Ministers Witness Test Capability at Harwell

Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and the Minister for Cities, Greg Clark MP were able to see how advances in science and engineering are shaping future technology during a visit to STFC’s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) at Harwell on 30^th January.

At the RAL’s ISIS research centre, the Deputy Prime Minister saw the brand new ‘ChipIr’ facility, where a neutron beam is used to replicate the cosmic radiation which interacts with the earth’s atmosphere; understanding the disruption caused by such radiation to microelectronic devices will help manufacturers build more reliable and safer electronic systems. ChipIr will be the first of four new instruments to come online as a result of a £21 million investment by the government in 2011 after an initial investment in the UK for the second experimental hall at ISIS (Target Station 2) of £130 million. It is expected to be fully operational later this year.

Professor John Womersley, Chief Executive of STFC said: “The government's investment in ISIS Target Station 2 is really starting to pay dividends.  World leading science is being done in physics, chemistry and the life sciences, with strong connections to business: ChipIR, which the Deputy Prime Minister saw today, will provide industry with a way to test critical electronics against the impact of cosmic radiation – for example aircraft systems and medical devices.”

During his visit Mr Clegg also met a number of STFC graduates and apprentices and held a Q and A session at the Satellite Applications Catapult where Oxfordshire residents were invited to ask Nick Clegg questions. The Catapult is designed to stimulate growth in the UK economy through the exploitation of space.

The Minister for Cities, Greg Clark MP, was present at RAL to sign the Oxford City deal with Oxford County and City councils, Oxfordshire Local Enterprise Partnership and Oxford University.