Impact case study database

4.1. HyBeacons: delivering commercial impact and a cheaper, more efficient forensic testing capability for law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas

The application of HyBeacons technology to rapid forensic testing at crime scenes was explored through active research with LGC Forensics; peer-reviewed papers between 2014 and 2018 introduced the portable ParaDNA Intelligence System, a novel approach to DNA profiling [ 5.1]. It was developed in response to high demand for DNA evidence in criminal investigations, which can lead to large backlogs of samples requiring analysis and, due to budget constraints, a limited proportion of samples being processed for each case. This can result in delays to arrests and convictions, and potential DNA evidence being overlooked, meaning that criminals remain undetected. The ParaDNA system was shown to provide a straightforward, rapid and robust way to profile DNA samples at a crime scene in around 75 minutes, compared with a wait of that can sometimes be weeks for lab results.

The technology supported the creation of 25 jobs in the ParaDNA team (LGC Forensics) and the sale of forensic kits, instrumentation and software, and achieved revenues of GBP90,000,000 between 2017 and 2018. LGC Forensics, which became the largest player in UK forensics, was sold in 2017 to Eurofins Scientific for GBP30,300,000 (including employee transfer), which provided Eurofins with a European leadership position in forensics services [ 5.2]. Eurofins has now become the largest forensic science service provider in the UK, working with police, crime enforcement agencies and private sector clients. According to Eurofins, the ParaDNA system has been used by the police and the legal sector, served by four Forensic Genetics and four Forensic Toxicology laboratories across Europe and Africa. Example use cases include the first deployment of the ParaDNA system at a crime scene in Leeds by West Yorkshire Police in October 2017. According to an NBC news report in July 2017, Plano Police Department in Texas began using the ParaDNA system when the Texas Department of Public Safety began charging law enforcement agencies for forensic testing, a move that would cost the Plano force USD110,000 per year [ 5.3]; after initial costs for acquisition, installation and training, Plano City Council instead budgets USD13,000 per year for screening test kits.

LGC also licensed HyBeacons to Evogen. Evogen incorporated HyBeacons into its rapid molecular diagnostics platform to increase the performance of the assays they were supplying to clinical, environmental and biodefense markets. In March 2013, Evogen entered into a license agreement with US-based Focus Diagnostics (Part of Quest Diagnostics), a world-leading provider of diagnostic information services and a specialist in the testing of infectious diseases (e.g. first on West Nile Virus, SARS and Influenza A H1N1), who incorporated HyBeacons into their Simplexa product line. According to the Evogen CEO at the time, the agreement highlighted the “ continued evolution of Hybeacons probe technology into an industry standard”. On 13 May 2016, Quest sold Focus Diagnostics (180 employees, annual revenues USD65m), including the Simplexa line, to Italian multinational biotech firm DiaSorin for USD300m (GBP208,000,000), giving DiaSorin access to 200 US hospitals served by Focus [ 5.4] and allowing the company to enter the molecular diagnostics market. Since then, DiaSorin has marketed four further products based on HyBeacons for PCR detection of Factor V Leiden and MTHFR mutations. Their molecular diagnostics platforms, which reports sales revenues of GBP3,300,000 in 2019, up 12.6% from 2018, provides 9% of the total income of DiaSorin (46% of which is from EU/Africa), where main customers are Health Departments and Organisations; acquisition of Focus boosted their revenues from GBP27,000,000 in 2016 to GBP50,000,000 in 2017, accruing a total of GBP170,000,000 to 2019 (figures calculated to 2 s.f. using exchange rate at year end).

4.2. Scorpion Primers: delivering commercial impact and more effective treatment pathways for cancer patients

The presence of certain genetic mutations in the tumours of patients with colorectal or non-small cell lung cancer can determine whether a patient will respond positively or negatively to a targeted drug treatment, compared with standard chemotherapy. The Scorpion Primer technology, co-developed by Southampton researchers, forms the basis of three in vitro diagnostic medical devices now marketed by Dutch company Qiagen N.V. (listed at the NYSE and FSE). Qiagen’s therascreen kits are FDA-approved, qualitative real-time PCR assays for the detection of specific mutations in certain oncogenes. They function as companion diagnostic devices that, according to the FDA, provide information that is essential for the safe and effective use of a corresponding therapeutic product. The use of a companion diagnostic with a specific targeted therapy is stipulated in the instructions for use in the labelling of both the diagnostic device and the corresponding drug. This is the case for Qiagen’s therascreen kits, meaning that, according to an associate director at the company, “ they have enabled the launch of numerous drugs (in the USA and beyond) for the treatment of patients with non-small cell lung cancer and colorectal cancer for which our ‘companion diagnostic test’ is required.” [ 5.5]

