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Novel methods for the detection of nuclear and radioactive materials
Conferences Department Calendar
The aim of the meeting is to explore ways to detect radioactive materials from means other than passive alpha, beta, gamma and neutron emissions and therefore to extend the physical range or enhance the capacity to detect radioactive materials.
Detection could occur via any of literally dozens of non-traditional signatures, possibly secondary signatures from phenomena such as air fluorescence, or indicators such as muon deflection.
Event Title: Novel methods for the detection of nuclear and radioactive materials. Organised by: IOP Materials and Characterisation Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Jon Mackew
Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800
Email: jon.mackew@iop.org.
Thursday, February 9, 2012.
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London
W1B 1NT, UK.
For more info visit www.eventsforce.net. Shocked and Stunned Workshop
Education Calendar
Worried about using a Van de Graaff generator with, or in front of, your pupils? This workshop will give you hands-on experience of using a VDG safely in the context of teaching about electrostatics, along with a few snazzy extra things you can do.
Event Title: Shocked and Stunned Workshop. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Mark Teale
Email: tealemark@hotmail.com.
Thursday, February 9, 2012, 4:15 PM – 6:15 PM.
Astley High School, Elsdon Avenue, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, NE25 0BP.
Dragsters
Education Calendar
Take the drag out of teaching speed & make a compressed air dragster from plumbing parts in this FREE Twilight Workshop run by Alison Alexander (Physics Network Coordinator for Devon & Cornwall). Build an adapted rocket launcher, race simple paper cars and find out how to use them back in the classroom. Get a sneak peek at what happens here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kg16XfZAa2A.
Refreshments will be provided, as will all the kit required, so BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL.
Event Title: Dragsters. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Alex Ledbrooke (Cornwall College STEM Manager)
Email:alex.ledbrooke@cornwall.ac.uk.
Thursday, February 9, 2012, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Cornwall College, St Austell Campus, PL25 4DJ.
What Happens Next?
North East Branch Calendar
What happens next? - An interactive talk.
The North East Branch of the Institute of Physics would like to invite you to attend our next talk.
Committee member David Featonby will present a Pandora's box of experiments with discrepant outcomes to baffle and bemuse.
Tea and coffee will be available from 18:30, with the talk starting at 19:00.
Event Title: What Happens Next? Speaker(s): David Featonby. Organised by: North East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: David Featonby.
Thursday, February 9, 2012, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Rutherford Hall, Northumbria University, Newcastle-Upon-Tyne.
Evolution of Biological Complexity
Yorkshire Branch Calendar
Simple organisms like bacteria possess the ability to do all the functions of life while being but a single cell.
We, of course, have evolved to have many different types of cells specialised for various functions (nerves, muscle, eyes, etc.).
One of the most fascinating questions in evolutionary biology concerns what pressures led single cell organisms to evolve into multicellular ones, and to divide up life’s tasks among different cells.
This lecture will explain how concepts and experimental techniques from mathematics and physics can help us answer this question.
Event Title: Evolution of Biological Complexity. Speaker(s): Prof Ray Goldstein. Organised by: IOP Yorkshire Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr. Angela Dyson,
Department of Physics,
University of Hull,
Hull, HU6 7RX
Email: A.Dyson@hull.ac.uk.
Thursday, February 9, 2012, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Basil Reckitt lecture theatre, Ferens Building, Hull Campus, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX.
Astrophysics and the anthropic principle
London and South East Branch Calendar
Astronomers and other physicists are often asked questions such as ‘Why is the speed of light 299792458 ms-1 and not a little larger or smaller?’
One typical answer is ‘If it were different we would not exist in our current form to talk about the answer’.
Poster: http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/south_east/lse/calendar/files/file_53051.pdf
(PDF, 200 KB).
Event Title: Astrophysics and the anthropic principle. Speaker(s): Dr Dirk Froebrich. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr C. Isenberg
Email: C.Isenberg@kent.ac.uk
Tel: 01227 832768.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Rutherford Lecture Theatre 1, University of Kent, Canterbury. CT2 7NZ.
The physics of superheroes
London and South East Branch Calendar
Everyone is familiar with at least one superhero. In this talk we shall discuss a wide variety of different superheroes and we shall show how their ‘unbelievable’ powers have a basis supported by the laws of physics.
The only concession that we shall make is that we shall assume that they have these powers, we shall not try to explain where they come from.
So, we’ll answer questions such as “how strong is the gravity on Krypton?” “where does Magneto get his levitation from?” “what is the secret of Wonder Woman’s amazonium?” etc.
To answer these questions we shall consider Newton’s law of gravitation, diamagnetism and some materials science. These are only three examples, most of your favourites will be there covering all areas of physics.
Free car parking near the lecture theatre.
Event Title: The physics of superheroes. Speaker(s): Professor Alan Davies. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Email: r.mackintosh@open.ac.uk or t.a.bartlett@open.ac.uk (secretary).
Tuesday, February 14, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Berrill Lecture Theatre, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA.
The end of the world in 2012? The astronomer’s perspective
London and South East Branch Calendar
What's all this about the end of the world in 2012?
In this talk Jocelyn Bell Burnell looks at the astronomical phenomena that reputedly will cause the end of the world in 2012, and reflects on what this has to say to us about science education and about the communication of science.
Tea/coffee from 18:00 and afterwards. Talk begins at 18:30.
Event Title: The end of the world in 2012? The astronomer’s perspective. Speaker(s): Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell-Burnell, DBE, FRS. Organised by: institute of Physics London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Branch secretary
Email: londonsoutheast@physics.org.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NT.
The Future of Energy in Buildings
South Central Branch Calendar
Tony Day is professor of energy in the built environment at London South Bank University and Director of the Centre for Efficient and Renewable Energy in Buildings (CEREB), a research and teaching facility opened in June 2010.
Tony specialises in building energy analysis and the application of low and zero carbon technologies in the urban environment. He has done extensive work with the Greater London Authority and others to evaluate the impact of these technologies in London.
He works closely with industry, and has a number of active research and knowledge transfer projects. Tony is a Fellow of the Energy Institute, member of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers, and Chair of the UK Solar Energy Society.
The lecture will discuss the key policy drivers for building energy consumption and show how this is expected to change over the next two decades.
Examples of monitored performance of low and zero carbon systems will be shown in order to examine how well these projections m…
Event Title: The Future of Energy in Buildings. Speaker(s): Professor Tony Day, London South Bank University. Organised by: Portsmouth and District Physical Society. Requires registration: No. Contact details: John Scott or Martyn Gardiner
Email: padps-owner@yahoogroups.com
Email: martyn.gardiner@port.ac.uk.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012, 7:00 PM.
Lecture Theatre 1, Richmond Building, University of Portsmouth, Portland Street, Portsmouth, PO1 3DE.
For more info visit www.port.ac.uk. Evolution of Biological Complexity
Merseyside Branch Calendar
Speaker: Prof. Raymond E Goldstein University of Cambridge
Simple organisms like bacteria possess the ability to do all the functions of life while being but a single cell. We, of course, have evolved to have many different types of cells specialised for various functions (nerves, muscle, eyes, etc.).
One of the most fascinating questions in evolutionary biology concerns what pressures led single cell organisms to evolve into multicellular ones, and to divide up life’s tasks among different cells.
This lecture will explain how concepts and experimental techniques from mathematics and physics can help us answer this question.
Event Title: Evolution of Biological Complexity. Speaker(s): Prof. Raymond E Goldstein University of Cambridge. Organised by: IOP Merseyside Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Louise Butcher
Email: Louise.butcher@iop.org.
Thursday, February 16, 2012, 6:30 PM.
Chadwick Lecture Theatre, University of Liverpool (building #207 on university plan), L69 3DR.
How can liquid-crystal-based spatial light modulators advance light microscopy?
Ireland Branch Calendar
High-resolution LC-based spatial light modulators (SLM) can advance the performance of light microscopes in many ways.
For example, used as a programmable Fourier-filter, the SLM can emulate classical techniques for contrast enhancement, such as dark-field microscopy, Zernike phase contrast, or spiral phase contrast.
We will discuss these and other advances.
Event Title: How can liquid-crystal-based spatial light modulators advance light microscopy? Speaker(s): Prof Monika Ritsch-Marte. Organised by: IOP in Ireland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Sile Ni Chormaic
Email: s.nicchormaic@ucc.ie.
Monday, February 20, 2012, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
University College Cork, College Road, Cork, Ireland.
Radioactivity
Education Calendar
Event Title: Radioactivity. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Niloufar Wijetunge
Email: niloufar@wijetunge.com.
Monday, February 20, 2012, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Holland Park School, Airlie Gardens, London, W8 7AF.
Astronomy close-up with Andy Newsam
Education Calendar
Event Title: Astronomy close-up with Andy Newsam. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Claire Seeley
Email: claire.seeley@btopenworld.com.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
Farlingaye High School, Ransom Road, Woodbridge, Suffolk IP12 4JX.
Some basics for A Level Physics: Capacitors
Education Calendar
This workshop will cover charging and discharging capacitors, time constant, determination of capacitance by i) using a reed switch ii) charging with constant current iii) discharge through a resistor.
Event Title: Some basics for A Level Physics: Capacitors. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Lucas Heyhurst
Email: lht@blueyonder.co.uk.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
St Francis Xavier’s College, Beaconsfield Road, Liverpool, L25 6EG.
What Happens Next?
Education Calendar
This FREE Institute of Physics workshop features a selection of highly engaging demonstrations aimed at encouraging learners to think about the scientific explanations behind unexpected outcomes. What happens next is a catch phrase that characterises the nature of the activities that will be demonstrated and that can be used to encourage learners to make scientific predictions and propose scientific explanations.
In this workshop Kevin Betts (IOP Physics Teacher of the Year 2011) and Alessio Bernardelli (IOP Network Coordinator for Gloucestershire) will take you through some of the most popular demonstrations collected by David Featonby (one of the longest serving and most prolific IOP Network Coordinators) over many years.
The workshop is suitable for Secondary and Primary teachers of Science and the methods and ideas proposed can be easily adapted to other topics within Science!
Please BOOK in advance.
