Scientists and engineers can experience life in the heart of the newsroom by applying for a British Science Association 2012 Media Fellowship.

This one day conference will consider Advances in Protective Clothing through the latest innovations in materials science and design.

The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers are accepting applications for their 2012 Venture Prize. The Royal Society are also accepting nominations for a range of awards.

Two physicists have been knighted for their work in developing graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon that is stronger than steel.

The deadline for nominations for the Institute of Physics Awards 2012 is 13 January.

The ability of small businesses to borrow money is a key to economic growth, particularly in manufacturing and engineering. Government plans are in place to increase lending to businesses, but it is being questioned whether greater credit availability is actually allowing companies to borrow more.

Winners of the IOM3 2011 Special and Publication Awards were presented with their medals and prizes at an Awards Lunch at the Institute's London office

The Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, worth £1m, has been launched by David Cameron to celebrate work that benefits society and to inspire young people to become engineers.

Synthetic crystals that mimic naturally occurring biominerals such as sea urchin spines are being fabricated in the UK. The results would assist ceramic production, and the creation of larger, less brittle structures for electronic devices.

We would like to draw your attention to a prestigious new award to recognise outstanding contributions to research in chemistry and materials science, the £50,000 AkzoNobel UK Science Award.