This proposal sets out the terms for the continuation funding for the IMRC at Imperial College. All objectives, research plans and beneficiaries information has previously been approved though the 3rd year review of the existing Centre.

Aim: The aim of the project is to determine the time of initiation, and paleodrainage history, of the Nile River. Although unpublished oil company data show Nile delta sediments as old as Oligocene, debate exists as to the source of such sediment. Many workers consider that these older deposits are locally derived from the Red Sea Hills, and that initiation of an extensive Nile drainage network, extending as far south as Ethiopia and Uganda, did not occur until later, with estimates ranging from Miocene to Quaternary. Environmental and economic impact of the research: Determination of the Nile's palaeodrainage is critical to better understanding of land-ocean-atmosphere interactions since the river's hydrology is directly forced by large-scale oceanographic and climatic changes. Additionally, the river's drainage has the potential to allow discrimination between plume versus isostatic control on rift-related uplift, and its drainage is also thought to have influenced hominid dispersal and ancient civilisations. Economically, the study will contribute to a better understanding of how large rivers influence the development of ocean anoxia and development of sapropels which are important oil source rocks. Specific to Nile delta hydrocarbon potential, documentation of variation in the core's composition allows evaluation of 1) temporal variability of resultant changes in porosity/permeability and hence hydrocarbon prospectivity, 2) spatial variability, related to sediment distribution, with implications for well correlation and distribution of reservoir systems. Approach: Nile delta sediments locally sourced from the Neoproterozoic Red Sea Hills island arc rocks have a different petrographic, isotopic and geochemical signature from those derived from the Nile's headwaters of the Oligocene Ethiopian Flood Basalts (drained by the Blue Nile) and Archaean-Neoproterozoic Saharan Craton (drained by the White Nile). Modern river sediment collected from the White Nile, Blue Nile and rivers draining the Red Sea Hills will be subject to petrographic, isotopic and geochemical techniques (see Table 1; Case for Support) to characterise the signature of these potential source regions. Data will then be compared with analyses conducted on Nile delta core samples of Eocene to Recent age and the provenance of the detritus determined. Thus the time of initiation of input to the delta from the sources which are today at the Nile's headwaters can be deduced, and changes in input documented through time. These data will be coupled with subsurface well and seismic data to produce a regional temporal and spatial understanding of sediment input and distribution. Training: The student will be trained in 1) subsurface data analysis, and core description, interpretation and sampling, 2) geochemical, isotopic and petrographic techniques, 3) field sampling techniques during modern river sediment collection and 4) generic 'transferable' skills. Training details are provided in a separate section. The student will be trained by experienced supervisors and analysts. Lead supervisor Najman (Lancaster) has more than 20 years experience in the integration and interpretation of multi-technique provenance studies. Co-supervisors Butterworth (BP Egypt) and Kneller (Aberdeen) both have more than 20 years experience working on subsurface data and deepwater systems including the Nile delta. NIGL, where the isotopic analyses will be undertaken, is a world class research institute with emphasis on training. Manchester and Edinburgh, where geochemical analyses will be undertaken, provides state of the art facilities run by dedicated lab managers. Petrography will be carried out under the guidance of Garzanti (University of Milano-Bicocca) who has substantial experience in the study of sands from the Nile River and from rivers draining the Red Sea Hills.

The Cranfield IMRC vision is to grow the existing world class research activity through the development and interaction between:Manufacturing Technologies and Product/Service Systems that move UK manufacturing up the value chain to provide high added value manufacturing business opportunities.This research vision builds on the existing strengths and expertise at Cranfield and is complementary to the activities at other IMRCs. It represents a unique combination of manufacturing research skills and resource that will address key aspects of the UK's future manufacturing needs. The research is multi-disciplinary and cross-sectoral and is designed to promote knowledge transfer between sectors. To realise this vision the Cranfield IMRC has two interdependent strategic aims which will be pursued simultaneously:1.To produce world/beating process and product technologies in the areas of precision engineering and materials processing.2.To enable the creation and exploitation of these technologies within the context of service/based competitive strategies.