Event Title: What Happens Next? Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Alessio Bernardelli
Email:aso.ber@ntlworld.com.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
High School for Girls, Denmark Road, Gloucester, GL1 3JN.
KS3 Practical Physics for Non-specialists - Part 2
Education Calendar
Organised by: The Institute of Physics and The Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Richard Bonella
Email: trbonella@yahoo.co.uk.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
King Edward's School, Edgbaston Park Road, Birmingham, B15 2UA.
Why string theory, and why not? Can we construct a theory of everything?
South West Branch Calendar
Professor David Bailin from Sussex University will describe in non-technical terms the architecture of the current so-called Standard Model of Particle Physics, what's wrong with it, and why we are led to believe the fundamental building blocks of matter are not particles but strings, membranes and other higher-dimensional objects. The hope is that string theory will eventually lead to an elegant theory of all of the interactions of nature, truly a theory of everything! I will also discuss the allegation that string theory is "not science" and invite the views of the audience. Attendance is free and non-members are welcome.
Coffee and tea from 7.00pm
Talk starts at 7.30pm.
Event Title: Why string theory, and why not? Can we construct a theory of everything? Speaker(s): Professor David Bailin - Sussex University. Organised by: IOP South West Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Email: juliaabel99@yahoo.co.uk.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 7:00 PM.
The St John’s Suite at the White Hart, Salisbury, SP1 2SD.
Sounding the Sun and Stars
Midland Branch Calendar
It is an exciting time to be involved in the study of the Sun and stars, in particular given the recent launch of the NASA Kepler Mission.
The lecture will describe how "sunquakes" and "starquakes" give us remarkable insights on our own Sun, and on distant stars, and how Kepler - which is searching for planets around other stars - is providing unprecedented results on other stellar systems, i.e. extra-solarplanetsandtheir hoststars.
Event Title: Sounding the Sun and Stars. Speaker(s): Prof Bill Chaplin, University of Birmingham. Organised by: IOP Midland Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Lynne Long
Email: l.long@bham.ac.uk.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Large Lecture Theatre, Poynting Physics Building, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Birmingham, B15 2TT.
For more info visit www.birmingham.ac.uk. The Power of Super Symmetry: exact results in field and string theories
Scotland Branch Calendar
He will take a tour through string theory and supersymmetric field theories and concentrate on quantities which can be calculated exactly.
The theories he explores are similar to the one describing subatomic particles (known as the standard model of particle physics), but not identical.
Though at a superficial level they look very complicated (in particular more complicated than the standard model), they have some hidden beauty.
This allows one to perform calculations, like the strength of the force
between charged particles exactly - at arbitrary distance and arbitrary strength of the coupling constant.
In fact, we have several very different ways of viewing these theories and where the same physical quantity is expressed as different questions, but we indeed find from them identical answers.
Event Title: The Power of Super Symmetry: exact results in field and string theories. Speaker(s): Dr. Nadav Drukker (Kings College London). Organised by: IOP in Scotland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Robert Thomson
Email: R.R.Thomson@hw.ac.uk.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012, 7:35 PM – 9:05 PM.
Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ.
How can liquid-crystal-based spatial light modulators advance light microscopy?
Ireland Branch Calendar
High-resolution LC-based spatial light modulators (SLM) can advance the performance of light microscopes in many ways.
For example, used as a programmable Fourier-filter, the SLM can emulate classical techniques for contrast enhancement, such as dark-field microscopy, Zernike phase contrast, or spiral phase contrast.
We will discuss these and other advances.
Event Title: How can liquid-crystal-based spatial light modulators advance light microscopy? Speaker(s): Prof Monika Ritsch-Marte. Organised by: IOP in Ireland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Nicholas Devaney
Email: nicholas.devaney@nuigalway.ie.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
NUI Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland.
Lights, Cameras, Images
Education Calendar
A workshop looking at old and new technology illustrating properties of light and how we see. There are a number of 3-D effects that are also possible within the classroom. Some of this is core curriculum, some of this is great for clubs.
Event Title: Lights, Cameras, Images. Speaker(s): Liz Nourshargh. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Liz Nourshargh
Email: lizn@physics.org.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM.
Aylesbury High School, Walton Road, Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, HP21 7SX.
Young Persons Physics Lecture Competition
Manchester and District Branch Calendar
The Institute of Physics Manchester Branch is holding a Young Persons Lecture Competition on Wednesday 22 February 2012 and is looking for speakers. The lecture should concern a topic relevant to Physics and be accessible to a general audience. It should be a maximum of 10 minutes long and will be followed by 2 minutes for questions from judges.
The aim of the competition is to provide an atmosphere of friendly competition to enable young people to seek to improve their presentation skills, as well as providing an event to entertain and educate those with an interest in Physics.
The competition will start at 6.30pm with sandwiches and drinks available from 6pm. We aim to finish by 8pm.
Competition details (PDF, 223 KB): http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/north_west/manchester/calendar/info/file_53372.pdf.
Event Title: Young Persons Physics Lecture Competition. Organised by: IOP Manchester and District Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dr Sarah Haigh
Email: ioplecturecomp@gmail.com.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
John Dalton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6BH.
Do we owe everything to the stars?
London and South East Branch Calendar
The discovery of hundreds of extrasolar planets has raised the possibility of discovering life elsewhere in the next few decades, and yet the origin of life on Earth remains one of the key questions for science.
The talk will cover how stars play a key role, not only in producing the
elements for life, but also in providing the unique handedness in the building blocks of life.
Professor James Hough is former Director of the Centre for Astrophysics Research, University of Hertfordshire. This event is free but places may need to be reserved.
Do we owe everything to the stars? (Poster) (PDF, 390 KB).
Event Title: Do we owe everything to the stars? Speaker(s): Professor James Hough. Organised by: London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dr Diane Crann
Email: d.crann@herts.ac.uk.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Lindop Building College Lane Campus, Hatfield, AL10 9AB.
Geophysics in Archaeology and Forensics
Midland Branch Calendar
Stratascan is a local company specialising in near-surface geophysics with applications in archaeological, engineering, forensic and environmental underground mapping.
Ms Graham will illustrate her talk with some examples from archaeology and forensics and describe the techniques used to detect and identify underground features and artifacts.
Event Title: Geophysics in Archaeology and Forensics. Speaker(s): Ms Claire Graham, BA. Stratascan, Upton-upon-Severn. Organised by: Midland Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: J E Beale
Tel: 07801-365 204
Email: john.beale@physics.org
Dr A C Smith
Tel: 01684-569503
Email: alancsmith@physics.org.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
University of Worcester. EE G089, Main Building, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ.
What would you do if you could be in two places at once?
South Central Branch Calendar
We have put atoms trapped inside a silicon crystal into a state that is both oscillating and not oscillating at the same time.
This control is providing us with a new way of performing computing logic - just think how powerful you could be if you could do two things at once!
Atoms really can, and we all have to adjust our perceptions of reality to cope with these ideas.
This spooky property was made famous by Erwin Schrödinger with his thought experiment involving a cat in a box that is hooked up to a quantum system, which forces the cat to be both alive and dead at the same time.
It is only in the 21st century that electronic information technology is beginning to utilise this strange property.
Next to iron and ice, silicon is the most important inorganic crystalline solid to man.
This is because of its incredible electrical conductivity properties that can be controlled via chemical and electrical means.
Silicon devices – most notably the field-effect transistor – can be understood…
Event Title: What would you do if you could be in two places at once? Speaker(s): Professor Benedict N Murdin. Organised by: Institute of Physics South Central Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Paul Stevenson
Email: p.stevenson@surrey.ac.uk.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Lecture Theatre M, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH.
Visit to Centronic Ltd
London and South East Branch Calendar
10:15 - 10:45 Meet at Wimbledon Station, 10:45 - 11:30 Coach to Centronic followed by talk, lunch & tours.
Centronic Ltd started life as 20th Century Electronics Ltd. in 1945 making atomic radiation detectors. Gilbert Tomes became a single owner when the limited company was set up.
He had developed his own detector from the standard Geiger Muller tube. The company still supplies detectors for atomic piles etc and developed the BF3 neutron detector.
The cameras for use in high levels of radiation are still based on vacuum tubes but new types are coming along.
Costs £20. This meeting has been organised by George Freeman. This is a high security company because of its work and radioactive testing. No cameras please.
Event Title: Visit to Centronic Ltd. Speaker(s): Robert McKeag. Organised by: London and South East Branch Retired Members Section (REMS). Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: John Belling
Email: john.a.belling.secrems@gmail.com
Tel: 07986 379935.
Thursday, February 23, 2012, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
King Henry’s Drive, New Addington, Croydon, CR9 0BG.
For more info visit www.centronic.co.uk. Sailors, sea-dogs and storms: how old naval documents help us to understand climatic change
Environmental Physics Group Calendar
The UK has a uniquely rich heritage of Royal Navy logbooks, many from as early as the late 17th century.
Over the past few years an international team of researchers has been abstracting the wealth of climate information that they contain.
This information is now being used to help scientists understand the nature of past climate change and to assist in producing better forecasts of what the future might hold.
Please note if you are driving to NOC, you go through the manned dock security (don't be put off by this, you aren't going the wrong way!) If you are planning to arrive by car before 18:00, please mention this in your registration email.
Event Title: Sailors, sea-dogs and storms. Speaker(s): Dr Dennis Wheeler. Organised by: Environmental Physics Group, South Central Branch and Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research at Southampton. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Sally Brown
Email: sb20@soton.ac.uk.
Thursday, February 23, 2012, 6:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Henry Charnock Lecture Theatre, National Oceanography Centre (NOC), Southampton, SO14 3ZH.
For more info visit www.soton.ac.uk. CANCELED - Medicine & physics: case studies in cancer
Merseyside Branch Calendar
Event Title: CANCELLED - Medicine & physics: case studies in cancer. Speaker(s): Prof. Sir Michael Brady Joint meeting with Liverpool Medical Institution. Organised by: IOP Merseyside Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Email: louise.butcher@iop.org.
Thursday, February 23, 2012, 6:30 PM.
How can liquid-crystal-based spatial light modulators advance light microscopy?
Ireland Branch Calendar
High-resolution LC-based spatial light modulators (SLM) can advance the performance of light microscopes in many ways.
