"It was a fundamental part of her image - emphasising the value of hard work, her background as a grocer's daughter, " says Prof Toye.

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These technologies are fundamental to the world's growing image sensor industry, with sales of over two billion units annually, and found in almost every consumer electronics device including smart phones, automobiles, tablets, televisions, gaming platforms, medical equipment and digital cameras.

ENGADGET: Aptina and Sony cross-license their camera patents, Nikon smiles