Latest news with #AberystwythUniversity
Business News Wales
5 days ago
- Business
- Business News Wales
Researchers Use AI to Help Ceramics Firm Lower Emissions
Left to right Helena O'Sullivan, Dr Adil Mughal and Dr Odin Moron-Garcia from Aberystwyth University with Simon Parkinson, Jafar Daji and Chris Finlayson from Parkinson-Spencer Refractories Maths experts are using AI to help the ceramics industry pack more objects into a kiln to lower their carbon footprint. A new collaboration between Aberystwyth University and Parkinson-Spencer Refractories (PSR) in West Yorkshire will see the development of tools which use machine learning and artificial intelligence technologies to ensure a kiln is packed as densely and as efficiently as possible. A family business established more than 200 years ago, PSR manufactures ceramic products of various shapes and sizes for the glass industry, which need firing in large energy-intensive kilns. Currently, the average volume utilisation of a kiln firing at PSR's factory is as little as 9%, due to the irregularity of the products being fired on the kiln and the complex loading techniques. This limits the company's manufacturing capacity and results in high energy costs and carbon emissions per tonne of product produced. Any improvement in how kilns are packed during a single firing session would increase production capacity and energy efficiency, significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. To help find a solution, PSR has worked with Aberystwyth University on a successful application for a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP) funded by Innovate UK and the Welsh Government. A KTP Associate with a PhD and expertise in computational problem-solving has now been appointed. Dr Odin Moron-Garcia took up his role in May 2025, working mainly at PSR's factory in Halifax as well as collaborating with the research team at Aberystwyth. The research team is led by Dr Adil Mughal from the Department of Mathematics at Aberystwyth University. He said: 'This project plays a pivotal role in the exchange of expert knowledge and the bridging of the gap between academic research and industrial application. 'Creating innovative, customised algorithms to optimise the dense packing of complex-shaped objects will lead to a significant reduction in the ceramic industry's carbon footprint, driving critical environmental benefits. These advancements will not only be a technical improvement to the manufacturing process but also a vital step towards sustainability in the industry.' Left to right: Jafar Daji (Parkinson-Spencer Refractories), Dr Odin Moron-Garcia (Aberystwyth University), Dr Adil Mughal (Aberystwyth University) and Chris Finlayson (Parkinson-Spencer Refractories) in front of the kiln Simon Parkinson, the Managing Director of PSR, said: 'We are delighted to be working with Aberystwyth University on this exciting and potentially transformative project. We hope it will lead to us being able to produce refractories in a more energy efficient manner, supporting our drive towards becoming a more sustainable business.' Helena O'Sullivan, Business Development Officer at Aberystwyth University's Department of Research, Business and Innovation, said: 'Knowledge Transfer Partnerships are a brilliant way of connecting us as a university with industry. They allow business to gain access to cutting-edge academic expertise they may not have in-house, helping them to solve innovation challenges, develop new products or ideas and become more competitive. At the same time, academics are given the opportunity to apply their knowledge to important business problems, drive innovation and make a positive difference to the economy.'
