University out to show how research makes a difference in the real world

The massive budget cuts mean every course has to be justified and every area of research is about to come under scrutiny.

That's part of the reason why Leeds University today launches a new event, showcasing 10 of its most important projects, which it hopes will prove the work which goes on inside its laboratories and lecture rooms is not just a useful addition to an academic's CV, but might just save the world.

1 Eco-friendly cosmetics.

For centuries beauty products have come with a high price, but recently scientists at Leeds have discovered a natural alternative.

Currently many hair dyes contain chemicals which have been linked to long-term health problems and with 95 per cent of the product washed away when applied, they also pose a serious risk to the environment.

However, Dr Richard Blackburn and Professor Chris Rayner, who have been working on developing a range of new products, believe they have found a solution in Shetland seaweed.

Extracting active ingredients from the plant, the pair have already produced semi-permanent hair dyes and the range will ultimately include skin care products.

"Seaweed is especially suited to cosmetics because it has evolved very clever techniques to protect it from the weather," says Dr Blackburn. "And cosmetics are all about protection from ageing and the elements."

It's hoped the first of the products will be on the market within the next 12 months and if successful it could revolutionise the cosmetics industry, which is worth $2bn a year.

2 The waterless washing machine.

It sounds like the kind of product, which would once have featured on Tomorrow's World. Earlier this year Professor Stephen Burkinshaw unveiled a new washing machine that uses just one cup of water, a pinch of detergent and about 1,000 tiny plastic beads.

Marketed by the university spin-off company Xeros (which means dry in Greek), the machine will reduce both water and energy consumption.

Currently, washing machine use accounts for 13 per cent of daily household water consumption, but under the new system, where the balls suck up the stains, 90 per cent of the water is saved and as an added bonus the clothes come out nearly dry.

The machines may be available to UK shoppers next year and because far less electricity and detergent is needed, it should also reduce carbon footprints by up to 25 per cent.

Put another way, if all US homes converted to Xeros the reduction in the country's carbon footprint would be the equivalent of taking three million cars off the road.

3 The solar powered fridge.

As a child, Emily Cummins spent hours in her grandfather's shed turning scraps of materials into toys. So it came as little surprise when she went on to become an award-winning inventor.

Having become aware of how much everyday appliances rely on fossil fuels, the Leeds business management graduate came up with a new design for a refrigerator powered by dirty water.

It soon became clear the technology, which can be built using barrels, spare car parts and ordinary household materials, was perfect for the developing world.

Refined during a gap year in Namibia, where Emily became known as the Fridge Lady, the fridge is now benefiting families living in townships across southern Africa. Used to store everything from food, water and essential medical supplies, the design has also won her a clutch of awards.

4 Low-cost composting

The amount of waste we throw away each year is growing, but Professor Ed Stentiford might just have an answer to the problem of rubbish.

It was back in the 1980s, before most people had joined the eco-movement, that he began looking at ways to reduce the amount of methane released by landfill sites.

He and his team's work has led to composting on an industrial scale.

It has already had a profound effect on the developing world, where the end product is used to improve the quality of soil and so boost crop production.

In Brazil, the system has been developed and rolled out to more than 200 small towns and because it's cheap, the system means that ultimately four billion people without access to adequate waste management systems could be given the opportunity to manage their own rubbish and minimise its impact on climate change.

5 Green internet

The internet and computers have been vital in analysing and reducing the world's carbon emissions, but they have also been part of the problem.

At present, the internet consumes three to five per cent of global electricity supplies and the figure is increasing rapidly.

Working alongside academics from Cambridge, as well as major companies like BT, the BBC and Ericsson, the University of Leeds is part of a 5.9m project developing new hardware which uses substantial less energy.

"In less than 20 years, the internet has grown from almost nothing to something of enormous economic and social value, but it has also consumed an increasing percentage of the global energy supply," says Professor Jaafar Elmirghani.

"The growth of the internet is predicted to rise by 10 per cent over the next five years, but that simply isn't practical if it also leads to a growth in energy consumption."

6 Solving malnutrition

In Africa, about 30 per cent of the continent's growing population goes hungry each day. The amount of crops produced doesn't meet the need of its people and the region is vulnerable to environmental change.

In 2008, the university founded Africa College to find answers to the problem of hunger and malnutrition. A wide range of research projects are already underway from improving rural transport in the developing world to working with farmers on increasing the drought tolerance of vital crops.

"True transformation takes time," says Professor Howard Atkinson. "But the foundations are now in place to have a positive impact on health and food security in Africa."

7 Saving the Uplands

Aside from their importance to tourism and recreation, the UK's hills, moors, valleys and dales are a globally important resource for wildlife, water supply and carbon storage.

However, changes in land management have had an adverse effect on the environment and the project was set up to reverse the damage. Using local experience combined with the latest scientific data, it has already shown the effect different methods of land management would have on the landscape and has been at the forefront of a campaign calling for farmers to be financially rewarded for ensuring the land the land produces clean water and maintaining the peat bogs.

8 Green streets

A student-led project, to reduce the amount of waste left behind in university accommodation, has seen campus recycling rates increase from 16 per cent in 2002 to more than 90 per cent last year.

In 2009, the project saved 21 tonnes of goods from landfill, by donating items to homeless charities, hostels and community shops. Students volunteered more than 1,200 hours of time collecting, sorting and redistributing more than 1,000 bags of clothes, 268 duvets, 24 printers and 1,297 pairs of shoes. They also found a home for a hamster cage. The scheme has won a national award and it is now hopeful of becoming a social enterprise.

9 Centre for Low Carbon Futures.

The centre was launched at the start of this year to help the UK meet its target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 34 per cent by 2020. Pooling knowledge from academics in Leeds, Hull, York and Sheffield, the project won 6m of funding for its first projects.

Currently researchers are looking at developing more sustainable fuels and chemicals, finding more efficient ways of capturing carbon dioxide – a crucial technology for all heavy industries – and assesing the likely economic impact of climate change across the region.

10 Preventing crop disease

Each year $125bn worth of crops are lost to parasites. Previously, control has depended on chemicals which have now been deemed hazardous by the EU and unsuitable for agriculture.

Leeds research is currently focusing on improving plant resistance to various bugs, particularly potato and rice crops.

As well as reducing the environmental impact of pesticides, the projects will also increase the annual food harvest in Africa by up to an impressive 50m tonnes.