Our brains are very complex organs, with huge variety between individuals in terms of the overall volume of the brain, how it is folded and how thick these folds are. Little is known about how our genetic make-up shapes the development of the brain.

To answer this question, a team led by researchers at the Autism Research Centre, University of Cambridge, accessed MRI scans from over 32,000 adults from the UK Biobank cohort and over 4,000 children from the US-based ABCD study. From these scans, the researchers measured multiple properties of the outermost layer of the brain called the cortex. These included measures of the area and volume of the cortex as well as how the cortex is folded.

They then linked these properties, measured both across the entire cortex as well as in 180 individual regions of the cortex, to genetic information across the genome. The team identified over 4,000 genetic variants linked to brain structure.

These findings have allowed researchers to confirm and, in some cases, identify, how different properties of the brain are genetically linked to each other.

Dr Varun Warrier from the Autism Research Centre, who co-led the study, said: “One question that has interested us for a while is if the same genes that are linked to how big the cortex is – measured as both volume and area – are also linked to how the cortex is folded. By measuring these different properties of the brain and linking them to genetics, we found that different sets of genes contribute to folding and size of the cortex.”

The team also checked whether the same genes that are linked to variation in brain size in the general population overlap with genes linked to clinical conditions where head sizes are much larger or smaller than the general population, known as cephalic conditions.

Dr Richard Bethlehem, also from the Autism Research Centre and a co-lead of the study, said: “Many of the genes linked with differences in the brain sizes in the general population overlapped with genes implicated in cephalic conditions. However, we still do not know how exactly these genes lead to changes in brain size.”

Dr Warrier added: “This work shows that how our brain develops is partly genetic. Our findings can be used to understand how changes in the shape and size of the brain can lead to neurological and psychiatric conditions, potentially leading to better treatment and support for those who need it.”

This study was supported by the Wellcome Trust. It was conducted in association with the NIHR CLAHRC for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Foundation Trust, and the NIHR Cambridge Biomedical Research Centre.

Source: University of Cambridge

Experts from the University of Nottingham’s School of Computer Science have been awarded almost £700,000 funding from EPSRC to lead a project to enhance understanding of SMEs’ cyber security support needs and their ability to address them.

The research aims to establish pilot Cyber Security Communities of Support (CyCOS), bringing together SMEs and advisory sources for practical help and support.  The UK Cyber Security Breaches Survey indicates that half of small and a third of micro businesses experienced breaches or attacks in the last year. Whilst they do seek external guidance in relation to cyber security, they do so via a huge range of sources, and often find themselves overwhelmed with information and unable to understand the advice.

The research team includes Dr Maria Bada from Queen Mary University of London and Dr Jason Nurse from the University of Kent and is led by Steven Furnell, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Nottingham.

Businesses know there is a need to protect themselves from cyber attacks, but knowing just how to do this and where to go for trusted help can be a minefield. We want to make the process of accessing help easier and more targeted. Our research will improve understanding of SME needs and the perspective of those that they turn to for support. We will then use these insights as a foundation for the design and evaluation of a new and more accessible model for support with the Communities of Support pilots.

Steven Furnell, Professor of Cyber Security at the University of Nottingham

The research will investigate the support needs of small businesses, to establish their current understanding and confidence around cyber security, and their awareness and perceptions of available support. The investigation will seek to determine the scenarios in which cyber security advice is sought (e.g. during product evaluation, at point of purchase, in response to threats and incidents), and whether it is deemed effective.

The project will also analyse support routes available to these businesses, focusing on the coverage and consistency of advice, as well as the confidence and capacity of those providing it.

Research findings will be used to establish three pilot CyCOS which will include the creation of an online Support Broker, enabling the SMEs to identify support needs and contact advisory sources positioned to help them (which, as the community develops and grows in experience, may include peer support from other SMEs). The project offers upskilling opportunities for advisors and interested SMEs, via foundational cyber security certification to increase their related knowledge and capability.

The research is supported by strong industry collaboration, with partners including the Home Office, (ISC)2, IASME, the Chartered Institute of Information Security, the Centre for the New Midlands, and three regional Cyber Resilience Centres.

