The handling of non-spherical micron-sized objects is a challenge for the manufacturing industry and for the wider exploitation of nanomaterials. Current manipulation techniques consist of pick-and-place machines used to place microelectronic components onto circuit boards, and optical methods that use laser radiation to manipulate objects. Pick-and-place methods are unsuitable for objects smaller than 100 microns because electrostatic and Van der Waals attraction prevents their release.

Congratulations to Professor Achillefs Kapanidis and Mr Bo Jing, CEO of Oxford Nanoimaging who have been named as BBSRC’s Innovator of the year 2019 – an award celebrating excellent research which demonstrates impact.

The recent development of gene editing using biological system CRISPR, creates the prospect of dramatic developments in medicine for gene repair and cancer therapy. The CRISPR/Cas9 system allows targeted DNA cleavage and hence editing of the genome. However, unwanted DNA cuts, resulting from non-specific delivery to off-target cells, could promote tumorigenesis. Cell-specific activation of CRISPR/Cas9 is essential to avoid this problem.

The technology available to licence is a new technique for using higher order Hermite-Gaus (HG) modes to increase the channel capacity in telecommunication networks via HG mode selective multiplexing. The bandwidth of telecommunication networks can consequently be brought up to the theoretical maximum for a particular time-frequency resource.
As the device proposed operates noise-free, the invention is expected to be of use in applications.

High capacity telecommunications using multiple modes

Microgeneration is the generation of power on a small scale – for individual homes, communities or in emergency situations. Microgeneration is also important if you are on the move and isolated from the grid e.g. while boating or in a recreational vehicle. the move – for boats or recreational vehicles. The Oxford Microgeneration System converts mechanical energy from wind, water or any other means into electrical power.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have attracted a lot of attention for their potential use in electronic and energy-related devices. In particular, conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) films are expected to be applied in anti-static materials, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials and other opto-electronic devices like solar cells. Poor solubility of CNTs in organic and aqueous solvents has, so far, been overcome with non-covalent wrapping with conjugated polymers, but at a high cost.

Congratulations to Prof. Michael Johnston who will be awarded the Harrie Massey Medal and Prize in December.

This is a silver medal from the Institute of Physics which is awarded in conjunction with the Australian Institute of Physics (http://www.iop.org/about/awards/bilateral/massey/page_38485.html).

Oxford Nanoimaging Ltd, a spin-out from Oxford Physics was amongst the winners at the Institute of Physics Business Awards 2018, for the development of the world’s first desktop-sized super-resolution microscope.