For example, used as a programmable Fourier-filter, the SLM can emulate classical techniques for contrast enhancement, such as dark-field microscopy, Zernike phase contrast, or spiral phase contrast. We will discuss these and other advances.
Event Title: How can liquid-crystal-based spatial light modulators advance light microscopy? Speaker(s): Prof Monika Ritsch-Marte. Organised by: IOP in Ireland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Prof Robert Bowman
Email: r.m.bowman@qub.ac.uk.
Friday, February 24, 2012, 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM.
Queens University Belfast, University Road Belfast, BT7 1NN, Northern Ireland.
The Genius of Faraday
Yorkshire Branch Calendar
Lord Rutherford said of Michael Faraday that he was one of the greatest experimenters ever; Albert Einstein believed that Faraday was responsible for the greatest change in the intellectual structure of physics since Newton.
There is little doubt that Faraday bequeathed a greater corpus of useful knowledge than any other physical scientist.
How did it come about that Faraday, a deeply religious man who left school at thirteen to become an errand boy and then an apprentice to a bookbinder (a young man who never attended high school or university and knew no mathematics), could reach such pinnacles?
In terms that are intelligible to non-scientist and interested lay persons, the speaker shall endeavour to answer the above and related questions.
The tale of Faraday's achievements and discoveries is one of the most romantic in the history of science; his character, intellect and commitment speak to us through the ages.
It is particularly important that following the International Year of Che…
Event Title: The Genius of Faraday. Speaker(s): Professor Sir John Meurig Thomas, FRS, FREng. Organised by: University of Sheffield. Requires registration: No. Contact details: John Williams
Email: j.williams@sheffield.ac.uk.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy, Sheffield University, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH.
Graphene: sketching out a new world
Merseyside Branch Calendar
Speaker: Dr. David Horsell University of Exeter
Graphene is the thinnest material in nature, composed of only
a single layer of carbon atoms.
It has extraordinary physical, electrical and optical properties that scientists are only just beginning to reveal and understand.
In this talk you will be conducted through some of the recent discoveries made about graphene, and its wide-ranging potential applications from building next-generation computers to ultrasensitive medical detectors.
Event Title: Graphene: sketching out a new world. Speaker(s): Dr. David Horsell. Organised by: IOP Merseyside Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Louise Butcher
Email: louise.butcher@iop.org.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 6:30 PM.
Chadwick Lecture Theatre. University of Liverpool (building #207 on university plan), L69 3DR.
Are we alone? Looking for planets and alien life
Yorkshire Branch Calendar
Over the past decade we have discovered hundreds of planets, and in late 2011 astronomers found the first planets smaller than the Earth.
An obvious question to ask is: do any of these planets have alien life on them?
I will talk about how we find planets, how we will be able to look for life on them, what that life might be like, and the possibility of intelligent alien civilisations out there.
Coffee and biscuits in Physics concourse from 18:00.
Event Title: Are we alone? Looking for planets and alien life. Speaker(s): Dr. Simon Goodwin. Organised by: IOP Yorkshire Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: David Jenkins
Email: david.jenkins@york.ac.uk.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
Lecture in P/L002, Department of Physics, University of York, YO10 5DD.
Are quantum states the real thing?
South Central Branch Calendar
What is the quantum state? There is no widely agreed answer to this question, despite the ubiquitous and crucial role this mathematical object plays in our lives.
Two broad schools of thought can be identified. The "ontic view" is that the quantum state describes (partially or completely) the real physical state of affairs.
The "epistemic view" is that it instead represents some agent's knowledge or information about the physical system in question.
The existence of entangled quantum states trivially implies, under the ontic view, that reality is drastically nonlocal.
To show reality is still necessarily nonlocal under the epistemic view, known as Bell's Theorem, is hard - it involves an argument regarding making multiple measurements on entangled systems and invoking an extra assumption of free will - and the complexity of this argument could be taken as indirect support for some sort of (nonlocal) epistemic view of quantum states.
Further support for the epistemic view comes from many oth…
Event Title: Are quantum states the real thing? Speaker(s): Dr Terry Rudolph. Organised by: South Central Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr Simon JM Peeters
Email: S.J.M.Peeters@sussex.ac.uk.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Chichester I, Lecture Theatre, University of Sussex.
What shadows we are and what shadows we pursue: medical imaging from roentgen to MRI
London and South East Branch Calendar
The development of medical imaging over a century or so represents one of the most important of all fields of practical application of physics.
This talk will examine various physical principles exploited with particular emphasis on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Poster: http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/south_east/lse/calendar/files/file_53051.pdf (PDF, 200 KB).
Event Title: What shadows we are and what shadows we pursue: medical imaging from roentgen to MRI. Speaker(s): Dr Peter Dawson. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr C. Isenberg,
Email: C.Isenberg@kent.ac.uk
Tel: 01227 832768.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Rutherford Lecture Theatre 1, University of Kent, Canterbury. CT2 7NZ.
Graphene: discovery, Nobel prize and uses!
Midland Branch Calendar
Event Title: Graphene: discovery, Nobel prize and uses! Speaker(s): Neil Wilson. Organised by: Midland Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Jonathan Duffy
Email: J.A.Duffy@warwick.ac.uk.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Physics Lecture Theatre (PLT), Department of Physics, University of Warwick, Gibbet Hill Road, Coventry, CV4 7AL.
Training and Supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants in Physics
Higher Education Group Calendar
This meeting is aimed at those with interests and responsibilities in working with PhD students and research staff who are contributing to teaching programmes.
Provisional programme (PDF, 192 KB): http://www.iop.org/activity/groups/subject/hed/calendar/info/file_53613.pdf.
Event Title: Training and Supporting Graduate Teaching Assistants in Physics. Organised by: IOP Higher Education Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Bruce Sinclair
Email: b.d.sinclair@st-andrews.ac.uk.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics, Department of Physics, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.
Lights, Cameras, Images
Education Calendar
A workshop looking at old and new technology illustrating properties of light and how we see. There are a number of 3-D effects that are also possible within the classroom. Some of this is core curriculum, some of this is great for clubs.
Event Title: Lights, Cameras, Images. Speaker(s): Liz Nourshargh. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Liz Nourshargh
Email: lizn@physics.org.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 4:30 PM – 6:00 PM.
The Royal Latin School, Chandos Road, Buckingham, MK18 1AX.
The physics of superheroes
London and South East Branch Calendar
Everyone is familiar with at least one superhero. In this talk we shall discuss a wide variety of different superheroes and we shall show how their ‘unbelievable’ powers have a basis supported by the laws of physics.
The only concession that we shall make is that we shall assume that they have these powers, we shall not try to explain where they come from.
So, we’ll answer questions such as “how strong is the gravity on Krypton?” “where does Magneto get his levitation from?” “what is the secret of Wonder Woman’s amazonium?” etc.
To answer these questions we shall consider Newton’s law of gravitation, diamagnetism and some materials science.
These are only three examples, most of your favourites will be there covering all areas of physics.
Tea/Coffee at 6pm and afterwards.
Event Title: The physics of superheroes. Speaker(s): Professor Alan Davies. Organised by: London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Branch Secretary
Email: londonsoutheast@physics.org.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, W1B 1NT.
The 2012 IOP SW Branch Festival of Physics
South West Branch Calendar
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO ALL!
All talks and workshops are suitable for ages 11 and older, all children must be accompanied by an adult. The talks do not require booking.
TALK: The Magic of Bubbles - 10:30am
TALK: The Science of Star Wars - 11:45am
TALK: The Human Body is the Ultimate Physics Laboratory - 2:00pm
TALK: Physics for all - 3:15pm
WORKSHOP: Physics Demonstrations for STEM Volunteers - 10:30am
WORKSHOP: Physics Experiments for Everyone! - 11:45am
WORKSHOP: The Egg-cellent adventures of a Mars lander - 2pm & 3pm
Please book workshop attendance at the address below as there are limited spaces available. Spaces will be given on a first come first served basis.
Free Tickets to @Bristol
We have 50 children’s tickets for @Bristol to give away at the event to IOP members. Please email to request them. Max. 2 tickets per IOP membership number, a child’s ticket is for ages 3-15. All enquiries and bookings to secretary-sw@physics.org.
Event Title: The 2012 IOP SW Branch Festival of Physics. Organised by: IOP South West Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Email: secretary-sw@physics.org
Leaflet: http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/south_west/sw/calendar/info/file_53376.pdf
Poster: http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/south_west/sw/calendar/info/file_53377.pdf.
Saturday, March 3, 2012.
At-Bristol, Anchor Road, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB.
For more info visit www.at-bristol.org.uk. Innovation 2012: Science, Technology and Competitiveness
Join business leaders, science policy makers, financiers, opinion formers and commentators to discuss the expectations and political constraints placed upon science and technology’s contribution to global prosperity.
Event Title: Innovation 2012: Science, Technology and Competitiveness. Speaker(s): Professor Sir Peter Knight, Hermann Hauser, Peter Luff MP, Professor Helga Nowotny. Organised by: Chatham House. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Email: conferences@chathamhouse.org.
Monday, March 5, 2012 – Tuesday, March 6, 2012.
Chatham House, 10 St James's Square, London, SW1Y 4LE, UK.
For more info visit www.chathamhouse.org. Shocked and Stunned
Education Calendar
Event Title: Shocked and Stunned. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Robert Birke
Email: robert.birke@iop.org.
Monday, March 5, 2012, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM.
Stewards School. Parnall Road, Harlow, Essex, CM18 7NQ.
Some basics for A Level Physics: Magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction
Education Calendar
This workshop will cover magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction, flux and flux density, electromagnetic induction, Faradays and Lens' laws, transformers, back EMF, current balance.
Event Title: Some basics for A Level Physics: Magnetic fields and electromagnetic induction. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Lucas Heyhurst
Email: lht@blueyonder.co.uk.
Monday, March 5, 2012, 4:30 PM – 6:30 PM.
St Francis Xavier’s College, Beaconsfield Road, Liverpool, L25 6EG.
Modern Cryptography
London and South East Branch Calendar
Traditional symmetric or secret key cryptography has historically been the province of government, diplomatic and military users with a requirement for confidentiality.
More recently asymmetric or public key cryptography has been developed and taken up to meet the requirements of life in cyberspace.
