BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, Leeds, specialises in cyber security, detection and prevention of financial crime, communications intelligence and digital transformation. WRIPA met with BAE Systems Applied Intelligence to discuss a number of project ideas. The team at WRIPA then used their knowledge of the Physics Department at the University of York to identify the appropriate academic staff to support the projects. WRIPA also helped to identify physics student cohorts with the academic and technical skills to excel in the specific research area.

Rachel Hargreaves, an MPhys Student, worked on this project and was supervised by Ryan Bradley Evans at BAE and by Dr Charles Barton and Prof Josie Rawes from the University of York. Rachel used her skills and knowledge in Astrophysics modelling and simulation to predict and model the limits for detecting aircraft using ionisation trails where radio signals bounce off and are received by a consumer radio. She also provided an outline of what equipment specifications would be needed to achieve this. Due to the pandemic the project took place virtually using assets available at the University’s Astrocampus. There were regular meetings to monitor progress of the project and highlight any issues or concerns.

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence, Leeds, specialises in cyber security, detection and prevention of financial crime, communications intelligence and digital transformation. BAE Systems Applied Intelligence and WRIPA discussed a number of project ideas. The team at WRIPA then used their knowledge of the Physics Department at the University of York to identify the appropriate academic staff to support the projects. WRIPA also helped to identify physics student cohorts with the academic and technical skills to excel in the specific research area. 

BAE Systems Applied Intelligence were looking to design a model optical computer – so called ‘hybrid hardware’ that can analyse data as it is collected. This concept has applications in a range of fields, and in particular optical microscopy. This approach draws on the benefits of both photons and electrons to speed up and streamline experimental methods, enabling a much higher data throughput.  Tepi Booth, an MPhys Student, worked on this project and he was supervised by Alexis Ridler at BAE and Dr Laurence Wilson from the University of York. Tepi used his skills in Python programming and Fourier optics to design a novel way to track bacteria in a microscope.  There were regular meetings to monitor progress of the project and highlight any issues or concerns.

These successful collaborations have created a new set of R&D questions, which have been developed for a number of new Final Year Research Projects for the academic year 2021/22.