Profile: Dr Ling Ge

Dr Ling Ge arrives to judge the final of the Virgin Media Business ‘Three New Things’ challenge

Dr Ling Ge is a scientist in Imperial's Department of Chemistry who sits at the interface between research, innovation and public engagement.

Ling is manager of the Imperial-hosted EPSRC UK National Service for Computational Chemistry Software, having previously been a Leverhulme Research Fellow at the college investigating ionic liquids for renewable energy applications. She is also heavily involved in public engagement, science writing and promoting entrepreneurship with activities such as the recent Virgin Media Business ‘Three New Things’ challenge. We caught up with her after she judged the final.

How did you get involved?

I actually knew the creative director of the project Julian Borra from a workshop we both attended on ‘China and sustainability’ at Saatchi and Saatchi a few years ago. He explained the aim – essentially to unearth game-changing digital innovations that could transform the way we live and work – and asked me if I wanted to be involved in judging submissions from start-up companies. I agreed!

And those Three New Things?

Ling speaking at the awards presentation

Well, it was all about space, sun and shoes! The overall winner was a new company called Three Over Seven that has developed software to scan your feet in 3D using a smartphone in order to deliver bespoke, 3D-printed shoes to your door within 24 hours. One of the runners-up Buffalo Grid is giving out free solar packs in Africa for powering mobile phones and other appliances, and then charging money for electricity on pay-as-you-go basis. While, the final company, 3DSat, is aiming to significantly drive down the cost and weight of micro satellites (‘cubesats’) – also using 3D printing.

Why are innovation challenges like this so important?

I think there are two sides to it.  As researchers at universities it’s partly our job to come up with innovative technology; but although we may be bursting with great ideas, we can’t always translate them into profitable business ventures. Challenges like this can help bridge the gap. Secondly and more specifically, the telecoms industry is a highly competitive market – Virgin Media Business counts Transport for London and large companies as clients and so they have to stay ahead of the curve and know what’s going to be the next ‘big thing’ in digital technology.

Have you been involved in any other exciting events recently?

Yes, I took part in the Public Attitudes to Science Study 2014, sponsored by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS). For a day I was acting as the face of science in Trafalgar Square. People from all walks of life were fascinated to talk to me about topics such as nanotechnology and quantum computing (which was the focus of my doctorate at Oxford University). Their passion and imagination went far beyond anything I expected and there were some really off-the-wall questions! We were talking about healing and medicine and one individual, a sports professional, came and asked me, ‘when do you think we will become Wolverine?’

Also, as recent recipient of a 'Women of the future' award I was invited by the Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow to attend a reception at the State Rooms and Speaker’s House, which was an eye-opening look at parliament and the political process.