Interdisciplinary blog

Skyrmion-based data storage

June 30, 2015
by Alexander Marjoram

Part of the EPSRC Vacation Bursaries Scheme 2015

Student name: Xander Marjoram

Student degree course: Aeronautics & Astronautics/Spacecraft Engineering

Year of study: 3

Supervisor: Hans Fangohr

I’m a third- (going on fourth-) year undergraduate studying Aerospace Engineering, and some of the modules that I’ve studied over the last few years have been very enjoyable. I noticed that these modules all had something in common: they had strong computational themes, such as FEEG1001 Design and Computing, where we were given a thorough introduction to Python (this is also how I met my supervisor – Hans Fangohr – whose lectures I thoroughly enjoyed); FEEG2001 Systems Design and Computing, where I chose the UAV design, built and test project and was responsible for the programming of the on-board arduino flight computer in C++.

These experiences led me to choose a computation-based third-year Individual Project. The project involved magnetic skyrmions, simulations and plenty of coding. I definitely enjoyed it and by the time it finished I felt like I was only just getting started. My 10 week Vacation Research Project, based at the new Boldrewood Innovation Campus is a continuation of this project.

Tell us about your specific research project: Skyrmions are magnetic topological features found in nano-films and bulks of certain materials. This research project will continue my previous studies into determining the potential of skyrmions for use in energy-efficient, high-density data storage devices

Describe any future plans regarding on-going study/postgraduate research connected to your Vacation Bursary project:

I never really thought of myself as a person who would become a PhD candidate, as I could never think of a topic I’d be willing enough to research. However, this project has been both enjoyable and rewarding and I could certainly see myself continuing it in future. To what extend? I’m not sure. Fortunately I will have the whole of fourth-year to decide, and I’m hoping the module FEEG6002 (Advanced Computational Methods 1) which I am taking next year will provide further background to any future studies.

Happy First Birthday WSI :-)

June 11, 2015
by Lisa Harris via WSI

WSI celebrated its first anniversary at a special event at London’s Digital Catapult Centre on Monday. Happy first anniversary to @sotonWSI! Celebrating today @DigiCatapult looking at the era of #bigdata analytics http://t.co/4lyQJWxT1b — Uni of Southampton (@unisouthampton) June 8, 2015 The Digichamps were there providing social media support as detailed in Tim’s review. They also experimented with Periscope: LIVE on …

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Gill Rider gives talk on gender equality at Westminster

June 10, 2015
by Carolin Bothe-Tews via Work Thought Blog

Reblog from isoton.wordpress.com A policy briefing on gender equality at work takes place in London this week at which the University Chair of Council, Dr Gill Rider will speak on a panel with others including Baroness Margaret Prosser (Member of the House of Lords), Ceri Goddard (Fawcett Society), Scarlett Harris (TUC) and Lena Levy (CBI). The briefing will take […]

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MOOC Data Visualisation Hackthon

June 5, 2015
by Tim O'Riordan via WSI

Exploring and presenting our research data in a readily understandable visual form is an important aspect of communicating our work. Last week at our inaugural MOOC Data Visualisation Hackthon, members of the Web Observatory team and the Web and Internet Science research group at the University of Southampton get together to share and develop d3 skills, explore new datasets, and make meaningful …

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The era of “big data analytics”

June 3, 2015
by Reuben Binns via WSI

While it may sound like a buzzphrase, there’s no denying that we are well and truly in the era of big data analytics. An ever-increasing portion of our daily lives, business and social relations are mediated by digital platforms and computational processes. The implications of these changes are both dramatic and subtle, and we are still only beginning to understand …

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