Private individuals are now using it, often unknowingly, to achieve confidentiality and authentication.
In this talk we describe how some of these requirements are met, and in particular how to reduce the need for an elaborate infrastructure.
Car park near the William Penney theatre.
The theatre entrance can be found on the A340 Basingstoke to Newbury road, just before the Heath End Roundabout at Tadley.
Tea/Coffee and Biscuits will be served from 7pm. The lecture is open to all, including non-members.
Event Title: Modern Cryptography. Speaker(s): Dr Richard Pinch. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: David Parkes
Email: IOP.Lectures@awe.co.uk.
Monday, March 5, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
William Penney Theatre, AWE, Aldermaston, Reading, RG7 4PR.
Magnets large and small: compasses to fridges
Midland Branch Calendar
People have been using magnetic materials for a long time, initially as compasses.
Nowadays, magnetic materials are designed for purpose, and appear in many devices, and have played a key role in memory storage.
In this lecture, I will talk discuss some new developments and effects that can be set up using magnets, for example refrigeration.
Event Title: Magnets large and small: compasses to fridges. Speaker(s): Dr Elizabeth Blackman, University of Birmingham. Organised by: IOP Midland Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Lynne Long
Email: l.long@bham.ac.uk.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:30 PM – 8:30 PM.
Large Lecture Theatre, Poynting Physics Building, School of Physics and Astronomy, The University of Birmingham, B15 2TT.
For more info visit www.birmingham.ac.uk. The Aerodynamics and Flight Performance of Insects
Scotland Branch Calendar
Mankind has been airborne for over one hundred years and advances in aeronautics during that time have been immense.
Yet despite our wealth of knowledge in fundamental and applied
aerodynamics we are still unable to recreate the performance exhibited by flying animals.
Needless to say, they have had quite some head start over us. In the 350 million years since insects first took flight, Natural Selection has diversified a common ancestor that most resembled a modern day dragonfly into countless species and the rich assortment of shapes and sizes we see today - each one locally optimized and tuned for the tasks that define its ecological niche.
Familiar trade-offs between, say, stability and manoeuvrability can be found, but in this small-scale, unsteady world, aerodynamic mechanisms we deem unconventional are, in fact, commonplace and traditional aircraft design practices are often rejected.
The lecture will highlight some of the peculiarities found in insect flight, illustrating these exampl…
Event Title: The Aerodynamics and Flight Performance of Insects. Speaker(s): Dr. Richard Bomphrey, University of Oxford. Organised by: IOP in Scotland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Robert Thomson
Email: R.R.Thomson@hw.ac.uk.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Royal Society of Edinburgh, 22-26 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PQ.
Seminar: Radionuclide Imaging
Ireland Branch Calendar
Event Title: Seminar: Radionuclide Imaging. Speaker(s): Dr Elizabeth Parvin. Organised by: Institute of Physics Ireland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr Nicholas Devaney
Email: nicholas.devaney@nuigalway.ie.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
School of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Ireland.
Using an Oscilloscope
Education Calendar
Oscilloscopes are used to find the frequency of an electrical supply and
amplitude of an electronic signal. But they also are really useful in the
context of teaching about waves.
We will use one to find the speed of sound too.
Event Title: Using an Oscilloscope. Organised by: Institute of Physics. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Tom Dawson, Physics Network Coordinator
Email: physicsiseasy@googlemail.com.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Stoke or Stafford (TBC).
Branch Meeting, Preston
Lancashire and Cumbria Branch Calendar
Please note the change of date - now 7 March not 14 March as previously advertised.
Event Title: 100 years of X-ray diffraction. Speaker(s): Prof John Helliwell. Organised by: IOP Lancashire and Cumbria Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr J.M. Bradshaw
Email: john.bradshaw@physics.org.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Room MB51, Maudland Building, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, PR1 2HE.
Dylunio’r BLOODHOUND SSC – Y car 1000 mya / Designing the BLOODHOUND SSC - The 1000mph car
Wales Branch Calendar
The lecture forms part of the Learned Society of Wales ‘Frontiers’ series. The lecture will be delivered in Welsh but simultaneous translation into English will be available.
Event flyer: http://learnedsocietywales.ac.uk/sites/default/files/BLOODHOUND%20Flyer.pdf (PDF, 748 KB).
Event Title: Dylunio’r BLOODHOUND SSC – Y car 1000 mya / Designing the BLOODHOUND SSC - The 1000mph car. Speaker(s): Professor Ken Morgan FREng FLSW, Swansea University. Organised by: The Learned Society of Wales / Cymdeithas Ddysgedig Cymru. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Professor K Alan Shore
Email: k.a.shore@bangor.ac.uk.
Wednesday, March 7, 2012, 6:00 PM.
Main Lecture Theatre, School of Electronic Engineering, Bangor University, Dean Street, Bangor, LL57 1UT.
Visit to the national air traffic control centre
London and South East Branch Calendar
Following the security checks the group will assemble in the 'Viewing Room', which enables a good overview of the main air traffic control units going through their normal control operations.
Since our first visit, the main control unit has been split into two separate units, one for ‘local’ traffic and the other for ‘long range’ traffic.
For operational safety reasons, the NATS have decided that only four visitors can be allowed in each of the operations rooms during the visit.
The whole group will be able to visit other parts of the facility which are not subject to these tight restrictions.
Identification: It will be necessary to have one’s passport or a new-style driving licence in order to gain entry.
Maximum party size: 12 Timings will be provided to those booked on the tour. This visit has been organised by Peter Murden. Cost £3 (lunch not provided).
Event Title: Visit to the national air traffic control centre. Organised by: London and South East Branch Retired Members Section (REMS). Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: John Belling
Email: john.a.belling.secrems@gmail.com
Tel: 07986 379935.
Thursday, March 8, 2012.
Sopwith Way, Swanwick, Southampton SO31 7AY.
Using an Oscilloscope
Education Calendar
Oscilloscopes are used to find the frequency of an electrical supply and
amplitude of an electronic signal.
But they also are really useful in the context of teaching about waves. We will use one to find the speed of sound too.
Event Title: Using an Oscilloscope. Organised by: Institute of Physics. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Tom Dawson, Physics Network Coordinator
Email: physicsiseasy@googlemail.com.
Thursday, March 8, 2012, 4:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Newport High School, Wellington Road, Newport, Shropshire, TF10 7HL.
Seminar: Radionuclide Imaging
Ireland Branch Calendar
Event Title: Seminar: Radionuclide Imaging. Speaker(s): Dr Elizabeth Parvin. Organised by: Institute of Physics Ireland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr Kevin McGuigan
Email: kmcguigan@rcsi.ie.
Thursday, March 8, 2012, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephens Green, Dublin 2.
Seminar: Radionuclide Imaging
Ireland Branch Calendar
Event Title: Seminar: Radionuclide Imaging. Speaker(s): Dr Elizabeth Parvin. Organised by: Institute of Physics Ireland. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr Créidhe O'Sullivan
Email: creidhe.osullivan@nuim.ie.
Friday, March 9, 2012, 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Department of Experimental Physics, NUI Maynooth, Co. Kildare.
Science Fair
Education Calendar
Event Title: Science Fair. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Karen Gregory
Email: karengregory@tesco.net.
Saturday, March 10, 2012, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Hartismere School, Castleton Way, Eye, Suffolk IP23 7BL.
Schools and Colleges Lecture Tour - Physics and the Games: a Winning Formula
Education Calendar
Find out how scientists and engineers are using physics to boost the chances of national success in the London 2012 Olympics.
This inspiring lecture will reveal how:
Newtonian physics dominates the world of sport
Developments in engineering and technology have defined many of the key periods of sporting history
Key technologies have allowed athletes to push the boundaries of human performance.
Event Title: Schools and Colleges Lecture Tour - Physics and the Games: a Winning Formula. Speaker(s): David James, Heather Driscoll and Leon Foster. Organised by: Institute of Physics. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: David Cox
Email: dcox-iop@virginmedia.com.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
University of Liverpool, Chadwick Lecture Theatre, Liverpool. L69 3BX.
For more info visit www.iop.org. Schools and Colleges Lecture Tour - Physics and the Games: a Winning Formula
Education Calendar
Find out how scientists and engineers are using physics to boost the chances of national success in the London 2012 Olympics.
This inspiring lecture will reveal how:
Newtonian physics dominates the world of sport
Developments in engineering and technology have defined many of the key periods of sporting history
Key technologies have allowed athletes to push the boundaries of human performance.
Event Title: Schools and Colleges Lecture Tour - Physics and the Games: a Winning Formula. Speaker(s): David James, Heather Driscoll and Leon Foster. Organised by: Institute of Physics. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: David Cox
Email: dcox-iop@virginmedia.com.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
University of Liverpool, Chadwick Lecture Theatre, Liverpool. L69 3BX.
For more info visit www.iop.org. History and Development of the Transistor
South West Branch Calendar
Speaker: David Dale BSc CEng MIET MIEEE
Discovery of the transistor in 1947 and its development changed the world in which we live. Since the 1950’s, firstly as discrete devices and then in integrated circuits, transistors have become all pervasive in every form of equipment. From the few transistors used in the original transistorised radios up to today’s integrated circuit processors that contain hundreds of millions of transistors, used in mobile phones and personal computers. In this joint IET/IOP talk David Dale will describe how transistor action came to be discovered at Bell labs and its subsequent development, illustrated by a basic description of transistor type’s operation. The personalities and companies involved will also be discussed. Refreshments from 6:30pm, talk begins 7:00pm. Attendance is free and non-members are welcome, but please register ahead of the event via IET’s website.
Event Title: History and Development of the Transistor. Speaker(s): David Dale BSc CEng MIET MIEEE. Organised by: IOP South West Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Email: juliaabel99@yahoo.co.uk.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 7:00 PM.
St Joseph’s College, Ocotal Way , Swindon, SN3 3LR.
For more info visit www.theiet.org. Precision cosmology - the distance scale, the Hubble constant and the acceleration of the universe
London and South East Branch Calendar
Ground-based and Hubble Space Telescope studies of the distance scale finally achieved a consensus on the Hubble constant in 2001, just as WMAP studies of the microwave background fluctuations delivered high-precision estimates of the main cosmological parameters.
