January 18, 2006, Manchester, United Kingdom--The University of Manchester is launching a new research institute today, intended to pioneer cutting-edge light and laser technologies. The Photon Science Institute (PSI), launched with support from the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA), will be the largest research and teaching centre of its kind in the UK with a projected annual research income of £5m and more than 30 full-time academic staff.
Photon Science -- 'light for science' -- encompasses the application of light in many diverse fields. Common applications include optical fibre telecommunications and DVD players. Professor Klaus Müller-Dethlefs, who is internationally recognised for his contributions to molecular spectroscopy, having invented the widely adopted ZEKE (Zero Electron Kinetic Energy) photoelectron method, is leading the Institute as its Director.
Research will focus on the development and application of new and existing laser technologies and systems spanning medicine, pharmaceutical, the life sciences and the physical sciences. Projects will include the development of new optical materials (for applications such as solar cells) and the development of new non-invasive medical technologies (such as measuring blood sugar levels without taking a blood sample, which will be of vital interest to diabetics).
The PSI will boast over £15m worth of state of the art laser equipment and is soon to be based within a new £55m University building, scheduled for completion in 2007. A full-time postgraduate MSc in Photon Science will be offered from October 2006.