978 1 News Mobile Phone Game Goes Global

Mobile phone designers from Lancashire's two universities have worked together for the first time to create a game which is now being sold worldwide by the computer giant Apple.

Mobile phone designers from Lancashire's two universities have worked together for the first time to create a game which is now being sold worldwide by the computer giant Apple. The students from Lancaster University and UCLAN have developed an innovative mobile phone game for the iPhone and iPod handsets, which is now on sale on Apple's itunes website. Industry analysts predict a huge growth in downloads for mobile applications, up from £7bn now to £22bn by 2015. The game - called "Cabbin' Frenzy" - involves players trying to dominate the chaotic city streets of New York, Paris or London as the boss of a taxi company. Using "touch and drag", players direct up to five cabs at once across a 3D map of the city. The challenge is to choose the best route to collect and deliver passengers, earning the most money while avoiding collisions. The students' invention has been backed with £16,000 worth of investment from Lancashire County Council, North West Vision and Media, UCLAN and Preston City Council, while Lancaster University contributed equipment and mentoring. Lancaster University's Dr Reuben Edwards, from the Department of Communication Systems at InfoLab21 said: "The launch of this new product shows the strengths of the two universities and the potential benefits in bringing together design students from UCLAN and developers from Lancaster University to create commercial applications with the support of local businesses." The students will earn a bonus if the game sells well, while the profits will be shared between the two software companies involved -GlobiGames Ltd and Shiny Development. The managing director of GlobiGames Ltd, Peter Melling, praised the students' "maturity and business acumen". He said: "I believe the stakeholders behind the project were all very impressed by the innovation, work rate and hands-on skills demonstrated by all the students. We've even discussed possible start up opportunities with them because we'd like to create a cluster of games developers here in the North West instead of losing them to London." http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1278605865.jpg 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1279897647.jpg 250 250 Thursday Thu 01 July Jul 07 2010

910 1 News Space storm studies win prizes for Lancaster scientists

Lancaster University research into the threat to electricity distribution grids posed by solar activity won two prizes at the UK National Astronomy Meeting held at the University of Glasgow between 12-16 April 2010.

Lancaster University research into the threat to electricity distribution grids posed by solar activity won two prizes at the UK National Astronomy Meeting held at the University of Glasgow between 12-16 April 2010. Changes in the space environment driven by solar activity can cause fluctuations in the Earth's magnetic field that lead to Geomagnetically Induced Currents (GICs) in power grids. These currents have previously been blamed for blackouts in Canada and Sweden and are suspected of damaging power transformers in countries at lower latitudes. Large GICs have even been recorded in Scotland. Department of Communication Systems PhD student Katie Turnbull presented results from a new model that shows the widespread impact inclement space weather could have on the UK. Working in collaboration with the British Geological Survey (BGS), Katie developed a model that takes magnetic field measurements from all over the UK and combines them with the BGS's 3D model of how the ground beneath the UK conducts electricity, in order to estimate the currents induced at over 250 locations in the high voltage national grid. Results presented at the conference compared simulated GICs in the UK grid model with those actually measured during a geomagnetic storm in February 2003. The simulated and measured currents are similar, but the model suggests that high currents are likely to be induced at several locations in the grid where GICs were not being monitored by the power industry at the time. At the same meeting, Katie's PhD supervisor in the Space Plasma Environment and Radio Science group, Dr Jim Wild, presented a poster summarising the present day challenges in understanding the geomagnetic hazard to national power grids. The presentation highlighted the outputs of a recent workshop held at the Hermanus Magnetic Observatory in South Africa and funded by the Royal Society that brought together British and South African space scientists and power engineers to assess the state-of-the-art in the measurement, prediction and mitigation of GIC hazards. Both Katie's talk and Jim's poster won a Royal Astronomical Society Rishbeth Prize. These prizes are awarded annually to the best talk and best poster presented at the meeting, as voted by delegates attending and being judged on which were the most novel, interesting, clearly presented, and influential. http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1272015644.jpg 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1272015508.jpg 300 212 Lancaster University researchers are investigating the threat to electricity distribution grids posed by solar radiation Thursday Thu 22 April Apr 04 2010

805 1 News Bursaries for Intelligent Robotic Systems

A limited number of busaries are available on a competitive basis for students entering the BEng/MEng Intelligent Robotic Systems degree scheme being offered by the Dept. of Communication Systems.

