The description of the laws of quantum mechanics saw a transformation in society's understanding of the physical world-for the first time we understood the rules that govern the counterintuitive domain of the very small. Rather than being just passive observers now scientists are using these laws to their advantage and quantum phenomena are providing us with methods of improved measurement and communication; furthermore they promise a revolution in the way materials are simulated and computations are performed. Over the last decade significant progress has been made in the application of quantum phenomena to meeting these challenges. This "Engineering Photonic Quantum Technologies" Programme Grant goes significantly beyond previous achievements in the quantum technology field. Through a series of carefully orchestrated work packages that develop the underlying materials, systems engineering, and theory we will develop the knowledge and skills that enable us to create application demonstrators with significant academic and societal benefit. For the first time in quantum technologies we are combining materials and device development and experimental work with the important theoretical considerations of architectures and fault tolerant approaches. Our team of investigators and partners have the requisite expertise in materials, individual components, their integration, and the underpinning theory that dictates the optimal path to achieving the programme goals in the presence of real-world constraints. Through this programme we will adopt the materials systems most capable of providing application specific solutions in each of four technology demonstrations focused on quantum communications, quantum enhanced sensing, the construction of a multiplexed single-photon source and information processing systems that outperform modern classical analogues. To achieve this, our underlying technology packages will demonstrate very low optical-loss waveguides which will be used to create the necessary 'toolbox' of photonic components such as splitters, delays, filters and switches. We will integrate these devices with superconducting and semiconducting single-photon detector systems and heralded single-photon sources to create an integrated source+circuit+detector capability that becomes the basis for our technology demonstrations. We address the challenge of integrating these optical elements (in the necessary low-temperature environment) with the very low latency classical electronic control systems that are required of detection-and-feedforward schemes such as multiplexed photon-sources and cluster-state generation and computation. At all times a thorough analysis of the performance of all these elements informs our work on error modelling and fault tolerant designs; these then inform all aspects of the technology demonstrators from inception, through decisions on the optimal materials choices for a system, to the layout of a circuit on a wafer. With these capabilities we will usher in a disruptive transformation in ICT. We will demonstrate mutli-node quantum key distribution (QKD) networks, high-bit rate QKD systems with repeaters capable of spanning unlimited distances. Our quantum enhanced sensing will surpass the classical shot noise limit and see the demonstration of portable quantum-enhanced spectroscopy system. And our quantum information processors will operate with 10-qubits in a fault tolerant scheme which will provide the roadmap to 1,000 qubit cluster state computing architectures.

In this fellowship I will deliver the next generation of magma-filled fracture models, by building on my track record of developing novel methodologies and applying a multidisciplinary approach to instigate a step change in eruption forecasting and volcanic hazard assessment. The communication revolution requires rapid and reliable decision making in the lead up to and during volcanic crises, but existing models of magma sub-surface flow are insufficient to allow this. We need to identify the conditions under which different magma flow regimes and host-rock deformation modes dominate, because these directly affect the eruption potential of underground magma. We need to recognise how magma ascent pathways and eruption potential are influenced by petrological characteristics, 3D geometry and heat transfer. We need to ground-truth our theoretical, physical and chemical understanding in exposed ancient volcanic plumbing systems. Finally, we need to synthesise insight from analogue, mathematical and field experiments and enable these combined models to be deployed to improve the accuracy and reliability of volcanic eruption forecasts. I will use my multidisciplinary expertise in volcanic plumbing systems and work closely with Project Partners from academia and government organisations to integrate analogue modelling, mathematical modelling, geophysical observations and geological analyses of volcanic systems to build the next generation of dyke and sill models. I will use novel imaging techniques combined with analogue modelling to couple the dynamics of magma intrusion and host-rock deformation with the associated surface distortions. I will develop cutting-edge mathematical models to explore the thermal, petrological and geometric behaviour of magma intrusions, considering magma flow dynamics and host-rock deformation, from propagation to solidification. I will perform state-of-the-art field experiments on two complementary and distinct suites of intrusions and use laboratory techniques to understand how the magma flow and host rock deformation occurred. I will compare field, analogue and mathematical model insights and collaborate with volcano and space observatories to test and develop them so they can be integrated into geohazard assessment systems. These models will form part of the international infrastructure of volcanic hazard assessment used to significantly minimise the human and economic cost of volcanic eruptions.

