"This PhD project is part of the EPSRC Centre of Doctoral Training for Quantum Technology engineering. Catalysis is a central process in pharmacology and industrial chemistry that allows sophisticated chemical reactions to proceed with high yield at moderate pressures and temperatures. Catalysts are needed, in particular, for carbon dioxide capture and recycling. However, a common problem is that chemists do not actually know how some empirically discovered catalysts work. One of the ways of finding out is nuclear magnetic resonance - a quantum technology that uses the magnetic moments associated with nuclear spin. Magnetic resonance spectroscopy of carbon capture catalysts uses atomic nuclei (such as 27Al and 14N) that are not spherical. They are informative, but hard to use because they also have an electric quadrupole moment. This project will develop quantum control methods that facilitate magnetic resonance with quadrupolar nuclei, with the end goal of improving the catalytic performance of these materials, as well as to advance the corresponding magnetic resonance techniques for other applications. Application of this research will be directed to the investigation of the 14N for amines tethered on porous materials (provided from our collaborator in Bath), which are cutting edge materials for capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, i.e., direct air capture This project will develop skills and expertise in quantum theory, quantum control, supercomputing, microelectronics and magnetic fields, and nuclear magnetic resonance. "

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.

This project is tackling major technological roadblocks associated to silicon photonics and aims to demonstrate the monolithic integration of III/V lasers with CMOS photonic waveguiding components. This breakthrough will enable the development of innovative photonic circuits to serve the requirements of a wide range of low-cost optical interconnects and sensing technologies. The student will work alongside other researcher industrial partners, national and international collaborators to develop integrated photonics circuits coupling III/V materials grown on silicon to CMOS compatible waveguides

Power scaling strategies for continuous-wave and short pulse fibre lasers operating in the two-micron wavelength band

In the UK, about a quarter of adults report having experienced maltreatment while growing up. Maltreatment takes several forms (i.e., neglect and abuse) that varyingly undermine mental health and wellbeing throughout the lifespan. My research will examine the extent to which neural signals generated by the Anterior Cingulate Cortex (ACC) differentiate the outcomes of neglect versus abuse. The two neural signals central to this proposal are generated by the Error-Related Negativity (ERN) and the Reward Positivity (RewP). Neuroscientific studies that link childhood maltreatment to ACC function and psychopathology are few and limited in their methodology. Although childhood maltreatment is linked to deficits in ACC function, most existing research uses a cumulative trauma score rather than distinguishing between neglect and abuse. I will conduct three studies among adult participants. In all studies, participants will complete (a) the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire, and (b) measures of internalising and externalising symptoms. In Study 1, participants will complete (in randomised order) the Ericksen Flanker Task and Monetary Incentive Delay Task while EEG is recorded to evoke the ERN and RewP respectively. In Study 2, I will evoke the ERN and the RewP in social evaluative contexts by adapting accordingly the Study 1 tasks. Finally, in Study 3, I will examine the ERN and RewP in ecologically valid, potentially harmful social contexts, such as social exclusion and aggression. In all, my proposed research represents an ambitious test of the mechanistic role of ACC function in explaining the consequences of childhood maltreatment that persist into adulthood.