UCL researchers secure two new Royal Academy of Engineering partnerships

Professor Dan Brett and Professor Adrien Desjardins have each been appointed Research Chairs by the Royal Academy of Engineering.

These prestigious five-year positions, co-sponsored by an industrial partner, allow awardees to establish a globally-significant research group in their chosen engineering field.

Professor Brett (UCL Chemical Engineering and the Electrochemical Innovation Lab) will develop measurement tools to support the fundamental change needed in the way vehicles are powered.

The work will play an important role in supporting countries to move away from conventional engines towards solutions like batteries, fuel cells and supercapacitors.

Professor Desjardins (UCL Medical Physics & Biomedical Engineering) is working to improve the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular (CV) disease with advanced fibre optic technology.

The project is a multidisciplinary, collaborative effort between UCL and spinout Echopoint Medical, set up with assistance from UCL Innovation & Enterprise. To date, the company has attracted £2.8 million in funding from the UCL Technology Fund (managed by AlbionVC in collaboration with UCLB, part of UCL Innovation & Enterprise), Parkwalk Advisors and Innovate UK.

Commenting on the appointments, David Price, Vice-Provost (Research, Innovation & Global Engagement), said: “The fact that two of the five research partnerships have been awarded to UCL academics shows the strength of our work in addressing complex challenges we face today. Working with industry is a key way for us to maximise public benefit from our research. I’m particularly pleased to see the partnership with UCL spinout Echopoint Medical, which should deliver faster diagnosis and treatment for CV patients around the world.”

Read the full story on the UCL News website.

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Find out more about:

• The Royal Academy of Engineering prizes and medals
• UCL Chemical Engineering
• UCL Electrochemical Innovation Lab
• UCL Medical Physics & Bioengineering
• UCL Engineering
• Support for UCL researchers through UCL Innovation & Enterprise

Photos of Professor Adrien Desjardins and Professor Dan Brett © UCL