Mon 19 May 14:00: Title to be confirmed
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Tej-eddine Ghoul (NYU Abu Dhabi)
- Monday 19 May 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: MR13.
- Series: Partial Differential Equations seminar; organiser: Giacomo Ageno.
Synergistic Cooperation between Photovoltaic and Thermoelectric Effects in Solar Cells
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE01548K, PaperPing Fu, Dong Yang, Yihua Chen, Ruixue Lu, Md Azimul Haque, Yucheng Liu, Yaoyao Han, Hui Li, Ruotian Chen, Jie qiong Liu, Wei Qin, Luis Huerta Hernandez, Fengtao Fan, Kaifeng Wu, Derya Baran, Huanping Zhou, Can Li
Efficient utilization of thermal energy generated from infrared light has long been a focal point in the development of high-efficiency photovoltaic (PV) devices. Theoretically, the thermal energy can be converted...
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Fri 23 May 16:30: Brain Mechanisms of Attention: Sensory Selection to Free Will The host for this talk is Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
The Host for this talk is Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
ABSTRACT : Selective attention relies on intricate neural mechanisms that shape how the brain processes information. In this lecture, I will present findings from our research on the neural underpinnings of voluntary spatial, feature, and object attention, utilizing EEG , fMRI and eye-tracking methods. I will highlight key findings related to attentional control within the frontal and parietal cortices, as well as how these mechanisms influence sensory and perceptual processing. In addition, I will present studies investigating voluntary attention in free-choice conditions, where individuals exert their free will to direct attention without external guidance. This presentation is framed by our Specificity of Control (SpoC) model of attention, which emphasizes the microstructural organization
The host for this talk is Sarah-Jayne Blakemore
- Speaker: Professor Ron Mangun,Center for Mind and Brain 267 Cousteau Place Davis, CA
- Friday 23 May 2025, 16:30-18:00
- Venue: Ground Floor Lecture Theatre, Department of Psychology.
- Series: Zangwill Club; organiser: Sara Seddon.
On the Interface Electron Transport Problem of Highly Active IrOx Catalysts
DOI: 10.1039/D4EE05816J, PaperJeesoo Park, Dong Wook Lee, Jonghyun Hyun, Hojin Lee, Euntaek Oh, Kyunghwa Seok, Gisu Doo, Hee-Tak Kim
Electron transport resistance at the interface between the catalyst layer (CL) and the porous transport layer (PTL) in the PEMWE anode has long been poorly understood despite its significant impact...
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Tue 13 May 13:10: Government intervention in linguistic heritage projects in Belfast
Abstract not available
- Speaker: Seamus Branch
- Tuesday 13 May 2025, 13:10-14:00
- Venue: Richard King room, Darwin College.
- Series: Darwin College Humanities and Social Sciences Seminars; organiser: Matthew Jones.
Fri 02 May 13:00: The Black Hole Threshold
Numerical evolutions show that, in spherical symmetry, as we move through the solution space of GR to the threshold of black hole formation, the resulting spacetimes tend to display a surprising degree of simplicity. A heuristic description of this behavior, called critical collapse, has been built around this empirical fact. Less is known when symmetry is dropped. In this presentation I will review the current status of the topic, focusing in particular on the struggle to understand the situation in axisymmetry.
- Speaker: David Hilditch, IST Lisbon
- Friday 02 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Potter room/Zoom https://cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/87235967698.
- Series: DAMTP Friday GR Seminar; organiser: Daniela Cors.
Thu 01 May 13:00: Opening the Box of Chocolates: a Tasting Introduction to Studies of Cacao and Chocolate
Taking the form of a guided tasting, this talk will explore some of the key questions around the science and history of cacao cultivation and chocolate production.
- Speaker: Mika Hyman, History and Philosophy of Science
- Thursday 01 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: 1 Newnham Terrace, Darwin College.
- Series: Darwin College Science Seminars; organiser: Alexander R Epstein.