Type Ia supernovae in distant galaxies demonstrated that the expansion of the universe is accelerating and the WMAP studies demonstrated the need for a cosmological constant. Is the cosmological problem solved?
Free car parking near the lecture theatre.
Event Title: Precision cosmology - the distance scale, the Hubble constant and the acceleration of the universe. Speaker(s): Prof Michael Rowan-Robinson. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Email: r.mackintosh@open.ac.uk or t.a.bartlett@open.ac.uk (secretary).
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Berrill Lecture Theatre, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA.
Colour Vision
Midland Branch Calendar
Colour Vision involves Physics, Physiology, Psychology and Neurology. It is not enough to relate each colour to a specific wavelength as may be implied by studying the visible spectrum.
Prof Sobhy will use extensive demonstrations to explain how we perceive colours and will be of interest to physicists; Multimedia students; artists; psychologists; neuroscientists … and anyone interested in human perception of colour.
Event Title: Colour Vision. Speaker(s): Prof. Mohamed Sobhy. Dept. of Engineering and Digital Arts, The University of Kent. Organised by: Midland Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: J E Beale
Tel: 07801-365 204
Email: john.beale@physics.org
Dr A C Smith
Tel: 01684-569503
Email: alancsmith@physics.org.
Tuesday, March 13, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:30 PM.
Malvern St James School, Avenue Road, Great Malvern, WR14 3BA.
Schools and Colleges Lecture Tour - Physics and the Games: a Winning Formula
Education Calendar
Find out how scientists and engineers are using physics to boost the chances of national success in the London 2012 Olympics.
This inspiring lecture will reveal how:
Newtonian physics dominates the world of sport
Developments in engineering and technology have defined many of the key periods of sporting history
Key technologies have allowed athletes to push the boundaries of human performance
Event poster: http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/north_west/manchester/calendar/info/file_53800.pdf (PDF, 2 MB).
Event Title: Schools and Colleges Lecture Tour - Physics and the Games: a Winning Formula. Speaker(s): David James, Heather Driscoll and Leon Foster. Organised by: IOP Manchester and District Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Francisca Wheeler
Email: mfsw@hotmail.co.uk.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM.
Manchester Metropolitan University, All Saints Building, All Saints,
Manchester. M15 6BH.
For more info visit www.iop.org. Shocked and Stunned
Education Calendar
Event Title: Shocked and Stunned. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Nicky Thomas
Email: n-d-thomas@tiscali.co.uk.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 4:45 PM – 6:30 PM.
St Mary's School, Mount Battenhall, Worcester, WR5 2HP.
Exoplanets and How to Find Them
London and South East Branch Calendar
With the help of some fun demonstrations, Dr Norton will explain the techniques used to detect planets around other stars and give a brief summary of the recent discoveries in this area.
Tea/Coffee at 6pm and afterwards.
Event Title: Exoplanets and How to Find Them. Speaker(s): Dr. Andrew Norton. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Branch Secretary
Email: londonsoutheast@physics.org.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, W1B 1NT.
Any old ions?
Manchester and District Branch Calendar
The consequences of the interaction of energetic ions with solids are often defects that are of the order of nanometres in size or smaller – in part due to the fact that the so-called “collision cascade” of moving atoms produced by an impinging ion is typically of order 5 nm in size.
The transmission electron microscope (TEM) offers the ability to image and analyse the internal (and in some cases surface) structure of thin solid foils at the nanoscale.
The use of transmission electron microscopy with in-situ ion irradiation is therefore a powerful combination that enables the build-up of ion-induced radiation damage to be monitored as it develops, offering significant insights into the details of the development and growth of various types of defect.
By operating at low ion fluxes, radiation damage events due to individual ion impacts can be studied. By irradiating at higher fluxes the build-up of high levels of damage can be studied in order to emulate the effects of many years of neutron irradia…
Event Title: Any old ions? — In-situ electron microscopy observations of ion impacts on solids. Speaker(s): Prof Steve Donnelly, School of Computing and Engineering, University of Huddersfield. Organised by: Manchester and District Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr Christie Theodorakou
Email: christie.theodorakou@physics.cr.man.ac.uk.
Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM.
John Dalton Building, Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, Manchester, M15 6BH.
The ATLAS experiment at the LHC: Liverpool’s contribution and latest results.
Merseyside Branch Calendar
Speaker: Dr. Barry King, Physics Department, University of Liverpool
The talk will present the latest results on searches for new physics (Higgs, SuperSymmetry, Extra Dimensions) using data collected with the ATLAS experiment during 2011.
We will start with an outline of the contribution of the Liverpool Particle Physics Group to the building of the detector. The superb performance of the LHC during 2011 will be briefly summarised before we look at each of the new physics searches in turn.
Event Title: The ATLAS experiment at the LHC: Liverpool’s contribution and latest results. Speaker(s): Dr. Barry King. Organised by: IOP Merseyside Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Louise Butcher
Email: louise.butcher@iop.org.
Thursday, March 15, 2012, 6:30 PM.
Chadwick Lecture Theatre. University of Liverpool (building #207 on university plan), L69 3DR.
North East Teachers' Day
Education Calendar
Event Title: North East Teachers' Day. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and The Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: David Featonby
Email: da.featonby@gmail.com
Alison Hamer at Alnwick Garden
Email: Alison.Hamer@alnwickgarden.com.
Sunday, March 18, 2012, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
The Alnwick Garden, Denwick Lane, Alnwick, Northumberland, NE66 1YU.
HEA Workshop: Developing the Virtual Laboratory
Higher Education Group Calendar
Event Title: HEA Workshop: Developing the Virtual Laboratory. Organised by: The Higher Education Academy. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Sam Nolan
Email: s.j.nolan@dur.ac.uk.
Monday, March 19, 2012, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Durham University, Durham, DH1 3HP.
Fresh Physics
Education Calendar
A series of demos to enliven lessons and alternative approaches to existing practicals.
Event Title: Fresh Physics. Speaker(s): Darrell Hamilton. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Darrell Hamilton
Email: dahp.twggs@gmail.com.
Monday, March 19, 2012, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9XB.
Testing the Dark Energy Paradigm and Beyond
Yorkshire Branch Calendar
The Nobel Prize in Physics 2011 was awarded to three astronomers "for the discovery of the accelerating expansion of the Universe through observations of distant supernovae".
After explaining the historical background to this important discovery, the lecture will address the question of what may actually cause this acceleration.
Is it an ingredient called Dark Energy, or should Einstein's gravity theory be modified? The lecture will present current observations with the Hubble Space Telescope, as well as new projects such as the "Dark Energy Survey" and the ”Euclid" space mission.
The Speaker: Ofer Lahav is Perren Professor of Astronomy and Head of Astrophysics at University College London (UCL).
He received his PhD from Cambridge University, where he was later a member of staff. In 2004 he moved from Cambridge to UCL, where he established a Cosmology group which is heavily involved in new large galaxy surveys.
Among them is the international "Dark Energy Survey" where he coordinates the…
Event Title: Testing the Dark Energy Paradigm and Beyond. Speaker(s): Professor Ofer Lahav (Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University College, London). Organised by: University of Sheffield. Requires registration: No. Contact details: John Williams
Email: j.williams@sheffield.ac.uk.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH.
The contributions of photography to art and society
London and South East Branch Calendar
Some photographers adopted Pictorialism, emulating painting and etching, while others wanted to stress the aesthetic qualities of photographs stemming from photographic techniques.
The Presentation will discuss the relation between Art and Photography since the inception of photography in the 19th century and give examples of how the two artistic media influenced each other.
Towards the end of the 19th century, the development of photographic apparatus and techniques enabled photographers to tackle the subjects outside their studios.
This led to the development of Candid Photography Photojournalism and Street Photography. No other media was able to achieve the results like those of photographers such as Erich Salomon, Dorothea Lange and Henri Cartier – Bresson. The contribution the photographic medium had on society will be discussed.
Poster: http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/south_east/lse/calendar/files/file_53051.pdf (PDF, 200 KB).
Event Title: The contributions of photography to art and society. Speaker(s): Professor Mohamed Sobhy. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr C. Isenberg
Email: C.Isenberg@kent.ac.uk
Tel: 01227 832768.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Rutherford Lecture Theatre 1, University of Kent, Canterbury. CT2 7NZ.
Swarming, flocking and shoaling
South West Branch Calendar
Professor Matthew Turner from Warwick University will discuss how interactions between social animals can lead to "emergent" collective behaviour. Crudely speaking this is behaviour that cannot be inferred by studying any one individual. Such interactions can be very powerful. Indeed they can be said to have led to the emergence of human civilisation. In others species social behaviour is manifested in swarms of insects, flocks of birds and shoals of fish. In this talk I will discuss what we know about this behaviour, which is surprisingly little, and propose some new ideas for how it could emerge in the absence of any leader(s) to give instructions. Although there may be applications in swarm robotics, pest control and animal conservation this talk will focus on the basic science of understanding a fascinating, widespread but poorly understood natural phenomenon. Attendance is free and non-members are welcome.
Coffee and tea from 7.00pm
Talk starts at 7.30pm.
Event Title: Swarming, flocking and shoaling. Speaker(s): Professor Matthew Turner - Department of Physics, Warwick University. Organised by: IOP South West Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Email: juliaabel99@yahoo.co.uk.
Tuesday, March 20, 2012, 7:00 PM.
The St John’s Suite at the White Hart, Salisbury, SP1 2SD.
Electrospinning, Principles, Possibilities and Practice 2012
Conferences Department Calendar
This two-day meeting follows on from the highly successful one day meeting held in London in November 2010 and it will reflect the multidisciplinary nature of the science involved with and supported by electrospinning.
Organised by: IOP Dielectrics Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Conferences department
Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800
Email: conferences@iop.org.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 – Thursday, March 22, 2012.
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London
W1B 1NT, UK.
For more info visit electrospinning2012.iopconfs.org. Seniors Group Lunchtime Rendezvous Edinburgh
Scotland Branch Calendar
This Lunchtime Rendezvous is primarily a social occasion for the Seniors Group, which consists of coffee, two lectures and lunch. The talks are intended to be of interest to all.