Professor Furnell adds: “This project is an exciting opportunity to plug a gap that exists in cyber security for SME’s. We hope that if successful the CyCOS model could be rolled out nationally and become a vital tool in the fight against cyber attacks.”

Source: University of Nottingham

Human error and uncertainty are concepts that many artificial intelligence systems fail to grasp, particularly in systems where a human provides feedback to a machine learning model. Many of these systems are programmed to assume that humans are always certain and correct, but real-world decision-making includes occasional mistakes and uncertainty.

Researchers from the University of Cambridge, along with The Alan Turing Institute, Princeton, and Google DeepMind, have been attempting to bridge the gap between human behaviour and machine learning, so that uncertainty can be more fully accounted for in AI applications where humans and machines are working together. This could help reduce risk and improve trust and reliability of these applications, especially where safety is critical, such as medical diagnosis.

The team adapted a well-known image classification dataset so that humans could provide feedback and indicate their level of uncertainty when labelling a particular image. The researchers found that training with uncertain labels can improve these systems’ performance in handling uncertain feedback, although humans also cause the overall performance of these hybrid systems to drop. Their results will be reported at the AAAI/ACM Conference on Artificial Intelligence, Ethics and Society (AIES 2023) in Montréal.

‘Human-in-the-loop’ machine learning systems – a type of AI system that enables human feedback – are often framed as a promising way to reduce risks in settings where automated models cannot be relied upon to make decisions alone. But what if the humans are unsure?

“Uncertainty is central in how humans reason about the world but many AI models fail to take this into account,” said first author Katherine Collins from Cambridge’s Department of Engineering. “A lot of developers are working to address model uncertainty, but less work has been done on addressing uncertainty from the person’s point of view.”

We are constantly making decisions based on the balance of probabilities, often without really thinking about it. Most of the time – for example, if we wave at someone who looks just like a friend but turns out to be a total stranger – there’s no harm if we get things wrong. However, in certain applications, uncertainty comes with real safety risks.

“Many human-AI systems assume that humans are always certain of their decisions, which isn’t how humans work – we all make mistakes,” said Collins. “We wanted to look at what happens when people express uncertainty, which is especially important in safety-critical settings, like a clinician working with a medical AI system.”

“We need better tools to recalibrate these models, so that the people working with them are empowered to say when they’re uncertain,” said co-author Matthew Barker, who recently completed his MEng degree at Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge. “Although machines can be trained with complete confidence, humans often can’t provide this, and machine learning models struggle with that uncertainty.”

For their study, the researchers used some of the benchmark machine learning datasets: one was for digit classification, another for classifying chest X-rays, and one for classifying images of birds. For the first two datasets, the researchers simulated uncertainty, but for the bird dataset, they had human participants indicate how certain they were of the images they were looking at: whether a bird was red or orange, for example. These annotated ‘soft labels’ provided by the human participants allowed the researchers to determine how the final output was changed. However, they found that performance degraded rapidly when machines were replaced with humans.

“We know from decades of behavioural research that humans are almost never 100% certain, but it’s a challenge to incorporate this into machine learning,” said Barker. “We’re trying to bridge the two fields so that machine learning can start to deal with human uncertainty where humans are part of the system.”

The researchers say their results have identified several open challenges when incorporating humans into machine learning models. They are releasing their datasets so that further research can be carried out and uncertainty might be built into machine learning systems.

“As some of our colleagues so brilliantly put it, uncertainty is a form of transparency, and that’s hugely important,” said Collins. “We need to figure out when we can trust a model and when to trust a human and why. In certain applications, we’re looking at probability over possibilities. Especially with the rise of chatbots, for example, we need models that better incorporate the language of possibility, which may lead to a more natural, safe experience.”

“In some ways, this work raised more questions than it answered,” said Barker. “But even though humans may be miscalibrated in their uncertainty, we can improve the trustworthiness and reliability of these human-in-the-loop systems by accounting for human behaviour.”

