CMMPE news archive

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05/01/10

Newly published paper makes front cover of Applied Optics

A recent CMMPE publication by Rick Chen and Tim Wilkinson has been selected as the front cover art for the latest edition of the journal Applied Optics. The cover art features images from a point-based computer generated hologram algorithm, which uses a Gaussian interpolation kernel to create a continuous surface representation from discrete input points. The kernel width controls the final appearance of the reconstructed three-dimensional image as shown. For more details, the full paper can be viewed here:

Computer generated hologram from point cloud using graphics processor
R.H.-Y. Chen, T.D. Wilkinson
Applied Optics, 48 (36), 6841-6850, (2009)

 

23/10/09

Su Seok Choi passes his PhD viva!

Many congratulations to Su Seok, who today successfully passed his PhD viva! Su Seok has spent four years at CMMPE, working on a research project with LG Electronics. His thesis title was, "Electrically Tuneable Photonic Bandgaps in Chiral Nematic Liquid Crystals".

 

19/10/09

Newly published paper makes inside front cover of Advanced Materials

A recently accepted research article, led by Su Seok Choi, has been accepted for publication by Advanced Materials, and has also been chosen for the inside front cover art for the October 19th edition (and special Cambridge University 800th Anniversary edition) of the journal. The full article reference can be found below:

Electrically tuneable liquid crystal photonic bandgaps
S.S. Choi, S.M. Morris, W.T.S. Huck, H.J. Coles
Advanced Materials, 21 (38-39), 3915-3918, (2009)

 

21/08/09

Harry and Leona get married!

On Friday 21st August, Prof. Harry Coles and Leona Hope got married. Many congratulations and best wishes to them both from everyone at CMMPE. Some larger images of the wedding can be seen here:

Image 1, Image 2, Image 3, Image 4

 

18/07/09

Carrie gets married!

Many congratulations to Carrie, who married her partner Jim Mowatt on Saturday 18th July, 2009. Best wishes to them both from everyone at CMMPE! A larger photograph of the couple can be seen here.

Odds-on favourite for the next CMMPE group wedding is Damian and Mel, who also recently announced their engagement. Congratulations to the two of them as well!

 

13/07/09

New paper accepted for journal publication

Congratulations to PhD student, Rick Chen, and his supervisor, Dr. Tim Wilkinson, who have just had a paper accepted in Applied Optics. The paper describes the latest developments by the group in computer generated holography.

Computer generated hologram with geometric occlusion using GPU-accelerated depth buffer rasterisation for 3-D display
R.H.-Y. Chen, T.D. Wilkinson
Applied Optics, 48 (21), 4246-4255, (2009)

 

04/06/09

Ranjith gets married!

Many congratulations to Ranjith, who has recently got married! Ranjith married Sneha Elizabeth in India on 23rd April, 2009. A larger photograph of the couple can be seen here.

 

27/05/09

James Chen passes his PhD viva!

Congratulations to James Chen, who yesterday successfully passed his PhD oral examination! James has spent four years at CMMPE, completing a PhD on flexoelectric liquid crystal devices over silicon, supervised by Tim Wilkinson. Well done Dr. Chen!

 

14/05/09

Dr. Tim Wilkinson is promoted to Reader

Many congratulations to Tim Wilkinson who has just been promoted by the University from Senior Lecturer to Reader. We hope that he will still remember his old friends now he has been elevated to such lofty ranks(!)

 

 

01/05/09

Flynn Castle's paper at SID's "Display Week 2009" symposium highlighted as "notable paper"

The April 2009 edition of the SID's publication "Information Display" previews the forthcoming SID symposium, "Display Week 2009". On page 17, it highlights CMMPE research, to be presented by Flynn Castles, as a "notable paper" of interest. The paper describes some of the modelling work from his PhD (supervised by Harry Coles) on the flexoelectro-optic effect, and how it can provide a fast switching mechanism suitable for use in field-sequential, color, full-motion video displays.

Fast-Switching Flexoelectric Display Device with High Contrast
F. Castles, S.M. Morris, H.J. Coles
SID Symposium Digest, 39.2 (2009)

 

30/04/09

Carrie Gillespie's award-winning photograph used in Cambridge undergraduate prospectus

Congratulations to CMMPE's Dr. Carrie Gillespie, whose photograph of a blue phase liquid crystal optical texture entitled "Beautiful blue phase" has been chosen as the artwork for the 2010 Cambridge Engineering undergraduate admissions prospectus CD. Previously, the same image had also been awarded as a "highly commended" entry in the Department of Engineering's 2008 photography competition. You can read more about CMMPE's research into blue phase LC materials here.

 

28/04/09

CMMPE bistable displays research highlighted on SPIE newsroom pages

The SPIE Newsroom pages (23rd April, 2009) feature an article highlighting recent CMMPE research. The research, carried out by Dr. Damian Gardiner, Dr. Stephen Morris and Prof. Harry Coles, demonstrates how novel smectic-A materials can be used for low power consumption, high efficiency, multi-stable smart windows/glazing. The news report is in response to a recent publication on the same subject, published in Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells.

