Systems Biologists, by combining cell biology with mathematical approaches, have shown that feedback loops in molecular regulatory networks tightly control cellular homeostasis and responses. The interplay between endogenous feedbacks and the extracellular environment results in complex and non-linear cellular dynamics. Mathematical models can help in tackling this complexity, aiding in characterising the links between cellular dynamics and cell-decision making. However, the validity of models relies on modelling assumptions and the quality of data used for parameter fitting: stochasticity and noise limit the power of model predictions across Systems Biology and Systems Pharmacology applications. Conversely, the forward engineering of exogenous gene expression dynamics that recapitulate native cellular behaviours, often used by Synthetic Biologists, is limited by poor robustness to physical parameter variations, diverse modular parts and choice of chassis. To tackle these challenges, this Fellowship proposes to directly and automatically program complex dynamics in mammalian cells, by combining external feedback control to ensure robustness and a microfluidics/microscopy platform to observe and perturb cells in real-time. Exploitation of this technology will allow to: i) Unravel causation in coupled processes and dissect the role that temporal patterns across scales (i.e. gene expression dynamics and cell-cycle) play in stem cell fate, ultimately exploiting such dynamics for the design of superior stem cell culture protocols. ii) Directly track from experiments non-linear biochemical dynamics, without the need of mathematical models, to quantitatively determine causes/robustness of complex native/engineered behaviours, respectively, using experimental and Control-Based Continuation. Direct industrial applications will be explored, including the characterisation of stem cell culture protocols across culture scales, and the use of feedback control to design optimal drug dosing schedules for target cancer cell responses. Our aims are underpinned by two highly synergetic research tracks at the interface of interdisciplinary disciplines. The combination of methodologies from control theory, Synthetic, Systems and Stem cell biology will provide a quantitative framework and highly novel tools to understand, steer and design mammalian cell dynamic phenotypes, with great potential for future therapeutic purposes.

Almost all modern electronic devices require memory devices for large scale data storage with the ability to write, store and access information. There are strong commercial drives for increased speed of operation, energy efficiency, storage density and robustness of such memories. Most large scale data storage devices, including hard drives, rely on the principle that two different magnetization orientations in a ferromagnet represent the "zeros" and "ones". By applying a magnetic field to a ferromagnet one can reversibly switch the direction of its magnetisation between different stable directions and read out these states / bits from the magnetic fields they produce. This is the basis of ferromagnetic media used from the 19th century to current hard-drives. Today's magnetic memory chips (MRAMs) do not use magnetic fields to manipulate magnetisation with the writing process done by current pulses which can reverse magnetisation directions due to the spin-torque effect. In the conventional version of the effect, switching is achieved by electrically transferring spins from a fixed reference permanent magnet. More recently, it was discovered that the spin torque can be triggered without a reference magnet, by a relativistic effect in which the motion of electrons results in effective internal magnetic fields. Furthermore the magnetisation state is read electrically in such MRAMs. Therefore the sensitivity of ferromagnets to external magnetic fields and the magnetic fields they produce are not utilised. In fact they become problems since data can be can be accidentally wiped by magnetic fields, and can be read by the fields produced making data insecure. Also the fields produced limit how closely data elements can be packed. Recently we have shown that antiferromagnetic materials can be used to perform all the functions required of a magnetic memory element. Antiferromagnets have the north poles of half of the atomic moments pointing in one direction and the other half in the opposite direction leading to no net magnetisation and no external magnetic field. For antiferromagnets with specific crystal structures we predicted and verified that current pulses produce effective field which can rotate the two types of moments in the same directions. We were able to reverse the moment orientation in antiferromagnets by a current induced torque and to read out the magnetisation state electrically. Since antiferromagnets do not produce a net magnetic field they do not have all the associated problems discussed above. The dynamics of the magnetisation in antiferromagnets occur on timescales orders of magnitude faster than in ferromagnets, which could lead to much faster and more efficient operations. Finally, the antiferromagnetic state is readily compatible with metal, semiconductor or insulator electronic structures and so their use greatly expands the materials basis for such applications. This proposal aims to develop a detailed understanding of current induced switching in antiferromagnets though a program of research extensive experimental and theoretical studies and to pave the way to exploitation of this effect in future magnetic memory technologies. We will develop high quality antiferromagnetic materials and smaller and faster devices. We aim to achieve devices in which the antiferromagnetic state has not disordered (single domain behaviour) which will have improved technical parameters and which will be ideal for advancing fundamental understanding. We also aim to demonstrate and study the manipulation of regions of antiferromagnets in which there is a transition between two types of moment orientation (domain walls) using current-induced torques. As well as electrical measurements we will directly study the magnetic order in the antiferromagnetic devices using X-ray imaging techniques and we will carry out extensive theoretical modelling.