The research was supported in part by the Cambridge Trust, the Marshall Commission, the Leverhulme Trust, the Gates Cambridge Trust and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Source: University of Cambridge

“In a world overflowing with data, unlocking its power sets you apart. Data literacy is more relevant than ever for young learners and professionals wishing to upskill and reskill,” said Dr. Emily Pressman, who developed the SAS Data Literacy series. “Our courses are designed to be easily consumed by learners and integrated into instruction and professional development offerings.”

Whether a student, educator or professional, everyone can benefit from better data literacy. Educators can better prepare students for careers, while employers can improve the data literacy of their workforces. Business professionals can enhance their decision making through data analysis, and individuals can explore the power of data for personal and professional enrichment.

Key features make building relevant data literacy easy

Data Literacy in Practice makes learning about data fun, easy and practical. Key features include:

• User-friendly design – The course is for everyone, no matter where they are on their data literacy journey. By focusing on conceptual and practical understanding rather than distracting mathematical jargon, learners feel supported and encouraged throughout the process.
• Real-world examples – Data Literacy in Practice incorporates real-world examples, putting course takers in the shoes of a small business owner who utilizes data to drive informed decision making. By working through practical scenarios, learners develop the skills to apply data literacy knowledge in real-life situations.
• Convenient and self-paced – SAS Data Literacy e-learning courses offer the flexibility to learn at any pace, anytime and anywhere. With modularized content accessible on any device, users can easily fit learning into their schedules. The self-paced course can be completed in under three hours.

Part of a powerful data literacy duo

While Data Literacy in Practice can stand alone, it is even more powerful when combined with the free SAS Data Literacy Essentials course. Starting from the basics, Data Literacy Essentials introduces learners to fundamental data literacy concepts, such as what data is and why data literacy matters.

Data Literacy Essentials has been activated about 20,000 times in nearly 80 countries by more than 600 colleges and universities and 3,500 nonacademic organizations, including small businesses, large companies, government agencies and others. Users include hundreds of higher education faculty, including Paul Hansford, Associate Professor in the Business and Public Services Division at Sinclair Community College.

“Using short, impactful, high-quality videos, the course does an excellent job of introducing ways data is used in our professional and everyday lives, providing students with an entry-level, but solid foundation of data literacy concepts,” said Hansford. “Importantly, the course also addresses ethical considerations of data analysis. I highly recommend that everyone include this great intro to data literacy in their repertoire of tools for a competitive advantage in the workforce.”

By combining the knowledge gained from Data Literacy Essentials with the practical data visualization and exploration skills acquired in Data Literacy in Practice, learners will be fully equipped to embark on the next step toward data literacy: SAS® Visual Analytics 1. This three-course learning pathway of Data Literacy Essentials, Data Literacy in Practice and SAS Visual Analytics 1 sets learners on their analytics career journey.

Data literacy is a key to business resilience

In a time of global disruptions, resiliency determines which organizations struggle and which survive and thrive. In March, SAS released a global business survey report, Resiliency Rules, which explores the current state of business resiliency and what steps organizations are taking to navigate change and seize opportunity.

The survey of more than 2,400 business executives revealed a trend that high-resiliency organizations have a strong focus on data culture and literacy. More than having a tool for data management, resilient organizations create a culture of looking to data to help solve problems, answer questions and make decisions.

Source: SAS

Why Learning Basic English Words is Essential

Learning basic English words is essential for Hindi speakers due to its many benefits. English proficiency opens doors to various domestic and international employment opportunities, enabling career growth and higher earning potential. Moreover, it facilitates seamless travel experiences, allowing individuals to easily navigate different countries.

Additionally, English acts as a universal language for global communication, fostering connections and collaborations across borders. Embracing basic English words is a stepping stone toward personal and professional growth in today’s interconnected world.

The Importance of Learning Essential English Words

English is a lingua franca in many parts of the world, including India. Mastering key English words is crucial for effective communication. These words act as building blocks for expressing greetings, gratitude, requests, and more. By understanding their meanings, pronunciations, and cultural nuances, Hindi speakers can confidently enhance their language skills, bridge cultural gaps, and navigate various social and professional situations.

Let’s delve into the top 10 English words every Hindi speaker should know.