Bistable liquid-crystals reduce power consumption for high-efficiency smart glazing, SPIE Newsroom, 23/04/09.

High-efficiency multistable switchable glazing using smectic A liquid crystals
D.J. Gardiner, S.M. Morris, H.J. Coles
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 93 (3), 310-306, (2009)

 

20/04/09

CMMPE LC lasers research highlighted in Nature Photonics & Dept. of Engineering website

The April 2009 edition of Nature Photonics features an "out of the lab" news article focussing upon liquid crystal lasers research. It highlights CMPPE's research on simultaneous red, green & blue polychromatic liquid crystal laser arrays, and represents the 2nd occasion that Nature Photonics has highlighted CMMPE's LC lasers research. Furthermore, the Cambridge University Engineering Department's website front-page currently features a news article highlighting the same research. These news articles are in addition to the recent article in Laser Focus World (see CMMPE news item 09/01/09), which also highlights the same work.

A new twist to tuning lasers, Nature Photonics (April 2009), Volume 3 No 4 pp177-236
Flowing crystals glow, Nature Photonics (October 2008), Volume 2 No 10 pp581-638
Liquid-crystal laser promises low-fabrication-cost display, Laser Focus World (January 2009)

Polychromatic liquid crystal laser arrays towards display applications
S.M. Morris, P.J.W. Hands, S. Findeisen-Tandel, R.H. Cole, T.D. Wilkinson, H.J. Coles
Optics Express, 16 (23), 18827-18837, (2008)

This research is part of the COSMOS project; an EPSRC-funded basic technology grant.

 

08/04/09

Damian Gardiner wins British Liquid Crystal Society poster prize at annual meeting

Several CMMPE group members recently attended the annual meeting of the British Liquid Crystal Society (BLCS), held at HP Labs in Bristol (6-8 April, 2009). Congratulations to Damian, who surprised and defied his critics when he was awarded a prize for the best overall poster, with his presentation on hybrid electroluminescent / PDLC displays. To view all the posters presented by CMMPE members, please see the CMMPE posters page, located under the publications pages.

 

24/03/09

CMMPE CamTools site goes live

A new CamTools resources site has been set-up for all members of CMMPE. From here, users will be able to share files, data and other useful common resources. All group members should already be able to access this using their Raven login (please contact Phil Hands in the event of problems accessing the site). Note that currently only senior group members (postdocs, lecturers and professors) have maintainance (ie: uploading) privelidges, whilst students have read-only access.

Examples of resources uploaded so far include, journal and conference publication database, group seminar files, health and safety documentation, chemical database, lab equipment instructions, software, house-style templates, CMMPE discussion forum, group photos, meeting minutes, and many more. Please use the CamTools forum to suggest new ways to use the CMMPE CamTools pages.

 

24/03/09

New papers accepted for journal publication

Optics Letters have recently accepted a paper by Ranjith R., Haider Butt and Tim Wilkinson for publication (details below). Also, the group have had a number of SPIE publications over the winter, details of which can be found on the CMMPE publications pages.

Optical Phase Modulation using a Hybrid Carbon Nanotube-Liquid Crystal Nano Photonic Device
Ranjith. R, H. Butt, T.D. Wilkinson
Optics Letters, 34 (8), 1237-1239, (2009)

 

29/01/09

Ranjith Rajasekharran Unnithan wins CamBridgeSens innovation competition award

Congratulations to CMMPE PhD student, Ranjith R., who is an award winner in the CamBridgeSens Innovation Competition. His joint research proposal with three other Engineering students titled "A Road to Chemical Nano-Diodes (CNDs) and Biochemical Nano-Photo Diodes (BNPDs)" has won him and his co-authors funding for future research.


29/01/09

Tim Wilkinson's hybrid LC nanotube research highlighted in several magazines and news articles

A hybrid technology combining liquid crystal over silicon (LCOS) and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) being developed at CMMPE by Tim Wilkinson, has recently been highlighted in the news by EuroPhotonics Magazine, Advanced Imaging Magazine (co-written with Rik Chen) and Business Weekly. The story has also been published as a front-page leading article on the Cambridge University Engineering Department webpages, and has even been published in the Cambridge Evening News. The articles can be viewed here:

The future is 3D liquid crystals, EuroPhotonics (August 2008).
Building the perfect 3D hologram, Advanced Imaging Magazine (January 2009).
3D TV plugs into Star Wars legacy, Business Weekly (January 2009).
Get ready for 3D TV revolution, Cambridge Evening News (13 February, 2009)

More information on CMMPE's research into holography and hybrid LC carbon nanotube devices can be found here. The original publication in Advanced Materials upon which the articles are based can also be found below:

Sparse multiwall carbon nanotube electrode arrays for liquid-crystal photonic devices
T.D. Wilkinson, X. Wang, K.B.K. Teo, W.I. Milne
Advanced Materials, 20(2), 363-366, (2008)

 

