Dear Mr Gaffney

I am writing to acknowledge receipt of your Freedom of Information
Request.

Your request is receiving our attention and you will hear from us again
within 20 working days.

Yours sincerely

[1]cid:image001.jpg@01CCF319.73AEF6C0    Information Rights Assistant  
   Academic Policy and Governance

   
_________________________________________________________________________________

  The Open University, Academic Policy and Governance, Walton Hall, Milton
Keynes, MK7 6AA

   T: +44 (0) 1908 653994 ~ W: [2]www.open.ac.uk ~ W: [3]OU Freedom of
Information Publication Scheme

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an
exempt charity in England & Wales, and a charity registered in Scotland
(SC 038302).  The Open University is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority

show quoted sections

Dear Mr Gaffney

Thank you for your Freedom of Information request where you asked the
following information:

What is a MASER(Microwave Amplification by Stimulated Emission of
Radiation)?

When were they first invented ?

What are their possible applications?

I believe they are used by some satellites to communicate with their bases
back on Earth .How powerful do they have to be to do this ?

Do any of them use superconducting materials? And if they do how powerful
are such devices?

Has you institution been involved in research into such devices?

With the exception of your final question, the University does not
consider that these questions fall under the terms of the Act or that,
insofar as they do, the information is reasonably accessible to you by
others means through a process of internet and library research and
therefore is exempt under section 21(1) of the Act.

In regard to your final question, a search of our database has revealed we
have no research project grants that mention these devices by name.
Therefore the answer to this is ‘no’.

As there is an exemption applied in this response, you have the right to
appeal this.  If you wish to do so please email
[1][email address]  with ‘Freedom of Information appeal’
in the subject line.  You should explain why you believe the University
has not observed the provisions of the Freedom of Information Act. 
Freedom of Information Appeals are considered by the University Secretary
or his delegate and you will have a further right of appeal to the
Information Commissioner’s Office.

Regards

[2]cid:image001.jpg@01CCF319.73AEF6C0    Mel Augusto  
   Information Rights Assistant
   Academic Policy and Governance

   
_________________________________________________________________________________

  The Open University, Academic Policy and Governance, Walton Hall, Milton
Keynes, MK7 6AA

   T: +44 (0) 1908 653994 ~ W: [3]www.open.ac.uk ~ W: [4]OU Freedom of
Information Publication Scheme

The Open University is incorporated by Royal Charter (RC 000391), an
exempt charity in England & Wales, and a charity registered in Scotland
(SC 038302).  The Open University is authorised and regulated by the
Financial Conduct Authority

show quoted sections