Aston University professor recognised for services to engineering
Professor Wladek Forysiak from Aston University been awarded a fellowship by The Royal Academy of Engineering.
Professor Forysiak (pictured), a member of the Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AiPT), which is the oldest and largest photonics research centre in the UK, will be establishing a research group into highly integrated coherent optical fibre communications in order to develop new advances in photonic integration to increase the capacity of digital communications.
The fellowship for the research chair is one of five new industry-academia partnerships around the UK awarded by The Royal Academy of Engineering which aims to develop transformational technologies and address some of the most complex engineering challenges facing society.
With a focus on industry-relevant research across the full range of engineering disciplines, the Academy 's Research Chairs and Senior Research Fellowships scheme enhances the links between academia and businesses with each of the prestigious five-year positions co-sponsored by an industrial partner.
Each awardee will establish a world-leading research group in their engineering field.
Professor Forysiak 's work will focus on developing new advances in photonic integration to increase the capacity of digital communications technology close to the user now that there has been a rise in home working and greater requirements for mobility via 5G, and other access technologies.
His research aims to build on the 'system-on-chip ' photonic integration technology developed by EFFECT Photonics to develop new transceivers, transceiver arrays, and entire multi-channel optical fibre transmission systems.
By reducing the cost and power requirements of these components, sub-systems, and systems, this project will contribute to a more sustainable society and a greener future by providing greater bandwidth, serving our ever-increasing reliance on remote communications for: work, education, health and well-being, social life and entertainment.
Professor Forysiak said: “With this partnership we can build a research and innovation powerhouse that will push the envelope of very high bandwidth internet closer to the user for the benefit of all society. ”
Professor Karen Holford CBE FREng FLSW, chief executive and vice-chancellor of Cranfield University and chair of the Academy 's Research Committee, said: “These awardees illustrate brilliantly how expert engineering researchers, when partnered with industry, underpin the success of UK engineering research and innovation. The kind of work we are seeing illustrates why government has demonstrated such confidence in the economic value of our sector through its innovation strategy. ”
Last month it was also announced that Professor Patricia Thornley, the director of the Energy and Bioproducts Research Institute, which is based at the university, joined the Royal Academy of Engineering as a fellow.
She joined a total of 69 leading figures in the field of engineering and technology to the fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Professor Thornley said: “It is such an honour to be admitted to the Academy and be able to represent Aston University, EBRI and females within engineering, and I look forward to working with the Royal Academy of Engineering in the future. ”