An exhibition showcasing research carried out by engineers at the University of Leeds is offering members of the public a chance to see how high level research improves human health and well-being.

Proving that engineering can provide the answer to a multitude of health and wellbeing problems, work designed for the 2009 Make Some Noise competition is on show at the Thackray Museum in Leeds until the end of October.

From computer modelling techniques that enable the repair of complicated spinal fractures through to the development of microcapsules that will destroy cancer cells, a variety of photographic images and posters designed by the researchers will be on display in the James Allen Room of the Conference Suite in the museum.

Researcher Training and Development Manager in the Faculty of Engineering, Patricia Gray says: "In previous years this competition has stimulated some positive feedback from the general public. Often, people are unaware that engineering covers such a wide field or that it can have such an impact on our daily lives. We are also encouraging researchers to find ways of engaging with the public and informing the outside world of their work."

Groups who use the conference facilities at the museum range from local community organisations through to professional health practitioners.

Make Some Noise is an annual festival of research and public engagement which links training and development with public engagement activities. The photographic images and poster competitions are just two elements of the festival.

A reception for the winners was recently held in the James Allen room at the Thackray Museum. Prizes of £300 worth of Amazon vouchers were awarded to the overall winners, with second and third prizes of £200 and £100 respectively.

The winners of the poster element of the competition were Corinne Hanlon in first place, Jawaid Daudpoto in second and Alex Lincoln in third.

Kasim Sadar won the photographic image competition, with Diago Angarita-Jaimes coming second and Yeaw Chu Lee coming third.

In the presentation section (held at an earlier Make Some Noise event), Andrew Greenall came first, Colin Myers was in second place and Michael Burkinshaw and Chandra Malvi were awarded the third place jointly.

Further information from:
Patricia Gray, Researcher Training and Development Officer, Faculty of Engineering, 0113 3433351,p.a.gray@campuspr.co.uk,

Sally Cooper, Campuspr Ltd, 0113 2589880, sally@campuspr.co.uk

NOTES TO EDITORS

Further photographs of the winners and their winning images are available on request.

1.         The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Leeds is ranked 7th* in the UK for the quality of its research (2008 Research Assessment Exercise); an impressive 75% of the Faculty's research activity rated as internationally excellent or world leading. It includes the Schools of Computing, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering and Process, Environmental and Materials Engineering.  http://www.engineering.leeds.ac.uk/

2.         The 2008 Research Assessment Exercise showed the University of Leeds to be the UK's eighth biggest research powerhouse. The University is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University's vision is to secure a place among the world's top 50 by 2015. ./