A limited number of busaries are available on a competitive basis for students entering the BEng/MEng Intelligent Robotic Systems degree scheme being offered by the Dept. of Communication Systems. Candidates with the equivalent A-levels of ABB, or higher, will be automatically considered. This course pulls together the expertise of Communication Systems, Computing and Engineering to give students a unique set of skills in high demand by industry. For further enquiries concerning the course content, please contact Dr. Plamen Angelov (p.angelov@lancaster.ac.uk). http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1259054386.jpg 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1259054386.jpg 250 250 Thursday Thu 19 November Nov 11 2009

783 1 News BEng/MEng Intelligent Robotic Systems

Infolab21 is now offering a new 3 and 4 year undergraduate degree scheme on Intelligent Robotic Systems. This course pulls together the expertise of Communication Systems, Computing as well as Engineering to give students a unique set of skills in high demand by industry.

Infolab21 is now offering a new 3 and 4 year undergraduate degree scheme on Intelligent Robotic Systems. This course pulls together the expertise of Communication Systems, Computing as well as Engineering to give students a unique set of skills in high demand by industry. For further enquiries concerning the course content, please contact Dr. Plamen Angelov (p.angelov@lancaster.ac.uk). http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1254491237.gif 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1254492493.gif 110 150 Friday Fri 02 October Oct 10 2009

779 1 News New Technologies Showcased At Innovate 2009

InfoLab21 postgraduate students showcased their latest research and technologies at this year's annual Innovate Show.

InfoLab21 postgraduate students showcased their latest research and technologies at this year's annual Innovate Show. The students, from the Communication Systems Department, held a poster exhibition where visitors could come and talk to each student and find out about their areas of research. Poster topics covered; <ul><li>Developing Flash Lite applications for mobile e-learning</li><li>3D games for mobile phones</li><li>A course materials widget for Virtual Learning Environments</li><li>Space weather prediction for transpolar airlines,<li>Tools to help improve the analysis of cervical scans</li><li>Setup and deployment of production facilitates for online television programming</li><li>Technology to support lone workers</li></ul> The Innovate show was well received by InfoLab21 associate companies and partners as well as other researchers from across the University. Dr. Phil Benachour from the Communication Systems Department said, "We were very pleased with the turnout for the Innovate Show. The students felt that they benefited from explaining their ideas in this way. The event was also an ideal chance for researchers and business people to meet each other and share ideas, possibly identifying opportunities for collaboration in the future." http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1253870420.jpg 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1253872570.jpg 242 300 Dr. Phil Benachour (centre) with the students Tuesday Tue 15 September Sep 09 2009

776 1 News Solar Wind Streams Bring Space Scientists to The Lakes

One hundred and fifty years after English astronomer Richard Carrington observed the largest solar flare ever recorded, an international team of scientists has gathered in the Lake District to discuss the impact of high speed solar wind on the Earth's space environment.

One hundred and fifty years after English astronomer Richard Carrington observed the largest solar flare ever recorded, an international team of scientists has gathered in the Lake District to discuss the impact of high speed solar wind on the Earth's space environment. The solar eruption observed on 1st September 1859 was massive enough to be observed visually, but was only one step in a sequence of events that would have a huge impact upon the Earth. Observers as far south as Florida and the Canary Islands were treated to brilliant displays of the aurora borealis while the global network of telegraph lines, the Victorian equivalent of the internet, was disrupted for many hours. Space scientists now understand that the flow of electrically charged material from the Sun known as the "solar wind" carries a powerful magnetic field out into the solar system. Extreme events, such as the 1859 "Carrington Event", result from the strong interaction between the solar wind with Earth's own magnetic field. The High-Speed Solar-Wind Streams and Geospace Interactions Workshop, took place at the University of Cumbria in Ambleside between 6-11 September. It brought together scientists from around the world in order to address the outstanding uncertainties in our understanding of fast solar wind flow. The workshop was convened by Dr. Mick Denton of the Space Plasma Environment and Radio Science Group from Lancaster University's Department of Communication Systems. Dr. Denton said: "Dynamics on the Sun cause the solar wind to flow past the Earth at over 500 kilometres per second, or about a million miles per hour, for many days a time. These high speed streams are particularly effective at driving geomagnetic storms". Geomagnetic storms generate dramatic aurorae, but can also have less desirable consequences lasting several days. The impact of the Carrington event demonstrated that human technology was vulnerable to the impact of "space weather", even 150 years ago. "Modern society's dependence on space technology means that it's more important than ever to understand the physics that underpins space weather" explained Dr. Denton. Participants at the workshop heard new evidence that high-speed solar-wind streams affect many regions of near-Earth space, from the solar wind, to the aurora borealis, and even aspects of the upper-atmosphere that may link solar activity to changes in the Earth's climate. Dr. Joe Borovsky (Los Alamos National Laboratory, USA) explained some of the research discussed during the week. "The meeting provided a great focus for our science. We've made progress on understanding connections between hot plasma in the solar wind and its impact on the Earth and its atmosphere - in effect by using the inner solar system as a vast plasma laboratory. It has also been great to work in such a wonderful location." Dr. Marty Mlynczak, Senior Research Scientist at the NASA Langley Research Center said "This is a unique workshop. It brings together a small but scientifically diverse group of experts to discuss current questions regarding the interaction of the solar wind with the Earth's space environment and atmosphere. It fosters collaborations amongst scientists whom, without the workshop, might never have worked together." http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1253893701.jpg 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1253012197.jpg 200 275 Delegates at the 2009 workshop Tuesday Tue 15 September Sep 09 2009

