Lancashire and Cumbria
Diary of Events for 2005 - 2006
Thursday 8 September 2005
Superconductivity
Dr Shaun Fisher, Lancaster University
7 pm. M49, Maudland Building, UCLan, Preston.
This lecture will include the awarding of the 2004 A-level physics prizes to the top AQA board students in Lancashire and Cumbria. All welcome.
Wednesday 12 October 2005
West Cumbria members meeting:
Double pulsars and relativity
Dr Duncan Lorimer, Jodrell Bank/University of Manchester
This lecture will expand on the exciting work described in the cover article of the March 2005 issue of Physics World.
7.30 pm. Westlakes Research Institute, Whitehaven, Cumbria.
Thursday 18 October 2005
West Cumbria members meeting:
When the lights go out: Power to the people?
Professor Maxwell Irvine,University of Manchester
Professor Irvine has been invited to chair a committee of enquiry into energy policy and he will give a presentation which will be followed by a panel-led discussion chaired by Professor Paul Nolan of University of Liverpool.
Wednesday 19 October 2005
Joint meeting with British Nuclear Energy Society Cumbria
Simon Franklin, director of Reactor Operations and Safety, Imperial College, will talk about recent efforts to secure the future of the last civilian research reactor at Silwood Park, Ascot, and also to plan for decommissioning of the facility.
7 pm. (to be confirmed) Westlakes Research Institute, Whitehaven.
Wednesday 26 October 2005
Einstein Year event Using ideas from the Galactic Gig roadshow and volunteer branch members, we hope to give away Einstein Year freebies and interest shoppers in the wonderful world of physics.
All day at St George’s Shopping Centre, Preston
Wednesday 23 November 200
Lancashire and Cumbria Branch talk
Mass and energy in Einstein Year
Dr Chris Bowdery, Lancaster University
7 pm. George Fox Building, Lancaster University
"An exploration of energy, momentum and mass 100 years on from Einstein’s special theory of Relativity – with a little story about red, black and silver cars!"
Wednesday 7 December 2005
Einstein Year Colloquium
Double Pulsars and Relativity
Dr Duncan Lorimer (Jodrell Bank/Manchester University)
2 pm. Faraday Lecture Theatre, Lancaster University
"The recent discovery of a binary pulsar system is allows General Relativity to be tested."
Staff and students will appreciate this lecture which has many computer animated sequences. Sponsored by the Department and the Lancashire and Cumbria branch.
Thursday 15 December 2005
Informal Christmas social event.
6 pm. C36 Physics dept, Lancaster university
Food and drink will be provided - Please let Steve Bailey know if you are coming to help us with catering.
Wednesday 18 January 2006
Physics, Stem Cells and cancer Screening
Dr Hubert Pollock (Lancaster)
7 pm. George Fox Building LT2, Lancaster University
Tea and coffee from 6.30 p.m.
Wednesday 15 February 2006
Dealing with Spent Nuclear Fuel
Neil Stagg (BNFL)
6.30 pm. George Fox Building LT1, Lancaster University
Tea and coffee from 6 pm.
Joint with IEE Lancashire and Cumbria
Wednesday 15 March 2006
Ripples from the dark side of the universe
Prof Jim Hough (Glasgow)
2 pm. Biology LT1, Lancaster University
Tea and coffee from 1.30 pm.
Joint colloquium with Physics Dept, Lancaster University
Wednesday 19 April, 6.00 pm.
Breaking the Dirac code
Dr Peter Rowlands (University of Liverpool)
Frankland Colloquium Room, Lancaster University
In describing the fermionic state, the Dirac equation is the most fundamental in physics. The full power of the equation, however, seems to be obscured by a complicated mathematical apparatus which prevents us gaining a more direct knowledge of the fermionic state. To get beyond this hurdle means breaking the equation’s mathematical “code”. The reward for doing this will be a set of new insights into particle physics and quantum mechanics.
Wednesday 17 May, 2.00 pm.
Glass for the buildings and cars of the future
Paul D Warren (Pilkington European Technical Centre, Lathom, Ormskirk)
Frankland Colloquium Room, Lancaster University
Glass is all around us – windows, bottles and the optical fibres that carry data, to give just a few examples. Becoming ever more important are glass products that have additional uses because of coatings applied to their surfaces, or interlayers sandwiched between glass sheets. This presentation will outline how a knowledge of the physics of glasses and their coatings enables us to create useful products, and give some idea of the developments we may expect in glazing for buildings and cars in the near future.
Tuesday 23 May, 6.30 pm.
The Fast Track to Fusion Power
Prof C Llewellyn Smith (JET Project director, Culham)
Daresbury Laboratory, Warrington
Daresbury is accessible from Lancashire via the M6/M56. There will be a buffet afterwards. (Manchester branch event).
Joint meeting of the Merseyside and Manchester Branches.
Wednesday 14 June, 6.00 pm.
Nonlinear dynamics of the cardiovascular system
Dr Aneta Stefanovska, (Lancaster)
Frankland Colloquium Room, Lancaster University
Lancashire and Cumbria branch Annual General Meeting will follow this talk. Reports by officers and the usual elections.
Friday 15 September, 6.00 pm.
A-level prize-giving lecture
George Fox LT1, Lancaster University
Introductory talk about AQA Physics by David Baker, Senior Subject Officer for AQA Physics.
Wednesday 11 October, 6.00 pm.
Is it possible to keep the lights on and save the planet?
Prof Maxwell Irvine (Manchester Branch chair)
Frankland Colloquium Room, Lancaster University
The world is currently more than 80% dependent on fossil fuels. Between 2000 and 2050 the global demand for energy is conservatively estimated to double. Are the reserves of current energy sources sufficient to meet demand? What impact will this energy demand have on our environmental, political and economic stability? The talk will review the energy options for the UK within the global context.
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