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Department of Engineering

1851 Research Fellowships inspire exceptional scientists and engineers

1851 Research Fellowships inspire exceptional scientists and engineers

Research fellowships awarded by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 give promising scientists and engineers the opportunity for early independence and contribute to the knowledge base required for a healthy and innovative national culture.

“With this new understanding, Jack will develop spin-engineered devices such as chiral organic LEDs with efficiencies unattainable through existing technologies.”

Last year, two researchers in the Department of Engineering were awarded these fellowships: Dr Jack Alexander-Webber and Dr Sinan Açıkgöz.

Jack is a Junior Research Fellow of Churchill College and Research Associate in Graphene-Based Electronics as part of Professor Stephan Hofmann’s group in the Electrical Engineering Division. He graduated from Royal Holloway, University of London, where his research was on the properties of low-dimensional nanostructures such as graphene, carbon nanotubes and III-V semiconductors with a particular focus on high magnetic field effects. He also studied at Oxford and at the European Magnetic Field Laboratory facilities in Grenoble and Toulouse.

Currently Jack’s research interests lie in exploring the nature of low-dimensional nanomaterials such as graphene and boron nitride and exploiting their exceptional properties for electronic and optoelectronic applications.

Jack Alexander-Webber Research Fellowship 2016

“I am delighted to have received an 1851 Research Fellowship,” Jack said. “My research to date has focussed on understanding the unique properties of nanomaterials, such as graphene and carbon nanotubes. This 1851 Research Fellowship will allow me to exploit these exceptional materials and combine them with another exciting class of materials, organic semiconductors. I will explore routes towards engineering low power lighting and displays using these nano-organic hybrids, and hopefully uncover some interesting physics along the way.” A full description of Jack's research can be found at https://www.royalcommission1851.org/a-graphene-organicplatform-for-spin-engineered-optoelectronics/

Dr Sinan Açıkgöz graduated with high honours in Civil Engineering from Middle East Technical University in 2010, then pursued a PhD in earthquake engineering at Trinity College, Cambridge. His thesis examined the use of rocking mechanisms for protecting the structures from violent earthquakes. Currently, Sinan is involved in developing and evaluating site applications of emerging sensor technologies with the Cambridge Centre for Smart Infrastructure and Construction (CSIC). The use of fibre optics, wireless networks and terrestrial laser scanners for structural health monitoring are examined in his research.

Sinan’s plan for his work in the next three years is exploring the effect of tunnelling on masonry structures. “In recent years, tunnelling activity has been proliferating in urban areas to meet growing infrastructure demands,” he said. “However, tunnelling can place buildings at risk due to potential ground settlements. This risk is most significant for heritage masonry structures, which form an invaluable part of our cultural heritage. A full description of Sinan's research can be found at https://www.royalcommission1851.org/novel-assessment-of-tunneling-induced-damage-for-heritage-masonry-structures/

Sinan Açıkgöz Research Fellow 2016 Brunel Fellow

“By developing new methods to integrate the sensing and modelling data, we will formulate more reliable techniques for assessing tunnelling-induced damage in heritage masonry structures.”

The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 awards some 25 postgraduate Fellowships and Scholarships a year for advanced study and research in science, engineering, the built environment and design. It also makes a small number of special awards to support projects focused on raising the awareness of young people to the opportunities presented by science and engineering.

The Commission makes about nine awards per year, including the 1851 Brunel Fellowship for the highest placed successful candidate who has proposed a project to be pursued in an academic engineering environment. The duration of the awards are up to three years subject to annual review.

The Commission was established in 1850 by Her Majesty Queen Victoria to organise the first World Trade Fair: The Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. When the Exhibition closed in October 1851, the Royal Commission became a permanent body to spend the profits and realise Prince Albert’s ambition to “increase the means of industrial education and extend the influence of science and art upon productive industry”.

For more information on 1851 Research Fellowships and how to apply, visit the 1851 Commission website

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