The two key CE-marked kits are the therascreen KRAS RGQ PCR kit and the therascreen EGFR RGQ PCR kit, detecting mutations in the KRAS and EGFR oncogenes respectively. The former allows the sale of two drugs, Erbitux and Vectibix, for the treatment of colorectal cancer; the latter allows the sale of three drugs, Iressa, Gilotrif and Vizimpro, for non-small cell lung cancer. Qiagen confirmed that the diagnostic kits are “ distributed globally so do make a real impact on patients across the globe” [ 5.5]. By identifying whether or not patients are likely to respond positively to targeted therapies, the devices help prolong lives, reduce stress for patients and avoid large sums of money being spent by health services on ineffective treatments. The pairing of therascreen KRAS with Erbitux for the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer was approved by the FDA in 2012 and sales have continued throughout the impact period. Its pairing with Vectibix for the same disease was approved in May 2014. The pairing of therascreen EGFR with Gilotrif for the treatment of metastatic non-small cell lung cancer received FDA approval in July 2013, with sales continuing throughout the impact period. Its pairings with Iressa and Vizimpro for the same disease were both approved in 2018. They are registered in more than 40 countries.

The significance of the impact of the therascreen kits is captured through the global sales of the drugs to which they are paired and the prevalence of the diseases for which they aid treatment. Taking the US as an example, colorectal cancer is the third most common cancer diagnosed in both men and women, with an estimated 104,270 (colon cancer) and 45,230 (rectal cancer) new cases in 2021, according to the American Cancer Society. KRAS mutations occur in 40% of colorectal cancer patients, Qiagen reports. Eli Lily markets Erbitux in the US and Canada; Merck markets the drug outside of the US and Canada, for which Eli Lilly received royalties. Annual sales of Erbitux grew from GBP240,000,000 in 2014 to GBP410,000,000 in 2019, generating total revenues of GBP2,500,000,000 between 2014 and 2019. Merck earned total revenues of GBP4,300,000,000 over the same period. Vectibix is marketed by Amgen; the company generated GBP2,700,000,000 through global sales between 2014 and 2019 [ 5.6].

Non-small cell lung cancer accounts for 85% of all cases of lung cancer, the second most common cancer in both men and women. The American Cancer Society expects 235,760 new cases of lung cancer and 131,880 deaths from lung cancer in the US in 2021. Iressa is marketed by Astrazeneca and achieved GBP407,000,000 in sales in 2018, the first year in which it was paired with Qiagen’s therascreen EGFR. Pfizer’s Vizimpro was approved as a new treatment option for patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer in 2018; the approval for pairing with therascreen EGFR followed shortly afterwards. According to Pfizer’s chief development officer for oncology, the therascreen kit was used in the “pivotal clinical trial for Vizimpro” and “will enable physicians to identify patients who may benefit from this medicine”. Vizimpro’s sales numbers are not disclosed but are likely to be included in the “other oncology” revenue of USD192bn for Q1 of 2020. Boehringer Ingelheim has not disclosed sales for its Gilotrif, although in 2017 GlobalData projected they would reach USD688m per year by 2022. [ 5.6]

The therascreen kits also play a crucial role in the expensive drug development process, as in the Vizimpro example above. Qiagen said: “ *We also continue to support our drug development partners with ongoing clinical trials, using these kits (currently there are no other kits in development using Scorpions). Unfortunately, I cannot comment on these as we keep this work confidential.*” The therascreen devices are of high strategic importance to Qiagen; each FDA approval “ expands Qiagen’s leadership in molecular companion diagnostics for personalized healthcare”, according to their press releases. [ 5.5]

Qiagen also licenses the Scorpion Primer technology for other applications. In 2010 LGC Biosearch Technologies, a biotech company with 2,400 employees headquartered in Hoddesdon, UK, entered into a licensing relationship with Qiagen for commercialisation rights in the fields of infectious diseases, environmental testing, animal identity and food testing, genetically-modified-organism (GMO) testing, industrial microbiology testing, bio-security, and forensic science. [ 5.5]