Nuclear fusion, Generation IV fission reactors and aerospace gas turbines are critical to our future energy generation and transportation. Their operation at high temperatures necessitates construction from a variety of advanced materials. In order to withstand these extreme environments materials require high melting points, high temperature strength and environmental resistance, and, for nuclear, irradiation resistance. There are strong environmental and economic incentives to yet further increase the temperature capability of the materials used, in order to improve efficiency to reduce fuel use, as well as for improve performance, design life and safety. However, while iterative improvements are being made year on year the temperature gains are becoming ever harder to realise. In this proposal a step change in temperature capability is sought by the realisation of a new class of body-centred-cubic (bcc, an atomic crystal structure) superalloys based on (1) Tungsten, (2) Titanium, and (3) Steel, for the extreme environments of nuclear fusion and gen IV fission reactors as well as aerospace gas turbine engines. I will create a close network of industrial, national and international academic partners, that will enable translation of these advanced materials from concept through to scale-up. The collaborations will be split across the bcc-superalloys Work Packages: (WP1) Tungsten, bringing in Culham Centre for Fusion Energy (CCFE), and ANSTO Sydney, toward nuclear fusion and Gen IV fission; (WP2) Titanium, brining in TIMET and Rolls Royce, for aero-engines, as well as ETH Zurich for thin film based alloy discovery; (WP3) Steel, bringing in Rolls Royce, for gas/steam turbines, and the Max-Planck-Institut für Eisenforschung (Iron Research, MPIE) Dusseldorf for advanced characterisation and steels expertise. Bcc superalloys comprise a metal matrix, where the atoms are arranged in a bcc crystal structure, which are reinforced by forming precipitates of high strength ordered-bcc intermetallic compounds (e.g. TiFe or NiAl). This has parallels to the strategy used in current face-centred-cubic (fcc) nickel-based superalloys. However, changing the base metal's crystal structure, and therefore also the reinforcing intermetallic compound, represents a fundamental redesign and necessitates the development of new understanding. The key advantage of using a bcc refractory-metal-, titanium-, or steel- based superalloy is their increased melting point(s), which give the possibility of increased operating temperatures, as well as greatly reduced cost for the case of steels. However, the change in crystal structure requires a fundamentally new design strategy. While the limited investigations into bcc superalloys have indicated that they have attractive strength, and creep resistance, they have been held back by their low ductility. During this fellowship, I will thoroughly investigate multiple ductilisation strategies on bcc-superalloys to advance their technology readiness level (TRL) and so remove the current barrier to their commercialisation. Investigation of the systems will be undertaken by myself, the 2 Research Fellows (RF), technician, and PhD students allowed for by the programme, as well as staff time from the project partners (CCFE, TIMET, Rolls Royce, ANSTO, ETH Zurich and MPIE). The PhD students will undertake alloy development between: WP1 on Tungsten alloys 50% supported by CCFE, WP2 on Titanium, two students, one 50% by TIMET and a second 50% by Rolls Royce, with a fourth school funded by UoB on WP3 industrially supervised by Rolls Royce. The two 2 RFs and technician would work in alloy development and characterisation alongside these students, but also perform more detailed investigations, with one RF focussed on irradiation damage mechanisms, and the second RF on deformation mechanisms, both using advanced microscopy and micromechanics on which the related students would be progressively trained.

