Edinburgh Napier exhibition showcases “Micro to Macro” innovation

Edinburgh Napier exhibition showcases “Micro to Macro” innovation

Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment is inviting visitors to explore how small-scale discoveries can have large-scale impact through its “Micro to Macro: Worlds Within Worlds”exhibition.

Running from 12–14 May, the hands-on exhibition highlights research and innovative teaching across computing, engineering and the built environment. Visitors will be able to explore projects ranging from sustainable materials and digital twins to robotics, clean energy, environmental monitoring and autonomous transport.

Among the featured exhibits is research turning water hyacinth into nanocellulose-based biocomposites, with potential uses including sustainable bowls and plant pots. Other displays include digital twin technology for managing air quality and transport systems, piezoelectric nanofibres that can capture energy from movement, and microplastic detectionusing a compact microscope camera system.

The exhibition also looks to the future of mobility and space exploration. Projects include the HEART hydrogen-electric aviation project, Formula Student Team Napier’s race car and autonomous driving systems, and Continuity, a small quadruped robot designed for challenging terrains such as the Moon.

Robotics will be a major attraction, with visitors able to meet humanoid and social robots including MOIRA, EUCLID, Pepper, and interactive “Talking Heads” exhibits. These demonstrations explore how robot design, artificial intelligence, personality and communication shape human–robot interaction.

The event is designed to show how research can connect everyday problems with global challenges, including sustainability, health, transport, energy and environmental protection. It also promotes Edinburgh Napier’s wider work in research, teaching and Graduate Apprenticeships.