The cost is given on the Booking Form and includes coffee and a four course lunch with wine.
Non Members are most welcome to attend. Please note that the completed Booking Form must be received by the Seniors Group Coordinator by Thursday the 15 March 2012.
Booking form: http://www.iopscotland.org/events/info/file_53526.doc (Word, 104 KB)
Programme (PDF, 77 KB): http://www.iopscotland.org/events/info/file_53524.pdf
Lunch menu (PDF, 18 KB): http://www.iopscotland.org/events/info/file_53523.pdf
Map (PDF, 80 KB): http://www.iopscotland.org/events/info/file_53525.pdf.
Event Title: Seniors Group Lunchtime Rendezvous Edinburgh. Organised by: IOP in Scotland. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dr J Higinbotham CPhys FInstP FAIP
12 (1F2) Bruntsfield Gardens, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH10 4EA
Tel: +44 (0) 131 229 7725
Email: john.higinbotham@physics.org.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM.
Clubhouse, Daniel Stewart’s and Melville College, Inverleith Playing Fields, 523 Ferry Road, Edinburgh, EH5 2DW.
Physics Masterclass
Education Calendar
Event Title: Physics Masterclass. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Gerry Blake
Email: gerry.blake@iop.org.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012, 4:00 PM – 5:30 PM.
St Joseph’s College, Belstead Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP2 9DR.
The 103rd IET Kelvin Lecture
With the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) running in full data taking mode since 2010, interest in its uses – such as the study of the underlying forces of nature, the production of new particles such as the Higgs boson, and the search for new physics processes such as evidence for supersymmetry – is still as high as at its launch.
This is your chance to hear Professor Peter Clarke discuss the physics motivation for the LHC and explore the computing and data management environment needed to realise the project.
About the speaker:
Peter Clarke is a Professor in the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh.
His early research work included the first measurements of direct CP violation in the Kaon system at the CERN NA31 experiment. At UCL he worked on construction of the ATLAS experiment for the Large Hadron Collider. He now works on studies of CP violation (the asymmetry between matter and anti-matter) as a member of the LHCb experiment at the LHC.
Can’t attend in person? Watch on…
Event Title: From protons to petabytes - the science and computing challenges at the Large Hadron Collider. Speaker(s): Professor Peter Clarke. Organised by: IET. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: The lecture is free to attend and will be followed by a networking drinks reception. Confirm your place online at http://www.theiet.org/kelvin or call us on +44(0)1438 765 650/657.
Thursday, March 22, 2012, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
IET, 2 Savoy Place, City of London WC2R 0BL, United Kingdom.
For more info visit www.theiet.org. Shocked and Stunned
Education Calendar
Event Title: Shocked and Stunned. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Niloufar Wijetunge
Email: niloufar@wijetunge.com.
Monday, March 26, 2012, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
Holland Park School, Airlie Gardens, London, W8 7AF.
CANCELED - Advanced Characterisation Techniques for Aerospace Materials
Conferences Department Calendar
Speaker(s): Advanced Characterisation Techniques for Aerospace Materials. Organised by: IOP Materials and Characterisation Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Lisa Cornwell
Tel: +44(0)20 7470 4800
Email: lisa.cornwell@iop.org.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Rescheduled - Project Juno workshop
The workshop will bring together current Juno Champions and Practitioners to share their experiences, as well as include presentations from members of the Juno Assessment Panel and IOP Diversity Team to give an overview of progress nationally and offer advice on preparing submissions.
Please email diversity@iop.org for more information or to register your place.
Event Title: Project Juno workshop. Organised by: Institute of Physics. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: James McNish, Diversity Programme Leader
Email: diversity@iop.org
Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4863.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 10:30 AM – 3:30 PM.
Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD.
For more info visit www.iop.org. A Collaboration based on Red Sprites
London and South East Branch Calendar
Red sprites are upper atmospheric optical phenomenon associated with thunderstorms that have recently been only documented using low level television.
The first images of a sprite were taken in 1989 and from 1990 to 1994 the space shuttle obtained twenty more images.
Despite nearly a century of anecdotal reports from airline pilots, most scientists didn't really believe in sprites until the first images were captured on high-speed video.
The blink of an eye last 250 milliseconds: sprites often last only ten. Cameras and computer models freeze sprites in time. Red Sprites were considered UFOs by pilots before their discovery.
Since 2001, Peter has been involved in a collaboration based on Red Sprites with American scientist Walter A. Lyons resulting in Lyons’s DVD titled 'The Hundred Year Hunt for Red Sprites' and also an interactive website.
Peter created the artwork in the 'The Hundred Year Hunt for Red Sprites' as well as his companion-six minute film titled 'Lightning’s Angels'.
Si…
Event Title: A Collaboration based on Red Sprites. Speaker(s): Peter McLeish. Organised by: institute of Physics London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Branch Secretary
Email: londonsoutheast@physics.org.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NT.
For more info visit www.iop.org. How round is the electron and why does it matter?
London and South East Branch Calendar
How can you measure the shape of something so small that you can't even measure its size?
This talk will be about an experiment that measures the shape of electrons.
This shape is important in physics because it is connected to two basic symmetries of nature.
The first is a symmetry between the forward and backward flow of time, and the second a symmetry between matter and antimatter.
The talk will explore these connections, showing how extremely precise measurements made in a small laboratory experiment can answer some big physics questions.
Car parking near the lecture theatre.
Event poster: http://www.iop.org/activity/branches/south_east/lse/calendar/files/file_52509.pdf (PDF, 243 KB).
Event Title: How round is the electron and why does it matter? Speaker(s): Dr Michael Tarbutt (Senior Lecturer in Physics at Imperial College London). Organised by: London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dr Diane Crann
Email: d.crann@herts.ac.uk.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Lindop Building College Lane Campus, Hatfield, AL10 9AB.
PCG-SCMP Powder Diffraction and Rietveld Refinement School
Structural Condensed Matter Physics Group Calendar
Topics to be covered will include:
*Data collection strategies for X-ray and neutron diffraction
*Constant wavelength and time of flight diffraction
*Modelling peak shapes
*Indexing powder patterns
*Rietveld, Le Bail and Pawley fitting methods
*X-ray and neutron combined Rietveld refinement
*Extended solids and molecular systems
*Restrained refinements
*Rigid body refinements.
Event Title: PCG-SCMP Powder Diffraction and Rietveld Refinement School. Organised by: IOP Structural Condensed Matter Physics Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Ivana Evans
Email: ivana.radosavljevic@durham.ac.uk.
Thursday, March 29, 2012, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Department of Chemistry, Durham University, South Road, Durham, DH1 3LE.
For more info visit www.dur.ac.uk. Rosse medal, research round up and black tie dinner
Ireland Branch Calendar
A new look Spring Weekend for 2012 with special guest Nobel laureate William Phillips, NIST, Gaithersburg, Maryland who will be the interviewee in the Physicist in the Chair session.
Rosse medal students who get through to the final round will make a five-minute presentation to the delegates.
A Research Round-up of universities and institutes across Ireland during the morning and later a black tie dinner at which guests will enjoy the demonstration lecture 'Time, Einstein and the coolest stuff in the universe' by Dr William Phillips and later the presentation of the Rosse medal.
Event poster: http://www.iopireland.org/events/info/file_53369.pdf (PDF, 606 KB).
Event Title: Rosse medal, research round up and black tie dinner. Organised by: IOP in Ireland. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Lauren Stacy
Email: lauren.stacy@iop.org
Registration: https://www.eventsforce.net/iop/frontend/reg/thome.csp?pageID=98887&eventID=248&eventID=248.
Friday, March 30, 2012, 9:00 AM – 11:00 PM.
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, 123 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2.
For more info visit www.eventsforce.net. Rutherford Centennial Conference on Nuclear Physics
Manchester and District Branch Calendar
There will be a tour in the morning of the Rutherford building, possibly also a visit to Rutherford’s house followed by lunch and three lectures at the Pear Lecture theatre.
'Rutherford and the 1912 Extension to the Physical Laboratories of the University of Manchester' by Neill Todd.
On the evening of 1 March 1912 a conversazione directed by Arthur Schuster was held in the Physical Laboratories of the University of Manchester to mark the opening of the new extensions.
It seems appropriate then to mark the centenary of the 1912 extension with a discussion on its significance for Rutherford’s science at
Manchester, especially since our meeting will be held in March 2012 the old 1912 Physical Lecture Theatre.
In addition to the fact that there was considerable overcrowding in the old 1900 Building, in part due to the massive expansion in the number of researchers in the Rutherford school, an important argument for the new extension was that it would create an environment free from the radioact…
Event Title: Rutherford Centennial Conference on Nuclear Physics. Speaker(s): Neil Todd, Brian Cathcart, Geoffrey Constable. Organised by: IOP Manchester and District Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Registration is required.
Please email: P.Rowlands@liverpool.ac.uk
Dr Christie Theodorakou
Email: christie.theodorakou@physics.cr.man.ac.uk.
Saturday, March 31, 2012, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Pear Lecture Theatre and Rutherford Bulding. University of Manchester, Oxford Road, M13 9PL.
Extreme Physics
Education Calendar
A residential course aimed at inspiring Yr 10 students to study Physics beyond GCSE level.
Event Title: Extreme Physics. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Helen Pollard
Email: h.pollard@sep.org.uk.
Saturday, March 31, 2012, 12:00 PM – Thursday, April 5, 2012, 1:00 PM.
Rugby School, Rugby, Warwickshire, CV22 5EH.
IOP Nuclear Physics Group Conference 2012
Conferences Department Calendar
Over the course of three days, there will be plenary sessions covering nuclear physics and its applications.
The conference will provide opportunities for research students and young postdocs to present their work during the many parallel sessions.
Organised by: IOP Nuclear Physics Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Jon Mackew
jon.mackew@iop.org.
Monday, April 2, 2012 – Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
University of Brighton, 58 - 67 Grand Parade, Brighton, BN2 OJY, UK.
For more info visit nuc12.iopconfs.org. Plasma Physics Group Annual Conference
Conferences Department Calendar
Annual plasma physics conference - covering magnetic and inertial fusion, high energy density physics, astrophysical and industrial plasmas.
