2013 | College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences

New ways of making and using the wonder material graphene will be identified through pioneering work by engineers and scientists at the University of Exeter and Bath.

Health and medicine showcase hailed a success

A dynamic event highlighted the wide range of medical and health research involving the University of Exeter, the NHS and business partners.

Students vote in inaugural Fruni lectures

Hundreds of Exeter students have voted for the research they think everyone should know about in the first ever Fruni events at the University.

New specialist maths Free School to be regional centre of excellence

Our new specialist maths Free School approved by Education Secretary Michael Gove will be a regional centre of excellence preparing students for rigorous degrees.

MP swaps white papers for white coat in science pairing scheme

Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw became a scientist for the day when he took part in experiments in University of Exeter laboratories.

Bio-inspired fibres change colour when stretched

A team of materials scientists at Harvard University and the University of Exeter has invented a new fibre which changes colour when stretched. Inspired by nature, the researchers identified and replicated the unique structural elements, which create the bright iridescent blue colour of a tropical plant’s fruit.

Lungs of the planet reveal their true sensitivity to global warming

Tropical rainforests are often called the “lungs of the planet” because they generally draw in carbon dioxide and breathe out oxygen.

Camborne School of Mines at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

Two members of the university are making the journey to Arizona, USA, to show off some of the highlights of the Camborne School of Mines (CSM) mineral collection at the invitation of the world’s largest mineral show.

£5 million to expand knowledge on human health, life and space

Grants totalling more than £5 million will allow world-class researchers at the University of Exeter to push the boundaries of knowledge in ground-breaking five year projects.

Take part in the Annual Fund success Formula

Engineering students from Exeter are gearing up for a UK competition which will pit their engineering skills against 120 other universities.

University to work with Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Hospital Trust on sustainability

The Centre for Energy and the Environment (CEE) based at the University of Exeter has been awarded £25,000 by the Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Hospital Trust to research the prioritisation of sustainability measures at the Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E).

Breast cancer technique to be tested on human breast tissue for the first time

A technique that could take away the anxious wait by patients for breast cancer results by removing the need for a needle biopsy is to have its performance evaluated for the first time, on breast tissue and lymph nodes.

European countries pool expertise to save water

Intelligent water monitoring systems could soon be in place across Europe thanks to iWIDGET, a €5 million European Commission project that will use cutting edge smart-metering technology to improve water use efficiency.

3D laser scanning of dhows in Doha

A unique collection of traditional seagoing boats in Doha, Qatar has been recorded for posterity using a 3D scanning process.

Camborne School of Mines leaves 2013 Mining Games as surveying champions for second year running

Our team of Camborne School of Mines students retained their trophy from last year’s International Mining Games after taking home gold for the surveying competition

Exeter student strikes gold with physics display in Parliament

Claire Woollacott, 24, a PhD Postgraduate Research Student from the School of Physics at the University of Exeter, struck gold at a competition in the House of Commons yesterday for excellence in her physics research, walking away with a £3,000 prize.

Long predicted atomic collapse state observed in graphene

The first experimental observation of a phenomenon in quantum mechanics that was predicted nearly 70 years ago holds important implications for the future of graphene-based electronic devices.

Youngsters unravel science mysteries and much more in fun-packed week

Children from across the South West took part in hands-on events and activities with researchers from the University of Exeter in celebration of invention and discovery during National Science & Engineering Week.

Superfast model brain to predict flooding during heavy rain

Heavy rain has once again resulted in widespread flooding across the country. With climate change likely to cause further severe weather events in the coming years, methods of quickly predicting flooding will become increasingly important.

Postgraduates from Hungary visit CSM for Knowledge Exchange Field Meeting

Mining postgraduates from Hungary are spending a week at the Camborne School of Mines, where they’re participating in research talks and fieldwork.

Exeter receives share of £84 million boost to PhD training

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) is this year investing £84.2 million in postgraduate training through its annual Doctoral Training Grants (DTGs).

Green light for new £9.7m University Technical College for South Devon

A £9.7m bid to create a University Technical College (UTC) in Newton Abbot has been approved by the Department for Education.

Predicting drought or rainfall in the desert

A new study by Professor Jim Haywood, from Mathematics at the University of Exeter, and colleagues suggests that sporadic volcanic eruptions in the northern hemisphere strongly influence the sea surface temperature and cause drought in the Sahel – the area of sub-Saharan Africa, just south of the Sahara desert.

Air pollution stunts coral growth

A new study has found that air pollution can shade corals from sunlight and cool the surrounding water resulting in reduced growth rates.