4.3. ATDBio: Working to change the landscape of DNA and COVID-19 testing

Originally built on Southampton research into the development of chemically modified novel oligonucleotide analogues, ATDBio has continued its strong commercial performance throughout the impact period. Turnover rose from GBP2,300,000 in financial year 2019 to GBP3,500,000 in 2020, with total revenues between 2014 and 2020 of GBP22,000,000. During 2020, ATDBio increased its workforce from 12 to 20 full-time staff in their Southampton and Oxford labs, including several Southampton Chemistry graduates and post-doctoral research assistants. [ 5.7]

Key customers include Oxford Nanopore Technologies, headquartered in Oxford and with nine offices around the world including in China, Japan and the US; it integrates ATDBio oligonucleotides into its novel DNA/RNA sequencing technology which is used for a wide range of applications including agriculture, biosecurity and food safety. Oxford Nanopore’s Senior Director of Research said: “Since 2013, Oxford Nanopore has spent over GBP1,600,000 on DNA products from ATDBio and about 50% those orders fall within 2018-2019.” [ 5.8]

In the summer of 2020 over GBP500,000 was spent by ATDBio on equipment for oligonucleotide synthesis and purification as part of a new initiative in large scale oligonucleotide production due to the demands for oligonucleotides for use in COVID-19 testing. ATDBio has supplied oligonucleotides to the key manufacturers of LAMP tests used in UK test and trace [text removed for publication] (LAMP = Loop-mediated amplification). In the weeks leading to Christmas 2020, ATDBio synthesised tens of grams of oligonucleotides for use in 100 million COVID-19 LAMP tests and this is ongoing. ATDBio has also been involved in the synthesis of modified oligonucleotides for use in the development of new COVID-19 diagnostic tests, including HyBeacon probes [text removed for publication], as well as probes to differentiate between the original strain of SARS-COV-2 and new fast spreading variant VUI-202012/01 (which has 17 changes/mutations). [text removed for publication] It is noteworthy that on several occasions ATDBio was able to rapidly supply customers with oligonucleotides for COVID-19 research and diagnostics when other oligonucleotide suppliers failed to deliver.

4.4. Primerdesign: delivering commercial impact and novel diagnostics for bacterial and viral infections including Ebola, Swine Fever and COVID-19.

Primerdesign, where Brown was co-founder, produces diagnostic kits that utilise modified nucleic acids. These kits are sold to thousands of customers in more than 100 countries and have been used to diagnose infections including Ebola, swine flu and zika virus. In May 2016, the company, based in Southampton, was sold to French clinical diagnostics firm Novacyt for GBP12,000,000 [ 5.10], providing a major portfolio for the new parent company. Its flagship product range is its 550 Genesig PCR kits that are used for a wide range of purposes, from human pathogen detection and food testing, to veterinary testing and biothreat detection.

Based on Novacyt’s 2019 annual report, Primerdesign has made a significant contribution to the Group’s overall success. The Directors estimate that Primerdesign’s core target molecular markets for RUO, IVD clinical and food pathogen testing are worth approximately EUR14.7bn per annum, with an estimated growth of over 4.3% per annum. The RUO market, alone, is estimated to be worth EUR1.3bn with the clinical market estimated at over EUR6.0bn. Sales for 2018 contribute EUR6,300,000 (12-2018), +3% compared to 2017. Novacyt’s annual report 2019 says: “ Since its acquisition by the Company in May 2016, Primerdesign has continued to grow and is now a significant part of the Group … Following its first IVD CE Mark approval for Zika in July 2017, Novacyt produced a further two IVD CE marked products during 2018, further demonstrating the Company’s ability to develop CEIVD assays … In follow-up to our largest single order for Primerdesign’s Genesig® q16 instruments received in 2017, we received a further order in December 2018 for another 100 instruments, paid for in advance from a new customer in the Asia Pacific region … Primerdesign has now sold over 450 q16 units since its launch in 2015. As instrument sales grow, the Company expects a pull-through effect in relation to repeat Genesig® reagent sales.” [ 5.10] The report further states that the commercial reach of Primerdesign resulted in strong growth in international markets of 13%, with significant double-digit growth in the USA of 51%. Novacyt also states that they have invested in additional manufacturing space at the Southampton (Chandler’s Ford) site to provide capacity for planned growth over the next few years, in particular for their COVID-19 test kit upscaling. The biggest selling product lines include Genesic detection kits for Aspergillus species, Hepatitis B virus and pig/pork meat speciation and the Genesic q16 PCR instrument; a test kit specific for the 2014 Ebola virus is sold at USD4 (containing 150 tests) and has received attention of the press (BBC 2014). Primerdesign has also launched an African Swine Flu assay in 2019 with significant demand in China, VietNam and Eastern Europe. The Genesig q16 real-time PCR system for Covid-19 detection and quantification has been listed by the WHO as one of two tests for emergency use [ 5.11]. As a result of Primerdesign’s COVID-19 diagnostic test kit launch, Novacyt’s share price rose by EUR2 per share in the first half of 2020, resulting in a net cash inflow of EUR2,400,000 (06-2020) [ 5.10].

