The Year 2025 Review: Highlights from the Faculty of Science and Engineering
This past year has been a whirlwind of groundbreaking discoveries, innovative collaborations, and prestigious recognitions at the Faculty of Science and Engineering. But here's where it gets controversial: which achievement truly defined 2025? Or do all these milestones collectively represent a year of unstoppable progress? Keep reading to explore the top stories that shaped this incredible year.
January: Starting with Surprising Breakthroughs
The year commenced with some eye-opening findings. Our research team discovered that everyday soap—yes, the soap used for handwashing—might hold the key to understanding complex biological systems, such as the lungs. This insight could open new pathways for developing therapies for respiratory conditions like acute respiratory distress syndrome. In materials science, researchers engineered a molecular trap designed to combat water pollution, specifically targeting the residual chemicals from medicines and hygiene products contaminating rivers and lakes. Additionally, analysis of samples from asteroid Bennu unveiled fascinating clues about the origins of life and the early evolution of our solar system—highlighting the faculty’s pioneering role in space sciences.
February: Innovations in Engineering and Environmental Monitoring
In February, insights into the microstructure of fossilized pterosaur bones suggested new possibilities for creating lighter, more durable materials—potentially revolutionizing the aerospace industry. At the same time, a new atmospheric monitoring station was launched at Jodrell Bank Observatory, aiming to refine the accuracy of the UK’s greenhouse gas emission reports. Meanwhile, at the National Graphene Institute, scientists celebrated a major advance in quantum electronics, pushing the boundaries of nanoscale technology.
March: Advancing Sustainable Energy and Low-Carbon Initiatives
Scientists developed a new type of hydrogen sensor, which could significantly speed up the shift towards clean hydrogen fuel by enabling safer and more efficient detection. Moreover, a groundbreaking report by the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research showcased their ‘Roadmap to Super Low Carbon Live Music,’ which helped Massive Attack stage a concert with the lowest carbon footprint of its kind—an inspiring example of sustainable event management. Dr. Pablo Ouro led a nationwide assessment on the environmental interactions of offshore wind farms, providing vital insights to policymakers and industry leaders dedicated to achieving net-zero emissions.
April: Uncovering Earth’s Hidden Climate Signals
Our Earth science teams revealed that previous estimates of volcanic CO2 emissions may have been drastically underestimated—suggesting volcanoes are emissions giants worth more attention. They also uncovered that turbidity currents—underwater avalanches—are responsible for transporting enormous quantities of microplastics into the deep ocean, raising concerns about marine pollution. Physicists made a historic breakthrough by demonstrating that matter particles, known as baryons, behave distinctly from antimatter particles, offering new avenues for understanding the universe. In collaboration with CERN’s Large Hadron Collider, researchers received the prestigious 2025 Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.
May: Bioengineering and Microbial Impact Studies
Researchers at the Manchester Institute of Biotechnology showcased genetically engineered enzymes that can harness visible light to catalyze highly selective chemical reactions—potentially revolutionizing green chemistry. Additionally, a new project involving industry giant Equinor aimed to understand how microbes deep underground might influence the effectiveness of carbon capture and storage efforts, contributing to climate mitigation strategies.
June: Celebrations and New Horizons
June saw remarkable achievements within our academic community. Dr. Panagiotis Papadopoulos was among ten finalists competing for a £100,000 seed funding grant through the Manchester Prize, fueling his innovative project. Meanwhile, four colleagues received prestigious awards from the Royal Society of Chemistry, recognizing outstanding contributions in chemical sciences. Student teams built a massive 30,500-piece Lego model of the Lovell Telescope at Jodrell Bank for its 80th anniversary, illustrating the university’s commitment to inspiring the next generation. In research, astronomers released the first images from the world’s largest digital camera, and chemists created a molecular magnet that promises to boost data storage capacity by a hundredfold—truly game-changing advancements.
July: Early Detection and Geological Mysteries
Among exciting developments, a 'nose-to-diagnose' study announced progress in creating a non-invasive method to detect Parkinson’s disease early—up to seven years before motor symptoms emerge—by analyzing skin chemistry. Also, scientists uncovered hundreds of giant sand bodies beneath the North Sea that appear to challenge fundamental geological principles. Further research delved into the mechanisms behind Alpine debris flows, offering new strategies for protecting communities from natural disasters.
August: Energy Security and Cosmic Discoveries
Our faculty secured a multi-million-pound grant to lead a pioneering program aimed at transforming the lifecycle of graphite used in nuclear energy, contributing to sustainable power. Researchers also found a surprising pattern in birdsong that mirrors core aspects of human language. For the first time, astronomers successfully tracked the slow evolution of a dying star over more than a century, providing unprecedented insights into stellar life cycles. The James Webb Space Telescope captured stunning new images of the heart of the Butterfly Nebula, revealing hidden details that deepen our understanding of cosmic phenomena.
September: Community Outreach and Academic Excellence
In September, our chemists hosted workshops for refugee children in Greater Manchester, sparking enthusiasm for science among young learners. Two esteemed professors, Zara Hodgson and Jovica Milanović, were elected Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering. The Tyndall Centre marked its 25th anniversary with an influential report warning that the UK’s energy use is now lower than many experts predicted twenty years ago—highlighting our nation’s evolving efforts in climate action.
October: Paleontological Discoveries and Renewable Energy Innovation
A remarkably well-preserved skeleton discovered along the UK’s Jurassic Coast was identified as a new species of ichthyosaur, shedding light on prehistoric marine life. Additionally, engineers launched a groundbreaking project to convert railway tunnels into wind-powered energy stations, harnessing strong tunnel winds to generate renewable electricity—an innovative approach to sustainable infrastructure.
November: Evolutionary Mysteries and Sustainable Tourism
Scientists uncovered a surprising link between the koala and an Ice Age marsupial lion—an unexpected connection that deepens our understanding of evolutionary history. A collaborative study involving the government and public revealed that reducing energy demand in the UK could accelerate progress toward net-zero emissions at a fraction of the cost of solely increasing renewable supply. Furthermore, a report from Marketing Manchester detailed that tourism activities in Greater Manchester produced approximately 2.5 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2023, primarily driven by travel habits—highlighting the importance of sustainable tourism practices.
December: Closing the Year with Major Scientific Milestones
The final month of 2025 saw scientists definitively rule out the existence of a sterile neutrino, addressing a long-standing mystery in particle physics with 95% certainty. The world’s most precise nuclear clock neared operational reality, promising breakthroughs in timekeeping and fundamental physics. Astronomers captured the most detailed images yet of a jet emanating from a newly forming star—advancing our understanding of stellar birth. A recent study warned that current housing and climate policies are failing to keep pace with rising temperatures and energy costs, putting communities at risk. Finally, a Manchester astronomer announced plans to construct the most detailed, accurate map of the radio sky ever created, which will revolutionize our understanding of the universe.
In conclusion: 2025 has been a year of extraordinary scientific advances across multiple fields—from space exploration and climate science to engineering and medicine. But do you think these achievements will have a lasting impact, or are some just fleeting breakthroughs? Share your thoughts below—are we truly on the path to solving the biggest challenges of our time, or is skepticism warranted? Let’s open the debate.