Word 1: Hello

In English, “hello” is a versatile and widely used word for greetings. Its meaning is simple yet powerful—it is a friendly and welcoming way to acknowledge someone’s presence. Pronounced as “heh-loh,” it can be used in various contexts, such as meeting someone for the first time, answering a phone call, or even as a general expression of acknowledgment. Learning “hello” is crucial for initiating conversations and establishing connections with English speakers.

Word 2: Thank you

Expressing gratitude is a universal gesture, and the English word is “thank you.” Pronounced as “thangk yoo,” this phrase holds significant value in both formal and informal settings. By saying “thank you,” you convey appreciation for someone’s help, kindness, or generosity. Whether it’s a simple act of holding the door open or receiving a thoughtful gift, using this word showcases politeness and acknowledges the positive actions of others.

Word 3: Yes and No

Clear communication often requires the ability to affirm or negate statements. In English, “yes” and “no” serve this purpose. Pronounced as “yehs” and “noh,” respectively, these words help in providing straightforward responses. Understanding how to appropriately use “yes” and “no” is crucial to avoid confusion and miscommunication. Mastering these words ensures effective dialogue in various situations, whether responding to a question or confirming an agreement.

Word 4: Please

Politeness and consideration play a vital role in any language. The word “please,” pronounced as “pleez,” is a fundamental term that adds politeness to requests, commands, or invitations. By using “please,” you demonstrate respect and courtesy towards others. Whether you’re ordering food at a restaurant, asking for assistance, or making a simple request, incorporating “please” into your language repertoire enhances communication and builds positive relationships.

Word 5: Goodbye

Saying goodbye is an inevitable part of our daily interactions. The English word for farewell is “goodbye.” Pronounced as “guhd-bahy,” it is used when parting ways with someone. From ending a phone conversation to bidding farewell to friends or colleagues, “goodbye” is a common expression acknowledging an interaction’s conclusion. Understanding its meaning and appropriate usage helps create smooth and respectful transitions in social and professional settings.

Word 6: Sorry

Apologies are essential for maintaining healthy relationships and resolving conflicts. In English, “sorry,” pronounced as “sah-ree,” is used to express remorse or acknowledge one’s mistakes or shortcomings. Whether it’s an accidental bump into someone, a miscommunication, or a genuine error, saying “sorry” demonstrates empathy and a willingness to make amends. Understanding the power of “sorry” helps foster understanding and build stronger connections with others.

Word 7: Help

Seeking assistance is a common part of daily life. The word “help,” pronounced as “hehlp,” is crucial in conveying this need. Whether you require guidance, support, or aid, using “help” allows you to express your requirements clearly. From asking for directions to requesting assistance in solving a problem, understanding how to use “help” effectively enables effective communication and ensures that your needs are understood.

Word 8: Time

Discussions about schedules, appointments, and time-related matters are common in both personal and professional contexts. Understanding “time,” pronounced as “tahym,” is vital for effective communication. From arranging meetings to making plans or simply asking for the time, mastering this word allows you to easily navigate time-related concepts. Understanding how to discuss time enables smoother interactions and ensures clarity in scheduling.

Word 9: Food

Food is a topic that brings people together and is often a source of cultural exchange. The English word for food, pronounced as “food,” discusses various culinary experiences. Whether you’re ordering a meal at a restaurant, discussing your dietary preferences, or exploring different cuisines, knowing “food” allows you to engage in conversations about gastronomy. Understanding food-related vocabulary enhances your cultural experiences and facilitates interactions in multicultural environments.

Word 10: Numbers

Numbers play a significant role in everyday life, from counting objects to understanding basic mathematical concepts. Mastering the English word for numbers, pronounced as “nuhm-bers,” is essential for communication involving quantities, measurements, or numerical information. Whether giving your phone number, discussing prices, or discussing numerical data, a strong grasp of numbers allows you to engage in various practical applications and everyday scenarios.

By familiarizing yourself with these top 10 English words, you can enhance your language skills, broaden your communication abilities, and confidently engage with English-speaking individuals. Remember, language learning is a journey, so keep practicing and expanding your vocabulary to further enrich your linguistic repertoire.

