ECS student presents MSc project results at international conference

An ECS student on the MSc Artificial Intelligence course presented the results of his research project at an international workshop last month.

Hanjie Luo focused his project on a form of fabrication that mimics the formation of biological complexes such as viruses.

He presented his findings on "Selecting Self-assembly Pathways" at the Biological and Chemical Information Technology workshop in Orleans, France, last month.

His research investigated the future manufacturing methods of individual components self-assembling into desired products by making decisions when to bind to another component. There are a large number of possible assembly combinations – intermediate structures - but only some of them will yield a high quantity of the desired structure in a short time. Some of the intermediate structures can hinder progress.

Hanjie developed a software tool based on combinatorial mathematics and physics simulation that predicts which intermediate structures should be avoided, thus helping to optimise the fabrication process.

Hanjie’s project supervisor was Dr Klaus-Peter Zauner, who commented: “Hanjie has worked very hard on his research project and I am delighted that he has been recognised for this work by being invited to present his findings at this prestigious conference.”

Hanjie is currently researching at the Friedrich-Schiller University in Germany, where he was invited to undertake a two-month research visit based on the achievements of his MSc project. During his time in Jena Hanjie will investigate how self assembly can be used for future molecular computing architectures.

"The project is an important aspect of the MSc programme," said Dr Zauner, "and it's great to see what can be achieved by an MSc student in the research-intensive environment of ECS."

Hanjie returns to Southampton in December to attend his MSc Graduation ceremony.

The MSc programme in ECS is a 12-month postgraduate degree programme, which provides the opportunity for students to spend a year studying and researching on an intensive high-quality course at the cutting edge of technology.