Industry News
STFC: A breakthrough at STFC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory is set to revolutionise X-ray imaging. With potential applications ranging from novel medical imaging to security screening, physicists have found a way to produce a bright, high energy X-ray source, several times more energetic than those commonly used in radiology. The special properties of these X-rays make them ideally suited to producing high resolution images in medical applications.
Some of these X-rays are so intense that they can pass through 20 centimetres of lead and would take 1.5 metres of concrete to be completely absorbed. Until now, such high energy X-rays could only be produced at high cost using accelerators which are 100s of metres in size. This breakthrough opens the way for systems that could be much more compact and produced at reduced cost. Screening for disease and for illegal goods in transport are just 2 potential applications.
Press release & links
WAG: Business Minister Edwina Hart has identified the preferred locations for the first 5 Enterprise Zones in
* Cardiff Central Business District - with a particular focus on the Financial Services sector
* Ynys Mon – focussed on the energy sector
* Deeside – with a focus on the advanced manufacturing sector
* St Athan – with a focus on the aerospace sector
* Ebbw Vale – with a focus on the automotive sector
Press release & links
MoD: Under a new agreement Indian & British scientists are to work together to develop cutting-edge technologies for defence & security. The two countries will pool their world-class science & engineering expertise to work on projects such as unmanned aerial vehicles, advanced explosives, and factors affecting human performance on the battlefield.
Press release & links
FSA: A recently developed method for testing shellfish for toxins, which can cause serious illness in humans, is being adopted more widely for use on oysters & scallops thanks to Food Standards Agency research carried out by CEFAS.
The previous method of testing for the toxins was a bioassay, which involved the use of mice. The new test does not involve the use of any animals and reflects the Agency’s commitment to reducing the use of animals in testing where suitable alternative methods are available.