Tips for Learning English Vocabulary

To enhance your English vocabulary, consider the following tips;

• Surround yourself with English language content such as movies, music, and books to expose yourself to new words and phrases.
• Take advantage of technology using apps and websites designed to improve language skills through interactive exercises and vocabulary-building activities.
• Engage with native English speakers or find conversation partners to practice speaking and expand your vocabulary in real-life situations.
• Enroll in spoken English classes to receive professional guidance, practice speaking, and gain valuable feedback on your language skills.

Remember, consistent practice and exposure to the English language are key to improving your vocabulary and fluency.

Conclusion

In summary, mastering essential English words is crucial for Hindi speakers to effectively communicate and navigate a globalized world. By learning greetings, expressions of gratitude, and other essential vocabulary, Hindi speakers can confidently engage with English speakers and broaden their linguistic horizons. Keep learning and expanding your English vocabulary to unlock new opportunities and experiences.

According to an analysis of data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI), in 2021, work-related injuries receiving medical consultation surpassed 4 million in the U.S. Meanwhile, the preventable injury death rate of 3.1 workers per 100,000 was up from 3.0 in 2020; it’s safe to say that workplace safety programs require continued focus and prioritization to ensure optional safety for our workers. 

Security is an art; here are some key steps to creating a comprehensive workplace safety program.

Establish a Safety Committee

The first step in developing a sophisticated workplace safety program is to strategically form a top-notch safety committee, ideally composed of representatives from a range of departments throughout the organization. This committee will then be responsible for overseeing the development, implementation, and evaluation of the safety program; by involving employees from a variety of areas, you bring diverse perspectives and expertise to the table.

Conduct a Thorough Risk Assessment

Source: Unsplash

Comprehensive risk assessment is vital to identifying the potential hazards and risks lurking in the workplace. Critical steps include:

• Ensuring that the assessment spans physical, chemical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial factors
• Engaging the safety committee and employees in this process to gather valuable insights and observations regarding potential hazards
• Once identified, prioritize the risks based on severity and likelihood, and develop strategies to mitigate or eliminate them

Develop Safety Policies and Procedures

Based on the risk assessment findings, develop clear and concise safety policies and procedures that address the specific hazards and risks identified:

• These policies should include guidelines for proper equipment use, emergency protocols, accident reporting procedures, and any other relevant safety measures
• Ensure that these policies are readily available to all employees
• Be sure to regularly communicate updates or revisions

Integrate CCTV Cameras for Enhanced Workplace Safety

Incorporating CCTV cameras into the workplace provides a wealth of benefits; here’s how to integrate them:

• Identify critical areas, such as entry points, high-risk zones, and storage area
• Install appropriate cameras, considering factors such as weather resistance, night vision capabilities, and compliances needed such as ONVIF or FIPs certification
• Establish monitoring systems, ideally a centralized monitoring system for live feed monitoring featuring quick response protocols
• Communicate CCTV presence using signage
• Carry out regular maintenance to ensure cameras are working optimally at all times
• Respect privacy and legal considerations

Provide Employee Training and Education

Employee education and training are critical components of a successful safety program. Therefore: 

• Conduct regular training sessions to educate employees on workplace hazards, safe work practices, and the proper use of equipment and machinery
• Training should also cover emergency response procedures, including fire drills and evacuation plans
• Offer specialized training for specific job roles that come with their own unique set of safety considerations

Promote a Culture of Safety

Building a culture of safety is crucial to ensuring overall staff happiness, as well as the long-term success of both the program and the organization itself. So:

• Always encourage open, honest communication between employees and management regarding safety concerns, and welcome suggestions
• Recognize and reward any individual or team who demonstrates exemplary safety practices
• Regularly communicate the importance of workplace safety, whether it be through meetings, newsletters, or posters, etc.

By fostering a culture that places high value on everything related to safety, employees will be more likely to prioritize their well-being and that of their colleagues.

Implement Regular Inspections and Audits

Running regular inspections and audits is a surefire way to all but guarantee compliance with safety policies and procedures. Key approach factors to consider can include:

• Assigning qualified personnel to conduct routine inspections of work areas, equipment, and assessment of safety measures
• Using checklists or digital tools to document findings, identify deficiencies, and track corrective actions through to ensure issues are successfully remedied

These inspections provide opportunities to address potential issues promptly and maintain a safe working environment.

