elusive. Ross proposes a novel hydrogen research programme that will combine complex diamond sculpting, time resolved spectroscopy and novel fast compression techniques to extend the pressures achievable in the lab. The project promises to resolve many outstanding questions surrounding one of the most fundamental unsolved problems in condensed matter physics: the metallisation of element one.
Topologically active polymers
Davide is a recently appointed Royal Society University Research Fellow. His project concerns synthetic and biological polymers: such as the ones that make every-day plastics and living cells. Most of the polymers in everyday materials have a fixed structure that cannot be changed in time. In this project, Davide proposes to shift this paradigm by considering polymers whose architecture can be modified in time via operations that cut and glue the polymers' backbone at the expense of energy. Davide names them "topologically active polymers" (TAPs). These novel polymers may find applications in medical devices, such as hydrogels that can selectively respond to the concentration of certain proteins. Given the fundamental importance of polymer science and the ubiquity of protein-regulated topology-altering operations on DNA in vivo, this exciting bottom-up project will not only open a new area of fundamental research with potential far-reaching applications but will also shed new light into the workings of certain vitally important classes of proteins.
Both Ross Howie and Davide Michieletto are based in the School’s Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems.
Identifying and tackling gaps in soft matter knowledge base to better prepare for viral pandemics.
Much of the science underpinning the global response to the COVID-19 pandemic lies in the soft matter domain. Coronaviruses are composite particles with a core of nucleic acids complexed to proteins surrounded by a protein-studded lipid bilayer shell. A dominant route for transmission is via air-borne aerosols and droplets. Viral interaction with polymeric body fluids, particularly mucus, and cell membranes controls their infectivity, while their interaction with skin and artificial surfaces underpins cleaning and disinfection and the efficacy of masks and other personal protective equipment. The global response to COVID-19 has highlighted gaps in the soft matter knowledge base.
The invited article in the journal Soft Matter written by Prof Poon and colleagues from the Edinburgh Complex Fluids Partnership surveys these gaps, especially as pertaining to the transmission of the disease, and suggest questions that can (and need to) be tackled, both in response to COVID-19 and to better prepare for future viral pandemics.
Pupils from Craigour Park Primary School quiz physicists and share interviews about their research.
The School of Physics and Astronomy is keen to work with children in local schools in order to engage them in what we do, and encourage them to develop their interest in and understanding of science.
One recent project conducted prior to lockdown involved 20 Primary 7 pupils from Craigour Park Primary School in Edinburgh. At school, pupils learnt about science journalism and gained interview skills. They then had the opportunity to undertake preliminary research on the work of the scientists they were to interview.
After conducting the interviews with research staff and PhD students, they then wrote up their feedback, which feature some of the challenges and successes of our research colleagues. They also included some of the fun facts which they gleamed from researchers. They shared their resulting 'science journal' with the wider school community at a science fair organised earlier this year.
Their interviews are published on the School of Physics and Astronomy blog.
The School welcomes applications from both external and internal scientists interested in applying for personal fellowships. In particular we have internal deadlines in October 2020 for UKRI Future Leader Fellowships and Stephen Hawking Fellowships.
We are keen to attract outstanding researchers from Edinburgh and across the world to join us as Postdoctoral Fellows. We offer a high quality research environment and support for you in your fellowship application process.
Fellowship opportunities
The School operates an internal review process for a number of following fellowship opportunities.
This autumn's internal deadlines are:
- Stephen Hawking Fellowship round 2: 4pm Monday 5th October 2020
- UKRI Future Leader Fellowships round 6: 4pm Monday 19th October 2020
We also welcome applicants for other fellowships, including ESPRC Early Career Fellowships and Dorothy Hodgkin Fellowships.
Application information
Candidates are expected to have a PhD in Physics, Astronomy or a related discipline, and in most cases a few years research experience, as well as the ability to present clear evidence of their potential to undertake leading research.
The School of Physics and Astronomy is committed to advancing equality and diversity, welcoming applications from everyone irrespective of gender, ethnic group or nationality. We particularly encourage applications from female and/or BAME candidates.
How to apply
Candidates must submit the information outlined in the link below.
This prize is granted in recognition of work of outstanding quality in the field of colloid and interface science.
ECIS-Solvay Prize
The European Colloid and Interface Society (ECIS) works to advance colloid and interface science and to promote cooperation between scientists. The prize is granted annually to a European scientist for original scientific work of outstanding quality, described in one or several publications, patents or other documents made public in the previous five years.
The citation of Prof Poon’s award reads: “Wilson Poon is a world-leading soft matter and biological physicist, who has made seminal contributions across many areas of colloid and interface science. The ECIS-Solvay 2020 prize is awarded for the development of a unifying framework to describe rheology of concentrated particles suspensions, mechanism of shear thickening, and an explanatory frame to account for phenomena of industrial relevance.”
