The project focuses on advancing fibre-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology, a critical component of quantum-secured communication networks. The project aims to develop next-generation QKD systems that not only enhance secure bit rates and extend communication reach but are also oriented towards future integration with quantum memories. This forward-looking approach is crucial for enabling long-distance quantum communications, where quantum memories will play a key role. The primary aim of the project is to design and implement new QKD systems that apply emerging QKD protocols to improve secure bit rates and communication reach over fibre networks. The research will explore novel QKD architectures, such as Twin-Field (TF) QKD and measurement-device-independent (MDI) QKD, and will investigate how these systems can be oriented towards integration with quantum memories. The project employs an experimental research methodology with a focus on both optical and electronic engineering, with the added goal of future integration with quantum memories. Key techniques include high-speed optical and electronic systems, using semiconductor lasers, optical modulators, and high-speed RF electronics, implementing and testing emerging QKD protocols, exploring architectures that facilitate interaction between QKD systems and quantum memories for future scalability. This project aligns with EPSRC's strategies in Quantum Technologies, particularly in the development of quantum communication systems and secure data transmission. Additionally, the project contributes to EPSRC's priorities in ICT, Digital Economy, and Cybersecurity. The project is based at Toshiba Europe Ltd. This project primarily falls within EPSRC's remit as it is an Industrial CASE funded by EPSRC. However, it also touches on broader themes relevant to Innovate UK and UKRI strategies related to quantum technologies and future infrastructures. The methodology involves both experimental research and theoretical work.

This project is sponsored by P&G as the industrial partner and is concerned with the monitoring of industrial process flows using optical sensors. In particular, we aim to develop novel approaches towards optically monitoring the build-up and removal of foulant layers in process pipes. The student will determine the sensitivity, stability, and applicability of these sensors across a range of chemistries, developing a relationship between changes in refractive index (RI) over time, response changes relative to bulk chemistry and identify regimes for cleaning verification using a sensor-based approach.

Vision: This PhD project is part of a strategically developed mini-Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in automating laboratory experiments, known as ALBERT, which is running as a pilot programme at the University of York between 2023-2024. The principal motivation for the ALBERT mini-CDT is to develop the science, engineering, and socio-technology that underpins the building of a laboratory-based robotic system for use in applied experiments across the physical sciences. Automated laboratory experiments are revolutionizing the way that we conduct our science, from a productivity, performance and efficiency perspective. Creating a Chemistry-based ecosystem that is cleaner, greener, safer, and cheaper than anything achievable by current conventional techniques and technologies, is a key driver for this research. Background: Research groups around the World are embedding robotic technologies and data analysis tools into their workflows to accelerate chemical reaction development and understanding, while improving productivity, cost-effectiveness, greenness and cleanliness. In our laboratory we have available to us two Chemspeed robotic systems for accelerating high throughput experimentation (HTE), which produces high volumes of chemical reaction data. This data has a richness to it, particularly relating to the outcomes of widely employed transition metal-catalysed cross-coupling reactions. In a study examining the reaction outcomes from a pharmaceutically relevant catalytic C-H bond functionalisation reaction we have demonstrated the value of analysing the reaction outcomes of a HTE campaign through the utilisation of mathematical methods such as principal component analysis, linear regression and clustering analysis tools. This work ultimately depends on having mathematical expertise in place to examine our reaction data in a rigorous, while ensuring appropriate controls are in place. High-profile research highlights the importance of having mathematical expertise as a cornerstone in the data analysis of chemical reactions, particularly using machine learning methods. The PhD project will thus be carried out by a graduate student with a mathematics undergraduate degree, with interdisciplinary interests. PhD project objectives: Manually assess HTE reaction data from topical synthetic cross-coupling reactions, draw trends and gain broader understanding. Automate data analysis of small (50-300) and large reaction (up to 5000) datasets. Development of a self-optimisation algorithm that can be implemented within the Chemspeed robotic working systems. Assess the impact of automated reaction optimisation routines, comparing against traditional means of working (pros and cons). The PhD student will work on data analysis, script writing and coding. The project is led by Prof. Ian Fairlamb. Several key co-supervisors are in place to play different roles in supporting this interdisciplinary project {Jessica Hargreaves (Maths), Darren Reed (Sociology) and Charlotte Willans (Chemistry)}. There will be collaborative aspects with other Fairlamb research group members and the wider ALBERT CDT programme, as it develops, particularly in its second year 2024/25. Key areas: Synthetic Chemistry, Digital Chemistry, Robotics, Mathematics