Foster Employee Engagement and Involvement

Source: Unsplash

• Engage employees effectively by involving them in the safety program
• Encourage them to report hazards, near-misses, and suggest improvements
• Implement an anonymous reporting system, allowing employees to share their concerns without any fear of retribution
• Regularly review and respond to employee feedback, addressing any identified safety gaps or issues promptly

Regularly Evaluate and Improve the Program

A comprehensive workplace safety program should be continuously evaluated and improved; key factors include:

• Establishing key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure the effectiveness of the program, such as accident rates, near-miss reports, or employee satisfaction surveys
• Regularly reviewing these metrics and analyzing for trends to help identify areas for improvement
• Incorporating feedback from employees, safety committee members, and management to refine policies, procedures, and training initiatives for best outcomes

Final Thoughts

Developing a comprehensive workplace safety program requires a commitment to the well-being of employees, as well as a steadfast dedication to creating the safest working environment possible. Remember, workplace safety is an ongoing journey that requires continuous vigilance and commitment from everyone involved.

These new capabilities are driven by event-triggered computing, a new computational model based on speed and almost constant scalability. Another layer involves artificial intelligence, which is able to learn from large, irregular, and constantly evolving data-sets. The project will also explore how the new technology can be applied in a practical way.

All these layers will work together to enable proactive and real-time risk analysis, which can pave the way to significant advances for regulatory policy, business practice and market control.

Bringing together experts from Newcastle University, the University of Southampton (overall project lead institution) and Imperial College London, SONNETS – Scalability Oriented Novel Networks of Event Triggered Systems – takes a clean-slate approach to next generation computer modelling and artificial intelligence.

SONNETS is due to start in October 2023. The £7.5m project will receive £6.5m funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).

The team at Newcastle University involves Dr Rishad Shafik, Professor Alex Yakovlev and Dr Kabita Adhikari. The experts will develop national-scale machine learning systems using event-triggered computing.

Dr Rishad Shafik, Reader in Electronic Systems at the School of Engineering is the Newcastle University lead. He said: “Modelling risk for one bank is a difficult problem, and modelling the entire UK is much harder. Banks have complex, constantly changing portfolios, so building a picture of ‘who owns what’ means tracking millions of trades per day. Even if we have that picture, we still need to somehow assess risk, but that requires anticipating the future: we must pre-emptively identify potential scenarios, then estimate how much is lost in each scenario.”

“Currently regulators use ‘stress tests’ to identify national risk – they define a possible challenging economic scenario, then ask all the banks to estimate how much they might lose. However, this is both slow – the process takes months – and limited – they only explore one very severe scenario, which probably isn’t the one that causes the problem.

“SONNETS will create a system that performs national-level risk analysis in real-time, by building a ‘digital twin’ of the UK’s financial system and using it to continually generate plausible future scenarios and assess their risk. We then use low-complexity artificial intelligence inspired by Tsetlin machines to learn what risky scenarios look like. We have international leadership in this area.”

“The new event-triggered artificial intelligence system will provide regulators completely new tools: a day-by-day view of the current national-risk of the UK, rather than waiting months for stress tests; the ability to look forwards to identify and mitigate previously unknown risks as they develop, rather than waiting for a financial crisis to reveal them.”

Pioneering research

Professor Alex Yakovlev, Professor of Computer System Design, Newcastle University School of Engineering, added: “Newcastle is internationally known for cutting edge research in asynchronous and low-power machine learning using the principles of Tsetlin machine.

“For example, our research excellence in the field of asynchronous systems and its relevance to financial sector has been confirmed in the past two REF competitions, where we were awarded 4* grades for our impact case studies. The one in REF 2014 had demonstrated how our asynchronous design methods and tools based on Petri nets had been used by industry leading vendor Intel Corporation for their switch silicon technology, on which most transaction on the NYSE and NASDAQ relied. Then, in REF 2021 we had showcased our Workcraft design tools that were used to save battery life and improve reliability in consumer electronics in hundreds of billions of devices, from mobile phones to internet-of-things.”