Research at Southampton’s School of Chemistry that gave rise to a unique high-throughput solid-state synthesis methodology led directly to the creation of spinout company Ilika Technologies. This patented methodology provided Ilika with the capability to make, characterise and test functional materials up to 100 times faster than traditional techniques, enabling the company to establish a reputation as a leader in materials innovation. Over the impact period, collaborative research between UoS and Ilika within ACMF has driven technological advances for Ilika’s next-generation applications for high-growth industries that include clean energy (solid-state batteries and low temperature fuel cells), electronics (memory and devices), and advanced alloys (aerospace and additive manufacturing).

During this period, using the ACMF production line that commenced in March 2015, Ilika has positioned itself as a pioneer in solid-state battery technology through the development of its new class of thin film solid state batteries, Stereax. The patented materials and processes that underpin these batteries have given them the following advantages over traditional lithium-ion batteries: non-flammable; six times faster to charge; double the energy density; 10 times longer storage without loss of charge [ 5.1]. Ilika ‘ expects’ the Stereax range to ‘ fit into or create end-markets worth in excess of $1 billion per year’ [ 5.1]. The company’s revenue model involves four phases of activity: a) commercially funded and grant-funded development projects; b) manufacturing; c) IP licensing; d) receipt of royalties when products incorporating Ilika reach market. Throughout the REF 2021 period, Ilika has transitioned from the first to the second phase of activity. In the first phase, Ilika’s portfolio of development programmes with industry partners generated a pipeline of commercial opportunities, which Ilika has begun to address through distribution of evaluation samples from the ACMF production line, creating a springboard for technology transfer to a 3^rd party manufacturing facility. As production volumes exceed the capacity of that facility, Ilika expects to license its technology to larger scale production partners. [ 5.1].

Benefitting the UK economy and contributing to its global competitiveness

The sustained growth of Ilika Plc since 2014 has had a direct impact on the UK economy. Total turnover for this period is GBP11,500,000; annual turnover has risen from GBP1,000,000 in 2014 to GBP2,800,000 in 2020, increasing 95% from 2017 to 2018 and 38% from 2018 to 2020. As of 31 December 2020, Ilika Plc had a market capitalisation of GBP284,000,000 [ 5.2], up from GBP19,200,000 on 1 August 2013. With sales offices in the United States, China and Germany, Ilika attracts inward investment into the UK; around 90% of its commercial revenue is generated from companies headquartered overseas.

There has been a steady increase in employee numbers, from 34 in 2014 to 45 in 2020 [ 5.3]; 87% are high skilled roles in materials synthesis. In addition to Hayden as CSO, all four of the technical directors at Ilika were formerly researchers at UoS’ School of Chemistry. This skills transfer has continued; 15 UoS students and researchers took up permanent employment positions at Ilika over the impact period.

Listed on the AIM in London, Ilika has attracted external investment totalling GBP25,000,000 between 2016 and March 2020. This sum was secured in three tranches. In October 2016 the company announced an equity investment of USD8m (reflected in their 2017 accounts as GBP5,800,000) following commercialisation progress made since the launch of its first class of solid-state thin film batteries earlier that year [ 5.4]. Ilika raised GBP4,100,00 at a price of 20p per share in July 2018 [ 5.1]. And in March 2020 it announced the completion of a GBP15,000,000 equity placing at a price of 40p per share to purchase manufacturing equipment and support its growth strategy [ 5.5].