Colloidial research
Based in the School’s Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, Prof Poon works on 'model' colloids to study phenomena that are ubiquitous across condensed matter and statistical physics, particularly the structure and dynamics of arrested states such as glasses and gels. Understanding such states is one of the challenges facing 21st century physics, and at the same time, they occur widely in a very large range of industrial processes and products. To exploit the latter connections, Prof Poon set up the Edinburgh Complex Fluids Partnership (ECFP) to coordinate industrial consultancy. ECFP clients now span many sectors, from food and confectionaries through personal care to specialty and agri-chemicals. The work for which he was recognised by ECIS has partly been inspired by real-life industrial problems and partly performed with industrial partners such as Mars Chocolate and Johnson Matthey. A lecture describing the relevance of his work to chocolate manufacturing can be found below under ‘Related Links’.
Prof Poon also works on the physics of active particles. These colloids are intrinsically non-equilibrium, in that they continually transduce free energy from their surroundings to engage in activities such as growth (in size and number) and self propulsion (i.e. they are micro-swimmers). The goal of Prof Poon and his team of researchers is to discover and understand new modes of collective behaviour in active particle systems, both on their own, and in the company of passive particles. The results should provide impetus for theory development in a frontier area of statistical mechanics, lead to new material designs, and throw light on selected biological phenomena (such as the growth of biofilms).
New wiki page contains information, guidance and resources for postdoctoral research staff.
While University and School webpages contain a range of information and resources for staff, the School of Physics and Astronomy wanted to create a resource aimed specifically at postdoctoral research staff. The wiki produced by the School contains information on grants and funding, resources on career and personal development, and practical guidance aimed at new staff recruited to the School.
The resource was largely put together by student intern, Teodora-Elena Bulichi (who is due to commence year 3 of her MPhys Physics degree), with guidance and support from Prof Rosalind Allen, the School’s postdoc champion, and Dr. Adam Stevens, who leads the School’s Physics and Astronomy Research Staff Society (PARSS). Teodora undertook this summer internship as part of a University of Edinburgh Careers Service Employ.ed on Campus opportunity.
Teodora-Elena Bulichi commented:
I thought it was a great opportunity for me to meet fellow staff members, help contribute to a valuable project and to gain lots of insights into the workings of the School and University.
Prof Rosalind Allen commented:
We’ve really enjoyed working with Teodora over the summer, and we are grateful for the commitment she has shown and the work she has completed. We hope that our postdoctoral research community find this wiki to be a valuable resource.
The University Research Fellowship scheme supports outstanding scientists who have the potential to become leaders in their field.
The Royal Society’s University Research Fellowship scheme is aimed at outstanding scientists who are in the early stages of their research career and have the potential to become leaders in their field.
Davide is based in the School’s Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems, and his main research areas are biophysics and soft matter. He is interested in understanding how DNA organisation and topology – that property of a line that tells you if it is knotted - are regulated in vivo. In spite of the extreme confinement of DNA in vivo (we have 2 meters of it in each human cell!) an army of sophisticated and vitally important proteins keep DNA free of knots and entanglements. Ultimately, he aims to draw inspiration from these mesmerising mechanisms to create “topologically active” complex fluids and materials with novel properties that exploit DNA’s unique capabilities. Potential applications include DNA-based bio- and nano-technology such as novel drug delivery carriers, hydrogels and sensors.
Davide said:
I am extremely pleased and honoured to have received this prestigious award from the Royal Society. I am looking forward to start this new adventure and particularly thrilled by the fact that I will be able to perform experiments as well as theory and simulations.
Involvement in the National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) biofilm awareness campaign, #BiofilmAware, which will run over the next 12 months.
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre
The National Biofilms Innovation Centre (NBIC) is an Innovation Knowledge Centre (IKC) and is led by four Universities, including staff from the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, and colleagues from the universities of Liverpool, Nottingham and Southampton, with a consortium of 52 academic partner institutions across the UK. It is the central hub where academia, industry, government, and public policy come together to tackle the challenges biofilms present, impacting £5 trillion in global economic activity, from food and health to ships, clean water and energy.
Biofilms
Biofilms are well known to a number of research and development disciplines, but not to the general public. What they are, how they are formed and how they impact our world, generally is still a mystery to those outside the scientific community. Through a blend of content, events and outreach activities #BiofilmAware will work to raise awareness of NBIC and its research, and the many societal and economic impacts of biofilms. A highlight of the campaign will be the introduction of the UK’s first #BiofilmWeek, to be held in July 2021.
Professor Cait MacPhee, Co-Director of NBIC and Personal Chair of Biological Physics, School of Physics and Astronomy, said:
Microbial biofilms are the predominant form of microbial life on Earth and they impact us daily, in so many different ways. Because they are so ubiquitous, we need a truly interdisciplinary approach to studying them, as well as input from the public to understand their needs and concerns. NBIC is an innovation knowledge centre that links up industry and academics to deliver the best, most relevant and life-changing science to the public. The #BiofilmAware campaign starts the dialogue to ensure people’s needs are and will be met.