IPCC stresses that limiting warming to 1.5 oC requires "reaching net zero CO2 emission globally around 2050". Aviation is one of the most important economic sectors, and is expected to steadily grow by 4-5% per year. If aviation emissions growth is unmitigated, it could contribute 4-15% of emission budget in 2050 for a 2 oC target. UK has committed to Jet-Zero by decarbonizing aviation until 2050, however, aviation's climate warming and uncertainty are both dominated (> 50%) by contrail cirrus. Therefore, it is vital to "quantify and reduce aviation contrail radiative forcing (QR-CODE)". This will enable the design of mitigation strategies via trade-offs: reduce large non-CO2 warming but with a subtle increase in CO2 emissions, such as flights diversion to avoid contrails. Contrails, or condensation trails, are cirrus clouds created by aircraft when flying through cold and humid regions. Fresh contrails are line-shaped and usually short-lived in dry ambient air; but under humid and cold conditions, contrails can persist for up to tens of hours and spread out as contrail cirrus (CC) covering up to thousands of km2. These contrail and CC can reflect shortwave sunlight back to space (cooling), but also trap longwave terrestrial radiation as CO2 does (warming). The net forcing of aviation cirrus (including contrail and CC) has been assessed to be the largest component of aviation-induced warming forcing but also with the largest uncertainty. One key challenge is the lack of observational evidence to constrain and improve aviation-induced cirrus prediction in numerical models, particularly because CC often merges with natural cirrus making it indistinguishable neither to quantify the associated radiative forcing. Recent developments mean that the lack of constraints are now changing, it is timely and ripe to overcome the challenge and achieve QR-CODE ambitions. The developments include: 1) The COVID global lockdown grounded more than 80% flights, which provides unprecedented large-scale natural experiments for deriving aviation fingerprints on cirrus. 2) The availability of 20+ years continuous observations of cirrus clouds from satellites enables advance application of machine-learning to develop natural experiments for disentangling aviation fingerprints. 3) The recent advance in computer vision enables automatic detection of line-shaped young contrails from satellite images during 2001-2022, which was almost an impossible task using manual techniques. Google led a recent innovation in applying computer vision in successful detecting line-shaped contrails from satellite images (similar to ship-tracks in liquid-clouds). Another our recent innovation in applying machine-learning to develop natural experiments has demonstrated its fidelity in unambiguously quantifying aerosol fingerprints on different types of natural clouds and the associated radiative forcing. These natural experiments use long-term satellite observations-based machine-learning to predict how clouds would look if they were unperturbed under the same meteorology, and therefore enabling discerning the fingerprints of large perturbations (including aviation during COVID) on cirrus (similar to liquid-clouds impacted by plumes, e.g., ship emission to marine boundary-layer clouds). QR-CODE will further develop and apply the above two modern innovations to aviation line-shaped contrails and CC to generate the first ever large ensemble of observation-based constraints for developing aviation cirrus predictors (Theme 1.3). This will allow us to improve aviation cirrus prediction and quantify its climate effects (Theme 1.1), hence enabling the optimization and implement of trade-off mitigation strategies via contrail avoidance through the Met Office Civil Aviation Authority to support the UK Jet Zero strategy (Themes 2.1-2.3).