Key to the company’s ability to attract this level of external investment is its IP portfolio, based on UoS fundamental research. Twenty-five patents filed since 2014 named UoS and Ilika researchers as co-inventors. According to the company’s 2020 annual report, Ilika ‘ believes its patents ring fence and protect critical IP to avoid competitors working around a single patent’ [ 5.3]. As of 2020, Ilika maintained a portfolio of 15 patent families in solid state batteries, of which 20 were granted patents. As an example, on 8 October 2019, the company announced it had been granted eight of its Stereax solid-state battery patent filings in five patent jurisdictions, with Graeme Purdy, Ilika’s CEO, saying: ‘ Protecting Ilika’s know-how relating to solid-state batteries is key to our ability to grow our business.’ Ilika’s shares traded 2.2% higher in response to the announcement [ 5.6].

In the course of discussing this REF submission, Graeme Purdy stated that “Ilika continues to have a strong synergistic relationship with UoS. We access the ACMF facility for pilot-scale battery deposition and we also use the UoS cleanrooms for wafer processing. The intellectual support, provision of highly-qualified employees and access to state-of-the-art facilities are fundamental to the continued ability of Ilika to generate value for its shareholders.” [ 5.7]

Influencing investment priorities and supporting technological innovation in the clean energy, medtech and transport sectors

Ilika secured five key development and deployment projects with Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) for its thin film solid-state Stereax microbatteries. In December 2016, Ilika commenced a project with Sharp Laboratories of Europe (now Lightricity) to create an autonomous energy harvesting power source by integrating a Stereax battery with Sharp’s photovoltaic technology [ 5.1]. This was worth GBP320,000 to Ilika over two years [ 5.8]. A follow-up project in January 2019, in which the integrated Stereax and PV technology was deployed to power an autonomous wireless sensor for environmental sensing and asset tracking, was worth GBP227,000 to Ilika, and provided Lightricity with a further opportunity to advance the technology [ 5.1].

In March 2017, Ilika announced a collaboration with Galvani Bioelectronics (joint venture between GSK and Verily) to develop a battery for miniature medical implants to provide treatments for serious health conditions through the body’s own nervous system. This was worth GBP700,000 to Ilika over an 18-month period and Galvani itself benefitted from access to GBP700,000 of grants from Innovate UK and the Medical Research Council [ 5.8].

In November 2017, the company signed a partnership worth GBP400,000 over two years with the world’s fourth largest manufacturer of wind turbines, Titan Wind Energy (China), to deploy Stereax powered devices for the condition monitoring of its turbine blades [ 5.1]. Following on from this, but in a separate project, on 4 February 2020 Ilika announced that a field trial of its Stereax M250 solid-state battery on a wind turbine blade at the offshore renewable Energy Catapult facility in Blyth had been successful. The news that sufficient energy had been harvested from the blade’s vibration to charge a Stereax battery, which in turn powered sensors to monitor the condition of blades that can each cost up to USD30,000 to repair, caused Ilika’s shares to rise 6.3% [ 5.9].

In March 2019 Ilika commenced a trial deployment of wireless sensors powered by Stereax batteries for monitoring the condition of rail infrastructure with Network Rail. The sensors were deployed to measure track strain at high temperatures. Ilika received GBP115,000 and Network Rail, benefitting from Innovate UK funding, said that the project was ‘ a great example of how Network Rail would like to work with our supply chain to assist in the deployment of technology that is closely aligned with our priority challenges in order to deliver significant business benefits’ [ 5.10].

Advancing green technology for the automotive industry

Before and throughout the impact period, Ilika has worked with Toyota to develop stable oxide core, platinum shell catalyst structures for low temperature fuel cells, as part of the company’s development of hydrogen fuel cell electric vehicles for the consumer market. Toyota previously described (in the related REF 2014 impact case study) ‘ Ilika’s fuel cell catalyst formulation’ as ‘ key to Toyota’s strategy for cost reduction’ and Ilika’s high throughput technology as ‘ essential to overcome some of the technological barriers’. Toyota launched its first hydrogen-powered Mirai car to the European and US markets in autumn 2015.

In March 2017, the Toyota Research Institute announced a four-year, USD35,000,000 investment programme in materials science research. The initial focus of the programme was on identifying new advanced battery materials and fuel cell catalysts that can power future zero-emissions and carbon-neutral vehicles. At the time, Toyota said: ‘ Ilika brings unique technical capability and will be a critical partner in our effort to develop new methodologies for catalyst design as well as discover new materials.’ [ 5.11] Over the impact period, Toyota has invested GBP1,000,000 in Ilika’s materials development platform; three of Ilika’s patent families in solid state batteries are jointly owned with Toyota [ 5.3] as a result of the work undertaken. Toyota’s technological advances in this area have continued. It unveiled the second generation of its Mirai fuel-cell vehicle in November 2019, and in July 2017, Reuters reported that Toyota was planning to launch an electric vehicle powered by solid-state battery technology by the early 2020s, in an effort to market a car with a significantly longer range and a shorter recharge time [ 5.12].

