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A group of people in blue cleanroom garments and hair covers pose inside a cleanroom beside the Ariel payload structural model mounted on a vibration test fixture. The metallic, cylindrical structure is attached to a lifting frame with straps above it and dense cabling and support hardware beneath. Cabinets, test equipment, and a projected data display are visible in the background. The room is large, with a shiny green floor, a demarcated yellow test zone, and a high ceiling.
Press Release

Ariel space mission to study alien worlds passes crucial test milestone

The Ariel payload has cleared a major test milestone, paving the way for the mission that will uncover the secrets of over 1,000 alien worlds.
Two people hold and examine a small metal accelerator component together while talking. They are framed by the edges of a larger piece of technology, which the photographer is shooting through. Its shape is hard to discern, with only a hint of metal and a green colour. A pipe is visible behind the two people and a person's arm is to their left.
Science Highlight

A VIP visit to our high-power target facility and DUNE APA factory

Between April and May, we were delighted to receive a visit from DUNE-UK, including co-spokespeople Sowjanya Gollapinni from Los Alamos National Laboratory and UKRI's David Newbold.
A graphic titled “Tech Talks: Clive Hill” featuring a headshot of Clive inside a circular blue border smiling at the camera. To the right, text states:
Science Highlight

Tech Talks: Clive Hill

All of our rapid-fire interviews in 2026 have focused on our early career staff - like graduating apprentice Danny or physics student Sarina.
On the left, a medium close-up of Ciaran smiling at the camera, wearing PPE in the form of an orange high-vis shirt, safety goggles, and green hard hat with a headlamp. Behind him is a blurry view of a rocky floor and pitch black shadow. In the image on the right, nine people, wearing the same PPE as Ciaran, stand in a row with their headlamps on. It is an extreme wide shot, showing the people dwarfed by the height of the cavern. Their shadows are projected on the rock wall to the right.
Science Highlight

The STFC graduates yearn for the mines

For the first time, we have staff working not just at Daresbury and Rutherford Appleton Laboratories, but in a mine, located 1.1 km beneath a village in North...
A group of people sit at tables listening to a presentation. A man in the foreground wears glasses and looks toward the front, with notebooks, plates, and cups on the tables.
Science Highlight

A networking event for graduates, by graduates.

In March, we hosted the second Technology Department Graduate Networking Event. It was the perfect opportunity for our early career staff to celebrate everything they've achieved so far...
Five young people stand in a row holding certificates at chest height in front of a large screen that reads “Congratulations.” Logos for the Engineering Experience Programme and the Science and Technology Facilities Council appear above the text. The group is joined by a woman in business attire, standing to the right.
Science Highlight

STFC’s Engineering Experience Programme 2025/26

In March, we were delighted to celebrate the conclusion of this year's Engineering Experience Programme (EEP) at RAL. The EEP empowers local sixth form students to tackle an...
A man wearing a high‑visibility yellow safety vest and dark jacket stands in EPAC's switchyard region. Behind him is a large, rectangular silver metal enclosure with bolted panels, circular access ports, and pipe connections along one side. The surrounding room contains overhead lighting, exposed pipes, and metal frameworks, with visible safety signage on the wall.
Science Highlight

Enabling the Extreme Photonics Applications Centre at the Central Laser Facility

An exciting new laser facility is nearing completion at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, and our skilled project engineering teams have played a key role in making it a reality.
A graphic titled “Tech Talks: Tom Nelson‑Smith” featuring a headshot of Tom Nelson‑Smith inside a circular blue border. Tom has curly brown hair and is looking at the camera. To the right, text introduces him as a degree apprentice sharing his experiences in computing and science research. STFC and UKRI logos appear at the bottom with
Science Highlight

Interview: Computing Degree Apprentice Tom Nelson-Smith

Flick through our rapid-fire interview with new computing degree apprentice Tom Nelson-Smith. Unlike Danny, who shared his story earlier this month, Tom is at the start of his...
An open circular cryogenic chamber sits against a completely black background while white vapour drifts out of the opening.
Press Release

Enabling innovation at temperatures as cold as deep space

The National Cryogenic Facility (NCF) will receive £51.2 million from the UKRI Infrastructure Fund to help scientists run tests in temperatures below deep space.
A blue background with the large heading: “Tech Talks: Danny Mullarkey”. The right side of the image contains a text introduction: “From the classroom to CERN, read our rapid‑fire interview with our soon‑to‑graduate computing apprentice, Danny. Learn about his passion for cybersecurity and his experience here at Technology.” The left side shows a Polaroid-style photo of a young man wearing glasses. There is an orange a graduation cap illustration superimposed above his head, an atom illustration to his left, and an arrow with the words
Science Highlight

Interview: Graduating Degree Apprentice Danny Mullarkey

Read our rapid-fire interview with computing degree apprentice Danny Mullarkey and learn about his experience working in our Nuclear Physics Group here at STFC. Danny is nearing the...
A group photo taken at the British Embassy in Washington, DC. Eight people stand in a row during the presentation of the PUB Award. The woman to the far left is holding a microphone and standing behind a podium. The other people are stood in front of a small stage with a two flags at either end, one is the Union Jack and the other is the American flag. There are several audience members watching in the foreground.
Press Release

From farms to fusion: UK-US research teams honoured in DC

UK-US research teams recognised for advancing quantum technology, precision agriculture, nuclear energy, life-saving medical imaging, and museum accessibility.
A man wearing glasses and nitrile gloves is soldering wires by hand on a DUNE APA in the factory.
Press Release

UK detector components shipped to US for DUNE experiment

Detector components built at STFC’s Daresbury Laboratory have arrived at Fermilab, marking the first shipment of these detector components to DUNE experiment. The anode plane assemblies (APAs) are...
Team member