Macrocycles (cyclic molecules with 12+ atoms in a ring) and medium-sized rings (8-11 membered ring molecules) have great potential in medicinal chemistry but are hard to make using current synthetic methods. This iCASE PhD project concerns the development of a novel, innovative strategy by which diverse, biologically important macrocycles can be made more easily. In collaboration with AZ, a modular approach will be developed, based on the rapid assembly of simple molecular building blocks into linear precursors, followed by direct conversion into macrocycles using a novel system of Cascade Ring Expansion (CRE) reactions [introduced by the Unsworth group in their previous publication: Angew. Chem., Int. Ed. 2019, 58, 13942]. This practical, versatile and scalable approach is expected to have major implications for the exploration of macrocycles at various stages of pharmaceutical R+D. The main aim of this project is to establish CRE as a major enabling technology for the synthesis of medicinally useful medium-sized rings and macrocycles. Expanding the scope of the CRE concept by varying 3 key reaction components in turn is an important objective - new CRE reactions based on variations to the electrophile, the internal nucleophilic catalyst and the terminal nucleophile will all be explored. By combining the new reactions as an overall package, a practical, versatile and modular system for the synthesis of diversely functionalised medicinally relevant macrocycles will be established. Expanding the CRE concept to longer cascade processes based on substrates containing multiple internal nucleophiles is also a key objective. Translating the CRE methods, and the molecules made, into medicinal chemistry is a major driver in this project and pathways to enable this will be explored through collaboration with project partners at AZ. To facilitate this, we will look to establish a series of protocols by which a diverse collection of simple molecular building blocks can be assembled into functionalised linear precursors to CRE is as efficient and streamlined a manner as possible. These precursors will then be cyclised into macrocycles and medium-sized ring using CRE. Bioassay of the products made will be conducted to assess which have useful biological properties for drug discovery applications. These assays will help guide the design of further products, optimising towards macrocycles with greatest medicinal potential.

The aim of the project is to study unusual phenomena in a flow of a fluid through a given domain when the fluid enters the domain through one part of the boundary (the inlet) and leaves it through another part (the outlet). A typical example is a flow in a pipe of finite length when the ends of the pipe represent inlet and outlet of the flow domain. Another example is given by meteorology. Conventional short-time weather forecast involves solving equations of fluid mechanics in a domain which is bounded by two meridians and two parallels. The boundary of this forecast domain is, of course, permeable for air and the problem of boundary conditions naturally arises. A mathematical model that can be numerically studied using computers appears only after such boundary conditions are specified. One more important example is the problem of calculation and design of ventilation systems based on blowing or exhaustion of air. A key requirement here is to ensure the absence of stagnation zones in a ventilated room. Surely, certain approaches to this problem have been developed in practical engineering, but the creation of a more fundamental theory will, no doubt, eventually lead to considerable improvement of such empirical methods. Finally, we should mention a similar problem of transport of an admixture (e.g. a pollutant) in the atmosphere and ocean when there are its sources and sinks. The importance of such problems is evident already from the above examples.-However, they are still insufficiently explored. In fact, in fluid mechanics overwhelming majority of papers deal with fluid flows which are either bounded by rigid impermeable walls or extend to infinity.In this project, mainly flows of an inviscid fluid are studied, and the effect of small viscosity is taken into account by the asymptotic theory of boundary layers, special attention being paid to boundary layers at the outlet. All the phenomena listed below, being known for viscous fluids, are completely unknown in inviscid fluid dynamics. First we consider the existence and uniqueness problem for steady and forced time-periodic flows. Also, we point out conditions for non-existence of these regimes caused by permanent acceleration of motion. When a steady or forced time-periodic flow exists, natural questions about its stability and instability, dependence on parameters and branching arise. We study the stability of steady and both forced and self-oscillatory periodic flows paying special attention to non-existence of stagnation zones (the case of proper ventilation). We investigate the general problem of monotonouos and oscillatory instability of a steady flow and corresponding transitions to steady and self-oscillatory secondary regimes. Parametric resonance and parametric stabilization/destabilization effects will be also studied. The possibility of creation of stagnation zones will be specially examined. General approaches will be realized for a number of flows in rectilinear and curved pipes and ducts with various distributions of velocity and vorticity at the inlet.