Science and Engineering Research Council (Hansard, 13 November 1991)

§ Mr. Kenneth Clarke

The annual report of the Science and Engineering Research Council—SERC—for 1990–91 has been submitted to me under the requirements of the Science and Technology Act 1965, and a copy is being placed before the House today.

The report describes a challenging year for the council when important decisions were taken about future research priorities. The report describes important developments in science and engineering. These include, among many others.

a. The completion of the MERLIN network of radio-telescopes. In November 1990 I had the pleasure of opening the new 32 metre radio-telescope at Cambridge—the central element of the project. With the linking together of the seven telescopes in the network, the UK now has a facility equivalent to a telescope 230 kilometres in diameter. Observations from the MERLIN system will allow British astronomers to maintain their position in the forefront of their field.b. The exciting discovery by a team at Cambridge of light-emitting polymers. This is an excellent example of collaboration between physicists and chemists in tackling problems in the important field of materials science. Light-emitting polymers have now been produced of a similar efficiency to conventional light-emitting diodes and the development of such materials to cover the whole of the optical spectrum is now in progress.c. The Clean Technology programme. This is a joint venture by the SERC and the AFRC which promotes long-range opportunities for research into prospective new clean technologies. Examples of work in progress include investigation of alternatives to bulk chemicals and the concentration and disposal of dilute waste.d. The identification of a third form of carbon structure in addition to diamond and graphite. These closed cage structures have become known as "fullerenes" after Buckminster Fuller, the architect of the geodesic dome. As well as opening up whole new fields of carbon chemistry and materials science their discovery also promises new insights into the mechanisms of star and planet formation. A group at Sussex university has played a leading role in identifying these structures.e. In the field of engineering, the development of novel image sensing technology. Work at Edinburgh university has made possible for the first time the combination of analogue image sensors and digital processing circuitry on a single silicon chip. This will enable the production of high resolution image sensors at a substantially lower cost, size and power consumption than previously possible. This important development offers the possibility of new products such as "micro" video cameras, with potential further applications in computer optics, videophones and robotics.

I congratulate the Science and Engineering Research Council on these and other achievements during the year. I expect the council to continue the task of reviewing its forward programme to match changing scientific priorities.