Event Title: Plasma Physics Group Annual Conference. Organised by: IOP Plasma Physics Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dawn Stewart
Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800
Email: dawn.stewart@iop.org.
Monday, April 2, 2012 – Thursday, April 5, 2012.
St Hugh's College, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX2 6LE, UK.
For more info visit plasma12.iop.org. IOP Nuclear Physics Conference
South West Branch Calendar
The conference will cover leading research in pure and applied nuclear physics.
Event Title: IOP Nuclear Physics Conference. Organised by: IOP Nuclear Physics Conference. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Jon Mackew
Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800
Email: jon.mackew@iop.org.
Monday, April 2, 2012 – Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
University of Brighton
Brighton
UK.
IOP Joint HEPP and APP Meeting 2012
High Energy Particle Physics Group Calendar
The 2012 annual gathering of the IOP High Energy Particle Physics and IOP Astroparticle Physics groups will take place at Queen Mary, University of London.
The programme will encompass activities in both High Energy and Astro Particle fields as well as discussing the synergies between them.
Talks will include the latest results from the LHC, up to date reports on neutrino, charged lepton and quark flavour physics, Dark Matter searches, nuclear astrophysics, gravitational waves, and a topical review of early cosmic ray discoveries.
https://indico.cern.ch/conferenceDisplay.py?confId=175304.
Event Title: IOP HEPP and APP group Annual Meeting. Organised by: IOP High Energy Particle Physics and Astroparticle Physics Groups. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dr Adrian Bevan
Email: a.j.bevan@qmul.ac.uk.
Monday, April 2, 2012 – Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
School of Physics and Astronomy, Francis Bancroft building, Queen Mary, University of London, 327 Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS.
For more info visit pprc.qmul.ac.uk. 8th Photovoltaic Science Application and Technology (PVSAT-8)
Materials and Characterization Group Calendar
PVSAT-8 will provide the opportunity to hear about the latest advances in PV, enjoy the exhibition of the UK PV industry and supporting services to the PV community and interact with colleagues across all PV sectors in the UK.
The PVSAT series of conferences is now well established as the premium event for the presentation of leading research in photovoltaics in the UK.
The UK is privileged in having a strong R&D community active in most of the major PV fields of devices and applications.
The conference will again be held over three days to allow the inclusion of the wide range of papers and posters reflecting this fast moving field of research and development.
Event Title: 8th Photovoltaic Science Application and Technology (PVSAT-8). Organised by: Solar Energy Society. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Email: info@uk-ises.org.
Monday, April 2, 2012 – Wednesday, April 4, 2012.
Northumbria University, Ellison Place, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8ST.
For more info visit www.pvsat.org.uk. REMS: The Fishmongers’ Hall and Organs
London and South East Branch Calendar
The Fishmongers’ Company is one of the ancient guilds of the City of London and the history goes back 700 years.
After lunch our guide will be Ian Shaw, the official organist at St Mary Abchurch and St Clements, Eastcheap and visiting organist at St Magnus the Martyr, London Bridge.
He will take us into these churches which were rebuilt after the 1666 Great Fire by Wren and have pipes and cases from that date.
St Magnus the Martyr has been much altered over the years with a major work in 1924. It has very fine woodwork.
The peal of 12 bells was installed in 2009 (Whitechapel Foundry).
St Clement, Eastcheap, organ is 17th century by Renatus Harris.
St Mary, Abchurch, has a unique painted dome of 1708 and a Grinling Gibbons reredos.
The organ case is 1717 and the works were installed by Noel Mander in 1954. Here we will be able to go into the organ to see how it is constructed.
Those who wish to can play this historic organ (any one with keyboard skills is welcome – do not…
Event Title: REMS: The Fishmongers’ Hall and Organs. Speaker(s): Ian Shaw. Organised by: IOP London & South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: John Belling
Email: john.a.belling.secrems@gmail.com.
Monday, April 2, 2012, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM.
The Fishmongers Hall, London Bridge, London, EC4R 9EL.
For more info visit www.london-city-churches.org.uk. Surface Analysis Techniques - Tutorial Series Meeting
Vacuum Group Calendar
The group will hold its next Tutorial Series Meeting on Surface Analysis Techniques.
There will be an opportunity to tour the diamond facility.
Event Title: Surface Analysis Techniques. Organised by: IOP Vacuum Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Email: Mathtew.Cox@diamond.ac.uk.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Diamond Light Source Ltd, Diamond House, Harwell Science and Innovation Campus, Didcot, Oxfordshire, OX11 0DE.
For more info visit www.diamond.ac.uk. British Carbon Group Spring Meeting
Carbon Group Calendar
Real World Applications of Carbons’ is a one day meeting that aims to bring together scientists from Industry and Academia working in the field of carbon science.
Carbon exists in many forms and has a range of diverse applications from personal protection to energy storage.
Registration form (Word, 58 KB): http://www.iop.org/activity/groups/subject/bcg/calendar/info/file_53671.doc
Programme (PDF, 737 KB): http://www.iop.org/activity/groups/subject/bcg/calendar/info/file_53670.pdf.
Event Title: British Carbon Group Spring Meeting. Organised by: IOP British Carbon Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dr Peter Branton
Email: Peter_Branton@bat.com.
Wednesday, April 4, 2012, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM.
Regents Park Road, Bishop Waltham, Southampton, SO15 8TL.
For more info visit www.britishcarbon.co.uk. Extreme Physics
Education Calendar
A residential course aimed at inspiring Yr 10 students to study Physics beyond GCSE level.
Event Title: Extreme Physics. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Helen Pollard
Email: h.pollard@sep.org.uk.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012, 12:00 PM – Sunday, April 15, 2012, 1:00 PM.
Stowe School, Stowe, Buckingham, MK18 5EH.
REMS: Renewable Energy Systems and The Paper Trail
London and South East Branch Calendar
Programme:
11:00 - Tour of Renewable Energy Systems (2 hours)
13:00 - Lunch
14:30 - Tour of the Paper Trail (2 hours)
16:30 - End of visit
RES (Renewable Energy Systems) is a specialist company involved in the planning of wind energy farms, together with other forms of renewable energy.
The wind turbine visible from the M25 in Hertfordshire is on their site.
After lunch at The Paper Mill, a Fullers pub, we will visit the Paper Trail, which illustrates the history of paper making in the Gade Valley, under the Victorian entrepreneur John Dickinson.
The museum contains the first Fourdrinier production machine still in working order, and dating from 1895.
Travel arrangements:
By train: To Kings Langley on the London Midland from Euston. The 10:05 from Euston arrives at 10:30.
The return will be from Apsley, the next station down the line. Turn right on leaving Kings Langley station and then turn right again after 250m into Egg Farm Lane and RES.
For transport to lunch and between th…
Event Title: REMS: Renewable Energy Systems and The Paper Trail. Organised by: IOP London & South East Branch Retired Members Section (REMS). Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: John Belling (REMS Secretary)
Email: john.a.belling.secrems@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 12, 2012, 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM.
Renewable Energy Systems Ltd, Beaufort Court, Egg Farm Lane, Kings Langley, Hertfordshire, WD4 8LR.
2012 Photonics Europe
Optics and Photonics Division Calendar
SPIE Photonics Europe is a conference focused on a broad range of technologies and their integration into a variety of applications. Broaden your professional network and accelerate your research when you present at this premier technical conference.
Event Title: 2012 Photonics Europe. Organised by: SPIE Europe. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: info@spieeurope.org.
Monday, April 16, 2012, 9:00 AM – Friday, April 20, 2012, 5:00 PM.
The Square Conference Centre
Brussels
Belgium.
For more info visit spie.org. Optical sensing in medicine
London and South East Branch Calendar
Throughout human history, light has played an important role in medicine. New optical technologies are revolutionizing many fields.
Applications of such technologies are primarily focused upon the understanding, development and applications of instrumentation, sensors and physiological measurements to facilitate the prognosis, diagnosis and treatment of disease or the rehabilitation of patients.
Optical sensors in medicine might be described as being in an adolescent stage, where their power and potential can be recognized but are still developing rapidly.
The development of optical sensors is a current strength of the UK.
This talk will mainly focus on the application of optics in the development of medical sensors and will demonstrate how such technologies can be used as medical "tools".
Examples of challenges from various clinical specialities will be presented.
Free car parking near the lecture theatre.
Event Title: Optical sensing in medicine. Speaker(s): Professor Panicos Kyriacou. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Email: r.mackintosh@open.ac.uk or t.a.bartlett@open.ac.uk (secretary).
Tuesday, April 17, 2012, 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM.
Berrill Lecture Theatre, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA.
REMS Visit to Holland
London and South East Branch Calendar
The timing has been chosen to match the popular “bulb” parade on the 21 April, which starts from Noordwijk at 9:30. “On Saturday April 21 at 9:30 hours, the annual Flower Parade will leave Noordwijk to travel its 40 km route, along the main roads, to arrive in Haarlem at about 21:00 hours.
The (2011) procession comprised of 20 large floats and more than 30 decorated luxury cars, interspersed with marching bands.”
18 April - Arrive at Hotel in Noordwijk aan Zee Coach from Schiphol (15:00) or train to Leiden, bus 40 to Noordwijk
19 April - ESTEC, ESTEC space museum, Keukenhof gardens Coach hotel to ESTEC & Keukenhof, service bus to Noordwijk (?)
20 April - Floriade - Coach there and back
21 April - Parade at Noordwijk, Zaanse Schans (see http://www.zaanseschans.nl/) Coach to Zaanse Schans, return by public transport
22 April - Valkenburg am Meer narrow gauge museum, Amsterdam. Coach to museum, then Amsterdam, return by public transport
23 April - Depart - Coach to Schiphol (departing at 10:00)…
Event Title: REMS Visit to Holland. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch Retired Members Section (REMS). Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: David R Pick
Email: david.pick@physics.org.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012 – Monday, April 23, 2012.
The recommended hotel is the Golden Tulip Beach Hotel Noordwijk aan Zee.
An Introduction to the Energy House at the University of Salford
Manchester and District Branch Calendar
The Energy House is a fully working traditional style British House, inside a Laboratory in which we can recreate and simulate climatic conditions.
The house has been built to an identical specification of a typical 1910-1920 home in the UK.