Business News Wales
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business News Wales
AberInnovation Joins Welsh Government Backed Helix Programme
AberInnovation, the innovation and enterprise campus at Aberystwyth University, has officially joined the Helix Programme – a Welsh Government-supported initiative helping food and drink businesses across Wales innovate, grow, and thrive. As a newly appointed delivery partner, AberInnovation will lead the connectivity between food and drink innovation and the academic sector in Wales and the provision of the programme's Proof of Concept Plan, designed to support the early stages of product and process innovation. The Helix Programme is a collaborative effort bringing together the expertise of four key partners: AberInnovation, ZERO2FIVE Food Industry Centre at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Food Centre Wales in Ceredigion, and Coleg Menai's Food Technology Centre in Llangefni. Rooted in the ambitions of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act, the Helix Programme aims to empower agrifood and drink businesses to boost productivity, champion sustainability, and deliver long-term value to communities and the Welsh economy. AberInnovation's Proof of Concept Plan focuses on concept-driven support, helping businesses plan the requirements of validating innovative ideas, assess feasibility capabilities in Wales, and establish the technical groundwork for future development. This offer is particularly valuable for entrepreneurs and start up companies working on ingredient innovation, novel foods, or natural product development. 'We're delighted to bring our unique expertise to the Helix Programme,' said Dr Rhian Hayward MBE, CEO of AberInnovation. 'Our role is to help entrepreneurs and businesses move confidently from idea to impact, with structured, expert-led support that de-risks innovation and sets them up for long-term success. AberInnovation is delighted to join with the partners to compliment the already substantial capabilities and support on offer in Wales for food and drink innovation.' Deputy First Minister and Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change & Rural Affairs Huw Irranca-Davies said: 'I'm delighted to see AberInnovation joining the Helix Programme as we continue to strengthen Wales' position as a leader in food and drink innovation. This partnership brings together some of our finest academic institutions and innovation centres to support businesses at every stage of their journey, from ambitious start-ups to established producers looking to break new ground. 'The Helix Programme perfectly embodies our commitment to building a more prosperous and sustainable Wales. By connecting cutting-edge research with real-world business challenges, we're helping Welsh food and drink companies develop the innovative solutions that will drive productivity, create jobs, and position Wales at the forefront of the global food revolution. 'With AberInnovation's expertise in early-stage innovation now complementing the existing strengths of our Helix partners, we're creating an ecosystem where great Welsh ideas can flourish. This is exactly the kind of collaborative approach that will help us deliver on our economic missions whilst staying true to the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations Act.' This offer is open to companies of all sizes in Wales and across the food and drink supply chain – from start-ups and producers to established brands. To find out more or apply, visit here .
Times
01-08-2025
- Politics
- Times
Times letters: Legality of UK recognition of Palestine
Write to letters@ Sir, Contrary to the claims of the 'top lawyers' in your report there is nothing startling or unlawful about the UK recognising Palestine ('Palestine vow breaks law, claim top lawyers', Jul 31). In fact the Montevideo Convention provides (Article 1) that a state should (not must) have a permanent population, defined territory, government and capacity to enter into relations with other states. Any entity that possesses all four attributes will certainly be a state, but that does not mean that entities that do not possess all four cannot be states too. Many states start life with a contested status. Kosovo, for instance, was recognised as a state by the UK when it declared independence in 2008, an act of the UK that probably violated Serbia's sovereignty at the time. Even today, Kosovo's statehood remains contested. The status of both West and East Germany was highly disputed when they came into existence in 1949. There are many more examples. I am not arguing for or against recognition of Palestine; rather, that the position is more complex than Ryszard PiotrowiczDepartment of Law and Criminology, Aberystwyth University Sir, What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. The 40 peers maintain in their letter that recognition of a Palestinian state is unlawful owing to it lacking a 'defined territory'. If that were so, geometry would entail that Israel's territory too were undefined, but to withdraw recognition of Israeli statehood would be outrageous. Internationally recognised borders between the two territories, soon to be recognised as two states, are already LindopNorthwood, Middx Sir, Regarding the letter from Brendan Russell (Jul 31) concerning the borders of Israel, two conventions signed by the UK take an ambiguous approach. One, signed in 1957, concerning social security, defined the territory of Israel (for the purposes of the convention) as 'the territory administered by the Government of Israel on the 19th of July, 1956'. The other, concerning taxation and signed in 1962, provides more simply that Israel is defined as 'the territory in which the Government of Israel levies taxation'. The diplomatic aspects of international