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Brunel University Experimental Techniques Centre builds research team

The move forms part of a university-wide focus on strengthening Brunel's research capabilities and building specific research centres as areas of excellence and comes in advance of three research open days, on 26th, 27th and 28th April 2006, at which the Centre's laboratories and research will be showcased.

In his role at ETC, Dr Jones will help to develop the centre's research programme, expanding the scanning probe microscopy capabilities and developing research into thin films, interfaces and electronic materials. Dr Jones will also continue with his work on forensic electronics, investigating mobile phones and SIM cards that have been damaged by fires or in explosions to glean information for scene-of-crime forensic investigators working at accident and bomb scenes.

In addition to his research role, Dr Jones will be supporting the development of new postgraduate courses for ETC students and modules to introduce other postgraduate students within the University to materials processing.

Until February 2005, Dr. Jones worked in Trinity College Dublin, investigating the use of new materials for future technological generations of CMOS-type microelectronic devices, part of a collaboration on 'high-k' based devices involving the Tyndall National Institute in Ireland and Philips Research in Belgium. He also worked on Diamond-like Carbon, research which he will be continuing at ETC. Since leaving Ireland he has been working in the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at University College London.

Dr. Jones comments: “I'm delighted to be joining the Experimental Techniques Centre at such an exciting time in terms of its growth and research targets. I'm looking forward to helping the Centre continue to develop, cementing its position as a leader in its field, both in practical and theoretical terms. “

ETC's director, Dr Robert Bulpett, adds: “The University is constantly hiring academics as we continue to strengthen our research and teaching capabilities so that we offer the best education possible to students. Ben's role is also a perfect example of how today's Universities marry the theoretical and practical. Whilst he will be contributing to the education of postgraduate students, his work will also help shape tomorrow's technology. For example, he is deepening our understanding of diamond-like carbon, a material which could revolutionise the devices available for heart patients and his forensic electronics will help forensic scientists gain vital information from electronics at crime or accident scenes.“