The longstanding collaboration with Toyota has positioned Ilika as a leader in the development of chemistries and production methods for both electric hybrid and electric vehicles. In June 2018 Ilika announced that it had been awarded GBP4,100,000 in grant funding from the Faraday Battery Challenge, part of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund (ISCF), to participate in two automotive-related projects [ 5.1]. The first, with Honda and Ricardo, was focused on the development of rapid charging battery packs. The second, with McLaren and A123 Batteries, was developing battery pack technology for high performance vehicles. The projects were selected as an ISCF case study on the UK Government’s gov.uk website [ 5.13]. A third project was announced in September 2019, with Jaguar Land Rover, in which Ilika is supported by a further GBP800,000 of grant funding to study manufacturing processes and costs for solid state batteries. In September 2020, Ilika signed a framework agreement with the UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in support of scale-up of its Goliath solid state cells [ 5.14] for electric vehicles, cordless consumer electronics and aeronautics.

The role of electrochemical processes in the fabrication of electronic devices on which society is wholly reliant is poorly appreciated. In 2014, School of Chemistry researchers embarked on a public engagement programme to address the imbalance between a lack of public knowledge of transistors and electrochemistry and the ubiquity of consumer devices that were only made possible through advances in these fields. In engaging the public in their pursuit of novel electrodeposition technologies for the next generation of electronic devices, the team set two key objectives: introduce new audiences, including schoolchildren, to electrochemistry and inspire them to learn more; enhance and sustain public knowledge of electrochemical principles and their intrinsic relevance to daily life. Three key principles underpinned the approach: dedicated funding, team-based delivery and rigorous evaluation to guide continuous feedback and improvement. A 0.3 FTE public engagement role was costed into the ADEPT [ G2] grant. A further £30,000 came from the ESPRC Impact Acceleration Account, along with an Institute of Physics grant and UoS internal funds. Engagement ideas were generated across the School of Chemistry and volunteers, including UGs, were invited to participate in delivery. The programme was designed and evaluated according to Arts Council England’s Generic Learning Outcomes, with a focus on two criteria: ‘Knowledge & Understanding’ and ‘Enjoyment, Inspiration, Creativity’. Outcomes shaped an iterative design process, allowing methods and exhibits to evolve. The overall programme, centred around the Electrochemical Circus and Water Transistor, reached an in-person audience of >100,000 over the impact period, delivering 6,000 direct, face-to-face interactions between researchers and the public. Learning outcomes are detailed below.

Enhancing public understanding of electrochemistry at large-scale science events: Initially researchers developed two interactive demonstrations that formed the core of their public engagement at large-scale science events. They built the mobile Water Transistor, a physical analogue of an FET, to demonstrate how switches inside computers function. It used water to represent electrical charge, with pressurised squeezing affecting flow through a long, thin balloon. It reflected the underlying research principles and the motivation for research on the electrodeposition of nanostructured semiconductors [ G1, G3, 3.1, 3.3]. They also created an activity that demonstrated how gold is electroplated from solution. Naturally occurring oils on people’s fingers were used to template gold deposition around the fingerprint pattern and people took home their own gold-plated fingerprint. This represented the templated electrodeposition process used to produce semiconductors for phase change memory, infrared detection, and other applications ( 3.2- 3.5). The 3-minute activity provided an opportunity to discuss the underpinning science at a level of complexity appropriate to age or knowledge levels, the relevance of this chemistry to modern electronic devices and how UoS researchers were advancing the technologies. Both demonstrations visited the National Big Bang Fair 2014, the Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition (RSSSE) 2015 and Southampton Science and Engineering Festival (SotSEF) 2014-2019. Footfall of >40,000 people and 6,000 face-to-face interactions were recorded across these events [5.1]. Data collected at RSSSE 2015 showed that as a result of engaging with SCFED research, there was the following transfer of knowledge: an increase in the number of people who could identify a supercritical fluid as ‘a hot, dense gas’ from 5% to 54%; an increase in those who identified electroplating as ‘a bottom-up, atom-by-atom process’ from 28% to 46%; and an increase in those who correctly identified a transistor as ‘an electrically-operated switch’ from 34% to 69% [ 5.1]. The gold fingerprinting activity was as popular with children as it was with industry professionals and proved a versatile vehicle for engaging with varied publics. The souvenir fingerprint ensured the impact of the interaction lasted longer than the activity itself. Representative comments from people who interacted with the demonstrations included: “awesome”; “it’s fascinating, thank you so much”; “very informative and well explained” [ 5.1].