Direct seawater electrolysis for green hydrogen production: electrode designs, cell configurations, and system integrations
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE01093D, Review Article Open Access   This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 Unported Licence.Lizhen Wu, Yifan Xu, Qing Wang, Xiaohong Zou, Zhefei Pan, Michael K. H. Leung, Liang An
This review provides a comprehensive analysis of design strategies and future challenges related to long-term stability (electrode, cell, and system) in direct seawater electrolysis (DSE).
To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.
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Tuning electronic structure of MOF-based solid-state electrolytes to activate dormant lithium and facilitate ion transport kinetics towards lithium metal batteries
DOI: 10.1039/D5EE00545K, PaperQing Liu, Qi An, Kun Zeng, Mou Yang, Haiye Zhu, Xilin Liang, Guiquan Zhao, Mengjiao Sun, Yunchun Zha, Li Yang, Lingyan Duan, Genfu Zhao, Yongjiang Sun, Hong Guo
A MOF(Ti-Co) membrane with abundant catalytic sites enhances Li+ transport and anion confinement. Spontaneous redox boosts charge-transfer kinetics, improves Li+ utilization and suppresses dendrite formation, improving electrochemical performance.
To cite this article before page numbers are assigned, use the DOI form of citation above.
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Thu 19 Jun 14:00: Four Generations of High-Dimensional Neural Network Potentials
Machine learning potentials (MLPs) have become an important tool for atomistic simulations in many fields, from chemistry to materials science. The reason for the popularity of MLPs is their ability to provide very accurate energies and forces, which are essentially indistinguishable from the underlying reference electronic structure calculations. Still, the computational costs are much reduced enabling large-scale simulations of complex systems. Almost two decades ago, in 2007, the introduction of high-dimensional neural network potentials (HDNNP) by Behler and Parrinello paved the way for the application of MLPs to condensed systems containing a large number of atoms. Still, the original second-generation HDNN Ps, like most current MLPs, are based on a locality approximation of the atomic interactions that are truncated at some finite distance. Third-generation MLPs contain long-range electrostatic interactions up to infinite distance and overcome this restriction to short-range energies. Still, there are surprisingly many systems in which long-range electrostatic interactions are insufficient for a physically correct description, since non-local phenomena like long-range charge transfer are essential. Such global effects can be considered in fourth-generation HDNN Ps. In this talk the evolution of HDNN Ps will be discussed along with some key systems illustrating their applicability.
- Speaker: Prof. Jörg Behler (Ruhr-Universität Bochum)
- Thursday 19 June 2025, 14:00-15:30
- Venue: Seminar Room 3, RDC.
- Series: Theory of Condensed Matter; organiser: Bo Peng.
Tue 29 Apr 11:00: Axion dark matter - The Good, Bad and New ways to detect it
Axion dark matter is an interesting candidate for several reasons. Axions or axion-like particles appear in many theories beyond the standard model and there is a theoretical motivation for them to be light. They have many desirable properties, but also predict effects that are challenging for heavier, cold dark matter. I will discuss how there are observables connected to these effects that could be observed in the lab with a focus on quantum sensors, as well as novel approaches at colliders.
- Speaker: Martin Bauer: Durham University, IPPP
- Tuesday 29 April 2025, 11:00-12:00
- Venue: Seminar Room -- RDC D2.002 .
- Series: Cavendish HEP Seminars; organiser: Dr Paul Swallow.
Thu 08 May 13:00: Machine Learning for Building-Level Heat Risk Mapping
Title
Machine Learning for Building-Level Heat Risk Mapping
Abstract
Climate change is intensifying the frequency and severity of heat waves, increasing risks to public health and energy systems worldwide. However, many existing heat vulnerability assessments focus primarily on outdoor temperatures, overlooking indoor conditions that directly affect occupants. Although building simulations can reveal the types of buildings whose occupants are most at risk, they rarely pinpoint the exact locations of these vulnerable buildings. In this presentation, I will present a data-driven workflow that locates high-risk buildings and discuss the labeling strategies we have explored for classifying real-world structures using satellite imagery.