Revolutionary new device joins world of smart electronics

Unique properties of graphene and graphExeter combine to create a new flexible, transparent, photosensitive device.

Saturn’s youthful appearance explained

New research published in the journal Nature Geoscience has revealed how Saturn keeps itself looking young and hot.

University of Exeter professor named Institute of Physics president-elect

Professor Roy Sambles is to be the new president-elect of the Institute of Physics (IOP).

University of Exeter students gear up for world’s largest student motorsport competition

Students building a car to race at Silverstone against 149 teams from 32 different countries at Formula Student 2013.

Queen's Award for Exeter spin-out

Simpleware, a company set up to commercialise EPSRC-supported research at the University of Exeter, has won The Queen’s Award for Enterprise in the International Trade Category.

University of Exeter placed amongst world’s best by influential international rankings

League tables published today (Wednesday 8 May 2013) show that the University of Exeter features in the world’s Top 200 institutions in 16 of the 30 subjects featured in this year’s QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Astronomers find evidence of hungry young exoplanets

While astronomers now know that exoplanets are exceedingly common in the galaxy, the mechanics by which they are formed aren’t well understood. Planetary childhood remains a mystery.

DSTL and TSB judge the annual Engineering project poster event

On 28 May Martin Keys of Defence Science Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and Andy Treen, the South West Regional Adviser for the Technology Strategy Board's (TSB) Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) programme, joined members of the academic staff to judge the annual project poster event in the Harrison Building.

Students share finest research at JUST Undergraduate Research Conference

Students prepare to showcase their final year research projects, and the innovative research from within our College, in a formal and interdisciplinary conference environment.

Study reveals significant leakage of carbon stored on land to rivers, lakes, estuaries and coastal regions

When carbon is emitted by human activities into the atmosphere it is generally thought that about half remains in the atmosphere and the remainder is stored in the oceans and on land.

New local energy system could heat Exeter

A new study has shown that a system of local electricity generation and a network of underground hot water pipes can be developed to heat buildings in Exeter.

Physics student wins international research prize

Lachlan Marnham, 23, a PhD student in the Centre for Graphene Science, won the prize for best presentation at Graphene Week 2013 held in Chemnitz, Germany.

Exeter scientists discuss seasonal variability at Met Office workshop

Researchers from the University of Exeter co-organised a workshop at the Met Office in Exeter to discuss the possible reasons for Britain and Europe's unusual seasonal weather over the past few years.

Record breaking Big Bang science and engineering fair comes to campus

University of Exeter researchers are preparing to share their enthusiasm for all things science, technology, engineering and maths at The Big Bang South West 2013.

Exeter University students battle to become Britain’s greenest drivers

Students across England, Scotland and Wales competed in Formula Student Diesel Eco Driving Challenge powered by Bosch on 18 – 21 June 2013.

Mathematicians meet in Exeter to tackle challenging climate problems

Mathematicians, climate scientists and leading policy makers from across the world are gathering this week, 1 – 5 July 2013, at the University of Exeter and the Met Office HQ in Exeter to tackle the challenging problems that forecasting the weather and the climate bring.

Hubble Telescope reveals variation between hot extrasolar planet atmospheres

First results from the analysis of eight 'hot Jupiter' exoplanets suggest that winds and clouds play an important role in the atmospheric make up of these exotic planets.

Hubble spots azure blue planet

True colour of exoplanet measured for the first time.

Exeter students’ app device wins first place in Microsoft’s global competition

Four University of Exeter students have won the Microsoft Imagine Cup World Innovation Competition which aims to find the best app developing talent worldwide.

Exeter’s Formula for Success

A team of engineering students from Exeter University took on the best in the world at the Formula Student competition at Silverstone from 3 – 7 July 2013.

Energy and cost saving in mines achieved by innovative technique from Camborne School of Mines

A new approach that will save energy and reduce ventilation costs in mines has been developed by the University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines.

Professor Peter Vukusic awarded 2013 Royal Society Kohn Award

Professor Vukusic is known internationally for his team’s research into biological photonics, as well as his dedication to science communication. His efforts in outreach are now being rewarded by the Council of the Royal Society.

Shifting patterns of temperature volatility in the climate system

In recent decades there has been increased variability in yearly temperature records for large parts of Europe and North America, according to a study published in the journal Nature.

Exeter engineer elected to the Royal Academy of Engineering for 2013

Professor Dragan Savić, Head of Engineering at the University of Exeter, has been elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), the highest honour for a UK engineer.