He further added: “Now, combining our expertise in designing low power logic circuits with our knowledge and understanding of the principles of Mikhail Tsetlin’s learning automata, originating in the USSR in the 1960s, we are in strong position to develop super energy efficient technology for highly distributed, event-triggered and naturally interpretable machine learning computational platforms for future super-complex data analysis.”

Source: Newcastle University

Together, they have developed a world-first anti-biofilm polymer called Bactigon®️/KELT-7, which prevents bacterial biofilm formation, reducing the risk of deadly infections that cause many thousands of deaths each year. It achieves this without the need for antibiotics or other toxic diffusible agents, meaning it will not contribute to the build-up of anti-bacterial resistance, which is one of the key future healthcare issues identified by the World Health Organisation.

The brand-new anti-biofilm polymer is a vital tool to not only protect water systems, where it will be initially utilised, but also to protect public health at large. It has also been created to extremely unique specifications that allow it to be used as a plastic construction material. Its design is very versatile, allowing it to be applied as a spray coating, dipping process or by utilising 3D printing techniques – further expanding the range of possible applications it can be applied to.

The development of the Bactigon®️/KELT-7 polymer will enable manufacturers to build-in anti-biofilm properties into their existing product line, ensuring that water systems remain biofilm free and prevent infections to end-users.

Unlike silver and zinc additive solutions that often lose their benefits when immersed in water, this world-first polymer prevents bacterial pathogen biofilm growth even when submerged in water, making it a very attractive option for use in water, sanitary fixtures, fittings, and plumbing systems among many other applications.

Working with Angel Guard has, and continues to be, an extremely rewarding experience. It is allowing us to develop some of our paradigm changing fundamental research into real world impact.

Professor Derek Irvine, Professor of Materials Chemistry in the Faculty of Engineering

Professor Irvine continued: “This allows us to deliver societal benefits from the investment made into Nottingham’s research by the EPSRC, Wellcome Trust and Angel Guard. It is a very strong example of how knowledge transfer and exchange with industry can have benefits for people all over the world.”

A key challenge in the development of the material was finding an anti-biofilm polymer that could withstand high temperatures in-line with current hot cleaning procedures. The new polymer, with both anti-biofilm and durable properties, was designed and shown to be able to coat o-rings used in potable water systems using a simple dip-coating procedure.

It has been a truly rewarding experience. The partnership between our organisations has produced something that is not only very much needed in the healthcare and plumbing sector but could see massive changes to public health worldwide. Angel Guard is all about utilising science, technology, and innovation to save lives, and we feel that we have found incredible partners in the University of Nottingham, and we will continue to enjoy innovating with them!

Jonathan Waggott, Managing Director of Angel Guard

Source: University of Nottingham

The researchers, led by the University of Cambridge, developed a device that processes data in a similar way as the synapses in the human brain. The devices are based on hafnium oxide, a material already used in the semiconductor industry, and tiny self-assembled barriers, which can be raised or lowered to allow electrons to pass.

This method of changing the electrical resistance in computer memory devices, and allowing information processing and memory to exist in the same place, could lead to the development of computer memory devices with far greater density, higher performance and lower energy consumption. The results are reported in the journal Science Advances.

Our data-hungry world has led to a ballooning of energy demands, making it ever more difficult to reduce carbon emissions. Within the next few years, artificial intelligence, internet usage, algorithms and other data-driven technologies are expected to consume more than 30% of global electricity.

“To a large extent, this explosion in energy demands is due to shortcomings of current computer memory technologies,” said first author Dr Markus Hellenbrand, from Cambridge’s Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy. “In conventional computing, there’s memory on one side and processing on the other, and data is shuffled back between the two, which takes both energy and time.”

One potential solution to the problem of inefficient computer memory is a new type of technology known as resistive switching memory. Conventional memory devices are capable of two states: one or zero. A functioning resistive switching memory device however, would be capable of a continuous range of states – computer memory devices based on this principle would be capable of far greater density and speed.

“A typical USB stick based on continuous range would be able to hold between ten and 100 times more information, for example,” said Hellenbrand.