Bio
Andrea is a first-year PhD student in the Department of Computer Science and Technology at the University of Cambridge. She is supervised by Prof Srinivasan Keshav. Her research bridges machine learning with civil and environmental engineering, focusing particularly on its applications within the built environment.
- Speaker: Andrea Domiter, University of Cambridge
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Room SS03 at the William Gates Building. Zoom link: https://cl-cam-ac-uk.zoom.us/j/4361570789?pwd=Nkl2T3ZLaTZwRm05bzRTOUUxY3Q4QT09&from=addon .
- Series: Energy and Environment Group, Department of CST; organiser: lyr24.
Thu 01 May 13:00: Opening the Box of Chocolates: a Tasting Introduction to Studies of Cacao and Chocolate
Taking the form of a guided tasting, this talk will explore some of the key questions around the science and history of cacao cultivation and chocolate production.
- Speaker: Mika Hyman, History and Philosophy of Science
- Thursday 01 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: 1 Newnham Terrace, Darwin College.
- Series: Darwin College Science Seminars; organiser: Alexander R Epstein.
Thu 08 May 13:00: Autonomous Robots That Operate in Human Environments
This talk explores the challenges faced by autonomous robots operating in human environments, focusing on our efforts to help them understand and clarify ambiguous instructions and act in socially appropriate ways while carrying out complex tasks.
- Speaker: Fethiye Irmak Dogan (University of Cambridge, Department of Computer Science and Technology)
- Thursday 08 May 2025, 13:00-14:00
- Venue: Richard King room, Darwin College.
- Series: Darwin College Science Seminars; organiser: Alexander R Epstein.
Fri 02 May 15:00: Toward Mechanically Adaptive and Multi-functional Structures
Most natural organisms show fascinating mechanical adaptability when interacting with their environments. Stiffness tuning in nature is used as a powerful tool to combine the load carrying functionality of rigid structures with compliance and adaptability. Human-made structures, however, do not possess this mechanical adaptability and are often designed to meet a specific load carrying requirement. This causes limitations in performance, efficiency and safety. Often to add other functionalities, additional components are needed, which increases the total weight and cost of the structures.
In this talk, I will present the latest research in our group on a variety of structures including multi-material cellular and multi-layered structures that employed active stiffness tuning based on thermoplastic softening. We use a combined experimental and numerical approach to investigate the electro-thermo-mechanical response of these structures. Understanding the main physical obstacles that limit the response time and the fundamental parameters controlling the stability and the failure under harsh electro-thermal loading will help us to better engineer the structures to meet the fast response and low power requirements. This new understanding will accelerate the technology readiness level of active structural control technology to be used in future multi-functional and smart structures. This technology has a wide range of application in robotics, morphing and deployable structures, active damping and active impact protection.
- Speaker: Iman Mohagheghian, University of Surrey
- Friday 02 May 2025, 15:00-16:00
- Venue: CivEng Seminar Room (1-33) (Civil Engineering Building).
- Series: Engineering Department Structures Research Seminars; organiser: Shehara Perera.
Narrow‐Linewidth Emission and Weak Exciton‐Phonon Coupling in 2D Layered Germanium Halide Perovskites
The structural and photophysical properties of the 2D layered metal halides (4F-PMA)2GeI4 and (4F-PMA)2PbI4 are reported. For the Ge composition, reduced exciton-phonon coupling is found and the absence of bound-exciton emission, present for the Pb composition. The narrowest reported emission linewidth from a Ge-based 2D metal halide is measured, to date, suggesting that Ge-based materials offer a promising, less-toxic alternative for light-emitting applications.