University of Exeter announces Strategic Partnership with IBM

The University of Exeter today announced that IBM (NYSE: IBM), the world's largest IT and consulting services company, will be one of the first University of Exeter Strategic Corporate Partners.

Survey takes to the skies over SW England

The University of Exeter’s Camborne School of Mines (CSM) is working on an aerial survey, Tellus South West, with project leaders the British Geological Survey (BGS).

Local community invited to consultation for new Exeter Maths School

The first consultation for the new Exeter Mathematics School (EMS) will be held on the 28 August at the University of Exeter.

Camborne School of Mines Trust donation

The Camborne School of Mines Trust has received a donation of US$1.3 million (equivalent to £860,000) from former student Tim Henderson.

New technique to assess the cost of major flood damage to be unveiled at international conference

A new approach to calculating the cost of damage caused by flooding is to be presented at the International Conference of Flood Resilience: Experiences in Asia and Europe at the University of Exeter.

New specialist maths schools in Exeter and London launch challenging competition for talented students

The University of Exeter in partnership with Exeter College, and King’s College London will be the first institutions to open state-funded specialist mathematics schools for sixth form students in September 2014.

Climate change: Does it all add up?

Experts from the Universities of Exeter and Bath and the Met Office spoke about climate change as part of the British Science Festival in Newcastle.

Vice-Chancellor attends tenth UK-South Africa bilateral forum

Exeter’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Steve Smith joined a delegation to South Africa led by the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, which included Universities minister David Willetts.

University of Exeter joins Flybe to host Future Engineers event

Aeronautical engineering takes off for South West teens.

College celebrate life of former Mathematics head and World War II code breaker

Professor David Rees, who held the chair of Pure Mathematics at Exeter from 1958 until his retirement in 1983 has died, aged 95

Exeter climate scientists contribute to IPCC report

University of Exeter researchers have had a high profile role in creating the world’s most comprehensive report on climate change.

Exeter student scoops national healthcare award

A hard working student from the South West has landed a prestigious national award for his outstanding achievements during training.

Exeter students create E.coli camera for international competition

A team of students from the University of Exeter are making their final preparations before taking part in a prestigious international synthetic biology competition.

Camborne School of Mines celebrates 125 year anniversary

A centre of mining excellence which has pioneered the very best in industry-led teaching, research and technological advances is celebrating a truly special landmark.

Devon celebrates two decades of sustainable tourism

This month, pioneers of green tourism in Devon met to celebrate more than two decades of hard work to make their businesses more sustainable.

Major new TV series ‘The Tipping Points’ features University of Exeter climate researchers

University of Exeter climate scientists Professor Tim Lenton and Professor Peter Cox have contributed to a major new television series –‘The Tipping Points: 6 Places on Earth Where Climate’s Changed’.

Exeter water engineers collaborate with US researchers on global water issues

A new trans-Atlantic collaboration, ‘Clean Water for All’, will bring leading water engineers from the United States and the UK together to tackle problems of providing clean, sustainable water supplies.

Melting Arctic sea ice could increase summer rainfall in northwest Europe suggests new study

A new study offers an explanation for the extraordinary run of wet summers experienced by Britain and northwest Europe between 2007 and 2012.

New water-powered plant halves the cost of treating mine water

A new low energy mine water treatment plant promises a 50% reduction in the electricity costs of treating mine water.

CSM delegates take part in Tellus South West conference

Secretary of State for Education awards prizes for Exeter Mathematics School competition

The winners of a region-wide mathematics competition, run by Exeter Mathematics School, were awarded their prizes by the Secretary of State for Education.

Exeter researcher recognised as rising star of research by Leverhulme Awards

University of Exeter astrophysicist Dr Stefan Kraus has been awarded the Philip Leverhulme Prize for his work on star and planet formation.

Exeter’s Centre for Water Systems showcases expertise at industry event

The University of Exeter’s Centre for Water Systems will hold an Industry Awareness Day on Wednesday 27 November 2013.

Funding boost to train tomorrow’s engineers and scientists

New GW4 studentships boost postgraduate training

Alliance pledges a further ten annual multidisciplinary studentships.

Marine renewable experts celebrate Falmouth’s pioneering test facility

Experts from Cornwall’s marine renewable industry got together recently to celebrate the further development of FaBTest – Falmouth Bay’s pioneering marine renewable energy device testing facility.

University partnership with RD&E secures £1.1 million for energy saving

The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust (RD&E) has been successful in obtaining a £1.1 million grant from the Department of Health, in part as a result of work undertaken by the Centre for Energy and Environment (CEE) at the University of Exeter.