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08/04/2003
Go ahead given for extension to neutron facility in Oxfordshire
Work to harness environmentally friendly technology and develop medical applications received a boost today following a £100 million government award to the UK's leading neutron centre at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, near Didcot, Oxfordshire.
The package – announced by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today – is one of the largest ever awards of government funding for a single science project, and will finance a new wing at the ISIS neutron laboratory.
It is hoped that the expansion will help scientists working on the next generation of environmentally friendly technologies, super-fast computers, data storage, and sensors, as well as pharmaceutical and medical solutions.
Lord Sainsbury, Science and Innovation Minister said: "The UK is a leader in the world in science and the development of new technologies, and it is vital that this continues, both for the benefits science and technology brings to the population, and the economic prosperity of this country.
"For this reason we are committed to sustained funding for scientific research and facilities. By 2005-06 the science budget will reach just short of £3 billion – more than double the figure in 1997-1998."
The current neutron facility, or 'target station', at ISIS is the most powerful neutron producer of its kind in the world, but it is fully developed and cannot expand to meet the capacity required by the scientific community. The second target station will offer unique equipment, and will maintain ISIS as a world- class facility for many years.
The £100.4 million funding announced today will be sufficient to complete the second target station itself. Additional funding will be needed for instrumentation, and a further announcement will be made on this in due course.
The government anticipates that some of the funding for instrumentation will be provided by partners from other countries, in exchange for access to the ISIS facilities.
The ISIS Facility provides powerful beams of neutrons that enable the structure and dynamics of condensed matter to be probed on a microscopic scale that ranges from the subatomic to the macromolecular.
(GMcG)
The package – announced by Science Minister Lord Sainsbury today – is one of the largest ever awards of government funding for a single science project, and will finance a new wing at the ISIS neutron laboratory.
It is hoped that the expansion will help scientists working on the next generation of environmentally friendly technologies, super-fast computers, data storage, and sensors, as well as pharmaceutical and medical solutions.
Lord Sainsbury, Science and Innovation Minister said: "The UK is a leader in the world in science and the development of new technologies, and it is vital that this continues, both for the benefits science and technology brings to the population, and the economic prosperity of this country.
"For this reason we are committed to sustained funding for scientific research and facilities. By 2005-06 the science budget will reach just short of £3 billion – more than double the figure in 1997-1998."
The current neutron facility, or 'target station', at ISIS is the most powerful neutron producer of its kind in the world, but it is fully developed and cannot expand to meet the capacity required by the scientific community. The second target station will offer unique equipment, and will maintain ISIS as a world- class facility for many years.
The £100.4 million funding announced today will be sufficient to complete the second target station itself. Additional funding will be needed for instrumentation, and a further announcement will be made on this in due course.
The government anticipates that some of the funding for instrumentation will be provided by partners from other countries, in exchange for access to the ISIS facilities.
The ISIS Facility provides powerful beams of neutrons that enable the structure and dynamics of condensed matter to be probed on a microscopic scale that ranges from the subatomic to the macromolecular.
(GMcG)
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Scottish Government Launches £200,000 Science Grant
Scottish science projects that aim to interest people of all ages and abilities can bid for funding to reach an even greater audience. Talking Science grants aim to make science and scientific issues more accessible to communities across Scotland that may not have otherwise have had the chance. More than £200,000 is available in 2013-14.
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Scottish science projects that aim to interest people of all ages and abilities can bid for funding to reach an even greater audience. Talking Science grants aim to make science and scientific issues more accessible to communities across Scotland that may not have otherwise have had the chance. More than £200,000 is available in 2013-14.
16 June 2010
Ofqual 'Rejects' New Science GCSEs
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Ofqual 'Rejects' New Science GCSEs
Exam boards have "not gone far enough" to redraft new science GCSEs after Ofqual said they are still not hard enough. Ofqual has sent the new-look science exams back to the awarding organisations for more work to bring them up to the required standards.
10 March 2004
Hubble's last long look reveals earliest galaxies
Astronomers at the Space Telescope Science Institute have unveiled the deepest image yet of the visible universe.
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06 August 2003
Irish science foundation wields 646m euro funding
The membership of the board of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has been named by the Irish government. The board, which will wield a budget of 646 million euro has been appointed following the establishment of SFI on a statutory basis under the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act, 2003.
Irish science foundation wields 646m euro funding
The membership of the board of Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) has been named by the Irish government. The board, which will wield a budget of 646 million euro has been appointed following the establishment of SFI on a statutory basis under the Industrial Development (Science Foundation Ireland) Act, 2003.
06 January 2012
Britain To Be The Best Place In The World For Science
Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts will has set out an ambition to make Britain the best place in the world for science.
Britain To Be The Best Place In The World For Science
Universities and Science Minister, David Willetts will has set out an ambition to make Britain the best place in the world for science.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
