UK science body launches new planet

An interactive planet for the public to explore UK science and engineering was launched (30th September 2009) by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) – the UK ’s largest government agency for research.
IMPACT! World www.impactworld.org.uk is an innovative new website where users can explore how engineering and physical sciences research is helping to build the world around us and creating a healthy, productive and sustainable future for us all.

Through films, stories, and an interactive planet, the website shows how research is helping to fight crime in police stations, save lives in hospitals, develop green forms of transport, informing government decisions and much more.

The website has been endorsed by Lord Robert Winston who said this about the site:

“This is a world where research is changing our lives with new technologies in medical engineering, digital communications, manufacturing and cultural industries. On IMPACT! World you’ll find science at work finding new ways to preserve our heritage and protect the planet. Developments like these are improving our health, our wellbeing and prosperity.”

Science and Innovation Minster Lord Drayson said:

“This new website shines a deserving light onto the contribution science and engineering make to the UK . It offers a fascinating insight into how home-grown technologies are tackling some of the biggest challenges we face such as improving our quality of life and stimulating the economy.”

EPSRC Chief Executive Professor Dave Delpy said:

“Engineering and physical sciences research is crucial to creating a healthy, prosperous and sustainable society. It has huge impact on the world around us. We hope this website and our IMPACT Campaign will help the public understand why research is so crucial to the UK ’s future.”

Films and case studies on IMPACT! World include:

• Downloadable software for your mobile phone that could help doctors monitor asthma, diabetes and other chronic conditions remotely.

• Revolutionary software that speeds up processing times for forensic evidence that could help police crack crimes faster.

• How scientists and business are working together to develop advanced manufacturing techniques stimulating the UK economy.

• The ‘Virtual Human’ that will allow doctors to test different prescriptions against their patient’s individual genotype before prescribing the safest and most effective treatments.

• The £2 LED lightbulb that lasts 60 years.

• Sheets of carbon just a single atom thick that could herald a new generation of electronic devices.

• New technology helping children with communication disabilities to share everyday experiences with their family.

IMPACT! World is the latest activity in EPSRC’s IMPACT! Campaign launched at the Cheltenham Science Festival in June. The campaign aims to demonstrate how UK scientists and engineers are solving some of the biggest challenges facing society.

Visit the innovative website at www.impactworld.org.uk

Tags: efficiency, Energy, engineering, futrue, green, health, impactworld, interactive, physical, planet, robert winston, Science, sustainable, Transport

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