Space weather describes the changing properties of near-Earth space, which influences the flow of electrical currents in this region, particularly within the ionosphere and magnetosphere. Space weather results from solar magnetic activity, which waxes and wanes over the Sunspot cycle of 11 years, due to eruptions of electrically charged material from the Sun's outer atmosphere. Particularly severe space weather can affect ground-based, electrically conducting infrastructures such as power transmission systems (National Grid), pipelines and railways. Ground based networks are at risk because rapidly changing electrical currents in space, driven by space weather, cause rapid geomagnetic field changes on the ground. These magnetic changes give rise to electric fields in the Earth that act as a 'battery' across conducting infrastructures. This 'battery' causes geomagnetically induced currents (GIC) to flow to or from the Earth, through conducting networks, instead of in the more resistive ground. These GIC upset the safe operation of transformers, risking damage and blackouts. GIC also cause enhanced corrosion in long metal pipeline networks and interfere with railway signalling systems. Severe space weather in March 1989 damaged power transformers in the UK and caused a long blackout across Quebec, Canada. The most extreme space weather event known - the 'Carrington Event' of 1859 - caused widespread failures and instabilities in telegraph networks, fires in telegraph offices and auroral displays to low latitudes. The likelihood of another such extreme event is estimated to be around 10% per decade. Severe space weather is therefore recognised in the UK government's National Risk Register as a one-in-two to one-in-twenty year event, for which industry and government needs to plan to mitigate the risk. Some studies have estimated the economic consequence of space weather and GIC to run to billions of dollars per day in the major advanced economies, through the prolonged loss of electrical power. There are mathematical models of how GIC are caused by space weather and where in the UK National Grid they may appear (there are no models of GIC flow in UK pipelines or railway networks). However these models are quite limited in what they can do and may therefore not provide a true picture of GIC risk in grounded systems, for example highlighting some locations as being at risk, when in fact any problems lie elsewhere. The electrical model that has been developed to represent GIC at transformer substations in the National Grid misses key features, such as a model of the 132kV transmission system of England and Wales, or any model for Northern Ireland. The conductivity of the subsurface of the UK is known only partly and in some areas not at all well. (We need to know the conductivity in order to compute the electric field that acts as the 'battery' for GIC.) The UK GIC models only 'now-cast', at best, and they have no forecast capability, even though this is a stated need of industry and government. We do not have tried and tested now-cast models, or even forecast models, of magnetic variations on the ground. This is because of our under-developed understanding of how currents flow in the ionosphere and magnetosphere, how these interconnect and how they relate to conditions in the solar wind. In this project we will therefore upgrade existing or create new models that relate GIC in power, pipe and railway networks to ionospheric, magnetospheric and solar wind conditions. These models will address the issues we have identified with the current generation of models and their capabilities and provide accurate data for industry and governments to assess our risk from space weather. In making progress on these issues we will also radically improve on our physical understanding of the way electrical currents and electromagnetic fields interact near and in the Earth and how they affect the important technologies we rely on.

Over the past decades, computer simulations have played an increasingly important role in design of numerous complex systems. In particular, computer simulations have played a pivotal role in aerodynamic and structural design of aircraft. It is becoming apparent, however, that current generation software packages used for aerodynamics design are not fit for purpose. Newer software is required, that can make effective use of current and future computing platforms, to perform highly accurate so called 'scale-resolving' simulations of air flow over complex aircraft configurations. Such capability would lead to design of more efficient and capable aerospace technology. In particular, it would greatly improve design of next generation Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), which in the coming decades are set to have a significant impact on our society, playing key roles in areas such as defense, border security, search and rescue, farming, fishing, cargo transport, wireless communications, and weather monitoring. The primary objectives of this research are to i.) develop software that can effectively leverage capabilities of current and future computing platforms (with many thousands or even millions of computing cores) to undertaken hitherto intractable simulations of airflow over complex UAV configurations ii.) test and demonstrate cutting edge functionality of this software, iii.) translate the technology to industry, such that it can be used to facilitate design of next generation UAVs. The research program will be lead by Dr. Peter Vincent (a Lecturer in the department of Aeronautics at Imperial College London). It will be undertaken in collaboration with various industrial partners including BAE Systems, NASA Glenn, Nvidia, and Zenotech, and with various academic partners including Stanford University, UC Berkeley, University of Swansea, and University of Utah. This assembled team of project partners, comprising a selection of the world's leading companies, and elite research institutions, will ensure the project successfully delivers its objectives.