The proposed research capitalizes on a newly discovered class of mathematical formulae underpinning the realisation of string theory solutions that unify all known forms of matter and forces. String theory has had a profound impact on the development of both mathematics and physics and, more recently, on the construction of machine learning algorithms. String theory is a high-energy, extra-dimensional and supersymmetric theory, in which many ideas about physics beyond the Standard Model can be incorporated in a natural way. Although difficult, making contact with experimental physics is an imperative for string theory, requiring a sustained effort in developing the existing models up to the point where they can communicate with experimental results such as the LHC data. The difficulty is not conceptual, but rather mathematical and computational in nature. String theory is geometrical par excellence and, as such, one needs to identify the specific geometry that reduces it to the Standard Model of particle physics at low energies. The project contributes in an essential way to the resolution of this problem. It uses experimental mathematics derived from string theory to uncover and understand new algebraic and geometric structures. The new structures feed back into string theory, providing unexpected shortcuts to incredibly hard computations. It is rare to find a new type of mathematical structure that has so much potential for problem solving. This interplay between mathematics and physics is characteristic to string theory and has crucially contributed to making it the principal driving force in fundamental particle physics. Machine learning techniques have seen a wide range of applications in numerous areas of science and in industry. String theory and, more broadly, physics require a qualitatively different kind of machine learning, focused not only on results, but also on uncovering the mechanisms underlying them. The proposal goes beyond the standard 'black box' approach that gives correct results but no explanations by using machine lerning for the formulation of mathematically precise conjectures that can subsequently be approached using methods of algebraic geometry, everything converging towards the ultimate goal of understanding the physical implications of string theory.

This project will research the use of strategically-positioned, easy to wear, vibrating devices for improving engineers' understanding of 3D spaces in virtual environments. The system will use low-cost technologies and support day-to-day engineering design work. Currently, the majority of engineering design is conducted on desktop systems. These do not allow engineers to experience the 3D spaces they are designing, thus limiting design success in applications with human users, such as component access routes for assembly and reach investigations for a manufacturing line. Engineering for users currently relies mainly on physical prototypes, which are expensive to produce and may not reflect current design intent due the time taken to build them. Digital human modelling, in which CAD representations of humans are used for ergonomics investigations, offer some benefits but are not suitable for complex motions and do not provide subjective responses. Design solutions can be viewed and experienced in virtual reality such as CAVEs, but depth perception in virtual environments can be inaccurate, leading to rejection of this technology by engineers, or unsound decision-making. Moreover, CAVEs are expensive and gaining access to them can be difficult for engineers conducting everyday design and analysis work. This project will determine whether a small number of worn haptic (sense of touch) devices can improve spatial awareness in virtual environments. When viewing a 3D environment, a collision between the engineer's body and the virtual object will be indicated by vibrations on one of these devices. The devices may not be located exactly at the point of contact, for example, the engineer's elbow may contact the limits of the space they are designing, but the haptic cue may be experienced on the forearm. This approach will allow for a smaller number of devices, which will make the system more wearable than current haptic suits and more acceptable to engineers. No previous research has addressed such a challenge. The project outcome will be improvements in engineers' understanding of 3D spaces, which will increase the robustness with which decisions are made about designs during the early phases, which could reduce engineering development time and the use of expensive physical prototypes. The project will adapt low-cost off-the-shelf technologies to retain focus on affordable solutions which are accessible to engineers. To avoid the inconvenience of marker-based body tracking suits, a markerless system will capture the user's movements and display their body within the virtual environment. Laboratory research will first determine the perceptual advantages afforded by the system by comparing spatial understanding with multi-sensory feedback to a vision-only condition. Furthermore, evaluation will be made of sensory illusions, in which the point of vibrotactile sensation differs to the point of contact between the user's body and the virtual object as seen in a stereoscopic display. Following on from this laboratory study, the system will be tested in design and manufacturing use cases by engineers. This will determine the benefits of multi-modal stimulation on spatial awareness, but will also evaluate the usability and acceptance of the system in an engineering environment.

