Sixth Form Evening Lectures 2022
How Physics and Maths Make a Difference in the World
Aim and audiences
The NUSTEM Evening Lectures are aimed at Y11 to Y13 students and their teachers. Each lecture is focused on a different topic, and aims to show how physics, maths, and engineering matter and where they can lead.
The lectures will run every Wednesday from 17:30 to 18:30 starting on 2nd of November 2022.
Attendance is free, and preferably in person. See below for details of how to join us.
Evening Lectures 2022 Programme
Lecture 1: 02 NOV
Moulding the Flow of Light
Daniel Ho & Mike Taverne
Department of Mathematics Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University
The wavelike nature of light allows us to see the iridescent diffraction colours arising from periodic wavelength scale structures such as magpie tail feathers and the startlingly blue Morpho butterfly wings. In this lecture, we will be looking into characterising “artificial” optical wavelength-scale or photonic crystal structures, using methods such as Fourier image spectroscopy and understand how these artificial structures can be used for novel applications.
Lecture 2: 09 NOV
Electrical currents in space
John Coxon
Department of Mathematics Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University
John Coxon is a specialist in Birkeland currents, electrical currents which flow between the edge of the Sun’s atmosphere and the Earth’s surface. In this lecture John will explain how the Sun affects the Earth with charged particles and electrical currents. He will talk about the scientific opportunities that this provides to humanity, but also the risks it has for our civilisation in an increasingly technological era.
Lecture 3: 16 NOV
Make Food Waste, Wood Waste
Dr Madeleine Combrinck
Department of Mechanical and Construction Engineering at Northumbria University
Generating energy (either electricity or heat) from waste has become a very important disciplinary area of research over the past few decades, with rising public awareness of global topics such as climate change and ‘throwaway culture.’
In this talk Madeleine will guide us through some of these waste-to-energy studies. In particular: how much energy could be generated from food waste in the UK?
Lecture 4: 23 NOV
The Complex Beauty of Fractal Geometry
Dr Matteo Sommacal
Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University
In this lecture, Matteo will explain – with the aid of some computer graphics – how fractals can be defined as geometrical objects characterised by two properties: self-similarity, and non-integer dimension. Differently from the ‘smooth’ figures of classical Geometry, such as circles or triangles, fractals turn out to be ‘rough’ and infinitely complex.
Lecture 5: 30 NOV
An introduction to quantum chaos
Dr Remy Dubertrand
Department of Mathematics Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University
In this lecture Remy will guide us through the chaotic world of quantum mechanics, where at very small scales – of atoms and fundamental particles – the laws of physics appear different from those of the macroscopic world around us. Remy will talk about the mathematical description of some physical properties of quantum complex systems in a ‘quantum chaos’.
Lecture 6: 07 DEC
From Lasers to Masers
Dr Juna Sathian
Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University
Lasers are used everywhere from CD players, industrial cutting to laser eye surgery. But before the laser, there was the maser and it produces microwaves instead of light in a laser. However, due to its extreme cooling requirement maser never became as widespread as the laser. In this lecture, we will explore briefly the history of laser and maser followed by the recent developments in room-temperature masers (organic- pentacene and inorganic-diamond)
Lecture 7: 14 DEC
Tackling climate change with solar photovoltaics
Neil Beatie
Department of Mathematics, Physics and Electrical Engineering at Northumbria University
Photovoltaics draws together quantum physics, materials science and engineering and is currently delivering significant carbon dioxide emissions savings even in the United Kingdom. This talk gives an overview of the physics of solar cells and considers the future of photovoltaic technology including the potential role of a sustainable solar paint being developed by researchers at Northumbria University.
How to book a place and attend the lectures
This year we invite you to attend the NUSTEM Evening Lectures in person in our city campus.
You need to register to attend, by signing up for a FREE (individual) e-ticket via Eventbrite. Please read the information below about the registration process.
We strongly encourage you to attend the lectures in person, however we do understand that this is not always possible.
Your ticket will include information in how to join the evening lecture via MS Teams. You can familiarise yourself with MS Teams live events below.
Registration
You need to register to attend the NUSTEM Evening Lectures, by signing up for a FREE (individual) e-ticket via Eventbrite:
- Click on the Book a place button featured at the bottom of each lecture’s description.
- Register and get your FREE e-ticket from Eventbrite.
- Your e-ticket will arrive by email and will be available from your Eventbrite account. It’ll give you more information on how to join the event.
- Eventbrite will email reminders ahead of the lecture!
We strongly recommend you create an account with Eventbrite, it’ll help you find the event at the right moment!
Joining the live-streamed lecture
We encourage you to attend the evening lectures in person. If this is not possible then the evening lectures will be live-streamed using Microsoft Teams Live Events.
Your e-ticket contains a link to join the event. When the time comes, click it and:
- A Teams webpage page will open: choose the option Watch on the web instead.
- On the ‘welcome to the live event’ page use the option Join anonymously.
Throughout the lecture you will be able to ask questions of our presenters using a moderated Q&A.
If you want to find out more about Microsoft Teams Live events please watch the video below:
How to find us
How to find us
The evening lectures will take place in Ellison Building A-block, room ELA102a. There will be signage to help you locate the room upon arrival. The nearest entrance (set of automatic double doors) is located on Ellison Place:
- Postcode NE1 8ST.
- What 3 words: ///moth.under.golf
Alternatively, you can use the entrance (automatic giratory doors) located in Northumberland Road
- Postcode NE1 8SG
- What 3 words: ///scouts.shower.exit
