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Based in a city “regarded as one of the 10 most creative cities in the world” (The Sunday Times), Newcastle is renowned as a “student city” where one in six of the population is a student. Now students have the chance to study in a School which is developing crucial links with industry and boasts new state-ofthe- art facilities, following a multi-million pound investment. Professor Alistair Sambell is Dean of the School and believes its mix of cutting-edge research and innovative teaching is a recipe for success.

“We have invested over £8m in new teaching facilities and research laboratories, supported by funding from a variety of sources, in order to create a world-class environment for staff and students,” he says. “Building on our links with industry and other external partners, our aim is to provide the very best experience and opportunities for our students.”

Some of the latest pioneering developments include:

• The Digital Smart Room – featuring a central computerised system which can save energy, turn on the lights automatically by sensing when you enter a room, allow you to turn on the oven when you are on your way home and respond to your movements.
• A patented imaging technique for the early detection of breast cancer with the potential to provide safer and more comfortable examinations while also being cheaper than conventional methods.
• A new method of designing coatings to prevent corrosion in gas turbine engines. The engines, typically used in the aerospace industry, are subject to corrosion due to the high temperatures and the new coating methods could prolong their lifespan to over 3,000 hours of use.

• Dr Steven Gao

  The world’s highest-ever-performing GaN microwave power amplifiers – which would boost the power and efficiency of mobile phone base stations, satellite communication and radar systems. These are being developed in a unique collaboration between Northumbria University and the University of California. Microwave expert, Dr Steven Gao, a Senior Lecturer at Northumbria University, has been working in California with several leading experts in microwave technology and their pioneering research is set to drive forward the commercial telecommunications industry.

The research is developing Class E and Class F microwave power amplifiers – which are up to 25 –40% more powerful than the amplifiers commonly used in telecommunications today. It combines new circuit design techniques with the use of a new GaN (Gallium Nitride) device to produce even smaller circuits, producing much higher power and, ultimately, making them more efficient and more cost effective.

With over 200 staff and 90 PhD students, the School combines expertise in engineering, computing, mathematics and information sciences. Professor Sambell says: “In creating this new School with its unique blend of expertise, we aim to continue to develop a dynamic research environment with research topics inspired by imagination, curiosity and economic and social needs.

Dr David Smith in the Anechoic Chamber

“The School has innovation at its heart and provides an outstanding environment for students and staff to excel in education, research and enterprise activity.’’

The School offers a unique mix of courses, covering everything from Computer Games Software Engineering and IT Management for Business to Computer Forensics. As part of Northumbria University, it has an international reputation for delivering first-class teaching, backed up by research and consultancy expertise.

Ranked top of the UK’s modern universities in the Times Good University Guide 2006, Northumbria’s courses are designed to offer students real skills for the job market.

For more information, contact:
Tel: +44 (0) 191 227 4342
E-mail: iz.general@northumbria.ac.uk
Website: www.northumbria.ac.uk/ceis

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