Hellenbrand and his colleagues developed a prototype device based on hafnium oxide, an insulating material that is already used in the semiconductor industry. The issue with using this material for resistive switching memory applications is known as the uniformity problem. At the atomic level, hafnium oxide has no structure, with the hafnium and oxygen atoms randomly mixed, making it challenging to use for memory applications.

However, the researchers found that by adding barium to thin films of hafnium oxide, some unusual structures started to form, perpendicular to the hafnium oxide plane, in the composite material.

These vertical barium-rich ‘bridges’ are highly structured, and allow electrons to pass through, while the surrounding hafnium oxide remains unstructured. At the point where these bridges meet the device contacts, an energy barrier was created, which electrons can cross. The researchers were able to control the height of this barrier, which in turn changes the electrical resistance of the composite material.

“This allows multiple states to exist in the material, unlike conventional memory which has only two states,” said Hellenbrand.

Unlike other composite materials, which require expensive high-temperature manufacturing methods, these hafnium oxide composites self-assemble at low temperatures. The composite material showed high levels of performance and uniformity, making them highly promising for next-generation memory applications.

A patent on the technology has been filed by Cambridge Enterprise, the University’s commercialisation arm.

“What’s really exciting about these materials is they can work like a synapse in the brain: they can store and process information in the same place, like our brains can, making them highly promising for the rapidly growing AI and machine learning fields,” said Hellenbrand.

The researchers are now working with industry to carry out larger feasibility studies on the materials, in order to understand more clearly how the high-performance structures form. Since hafnium oxide is a material already used in the semiconductor industry, the researchers say it would not be difficult to integrate into existing manufacturing processes.

The research was supported in part by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

Source: University of Cambridge

In a paper published in the journal Nature Physics, Mohammad Mirhosseini, assistant professor of electrical engineering and applied physics, shows a new method his lab developed for efficiently translating electrical quantum states into sound and vice versa. This type of translation may allow for storing quantum information prepared by future quantum computers, which are likely to made from electrical circuits.

This method makes use of what are known as phonons, the sound equivalent of a light particle called a photon. (Remember that in quantum mechanics, all waves are particles and vice versa). The experiment investigates phonons for storing quantum information because it’s relatively easy to build small devices that can store these mechanical waves.

To understand how a sound wave can store information, imagine an extremely echoey room. Now, let’s say you need to remember your grocery list for the afternoon, so you open the door to that room and shout, “Eggs, bacon, and milk!” and shut the door. An hour later, when it’s time to go to the grocery store, you open the door, poke your head inside, and hear your own voice still echoing, “Eggs, bacon, and milk!” You just used sound waves to store information.

Of course, in the real world, an echo like that wouldn’t last very long, and your voice might end up so distorted you can no longer make out your own words, not to mention that using an entire room for storing a little bit of data would be ridiculous. The research team’s solution is a tiny device consisting of flexible plates that are vibrated by sound waves at extremely high frequencies. When an electric charge is placed on those plates, they become able to interact with electrical signals carrying quantum information. This allows that information to be piped into the device for storage, and be piped out for later use—not unlike the door to the room you were shouting into earlier in this story.

According to Mohammad Mirhosseini, previous studies had investigated a special type of materials known as piezoelectrics as a means of converting mechanical energy to electrical energy in quantum applications.

“These materials, however, tend to cause energy loss for electrical and sound waves, and loss is a big killer in the quantum world,” Mirhosseini says. In contrast, the new method developed by Mirhosseini and his team is independent on the properties of specific materials, making it compatible with established quantum devices, which are based on microwaves.

Creating effective storage devices with small footprints has been another practical challenge for researchers working on quantum applications, says Alkim Bozkurt, a graduate student in Mirhosseini’s group and the lead author of the paper.

“However, our method enables the storage of quantum information from electrical circuits for durations two orders of magnitude longer than other compact mechanical devices,” he adds.

The paper describing the work, titled, “A quantum electromechanical interface for long-lived phonons,” appears in the June 22 issue of Nature Physics. Co-authors include Chaitali Joshi and Han Zhao, both postdoctoral scholars in electrical engineering and applied physics; and Peter Day and Henry LeDuc, who are scientists at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, which Caltech manages for NASA.

Source: Caltech