Sustainability is the crucial factor in the future of the UK's chemistry-using industries with all companies sharing the vision of lower carbon footprints and reduced use of precious resources. However this sustainability can only be achieved if industry can recruit the right people. This CDT addresses the shortage of PhD graduates who have the skills needed to implement sustainable technologies. We will provide co-ordinated interdisciplinary training to produce a new generation of innovative PhD scientists and engineers with the skills needed by industry. Using the strong collaboration between Chemistry and Engineering at Nottingham as a springboard, we will launch a much wider integrated partnership involving chemistry, engineering, food science, and business to create more sustainable processes and compounds for the chemistry-using industries. This approach is strongly endorsed by our industrial partnerships, developed over many years, including companies from the major chemistry-using sectors. The demand for chemistry knowledge, skills, technologies and training will grow dramatically in the period 2015-2030 to meet the global challenges of healthcare and better medicines for an ageing population, safer agrochemicals to aid food production for an increasing population, and the need for ever smarter advanced materials for new and energy efficient technologies. However, chemical manufacturing is demanding in terms of use of energy and natural resources, as well as its impact on the environment, and consumes far more resource than is sustainable. Hence there is a need to develop new chemical and manufacturing solutions that are safe, efficient and, above all, sustainable. Sustainability is the issue facing the entire global chemicals industry, and our vision is to train a new generation of scientists to find innovative "green" resource and energy efficient solutions that have the lowest possible environmental impact, demonstrate social responsibility, and make a positive contribution to economic growth. Our proposed EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Sustainable Chemistry at Nottingham, will be highly interdisciplinary. It will not only capitalise on the strong links between Chemistry and Engineering, but will also reach into the Biosciences, Food Science and the Business School. The CDT builds upon our international track record in green chemistry, and will develop Nottingham's unique combination of skills and technologies in synthetic methodology, green chemistry, materials science, biotransformations, microwave technologies, food science, supply chains and business development, combined with high level commercial input through our very significant industrial involvement. Our CDT will provide world class training and our PhD graduates will have a full understanding of the sustainability impact of their work, with consideration for its wider environmental, societal and economic benefits. Our training framework, will produce "industry ready" PhDs who will have an excellent understanding of sustainability for the chemicals sector. These industries are well aware of the major issues, and they need new solutions and a new generation of trained researcher to deliver those solutions. By engaging with industry from an early stage, the CDT will deliver PhD training that addresses these concerns. The CDT will be based in an iconic new building, the UK's first Carbon Neutral Laboratory. This unique facility will provide a sustainable and energy efficient working environment that we hope will help inspire, motivate and ultimately deliver PhD graduates with a much better set of skills to minimise environmental impact and build sustainability into their work. The CDT will also serve as a global hub to visiting researchers wishing to develop expertise in sustainable chemistry, and to engage the public through Nottingham's unrivalled outreach activities such as the The Periodic Table of Videos.

To design the molecular architecture of polymer chains for desired processing performance, a highly interdisciplinary effort will be required which incorporates experts in experimental and theoretical rheology, polymer processing, polymerization kinetics and catalysts, and polymer synthesis and characterization (this expertise cannot be found in any one location). Scientists from four U.S. universities (with expertise in non-linear rheology, flow birefringence, polymer processing and molecular rheology) will join forces with scientists from seven English universites and one from Holland to attack this problem. The research effort will capitalize on the Leeds-based Microscale Polymer Processing (MuPP) consortium with main contributions from Leeds (molecular rheology, reaction kinetics), Durham (anionic chemistry). The group at Imperial College, London is joining this co-operative programme with expertise in polymerization catalyst development for tailored molecular structure. The approach is to use model systems to establish a rheological standard by which to identify the structures present in commercially produced PE's and then develop correlations between polymerization kinetics, molecular architecture and processing performance.

Abstracts are not currently available in GtR for all funded research. This is normally because the abstract was not required at the time of proposal submission, but may be because it included sensitive information such as personal details.