Industry News

STFC: More brilliant X-rays, more cost-effective methods for developing new energy sources and advanced manufacturing processes are just some of the benefits which may come from a novel technology, proven at the theoretical level by a consortium of British & European laser scientists.  
 
A groundbreaking method called Raman amplification can take long laser pulses and compress them to 1,000 times shorter, but with intensities 300 times greater.  This means that current very expensive & complex laser set-ups could eventually be replaced with smaller & more cost-effective systems.  

This latest development is another step in laser scientists’ quest to develop ever more powerful lasers, increasingly demanded by new technologies since the invention of the laser 50 years ago.
Press release ~ STFC brochure to demonstrate the huge impact it has on all of us in our everyday lives
 
OfcomOfcom has recently set out decisions designed to promote competition & investment in super-fast broadband services across the UK. Ofcom believes that competition & investment in super-fast broadband can be delivered in both urban and rural areas. 
 
This statement is designed to provide a further spur to investment by confirming the regulatory framework for these services. It covers two principle interventions:
* Providing competing services over BT’s fibre lines
* Giving access to underground ducts and telegraph poles
Press release ~ Read the statement on access to BT’s network (Wholesale Local Access)
 
OSLeicestershire Fire and Rescue Service (FRS) will be using OS MasterMap Imagery Layer in their command support vehicles to support major county incidents, enabling the Leicestershire FRS team to have up-to-date and reliable imagery at their fingertips in emergency situations.
 
To date, 95% of the layer is 5 years old or less and for Leicestershire, 95% has been flown in 2009 & 2010.  This year’s flying season has already obtained 64,000 square kilometres of imagery (almost 30% of the Great Britain Imagery Layer) which has been used to further refresh the Imagery Layer from June 2010.
Press release ~ OS MasterMap Imagery Layer
 
‘WAG: ‘Economic Renewal: a new direction’ last week made its first major appointment as Ron Jones was announced Chair of the newly formed Economic Renewal Creative Industries Sector Panel. The Executive Chairman of Tinopolis will lead a panel made up of 4 business people with an established reputation in the creative industries, whose job it will be to provide advice to Ministers on the opportunities & needs of the sector.
 
Launched in July 2010, Economic Renewal: a new direction sets out the new role the Assembly Government will play in providing the best conditions to support the private sector and the economy of Wales.
Press release ~ Economic Renewal: a new direction
Spotlight on women at Serco – Anita’s story