ENGINES powered by cups of hot coffee and organic televisions that roll up and fit in your pocket were some areas of university research on show this week.

Research teams at Durham University exhibited their work at the Elvet Riverside Building on Monday, to show the public some of the ground-breaking initiatives they are working on.

Researchers from the Centre for Automotive Research were on hand to describe their part in the race to design the world's most efficient solar-powered car.

The team is aiming to develop its model so it will reach motorway speeds and is planning to enter it in a solar-powered car race from the North of Australia to Southern Australia in October 2005.

First, it will be taken on a test run from John O'Groats to Lands End next summer.

Other research being worked on in the School of Engineering includes a tiny engine, which if sat on a cup of hot coffee will run from the heat given off, but could be used in an artificial heart, using body heat to run a mechanical pump.

Dr Ken Durose, director of the Department of Physics and Centre for Renewable Energy has come to the attention of the Government with his progress in creating cheaper and more effective solar panels.

Big businesses also have their eye on research at the university.

Dr Lars-Olof Palssol is looking at materials that could be used to make flat, organic display units for televisions or computers, and Philips and Sony have already shown their interest in the research.

The technology should be available between 2010 and 2015 for anything from televisions the size of credit cards to paper-thin lap-tops that can be rolled up like newspapers