conventions were of course tightly overseen at the relevant times by the Foreign Office in RothenbergLondon NW3 Sir, Montevideo Convention rules apart, some link the recognition of a state of Palestine to independently monitored free and fair elections that exclude Hamas. However, were Hamas to be included on the ballot paper then Israel and the world would be able to see whether Palestinians were genuinely interested in peace and a credible, sustainable and realistic two-state PollardLondon NW4 Sir, Kemi Badenoch is concerned that we are 'no longer trusted by Israel' ('The PM has chosen to reward the terrorists', Jul 31). Does she seriously want the UK to trust and support a country that is effectively using starvation and illegal settlement in the West Bank to further its expansionist aims? It was an extremely cloth-eared response by the leader of the SmithTenterden, Kent Sir, As you say, the relentless rise in the size of the civil service has a long history ('Less, minister', leading article, Jul 31). In 1968 the Fulton report called for 'accountable management' whereby departments would have clear objectives and leaders with management capability. We are still waiting. To be fair to the government, this prime minister has made the case for fundamental change to Whitehall far earlier than his predecessors (Tony Blair was elected in 1997; his key speech on civil service reform was 2004). Pat McFadden, minister for the Cabinet Office, rightly wants departments to promote and reward effective officials and let go the poor performers. You are right to say that Whitehall should bring in commercial expertise. There are some green shoots: the new head of procurement at the Ministry of Defence, equivalent to a permanent secretary, is being recruited from industry on a salary much higher than the prime minister. That kind of appointment should be repeated in every government department with incentives to make savings, including to HaldenbyEffective Governance Forum Sir, The murder of 40 churchgoers by an affiliate of Islamic State in the Democratic Republic of Congo is a reminder of the dangers posed by religious fundamentalism and faith-sponsored terrorism ('Keeping Faith', leading article, Jul 31). The Open Doors World Watch List for 2025 shows that more than 380 million Christians are suffering persecution. This amounts to one in seven Christians across the world who face 'high levels of persecution and discrimination' for their beliefs. Furthermore, 4,476 Christians were killed for their faith in 2024. Much of the persecution is in Africa and Asia, but the Middle East is a major culprit, with Yemen, Libya and Iran in the top ten worst offending states. The high levels of religious persecution go hand in hand with a disdain for democracy. Worryingly, according to Freedom House, global freedom has declined for 19 consecutive years. Its latest survey showed that a significant number of countries, 60, experienced a decline in political rights and civil liberties, while only 34 had improvements. Safeguarding the rights of religious minorities is a hallmark of a healthy democracy. We should be concerned that this is becoming less common in a polarising and volatile CooperCouncil of Christians and Jews Sir, The government is mistaken if it believes that economic growth derives from transport infrastructure projects such as Heathrow's expansion ('Airports plan for economic take-off', news, Jul 31). It clearly has failed to learn anything from the HS2 fiasco. There is no coherent regenerative and cross-regional strategy for transport in the UK. The destruction and clearance alone needed to build the third runway would cause immense problems for years. And if the prime minister's determination to see this through means bullying people out of their homes (as occurred to make way for HS2) then it will only enhance this government's growing reputation for authoritarianism. What would help economic growth immediately is a reversal of the disastrous national insurance increase for businesses, which has forced unprecedented numbers to close. Expanding air travel in the present environmental, business and social climate is not the way to CasselsWhittlesford, Cambs Sir, The Higher Education Policy Institute report on the decline in languages is a clear and honest diagnosis of a very serious problem ('Alarming decline in learning languages', news, Jul 31). However, the main problem lies not so much with the uptake of languages by older pupils but more with the confused and confusing ways in which languages are taught at the very beginning. Why do we almost always teach French and Spanish to primary pupils and then do it all over again in secondary school? Why is so little interest given to the multilingualism that so many of our pupils bring with them? Why are languages seen only as significant in economic terms when they are central to our pupils' sense of self and belonging, and to their understanding of each other? Tempora mutantur — the times are changing — but I am not sure that we have changed in our view of what languages are for and can ClaughtonFormer chief master, King Edward's School, Birmingham Sir, Your leading article ('Heritage Railway', Jul 28; letters, Jul 30 & 31) does not mention what should be the first and foremost improvement in any national rail reorganisation: the reliable provision of seats to all ticket holders. It is appalling to witness passengers having to stand despite having paid a high price for a seat and with no sign of reimbursement at the point of RawstorneIlminster, Somerset Sir, Madeline Macdonald tells us of the extraordinary longevity of nylon (letter, Jul 31). My own favourite example of 'vintage' is a warm and comfortable rollneck sweater that I wear on our annual Christmas walking holiday. It is made of Orlon, was manufactured by St