Category Archives: Environment

Potholes: an ancient problem demanding modern solutions

You’re cycling along minding your own business when your front wheel suddenly drops into a deep, jagged pothole. The handlebars twist sideways, your heart lurches and, for a split second, you fight to stay upright. For cyclists and drivers, potholes aren’t just an annoyance: they can cause falls, break wheels, and lead to more serious injuries. However, potholes are a universal frustration for all road users and an everyday hazard that has plagued travellers throughout human history, not just in the age of the bicycles or cars.

David Wright / Potholes at the Level Crossing, Barrow Haven .
Accident involving a rider on a Voi hired e-scooter along Oxford Road in Old Marston. Source BBC.

Far from being a modern infrastructure failure, potholes predate the use of asphalt. Historical records show that they have been a persistent challenge for road builders across centuries and civilisations. Yet, despite advances in materials science and engineering, potholes still represent a significant drain on public finances and pose a hazard to drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike. They are a persistent reminder that even our best roads are in a constant battle with the elements.

So what exactly are potholes, why do they form, and what are engineers doing to finally get ahead of them? Let’s dig in.

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The wider applications of nanobodies

This week, it was my turn to give the short talk at our group meeting. I chose to present a recently published paper on thermostability prediction for nanobodies. The motivation for this work, at least in part, is the need for thermostability in the diverse applications of nanobodies. At OPIG, our research primarily revolves around the therapeutic uses of nanobodies, but their potential extends beyond this. I thought it would be interesting to highlight some of these broader applications here:

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My take on the Collaborations Workshop (CW) 2024

At the end of April, I attended the CW 2024. This yearly hybrid event organised by the Software Sustainability Institute (SSI) has been running since 2011! The event brings people together to discuss best practices and the future of software in research. This year’s event themes were (1) AI/ML tools for Science, (2) Citizen Science and (3) Environmental sustainability.

As a Research Software Engineer (RSE) working with OPIG, I felt a great curiosity to attend and find out what I could bring of use to the group, as most people work on AI/ML applications. In this blog post, I share a few bits of the event which resonated with me and I found most interesting and relevant to share with my group.

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Environmentally sustainable computing 

Did you know that it is approximated that you, a scientist, have a carbon footprint which is between 2 and 12 times higher than the set carbon budget per person to keep global warming below 1.5 °C [1]? 

Background

Global temperatures are rising. This has direct effects on the planet and contributes to increasing humanitarian emergencies. These include more frequent and intense heatwaves, wildfires, and floods [2]. The impact of climate change is already severe, with around 20 million internal displaced persons in 2023 alone due to those disasters [3]. 

Global warming and climate change are caused by the emissions of carbon dioxide and methane, known as carbon emissions. There are different ways in which you could minimise your carbon footprint. For example, I try to reduce the energy usage in the house, try eating mainly plant-based, and travel by train instead of by plane to family and for holidays and conferences. However, up until organising a Green Lecture with the Department of Statistics Green Team I never thought of my computational PhD as a major contributor to my carbon footprint. That doesn’t mean the work I, and all other scientists, do is not important and necessary. But the lecture on principles for environmentally sustainable research given by Loic Lannelongue made me aware of carbon costs of computing, which I would like to share with you. 

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