The University of Birmingham is hoping cutting edge research at its new engineering department will tempt more students back to the subject.

Scientists in the department are working on a design for a tiny chip, which could be inserted into diabetics to dramatically cut the number of injections.

They are also hoping to develop an implant which would effectively replace a damaged retina.

The science minister, Lord Sainsbury, will officially open the new engineering school at the university on Wednesday.

The investment in the new department comes despite the current shortage of engineers around the country.

Professor Phil Prewett, from the university's engineering school, said: "We can already make micro mechanical systems which are small compared to the diameter of the human hair.

"But we're working now to make them 1,000 times smaller.

"This means previously unthought of applications and cures could be within our grasp within five years"