You are invited to select the research project from the last year that you feel will make the largest impact on the commercial market in the next five years. The six universities involved are (alphabetically): Birmingham, Cambridge, Durham, Glasgow, Lancaster and Sheffield.
As in previous years, the Electronics Weekly editorial team has selected the shortlist of entrants. And we do ask you to look at all the entrants below before voting.
Loading …
Liquid gallium alloy micro-fluidic mm-Wave phase shifter
The proposed shifter uses a half-mode substrate-integrated waveguide, with phase shifted in a via-pad-slot structure where a through via is attached to a pad surrounded by an annular slot. “The phase shifter does not need clean room facilities for fabrication,” said lead Birmingham researcher Dr Yi Wang, and “the liquid-metal enabled phase shifting elements have a passive nature, unlike active semiconductor-based counterparts.”
Molecules offer room temperature spintronic-light interaction
Led by the University of Cambridge, an international team of researchers has created materials in which the spin of un-paired electrons can react with photons at room temperature. “These unpaired spins change the rules for what happens when a photon is absorbed and electrons are moved up to a higher energy level,” said Cavendish Laboratory researcher Sebastian Gorgon.
Durham measures optical turbulence in atmosphere for FSO comms networks
Durham University is working with Viasat to better understand atmospheric turbulence in free-space optical (FSO) communications. The resulting forecasting tool will be used, the organisations say, to optimise Viasat’s ground station design and support operational decision-making such as network switching between ground stations based on atmospheric conditions.
Brainstorm at Glasgow University
Glasgow University researchers are part of a cross-Europe project which is aiming to develop a new method of treating neurological disorders. The Wireless Deep Brain Stimulation Through Engineered Multifunctional Nanomaterials project, or BRAINSTORM, is setting out to develop tiny injectable magnets which could help restore function to damaged neurons in patients’ brains.
Lancaster University invents universal memory technology
Lancaster University is creating a spinout company to develop a universal memory called ULTRARAM. Invented by Physics Professor Manus Hayne. ULTRARAM is a novel type of memory that combines the non-volatility of a data storage memory, like flash, with the speed, energy-efficiency and endurance of a working memory, like DRAM.
University of Sheffield tackles semiconductor skills shortage with Bay Photonics and Phlux Technology
The University of Sheffield is leading a government-funded project to address the semiconductor skills shortage in the UK with Devon-based Bay Photonics and Phlux Technology of Sheffield by improving knowledge of semiconductors in the the general public, and particularly pre-higher education students.
The sponsor of the Readers’ choice award: University Research Project of the Year is Panasonic Industry Europe, which is part of the global Panasonic Group and provides automotive and industrial products and services in Europe.
Voting closes 1 November 2023.
The winner of last year’s award was the University of Bristol, which created a 3D-printed fingertip that produces signals that appear to mimic human touch. It can produce artificial nerve signals that look like recordings from real, tactile neurons.
Elektra Awards
The winner of the award – the one that receives the most votes from readers – will be announced at the awards ceremony in November.
The Elektra Awards 2023 takes place on Wednesday 29 November at Grosvenor House, Park Lane, London.
Find out more information about booking your place at the industry’s most prestigious awards.
See also: Elektra Awards 2022 – The Winners