Design of a permanent exhibit to increase audience diversity, further improve public knowledge of transistors and sustain impact beyond annual events: The mobile Water Water Transistor at WSC

Transistor went through five design iterations to make improvements on the basis of audience feedback. Building on lessons learned, in 2017 the team commissioned interactive exhibit specialists Science Projects to build a permanent, large-scale Water Transistor exhibit at Winchester Science Centre (WSC). Researchers took this decision in order to engage a broader audience (WSC targets 5-12 year olds and their families) on a consistent, daily basis. The exhibit was installed in Jan. 2019. At 6 m long and 2 m high it occupies a prominent position in the main visitor space. Modules demonstrate how transistors help computers make calculations and allow people to ‘race’ transistors used in electronic devices to see how fast they are. A video explains the underpinning research [ 3.1- 3.4], how UoS researchers are developing nano-transistors for even faster electronic devices, and introduces the researchers involved. Feedback is gathered via a touch screen panel. Using observation data, the number of people interacting with the Water Transistor from Jan. 2019 to Mar. 2020 was >75,000 based on an average of 30 visitors per hour [ 5.2]. This equates to one in three visitors to WSC. The video was played 5,420 times, and there were 11,629 responses to the feedback questionnaire. Key outcomes [ 5.2] were: 77% of people found the water transistor enjoyable to use; 65% said it helped them to understand how transistors work; 64% correctly identified transistors as electrically operated switches; 79% recognised that transistors are faster than humans; and 71% understood that computers are fast because of transistors. Further evaluation [ 5.2] was carried out in person by a student intern in summer 2019; 96% of adults either strongly agreed or agreed with the statement ‘I enjoyed using the water transistor’. Data revealed clear evidence that the exhibit increased public awareness of the role of the transistor in everyday consumer electronics, and how electrochemistry research can enhance our lives. Before interacting with the exhibit, only 35% of people recognised the word transistor and knew of its role in modern electronics, but afterwards this proportion increased to 80% and 75%, respectively. Furthermore, 84% agreed they had learnt something new about computers/transistors; 89% said they had a better understanding of how chemistry improves our lives; 71% were inspired to find out more about electronics; 74% recognised that UoS scientists are working on new devices; 95% of people would recommend the water transistor to others. Ben Ward (Chief Executive, WSC) highlighted “ the value of incorporating real, recent, internationally-published research in the exhibit” [ 5.3].

Creating the Electrochemical Circus to widen access and inspire further STEM study: In 2017, in order to both widen access to children less likely to attend science venues, and strengthen wider appeal of the programme, existing activities were consolidated under a new Electrochemical Circus brand. A range of activities were brought together, including making batteries out of fruit, the passing of a current through a red cabbage to explain electrochemical reactions and the Suitcase of Curiosities, a collection of objects related to electrochemistry research relevant to [ 3.1-3.6]. PGR/ECR electrochemists and undergraduate chemistry students at UoS were trained as Electrochemical Circus volunteers. Data from SotSEF 2019 [ 5.4] showed that of those visitors surveyed after interacting with the Electrochemical Circus, 71% identified that electrons move from high to low potential; 94% of people understood that an electrical current refers to the flow of electrons through a circuit; >90% identified that electrons flow through an electrolyte, a metal wire, a lemon, but not a chocolate bar; 72% understood that electrodeposition is a process during which metal ions in the solution move to form a layer of metal atoms on the electrode; 87% said they were interested in learning more about electrochemistry. A large majority of people surveyed (87%) did not identify as having high levels of prior electrochemistry knowledge. The team was presented with the ‘Wow Factor’ award by the SotSEF organising committee.