Michael in Scotland, according to the label, and was originally worn by my mother more than 60 years LazarusLondon SW15 Sir, I understand Fields in Trust's concern around proposed planning reforms and their potential impact on children, including future Lionesses ('As parks disappear, where will future Lionesses play?', Thunderer, Jul 29). Building on playing fields would reduce opportunities for children to get active and be healthy outside. Healthy lifestyles are vital for a healthy economy: every £1 invested in community sport and physical activity generates more than £4 for society. Active lives save £10.5 billion a year for the health and care system, relieving pressure on the NHS. The ambition for economic growth through planning reforms is welcome. But the inadvertent loss of playing fields could undermine BoardmanChair of Sport England Sir, Michael Atherton's thoughtful article ('Rivals left desperate for bowling boost in finale', Jul 30) explains why the standards of batting (and fielding) have improved faster than that of bowling. However, surely the metamorphosis in shape and size of the cricket bat has reached a point that seriously favours its wielder. Comparison of the puny, curvy-edged bats we played with 40 years ago with the bludgeons batters are equipped with today provides a powerful addition to Atherton's reasons for today's superior A De SaxeLambourn, Berks Sir, The lord mayor of Birmingham, Zafar Iqbal, is wrong to say that Ozzy Osbourne put the city on the map ('Thousands fill streets for Ozzy procession', Jul 31). Birmingham was already the crucible of the Industrial Revolution and home of the Lunar Society. Most importantly, it was the power base of Joe Chamberlain, perhaps the most consequential British politician of the late 19th century. As mayor, he gave the city the form it has today. The trust that is restoring his family home — Highbury Hall in Moseley — needs support. Perhaps Iqbal could devote some thought to that too?Sir John JenkinsMatfield, Kent Sir, Lest readers disbelieve Nick Murray's cups of tea in bed while working for the NHS (letter, Jul 31), as a pre-registration house officer in Newcastle in 1965 I discovered that if you left your shoes outside your bedroom they were cleaned by one of the night porters. Moreover, there were monthly formal dining-in nights — free for us and a guinea for a guest. Halcyon days WrightRichmond, Surrey Sir, I knew the officer who lost two fingers from his right hand in the two periscope incidents (letter, Jul 30). At the crowded and often noisy bar at the submarine base in Faslane he would signal his order to bar staff by raising his damaged right hand. The steward behind the bar knew exactly what he meant: 'Four pints please!'Graham AntcliffeNewton Ferrers, Devon Write to letters@
Western Telegraph
31-07-2025
- Science
- Western Telegraph
Stonehenge bluestones were transported from Pembrokeshire
That's the conclusion of a new study led by Aberystwyth University, which examined a long-debated theory that the giant stones were carried from Pembrokeshire to Salisbury Plain by ice. The research focused on the Newall boulder, a piece of rhyolite excavated at Stonehenge in 1924, which some had believed to be a glacial erratic. Professor Richard Bevins, lead author of the study from Aberystwyth University's Department of Geography and Earth Sciences, said: "We have carried out detailed examinations of Stonehenge's Newall boulder and compared it with hundreds of rock samples from Pembrokeshire. "Our findings provide convincing evidence that the boulder was detached from a pillar of rhyolite which originated from Craig Rhos-y-Felin, with samples showing identical petrological and mineralogical features not found elsewhere in Pembrokeshire despite extensive examination." The team used X-ray, geochemical, and microscopic analysis to determine the boulder's origin. Their findings, published in the Journal of Archaeological Science: Reports, suggest the stone is not a glacial erratic but a piece of rhyolite debitage from Craig Rhos-y-Felin in north Pembrokeshire. Professor Bevins said there is strong archaeological evidence of Neolithic stone extraction at the site, strengthening the case for human transport. He said: "It would have been an incredible feat but, as Stonehenge itself shows, it would have been possible and there is plenty of evidence of haulage technology for moving heavy boulders that would have been available to Neolithic people at that time." The study also notes that bluestones are not found elsewhere on Salisbury Plain except near Stonehenge, which challenges the glacial transport theory. Professor Bevins said: "Had they been moved there by glaciers, there would be a much more dispersed distribution of similar stones across the region." The researchers conclude there is no evidence of glaciation on Salisbury Plain and that the bluestones were moved by people, not ice. The study involved experts from Aberystwyth University, University College London, the University of Exeter, the University of South Wales, independent researchers and researchers from Vidence inc. Professor Bevins and his colleague Professor Nick Pearce were also involved in a 2024 study that revealed the Altar Stone at Stonehenge was sandstone from north-east Scotland, not a bluestone from Pembrokeshire. Professor Bevins acknowledged the Leverhulme Trust for supporting his work through an Emeritus Fellowship.
Cambrian News
28-07-2025
- Business
- Cambrian News
Welsh language ‘marginal' to government growth deals
Commenting on the research findings, Dr Huw Lewis from Aberystwyth University's Department of International Politics said: "Although ARFOR was designed with specific language objectives in mind, it is only one economic programme – and a relatively small one – from among a range of different initiatives.