Probabilistic modelling permeates all branches of engineering and science, either in a fundamental way, addressing randomness and uncertainty in physical and economic phenomena, or as a device for the design of stochastic algorithms for data analysis, systems design and optimisation. Probability also provides the theoretical framework which underpins the analysis and design of algorithms in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence. The "CDT in Mathematics of Random Systems" is a new partnership in excellence between the Oxford Mathematical Institute, the Oxford Dept of Statistics, the Dept of Mathematics at Imperial College and multiple industry partners from the healthcare, technology and financial services sectors, whose goal is to establish an internationally leading PhD training centre for probability and its applications in physics, finance, biology and Data Science, providing a national beacon for research and training in stochastic modelling and its applications, reinforcing the UK's position as an international leader in this area and meeting the needs of industry for experts with strong analytical, computing and modelling skills. We bring together two of the worlds' best and foremost research groups in the area of probabilistic modelling, stochastic analysis and their applications -Imperial College and Oxford- to deliver a consolidated training programme in probability, stochastic analysis, stochastic simulation and computational methods and their applications in physics, biology, finance, healthcare and Data Science. Doctoral research of students will focus on the mathematical modelling of complex physical, economic and biological systems where randomness plays a key role, covering mathematical foundations as well as specific applications in collaboration with industry partners. Joint projects with industrial partners across several sectors -technology, finance, healthcare- will be used to sharpen research questions, leverage EPSRC funding and transfer research results to industry. Our vision is to educate the next generation of PhDs with unparalleled, cross-disciplinary expertise, strong analytical and computing skills as well as in-depth understanding of applications, to meet the increasing demand for such experts within the Technology sector, the Financial Service sector, the Healthcare sector, Government and other Service sectors, in partnership with industry partners from these sectors who have committed to co-funding this initiative. ALIGNMENT with EPSRC PRIORITIES This proposal reaches across various areas of pure and applied mathematics and Data Science and addresses the EPSRC Priority areas of (15. Mathematical and Computational Modelling), (22. Pure Mathematics and its Interfaces) ; however, the domain it covers is cross-disciplinary and broader than any of these priority areas taken in isolation. Probabilistic methods and algorithms form the theoretical foundation for the burgeoning area of Data Science and AI, another EPSRC Priority area which we plan to address, in particular through industry partnerships with AI/technology/data science firms. IMPACT By training highly skilled experts equipped to build, analyse and deploy probabilistic models, the CDT in Mathematics of Random Systems will contribute to - sharpening the UK's research lead in this area and training a new generation of mathematical scientists who can tackle scientific challenges in the modelling of complex, simulation and control of complex random systems in science and industry, and explore the exciting new avenues in mathematical research many of which have been pioneered by researchers in our two partner institutions; - train the next generation of experts able to deploy sophisticated data driven models and algorithms in the technology, finance and healthcare sectors

Plastic electronics (PE) refers to the science and engineering of molecular electronic materials (MEMs), notably conjugated polymers, and their applications to areas such as displays, lighting, flexible electronics, solar energy conversion, sensing, and healthcare. The driving force behind PE is the fact that MEMs can be processed from solution, opening up device manufacture schemes using printing/coating processes similar to those used for conventional plastics. Compared to current inorganic-based technologies, this could lead to large reductions in cost and substantial energy savings when applied to the manufacture of solar cells or energy efficient plastic lighting products.Nationally and globally, markets for the first PE products (e.g. OLED displays) are expanding rapidly while large new markets emerge, in both developed and developing countries. Hence, exceptionally high demand exists globally for skilled scientists and engineers at all stages: in materials supply, device design, engineering and manufacture, and printing/coating equipment production.The world-leading, agenda-setting UK academic PE research, much of it sponsored by EPSRC, offers enormous potential for development and growth of this UK technology sector. Although this potential is recognised by UK government and industry, growth is severely limited by the shortage of trained scientists and engineers capable of carrying ideas forward to application. This is confirmed by industry experts who argue that a comprehensive training programme is essential to deliver the workforce of scientists and engineers needed to create a sustainable UK PE Industry.The proposed DTC addresses this need providing the first post-graduate programme focussed on the training of physical science graduates in PE science and technology. The DTC brings together two leading academic teams in the PE area: the ICL groups, with expertise in the physics, chemistry and application of MEMs, and the polymer technologists at QMUL. This compact, London-based consortium encompasses all the disciplines relevant to PE, including materials physics, optoelectronics, physical chemistry, device engineering and modelling, design, synthesis and processing of MEMs as well as relevant industrial experience. Both teams have been strengthened recently, both through new appointments and by expanded or refurbished laboratory space. This investment reflects the strategic intent of ICL and QMUL to foster the PE research area.The proposal aims to devlop an integrated postgraduate training programme, consisting of a one-year M.Res. degree with taught courses on all aspects of MEMs, and a formative research project, followed by a three-year PhD project. Training will continue throughout the four years via short courses in advanced topics, practical training (processing/characterisation techniques), and professional skills training (both generic and discipline specific). Ten students per annum will be supported by the DTC. An additional ten will be supported by project studentships, industrial and other sources to create a critical student mass leading to an output of 100 trained scientists after 8 years. A large fraction of the DTC's interdisciplinary projects will have industrial input, either through placement with partners, through co-supervision or through access to facilities offered by industrial partners. An open call for project proposals will enable new academic and industrial members to interact with the DTC, fostering and enlarging cross-disciplinary collaborations, and enable response of the DTC's research portfolio to the developing scientific and industrial scene.