Fibre Optics can save the world

Dr Matthew Partridge, Southampton University

18th January 2021 7:30pm by Zoom

The magical internet-providing properties of fibre optics are well-known. But hardly anyone has heard of fibre optics that can diagnosis cancer or detect gravity waves, and Matthew Partridge is not happy about that. These wonderful, cutting-edge devices can do amazing things and fix almost any problem. Don’t believe something so tiny can save the world? Come hear about the history of fibre optics and what exciting things they can do beyond streaming movies and challenge Matthew to solve any problem you can name with fibre optics.

Monitoring the environment from space

Dr Robin Wilson

15th February 2021 7:30pm by Zoom

Hundreds of satellites orbit the Earth every day, collecting data that is used for monitoring almost all aspects of the environment. This talk will introduce to you the world of satellite imaging, take you beyond the 'pretty pictures' to the scientific data behind them, and show you how the data can be applied to monitor plant growth, air pollution and more.

Development of a Deep Geological Disposal Facility for Nuclear Waste in the UK

Mark Kirkbride, Member on the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM)

15th March 2021 7:30pm by Zoom

Since the late 1940’s the UK has been involved in nuclear science and engineering, with the creation of waste being an integral part of that industry.  There has been significant focus upon long-term storage and disposal of this nuclear waste inventory.  The talk will seek to explain the types of nuclear waste, historical background and work towards the development of a deep geological disposal facility in the UK for disposal of nuclear waste.

Fungal neuroscience

Andrew Adamatzky (Professor in Unconventional Computing, UWE, Bristol)

17th May 2021 7:30pm by Zoom

Fungi are creatures with remarkably pronounced protocognition abilities. They control `thinking’ of trees. They open minds of humans. They help us to live in the world and to see the invisible. Recently we discovered that the electrical activity of fungi is similar to neurons. Fungi communicate with trains of spikes of electrical potential. Fungi responds to stimulation by changing their electrical properties and patterns of their electrical activity.  We briefly overview our discoveries on sensing and computing with fungi.

Southsea Coastal Scheme - Designing Sea Defences

Rupert Teasdale, Project Manager, Coastal Defences and Thomas Green – Coastal Scientist, Royal HaskoningDHV

21st June 2021 7:30pm by Zoom

This extensive scheme is a nationally significant Flood and Erosion Risk Management project to upgrade the existing ageing coastal defences along the seafront, reducing the risk of flooding to more than 10,000 homes and 700 businesses. It will focus on the processes undertaken by the team to incorporate climate change predictions into the design, ensuring the Scheme maintains the same standard of protection for its 100-year design life.