713 1 News Government Praise For InfoLab21

The Government has called Lancaster University "the UK's Centre of ICT Excellence" following the completion of an InfoLab21 project to install wireless broadband in a town in the Ukraine.

The Government has called Lancaster University "the UK's Centre of ICT Excellence" following the completion of an InfoLab21 project to install wireless broadband in a town in the Ukraine. A team led by Professor Garik Markarian from the Department of Communication Systems at InfoLab21 installed the Slavutych Town Information Network as part of a UK Government funded programme to address the "Social and Economic Consequences of Nuclear Power Plant Closure Programme". Slavutych was built to house workers evacuated after the Chernobyl nuclear disaster of 1986 but a lack of internet connectivity has hampered job creation. <h3>'UK's centre of ICT excellence'</h3> Trevor Hayward, Deputy Head of the Global Threat Reduction Programme at the Department of Energy and Climate Change, said: "Lancaster University is, in the fullest sense, the UK's Centre of ICT Excellence and will, I am sure, remain at the forefront of ICT technological advancement for the long-term, although I am sure that Lancaster University will ensure "longterm" will happen in a much shorter time-frame." He also praised Prof Markarian and his team of "young dynamic experts" who designed the system. Professor Garik Markarian said: "Part of our role is to investigate how technology can improve people's lives. Every indication is that providing high speed access to the web and creating new, information based services, will advance the standard of living for all Slavutych residents and, more importantly, help to attract new businesses." The webcast began with a link up between the UK Government Minister of State at the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) Mike O'Brien in Whitehall and the town square of Slavutych, where Ukrainian government representatives joined local townspeople in welcoming the handover of the network. Mr O'Brien said: "I hope that this high speed system will help to attract new hi-tech business - nuclear and others - to make productive use of the highly qualified and skilled people in Slavutych." The town's population is expected to double as businesses take advantage of connectivity to create jobs. Following the Minister's address, children from Central Lancaster High School used the live telecast to see and speak to pupils from Slavutych Lyceum. The headteacher of Central Lancaster High School Jon Wright said he intended to continue the link with the school in the Ukraine. He said: "It's fantastic for the students to be able to talk with students in the Ukraine and it has a huge impact on them to hear direct from students of a similar age what life is like there." <h3>'21st century e-city'</h3> The Mayor of Slavutych, Volodymyr Udovychenko, said: "Slavutych might be Ukraine's youngest City but we are learning fast! We have a vision for the future which will see our town transformed into a ground breaking 21st century e-city." Before the creation of the internet network, there was a limited dial up connection and difficulty connecting internationally. Staff had to post CDs of documents abroad or physically carry them between offices in Slavutych. Now the new Town Information Network will link up to 54 municipal buildings and revolutionise the way businesses and educational organisations operate. http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1240839359.jpg 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1240839359.jpg 250 250 The live link up from Slavutych town square Thursday Thu 23 April Apr 04 2009

706 1 News InfoLab21 Workshops Are A Big Hit With Schoolchildren

A grant of just under £3,000 from the Joy Welch Educational Charitable Trust is providing about 200 secondary schoolchildren from 10 local schools with a valuable opportunity to learn the basics of computer programming in InfoLab21.