The Water Transistor formed the centrepiece of a series of Electrochemical Circus school visits at WSC in June and July 2019. Harder-to-reach pupils were targeted specifically according to widening access criteria and workshops were designed to complement the schools’ own science curricula. A total of 128 Year 8 pupils and eight teachers attended. Questionnaires [ 5.5] demonstrated the following changes in understanding: that electricity can be made by chemical reactions (from 43% to 70%); that digital electronics depends upon transistors (from 30% to 80%); that transistors are electrically operated switches (from 29% to 74%); and that computers are ‘clever’ because transistors are fast (from 36% to 88%). Data collected at follow-up visits to schools in December 2019 showed retention of this knowledge: 45% of pupils remembered that transistors are electrical switches; 51% of pupils remembered that computers are fast because of transistors. Pupils rated their overall enjoyment of the Electrochemical Circus at 4.2/5. On our return to the schools we asked students what they remembered from their summer WSC visit: 95% of students remembered visiting the centre, 86% said that they had enjoyed their visit, and 81% remembered meeting scientists at the WSC. Students remembered the individual activities, with gold fingerprinting being remembered by almost all (98%) students; some students still had their gold fingerprints in their wallets and purses and showed them to the team.

In 2019, the Electrochemical Circus featured at two festivals. The first was Light Up Poole! Digital Arts Festival (February 2019), with the aim of engaging an audience that might typically favour arts events over science. A total of 1,071 people took part in The Photon Shop, a series of activities relating to the science of light. Gold fingerprinting was presented in the context of electroplating to make materials for infrared sensing. It featured prominently in the overall evaluation data as an activity that the audience had enjoyed and understood [ 5.6]. In addition, 100% agreed that the event was enjoyable and would recommend it to others; 90% said that they had learnt something new about science; 81% gained a better understanding of what scientists do; 87% were inspired to find out more about science; and 71% of visitors were more likely to consider studying science or recommend science to others. The Electrochemical Circus visited the Science Museum in April 2019 to take part in CHEMFEST, in celebration of the International Year of the Periodic Table. Visitor numbers were 7,000 (4,000 adults, 3,000 children) and the UoS team created >800 gold fingerprints over a four-day residency. The event coordinator said [ 5.7]: “ *The families had a great time and it’s amazing to have something so memorable to take home with them. I know many were also inspired by electrochemistry, a field many were unaware of how vast and important it is.*”

While demonstrating impact of public engagement on uptake of STEM subjects is extremely difficult, the evaluation of the Electrochemical Circus included a survey question with a 5-point Likert scale asking how likely people were to consider further study or encouraging others towards further study of science. These showed an increase from 18% to 31% in positive responses [ 5.5].

Engaging online audiences in electrochemistry [ 5.8]: In 2019 the UoS research team worked with Errant Science to create animated gifs as a novel way to communicate key electrochemical principles to a new online audience. The animations were published via the Electrochemical Circus Twitter account. The first animation (April 2019) featured the Daniell Cell and achieved 11,554 impressions, 3,389 media views, and 693 engagements. A second animation communicating the electroplating process (July 2019) achieved 7,266 impressions, 1,082 media views, and 231 engagements. There was particular interest from teachers in the UK and overseas, with most highlighting the content to their A Level/AP Chemistry students. The second animation (July 2019) featured the reduction of gold at the electrode during electroplating and was designed to complement the gold fingerprinting activity. It achieved 6934 impressions, 1050 views and 186 engagements, and was described as being ‘ superbly explained’. The account reached 345 followers, with 120 of those being linked to the two animations.

Feedback from 80 teachers stimulated further developments through the production of a bespoke set of teacher resources in response to a need identified by researchers in the UoS Chemical Education Research Group (S. Barnes, PhD Thesis, UoS, 2020) [ 5.9]. Electrochemistry was the theme for the 2020 Wessex Group Chemistry Teachers’ Conference (100 delegates), with a Keynote presentation by P Bartlett that was well received (100% of respondents rated the talk as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ [ 5.10]). Feedback at this event and from teacher focus groups was used to create a series of resources hosted at discoverelectrochemistry [ 5.11]; Robert Campbell (former Chemistry teacher and current lead on the secondary science PGCE course at St Mary’s University says, “ recommending the Discover Electrochemistry website to trainee teachers has been invaluable”, describing them as “ a critical tool to support teachers develop their confidence in teaching electrochemistry” [ 5.12]; Dr Emma Wright (KS5 Science Coordinator, Queen Elizabeth’s Girls’ School) says, “ genuinely, the resources are brilliant and I will use them every year” [ 5.13].