09/01/09

CMMPE liquid crystal lasers research highlighted in Laser Focus World

In their January 2009 edition, the international scientific magazine, Laser Focus World, published an article highlighting recent research carried out by members of CMMPE on polychromatic liquid crystal laser arrays. It details how this technology shows promise for use in developing low-cost, high-performance laser displays. Click here for the Laser focus World article. Alternatively, the original publication in Optics Express (October 2008) is detailed below:

Polychromatic liquid crystal laser arrays towards display applications
S.M. Morris, P.J.W. Hands, S. Findeisen-Tandel, R.H. Cole, T.D. Wilkinson, H.J. Coles
Optics Express, 16 (23), 18827-18837, (2008)

 

06/01/09

CMMPE research papers accepted for publication

The Journals Soft Matter and Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells have accepted for publication two recent research papers submitted by members of CMMPE:

High-efficiency multistable switchable glazing using smectic A liquid crystals
D.J. Gardiner, S.M. Morris, H.J. Coles
Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 93 (3), 310-306, (2009)

The switching properties of chiral nematic liquid crystals using electrically commanded surfaces
S.S. Choi, S.M. Morris, W.T.S. Huck, H.J. Coles
Soft Matter, 5, 354-362, (2009)

 

18/12/08

Cambridge Engineering Dept. rated best engineering research in the UK by RAE 2008

The results to the 2008 national Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) have been announced, and place Cambridge University Engineering Department as the highest performing General Engineering department in the UK. 90% of its research is stated to be either "internationally excellent" or "world-leading", and far surpasses its nearest rivals. For the full story, see here. Or to see the RAE results directly, see here.

 

11/11/08

CMMPE welcomes new PhD students and RA

CMMPE welcomes the arrival of four new people to the research group. Kanghee (James) Won, Jiahui Lu and Qing Dai all start as PhD students, and are under the supervision of Dr. Tim Wilkinson. Also, Dr. Pohling Neo rejoins the group as a Research Associate, after successfully completing her PhD.

 

11/11/08

Dr. Philip Hands awarded College Research Associate position

Congratulations to Dr. Philip Hands, who from 1st January 2009 has been awarded a College Research Associate (CRA) position for 3 years at Jesus College.

 

30/10/08

CMMPE research paper published

The Journal Optics Express today published a research paper recently submitted by members of CMMPE:

Polychromatic liquid crystal laser arrays towards display applications
S.M. Morris, P.J.W. Hands, S. Findeisen-Tandel, R.H. Cole, T.D. Wilkinson, H.J. Coles
Optics Express, 16 (23), 18827-18837, (2008)

 

08/10/08

CMMPE Autumn seminar series timetable announced

The Autumn timetable of group seminars has been announced. This gives group members the opportunity to share and engage in the research going on within the group, as well as giving valuable presentation experience. Seminars will take place in the CAPE building seminar room, on Fridays at 2pm.

 

30/09/08

CMMPE research at LC2CAM conference highlighted by Nature Photonics

The latest edition of Nature Photonics (Oct. 2008, Vol.2, Iss.10) features a "News and Views" article, which summarises the recent LC2CAM conference (Boulder, USA, August 2008); an international workshop on "Light-Controlled Liquid Crystalline Complex Adaptive Materials". The article highlights CMMPE work that was presented by Harry Coles and Philip Hands at this meeting. Click above to download a pdf of the article.

 

26/09/08

CMMPE presents its research to International Visiting Committee

An international visiting committe comprising of leading scientists and prestigious representatives from funding bodies and investors visited the Engineering Department today. They attended oral and poster presentations from the division, including presentations and demonstrations by CMMPE group members. Click below to download copies of these posters:

Poster 1 (CMMPE overview)
Poster 2 (Photonic Materials Research),
Poster 3 (COSMOS overview)
Poster 4 (Polychromatic LC Laser Arrays) (coming soon)

 

24/07/08

Dr. Sonja Findeisen-Tandel wins the Department of Engineering photography competition!

Congratulations to Sonja, whose image "Blue Spikes" has been awarded first prize in the Department of Engineering photography competition, sponsored by Microsoft. For a full list of other finalists, including CMMPE's Carrie Gillespie, Tim Wilkinson and Sonja's other photographs, click here.

 

14/07/08

Dr. Tim Wilkinson wins Pilkington Prize for teaching excellence!

The Pilkington Prizes are awarded each year by the University of Cambirdge to academic or academic-related staff who have distinguished themselves in teaching. Congratulations to Tim for winning this award, who "has a natural gift for teaching and delivers his courses with clarity and with humour." Click above link for full story.


01/07/08

CMMPE welcomes new members

CMMPE welcomes the arrival of three new postdoctoral research associates to the group. Dr. Sonja Findeisen-Tandel and Dr. Catherine Dobson join the COSMOS project, and Dr. Qasim Malik joins CHIRALASE.

 

19/06/08

COSMOS Research Showcase Event

The COSMOS Research Showcase Event took place today. It was widely attended by academics, insdustrial representatives and the EPSRC, and has received generous positive feedback. Congratulations and thank you to all CMMPE members for their efforts in helping to make this event such a sucess.

 

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