A grant of just under £3,000 from the Joy Welch Educational Charitable Trust is providing about 200 secondary schoolchildren from 10 local schools with a valuable opportunity to learn the basics of computer programming in InfoLab21. InfoLab21's Dr. Phillip Benachour, from the Department of Communication Systems, applied for the funding last year to transport local schoolchildren onto campus for hands-on computer animation sessions throughout this academic year. One school has requested a second visit for more of their children to benefit from the experience -they have been invited next term. The programme has been a big hit with participating pupils and teachers, all of whom have given very positive feedback. One teacher said that it had helped some of her pupils when choosing their GCSE options. They very much enjoyed and appreciated the whole experience of visiting Lancaster University for a day and the University hopes to extend the programme for another year. <h3>Sponsorship</h3> If anyone would be interested in sponsoring or contributing to a schools project (Computer Animation in InfoLab21, Mini-beasts in Schools, Wave Power Challenge Competition or Go-kart Scavenge in the Engineering Department) please contact Julia Resenterra, Trusts & Foundations Officer, Alumni & Development Office: Telephone: 01524 593676 / E-mail: j.resenterra@lancaster.ac.uk <h3>'An awesome day'</h3> These Year 9/11 pupils from Carnforth High (possible computer programmers of tomorrow) said it all in their own unique way: "The day was really good and exciting. I enjoyed the work and learned about animation and codes which was very interesting" said Chris. "It was an awesome day!! The stuff we did was really fun! The staff were nice and helped us if we got stuck! We learnt quite a lot about a new software we had never used!!!" said Hayley. And Keira J said; "It was a good and enjoyable day. We learnt a lot about animation that we did not know. Really fun and I learnt alot more about Macromedia Flash and how to use it. I have also learnt how to use the animation on Macromedia Flash. Then we went for lunch in a conference room in the orange/green building. It was VERY nice and the coke and cheesecake were awesome too." http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1240482458.jpg 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1240482458.jpg 250 250 Department of Communication Systems at InfoLab21 Thursday Thu 02 April Apr 04 2009

702 1 News San Francisco Beckons For Nokia Competition Winners

Lancaster University students have been given a chance to shape the future of mobile gaming in the UK Heat of the Forum Nokia Mobile Games Competition 2009.

Lancaster University students have been given a chance to shape the future of mobile gaming in the UK Heat of the Forum Nokia Mobile Games Competition 2009. More than 40 students from different disciplines attended GameJam@InfoLab21 - a 24hr mobile game design competition for university students initiated by Forum Nokia and co-organized by the Mobile Radicals at InfoLab21. The competition, which was held at InfoLab21, the University's centre of Excellence for ICT, on February 27 and 28, provided students with the unique opportunity to hear from leading experts in design, games and innovation together with Nokia Champions Dr. Paul Coulton and Dr. Reuben Edwards. The contest saw students working away in to the small hours at InfoLab21 - eating, sleeping and breathing mobile games. The winners of the UK heat now have the chance to go through to the next round of the competition where they could win an all-expenses paid trip to San Francisco and present their game design at the Game Developers Conference (GDC). Lancaster University has great strengths in mobile gaming. Dr. Paul Coulton said: "At Lancaster we have been researching in mobile gaming since its inception only ten years ago and have done much to pioneer gaming experiences unique to the mobile phone. "We allow the general public to download and experience our games for themselves - for example two of our mobile widget games have in excess of 1 million users between them. "This has earned us an international reputation within the Industry - enabling us to run competitions such as this one in collaboration with Nokia and N-Gage and having regular invites to speak at the main industry event GDC." The two winning games were Gardens of Karma and LiveIT. Gardens of Karma created by Infolab21 students Carlos Garcia Wylie, Kate Lund, and Mark Lochrie encourages people to perform small acts kindness which enable them to grow a Garden of Karma - displayed on their own phone and can be linked social networking sites such as OVI and Facebook. LiveIT, created by Lancaster University Management School students Lucy Read, Przemyslaw Kowalski, and Costantinos Rougeris. is a Location-based Advert game allowing players to find, buy and trade virtual objects which are unique and geo-referenced. The event was supported by Nokia, InfoLab21 and North West Vision + Media, which works on behalf of the digital and creative industries in the Northwest to grow a world-class digital and creative economy within the region. Enda Carey, Head of Games and Digital Content at Northwest Vision and Media, judged at the event and said: "As part of our remit to support the digital and creative industries within the Northwest we are keen support up and coming talent within this sector. GameJam gave us a great opportunity to do this and as a judge I was impressed with the level of innovative and creative ideas produced as a result of the competition." http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/thumbnail_1237214292.gif 75 75 http://www.lancs.ac.uk/sci-tech/images/image_1237214292.jpg 250 250 Some of the winners being congratulated at GameJam @ InfoLab21 Monday Mon 16 March Mar 03 2009

698 1 News PhD studentship in Space Plasma Physics

Lancaster University's Department of Communication Systems is pleased to invite applications for a 3-year funded PhD studentship. The Space Plasma Environment and Radio Science Group at Lancaster University is an internationally-recognised team in the field of space research with particular emphasis on magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling and at the forefront of space plasma research.

Lancaster University's Department of Communication Systems is pleased to invite applications for a 3-year funded PhD studentship. The Space Plasma Environment and Radio Science Group at Lancaster University is an internationally-recognised team in the field of space research with particular emphasis on magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling and at the forefront of space plasma research. For further information please see <a href="http://www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/spears/phd">http://www.dcs.lancs.ac.uk/spears/phd</a>. Wednesday Wed 04 March Mar 03 2009