Government grant boosts research facilities

The grant will allow the institution to connect to the Janet Aurora network – a 350km dedicated fibre system, which interconnects Aston's Photonics team with research groups at the universities of Cambridge, Essex, university of Central London and Southampton. The direct connection to the Aurora fibre optic network is due to be installed at the end of spring and will assist research groups to work together in the development of internet technologies. Prof Keith Blow from Aston University's photonic research team, said: "Providing PhD students with a live fibre optic transmission environment and an opportunity to directly interact with leading photonics researchers will create a wealth of exciting new opportunities. We'll be primarily using this server to investigate the future possibilities of optical fibre technologies. This will include developing components and subsystems capable of delivering faster and more reliable network connections for new generations of the internet."