Leading Scottish scientists converge on Edinburgh to discuss chemistry of the future
University of Edinburgh’s brightest chemists light the way for International Year of Chemistry by showcasing research that includes discoveries that could help troops
Some of the University of Edinburgh’s leading academics will gather at the Royal Society of Edinburgh today (Wednesday 19 January) to showcase how developments in the field of chemistry are set to transform our lives.
The prestigious event is being held at the Royal Society of Edinburgh to celebrate the start of the International Year of Chemistry 2011 in Paris next week with guests from university academics, alumni and the Scottish Government.
Six of the University of Edinburgh’s leading academics will deliver brief lectures on their specialist field to highlight the diversity of developments in chemistry. These include such topics as low-cost solar energy, nanotechnology, effective medicines and new materials.
Among the speakers will be Caroline Strain, head of Chemical Sciences, Scottish Enterprise. She said: “The International Year of Chemistry may be a global celebration but this event proves that Scotland is at the cutting edge of the global chemical sciences, both with world class academic talent, aligned with world scale industry.
“We have the opportunity to maximise the financial benefit to the Scottish economy from our chemical excellence. Scotland can play a unique role being both a competitive country for businesses seeking to locate here, but it also offers considerable opportunities to commercialise the academic research our institutions are undertaking to meet societal challenges.”
One of the speakers is Mark Bradley, Professor of Chemical Biology at the University of Edinburgh. His pioneering research in the field of cell technology could help troops injured on the battlefield by stemming blood flow.
He said: “Chemistry plays such a pivotal role in everyone’s lives and the presentations will show how wide the impact of chemistry is. This includes Neil Robertson’s work with solar cells for green energy which could soon be on all our rooftops.
“My particular field is in making molecules that actually have some biological end point such as bone repair and platelet activation. We’re interested in people with battlefield wounds and if you can staunch the blood flow then you’ve made something extremely useful.”
Event organiser Dr. Elizabeth Stevenson, public engagement officer, University of Edinburgh, School of Chemistry said: “Chemistry for the Future highlights the diversity of current research at the University of Edinburgh, School of Chemistry and presents a great networking opportunity for industry and education."
The School of Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh can trace its history back almost 300 hundred years to 1713 and continues to demonstrate excellence in teaching and research today.”
About Chemical Sciences Scotland
Chemical Sciences Scotland is a unique partnership of industry with Scotland’s world-renowned academic sector and government agencies. Its aim is to ensure the chemical sciences have a vibrant future, creating high value opportunities for skilled people and innovative companies. The chemical sciences are at the heart of Scotland’s economy and underpin its key life sciences, energy, chemicals and electronics industries. For more information log on to www.chemicalsciencesscotland.com
Key facts about Scotland’s chemical sciences sector
· The chemical sciences industry is Scotland’s second top export sector, with exports worth around £2.7 billion.
· The Scottish chemical sciences sector accounts for 15 per cent of the UK industry, employing 14,000 directly and 70,000 through dependent services.
· There are 150 chemicals companies, generating £9.3 billion revenue in Scotland.
· The chemicals sector accounts for 25 per cent of Scottish manufacturing by turnover.
· The sector has the 2nd highest Gross Value Added (GVA) per employee of any industry in Scotland (£181,700).
· The sector accounts for 50 per cent of all industrial R&D in Scotland (including pharma).
· There are 13 universities and six colleges which have research and teaching excellence in chemistry and engineering in Scotland, and together they produce 500 graduates per year. Four of the UK’s top 10 chemistry departments are in Scotland.
· The industry has a long and established history in Scotland. The country which gave the world innovators such as Joseph Lister has become a base for some of the world’s biggest chemical sciences operators. INEOS, Exxon, GlaxoSmithKline, BASF, DOW, Fujifilm and BASF are some of the major players which have made Scotland their home.
· FujiFilm’s Scottish business is the world leader in inkjet dyes while INEOS’ refinery and petrochemical plant at Grangemouth is its largest globally, producing 3 million tonnes of fuel per annum (9 million litres a day) and 2 million tonnes of chemicals per annum.
· UNESCO has designated 2011 the International Year of Chemistry, which will celebrate the achievements of chemistry and its contribution to humankind. A number of major European and worldwide chemical sciences events are taking place across Scotland to mark IYC 2011.