Latest research suggests that dark matter is more evenly spread across the Universe than previously thought
Researchers say that invisible dark matter is around 10 per cent less clumpy than expected and maps of more than 30 million galaxies reveal a smoother sweep of the elusive material than predicted by the leading theory about the Universe’s early expansion. The theory – based on knowledge of the Universe’s make-up right after the Big Bang – predicts that dark matter should be dotted around the Universe in denser clumps than the astronomers have observed.
An international team used a telescope at the European Southern Observatory in Chile to study the light emitted by millions of galaxies – some more than 10 billion light years away. Analysing how the gravitational tug of dark matter altered the direction of emitted light enabled the team to map out the matter in the Universe. Professor Catherine Heymans, of the University of Edinburgh’s School of Physics and Astronomy, who led the research team, said:
The results are fascinating as we directly map out the mysterious dark side of our Universe
Unidentified gaps in the standard model of Cosmology could explain why the team’s findings about dark matter – which has never been directly detected – differed from predictions. Dr Marika Asgari, from the School of Physics and Astronomy, who co-led the analysis, calls the result 'intriguing':
The standard model of Cosmology relies on rather mysterious physics that we call dark matter and dark energy. Scientists have to test this remarkable model in as many ways as possible, and that is exactly what we are doing
The latest findings from the Kilo-Degree Survey (KiDS) appear in five articles submitted for publication in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics. The work was co-led by scientists from the University of Edinburgh, University College London, the Ruhr-University Bochum in Germany and Leiden University in The Netherlands. The research builds on previous work by the KiDS team to map 15 million galaxies. Dr Tilman Tröster, from the School of Physics and Astronomy, who co-led the analysis, said:
The KiDS results may indicate small cracks in the standard model, just like another discrepancy in the expansion rate of the Universe, the so-called Hubble constant. The question is whether these can be solved with a small adjustment, for example with a somewhat more complex behavior of dark matter than the simple hypothesis of totally inert 'cold dark matter
Curiosity boxes packed with fun STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths) activities have been given the thumbs up by primary school pupils in Edinburgh.
The School of Physics and Astronomy joined the project led by Edinburgh BioQuarter to provide education packs to children in its neighbouring communities at Craigmillar, Niddrie, Moredun and Gilmerton after being approached by local teachers for support.
Dr Jean-Christophe Denis, the Ogden Outreach Officer at the School of Physics and Astronomy, was approached by both local schools and colleague Cathy Southworth, BioQuarter’s community science engagement manager, to initiate the project to provide enough STEM activity boxes for children in the surrounding neighbourhoods. The School of Physics and Astronomy contributed to the £20,000 raised to finance the project, and provided logistical helps thanks to the good relationships already established with the local community.
Jean-Christophe said:
Over the past years, we have done a lot of work to develop good relationships with our local neighbours so that we can mutually benefit from our interactions. We have been running year-long weekly science clubs in schools in Craigmillar and Moredun, delivered tailored activities for the local schools, a local holidays programme offered by Edinburgh City Council and helped organised the Craigmillar science festival since its start. We believe that it is our duty to engage with the communities physically near us and build bridges between our campus and local residents.
Unfortunately, the Covid-19 crisis put a brutal stop to our activities in these communities. We know that these times are very challenging for all of us, and we wanted to do our part to support local families. Schools had informed me about the difficulties some families face regarding access to materials to do home schooling effectively. When Cathy mentioned the idea of sending STEM boxes to the community, I knew this was the answer and the right thing to do.
Eight-year-old Seamus Whelan, a pupil at St Francis Primary in Craigmillar, is delighted with his STEM box. He lives with his mum Kara, an early literacy project manager with a local charity, dad John, who works in a homeless hostel, his older brother Oisin and his dog, Buddy.
Kara said:
Seamus loves STEM work and it really captured his imagination over lockdown. His grandparents sent him a microscope for his 8th birthday in May and he set up his own YouTube channel 'Snake creations' to share the science videos he was making with his Dad.
When we realised the STEM boxes were available we were thrilled. A lot of children will be keen to do activities over the summer whereas before lockdown, when boundaries between school and home were clearer, the end of the school year would have drawn the line for educational pursuits.
Mhairi MacDonald, depute head teacher at Niddrie Mill Primary School, made the initial approach for support.
She commented:
Like many families across the city, lots of our children and their loved ones have found lockdown difficult. Some have experienced more financial difficulties and have struggled without the structure and resources that school usually brings. A number of families also do not have a garden, so keeping the children entertained in a contained space has been challenging. During COVID we have had many families in crisis looking for support to make their home a more positive place to be.
We are limited to what we can offer but reached out to Edinburgh BioQuarter and asked if they could help, and they provided us with these wonderful exciting science boxes, fully funded. These boxes were offered to all children locally to offer equitable experiences during lock down.