This gives us an ideal test bed to carry out research on innovative technologies that can be used to treat these buildings, known as "Hard to Treat Homes".
The Energy House is a traditional pre 1920s Victorian terrace house that has been reconstructed using reclaimed materials from local sources to represent 21% of the UK current housing stock and rebuilt using the traditional methods of the time, including lime mortar, lathe and plaster ceilings.
The house is classed as a hard to treat property in terms of energy efficiency due to the lack of cavity walls.
The Salford Energy House is Europe's 1st and only Energy House that has been reconstructed in a fully environmentally controllable chamber, I which climatic conditions can be maintained, varied, repeat…
Event Title: An Introduction to the Energy House at the University of Salford. Speaker(s): Richard Fitton. Organised by: Manchester and District Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr Jonathan Hinks
Email: J.A.Hinks@salford.ac.uk.
Wednesday, April 18, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
The Old Fire Station, The University of Salford, The Crescent, Salford, M5 4WT.
Geoengineering the climate
Midland Branch Calendar
Despite growing concerns over climate change, CO2 emissions continue to climb. This has led some to suggest more radical “Geoengineering” alternatives to conventional reductions in CO2 emissions.
Geoengineering is deliberate intervention in the climate system to counteract man-made global warming. This talk will summarise a recent review of Geoengineering by the Royal Society led by Prof Shepherd.
Event Title: Geoengineering the climate. Speaker(s): Prof. John Shepherd, CBE, FRS. National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton. Organised by: Midland Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: J E Beale
Tel: 07801-365 204
Email: john.beale@physics.org
Dr A C Smith
Tel: 01684-569503
Email: alancsmith@physics.org.
Monday, April 23, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
University of Worcester. EE G087, Main Building, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ.
Advanced Printing for Medical and Health Applications
Conferences Department Calendar
The current developments in plastic electronics and functional materials are leading to a growing commercial and scientific interest in the application of printing technologies and fluid processing in biomedical applications. The meeting will provide a broad view of the current status of research & development, covering from fundamental science through to manufacturing and delivery to patients.
Event Title: Advanced Printing for Medical and Health Applications. Organised by: IOP Printing and Graphics Science Group. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Lisa Cornwell
Tel: +44 (0)20 7470 4800
E-mail: lisa.cornwell@iop.org.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012.
Institute of Life Science
College of Medicine
Swansea University
Singleton Park
Swansea
SA2 8PP.
For more info visit www.eventsforce.net. Is the Moon a Babel Fish?
Yorkshire Branch Calendar
John Gribbin argues that we owe our existence to the presence of our large Moon, produced by the impact of a Mars-sized object four billion years ago.
But this is only part of the story, just one of the astronomical and geophysical reasons why the Earth is special.
For the first time, he makes the link between the whole series of cosmic events that have affected the Earth and given rise to our intelligent civilization - a civilization, Gribbin argues, that is unique within our Milky Way Galaxy.
If humankind can survive the present environmental crises, the whole of the galaxy may become our home. And if not, our demise may be an event of universal significance.
The Speaker: Dr. John Gribbin trained as an astrophysicist at the University of Cambridge before becoming a full-time science writer.
He has worked for the science journal Nature, and the magazine New Scientist (for which he is now physics consultant) and has contributed articles on science topics to the Times, the Guardian and the I…
Event Title: Is the Moon a Babel Fish? Speaker(s): Dr John Gribbin (Visiting Research Fellow, Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sussex). Organised by: University of Sheffield. Requires registration: No. Contact details: John Williams
Email: j.williams@sheffield.ac.uk.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.
The Department of Physics and Astronomy, Hicks Building, Hounsfield Road, Sheffield, S3 7RH.
Luminous spots on a dark background. Stars, galaxies and the ‘specialness’ of our universe
Merseyside Branch Calendar
Speaker: Prof. Maurizio Salaris Astrophysics Research Institute Liverpool John Moores University
Our universe displays a beautiful tapestry of stars overimposed onto a cold and dark background.
The reasons why stars and (as a consequence) life exist are related to the very special conditions of the universe at the moment of the Big Bang.
The lecture will introduce the audience to these issues and the challenge they pose to physics and cosmology.
Event Title: Luminous spots on a dark background. Stars, galaxies and the ‘specialness’ of our universe. Speaker(s): Prof. Maurizio Salaris. Organised by: IOP Merseyside Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Louise Butcher
Email: Louise.butcher@iop.org.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 6:30 PM.
Surface Science Research Centre, Liverpool University (building #210 on university plan), L69 3DR.
Generation IV Nuclear Reactors
Lancashire and Cumbria Branch Calendar
Event Title: Generation IV Nuclear Reactors. Speaker(s): John Robertson of Nucleus Training Ltd. Organised by: IOP Lancashire & Cumbria branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Email: westcumbriaiop@googlemail.com.
Tuesday, April 24, 2012, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
UCLan Westlakes Campus, Samuel Lindow Building, Westlakes Science and Technology Park, Whitehaven, CA24 3JY.
Virtual Physics Lab
Education Calendar
An excellent collection of applets, free to attendees, to support and illustrate teaching at all levels.
Event Title: Virtual Physics Lab. Speaker(s): Darrell Hamilton. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Darrell Hamilton
Email: dahp.twggs@gmail.com.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM.
Tunbridge Wells Grammar School for Boys, St John's Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 9XB.
For more info visit www.talkphysics.org. Branch Meeting, Lancaster
Lancashire and Cumbria Branch Calendar
Event Title: Physics Virtual Experiments for the OU. Speaker(s): Prof Nick Braithwaite. Organised by: IOP Lancashire and Cumbria Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr J.M. Bradshaw
Email: john.bradshaw@physics.org.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
The Cavendish Coloquium Room, Faraday Building, Lancaster University, LA1 4YW.
How round is the electron and why does it matter?
London and South East Branch Calendar
How can you measure the shape of something as small as an electron?
This talk will explore the connections between the shape of the electron, the direction of time and the existence of anti-matter, showing how extremely precise measurements made in a small laboratory experiment can answer some big physics questions.
Tea/Coffee 6:00pm & afterwards. Talk begins 6:30pm.
Event Title: How round is the electron and why does it matter? Speaker(s): Dr Michael Tarbutt (Senior Lecturer in Physics at Imperial College London). Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Branch Secretary
Email: londonsoutheast@physics.org.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 6:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Institute of Physics, 76 Portland Place, London, W1B 1NT.
Maths and the making of the modern world
London and South East Branch Calendar
Nearly all of modern technology relies on maths but its applications can sometimes be a bit hidden away.
In this talk I will open the lid on this technology and show you some of the maths behind Google, the Internet, Mobile Phones, Credit Cards, Facebook and Sat Nav devices.
Car parking near the lecture Theatre. This event is free but places may need to be reserved.
Event Title: Maths and the making of the modern world. Speaker(s): Chris Budd. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Dr Diane Crann
Email: d.crann@herts.ac.uk.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012, 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM.
Lindop Building, University of Hertfordshire, College Lane, Hatfield, AL10 9AB.
For more info visit www.iop.org. REMS visit to Finchcocks Musical Museum at Goudhurst, Kent
London and South East Branch Calendar
Finchcocks is a fine Georgian manor set in a beautiful garden, surrounded by parkland. It now houses a celebrated collection of over 100 historical keyboard instruments, of which more than forty are in full working order.
Meet 11-11:30 (coffee), 11:30 introduction and a look round the museum and the pleasure garden exhibition. Lunch 12:45. 14:00 demonstration recital in the hall.
Cost with a main Course for lunch £26, otherwise £16. Lunch would be in the Cellar Restaurant with the main course chosen in advance.
Event Title: REMS visit to Finchcocks Musical Museum at Goudhurst, Kent. Organised by: IOP London & South East Branch Retired Members Section (REMS). Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: John Belling (REMS Secretary)
Email: john.a.belling.secrems@gmail.com.
Thursday, April 26, 2012, 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM.
Finchcocks, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1HH.
For more info visit www.finchcocks.co.uk. Supporting Physics Teaching: Energy
Education Calendar
Event Title: Supporting Physics Teaching: Energy. Organised by: The Institute of Physics and the Science Learning Centres. Requires registration: Yes. Contact details: Robert Birke
Email: robert.birke@iop.org.
Monday, April 30, 2012, 4:00 PM – 6:30 PM.
Stewards School, Parnall Road, Harlow, CM18 7NQ.
How do we see colour?
London and South East Branch Calendar
Colour Vision involves Physics, Physiology, Psychology and Neurology.
It is not enough to relate each colour to a specific wavelength as may be implied by studying the visible spectrum.
The presentation will explain, through demonstrations and examples, how humans perceive colours.
Free car parking near the lecture theatre.
Event Title: How do we see colour? Speaker(s): Professor Mohammed Sobhy. Organised by: IOP London and South East Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Email: r.mackintosh@open.ac.uk or t.a.bartlett@open.ac.uk (secretary).
Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM.
Berrill Lecture Theatre, Open University, Walton Hall, Milton Keynes, MK7 6AA.
Gas Giants and Ice Giants
South Central Branch Calendar
This talk will describe recent results from missions to the giant planets of our solar system and ground/space-based observatories at 1 AU, looking at their interiors, magnetic fields, magnetospheres, and natural satellites.
It will conclude with a discussion about current and future missions, focusing on missions to the poorly studied and understood Ice Giant, Uranus.
The worlds of the giant planets Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are full of superlatives. Apart from the Sun they are the largest and most massive objects in our solar system and their influence is felt over enormous distances.
The stunning rings around Saturn, and the large number of moons around most of the giant planets lead some people to think of them as miniature solar systems in their own right. Although often grouped together as “Gas Giants” many planetary scientists make a further distinction and describe Jupiter and Saturn as Gas Giants, and Uranus and Neptune as Ice Giants, reflecting the importance of volatiles (suc…
Event Title: Planetary Systems around Gas Giants and Ice Giants. Speaker(s): Chris Arridge, University College London. Organised by: South Central Branch. Requires registration: No. Contact details: Dr Paul Stevenson
Email: p.stevenson@surrey.ac.uk.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PM.
Lecture Theatre M, University of Surrey, Guildford, Surrey, GU2 7XH.