Abstract
The photophysical properties of low-dimensional metal-halide semiconductors and their tunability make them promising candidates for light-absorbing and emitting applications. Yet, the germanium-based halide perovskites to date lack desirable light-emitting properties, with so far only very broad, weak, and unstructured photoluminescence (PL) reported due to significant octahedral distortion. Here, the photophysical properties of the 2D layered Ruddlesden-Popper semiconductors (4F-PMA)2GeI4 and (4F-PMA)2PbI4 (4F-PMA: 4-F-phenylmethylammonium) are characterized and compared. Using a combination of single-crystal X-ray diffraction, variable temperature time-resolved PL, and density functional theory, structure-property relations are correlated. Specifically, the results indicate that (4F-PMA)2PbI4 features stronger coupling to longitudinal optical (LO) phonons, assisting emission from a broad bound-exciton state due to a soft, deformable lattice. In contrast, (4F-PMA)2GeI4, benefitting from intermolecular bonding to scaffold a rigid octahedral structure, shows weaker LO-phonon coupling, resulting in the longest PL lifetime and most narrow linewidth (≈120 meV linewidth at 2 K) reported for a Ge-halide perovskite yet, without the occurrence of any additional bound-state emission at low temperatures. These results highlight the potential of germanium halide perovskite materials for optoelectronic applications.
Octopus Tentacle‐Inspired In‐Sensor Adaptive Integral for Edge‐Intelligent Touch Intention Recognition
Inspired by the octopus cerebellum on its tentacles, a reconfigurable and adaptive intelligent touch sensor is proposed. It epitomizes touch strategic innovation by integrating a geometric progression structure that not only enhances deformability but also embeds an integral in-sensing mechanism. The work provides ground-breaking insight into the in-sensor computing and adaptive structure design strategies for advancing deformable multitouch electronics.
Abstract
Electronics continue to drive technological innovation and diversified applications. To ensure efficiency and effectiveness across various interactive contexts, the ability to adjust operating functions or parameters according to environmental shifts or user requirements is highly desirable. However, due to the inherent limitations of nonadaptive device structures and materials, the current development of touch electronics faces challenges, e.g., limited hardware resources, poor adaptability, weak deformation stability, and bottlenecks in sensing data processing. Here, a reconfigurable and adaptive intelligent (RAI) touch sensor is proposed, inspired by octopus's tentacle cognitive behavior. It realizes remarkable deformability and highly efficient multitouch interactions. The geometric progression structure of the sensing element equips the RAI touch sensor with a unique integrated-in-sensing mechanism and programmable logic. This greatly compresses sensing data dimensionality at the edge, yielding concise and undistorted interactive signals. By leveraging the advantages of hard-soft bonding and interface modulation of functional materials, the adaptability is achieved with a 200% strain range a 180° twist tolerance, and exceptional deformation stability of >10 000 cycles. The diverse application-specific configurations of the RAI touch sensor, enable a dynamic intention recognition accuracy of over 99%, advancing next-generation Internet of Things and edge computing research and innovation.
Fri 02 May 14:00: Frontiers in Embodied AI for Autonomous Driving
Over the last decade, we’ve seen unprecedented progress in AI across many disciplines and applications. However, autonomous vehicles are still far from mainstream even after billions of dollars of investment. In this talk we’ll explore what’s been holding progress back, and how by adopting a modern embodied AI approach to the problem, Wayve is finally unlocking the potential of scalable autonomous driving across the globe.
We’ll also explore some of our latest research in multimodal learning to combine the power of large language models with the driving problem, and in controllable generative world models as learned simulators.
Bio: Jamie leads Wayve’s Science department, where he guides our research teams to unlock new research breakthroughs, to enable those breakthroughs to have meaningful impact for the business, and to disrupt both our technical and business strategy to ensure Wayve stays at the forefront of innovation. Jamie has been at the forefront of applied AI research for the past 20 years. Before joining Wayve, Jamie was Partner Director of Science at Microsoft and Head of the Mixed Reality & AI Labs. While at Microsoft, Jamie shipped foundational features for Microsoft’s Kinect (Microsoft’s line of motion sensing input devices) and the hand- and eye-tracking that enable HoloLens 2’s interaction model (smart glasses). Jamie has a PhD in computer vision from the University of Cambridge and has received multiple Best Paper and Best Demo Awards at top-tier academic conferences. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2021.
