UK firms increased their spending on research and development by six per cent in 2007, according to latest figures from the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

The Cabinet Office has announced the appointment of Professor Dame Angela McLean DBE FRS as the new Government Chief Scientific Adviser (GCSA).  

Researchers at KAUST (King Abdullah University of Science & Technology) claim to have developed a laser sensor that can detect ‘extremely low’ concentrations of benzene in real time.

A computer science PhD student at Bangor University is hoping to develop a system that will enable computers to read and interpret emotions and moods in real time.

Researchers at the University of Valencia’s Institute of Materials Science are developing a system based on photonic biosensors for the rapid diagnosis of food allergies.

An epoxy resin-based plastic that is recyclable, repairable and flame retardant has been developed at Empa, the Swiss federal laboratories for materials science and technology.

Researchers at the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) have contributed to what they claim is a significant advance in solid state battery technology. 

Virtual reality could help pedestrians and cyclists reduce their exposure to harmful, non-exhaust vehicle emissions, according to a study published in Royal Society Open Science.

James Philbin and Mark Cummins, two DPhil students from Oxford University’s Department of Engineering Science, have won a $100,000 prize in a major competition run by Google.

Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, has launched an EU-funded project to develop affordable, more efficient solar cells.