- Speaker: Jamie Shotton, Wayve
- Friday 02 May 2025, 14:00-15:00
- Venue: Computer Lab, LT1.
- Series: Cambridge ML Systems Seminar Series; organiser: Sally Matthews.
Signal Converter‐Based Therapy Platform Promoting Aging Bone Healing by Improving Permeability of the Mitochondrial Membrane
GelMA microspheres integrated with polydopamine-coated gold nanorods (GMPG) respond to ultrasound stimulation, converting it into biochemical signals that stimulate senescent bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to highly express HSP70, thereby improving mitochondrial membrane permeability by inhibiting BAX activation, reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, and ultimately promoting aging bone regeneration.
Abstract
The aging microenvironment promotes persistent inflammation and loss of intrinsic regenerative capacity. These are major obstacles to effective bone tissue repair in older adults. This study aims to explore how physical thermal stimulation can effectively delay the bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) aging process. Based on this, an implantable physical signal-converter platform is designed as a therapeutic system that enables stable heat signals at the bone injury site under ultrasound stimulation (US). It is found that the therapeutic platform controllably reduces the mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization of aging BMSCs, bidirectionally inhibiting mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage. The leakage ratio of mtDNA decreases by 22.7%. This effectively mitigates the activation of the cGAS-STING pathway and its downstream NF-κB signaling induced by oxidative stress in aging BMSCs, thereby attenuating the pathological advancement of chronic inflammation. Thus, it effectively restores the metabolism and osteogenic differentiation of aging BMSCs in vitro, which is further confirmed in a rat model. In the GMPG/US group, the bone mineral density increases 2–3 times at 4 weeks in the rats femoral defect model. Therefore, this ultrasound-based signal-conversion platform provides a promising strategy for aging bone defect repair.
Phagocytosis‐Activating Nanocomplex Orchestrates Macrophage‐Mediated Cancer Immunotherapy
A pro-phagocytic polymer-based nanocomplex, MNCCD47i-CALRt, is designed to enhance macrophage-mediated tumor cell engulfment by modulating both the pro- and anti-phagocytic signals. Comprising a PAMAM derivative to induce calreticulin exposure and an RNAi to inhibit CD47 expression, MNCCD47i-CALRt effectively delays tumor growth and prolongs survival in mice, offering a potent strategy to potentiate macrophage-mediated cancer immunotherapy.
Abstract
The phagocytosis of macrophages to tumor cells represents an alluring strategy for cancer immunotherapy; however, its effectiveness is largely hindered by the detrimental upregulation of anti-phagocytic signals and insufficient expression of pro-phagocytic signals of tumor cells. Here, a pro-phagocytic polymer-based nanocomplex is designed to promote the macrophage engulfment of tumor cells through concurrent modulation of both the “eat me” and “don't eat me” signals. The nanocomplex MNCCD47i-CALRt is formed by complexing a synthetic PAMAM derivative (G4P–C7A) that is capable of intrinsically inducing the exposure of calreticulin (CALR, a crucial pro-phagocytic protein) and a small inference RNA that can inhibit the expression of CD47 (a primary anti-phagocytic protein). MNCCD47i-CALRt can significantly delay tumor growth and prolong the survival of tumor-bearing mice with negligible hematopoietic toxicity in multiple murine colorectal cancer models. Furthermore, the pro-phagocytic capacity of MNCCD47i-CALRt is validated in the patient-derived tumor organoid model. Collectively, the phagocytosis-promoting nanocomplex provides a simple and potent strategy for boosting macrophage-mediated cancer immunotherapy.