In Episode Four of the University of Bath’s Research with Impact podcast, Roland Pease heads to the roof of the Chancellors' Building to discuss the future of solar energy with experts leading the way at the University of Bath. 

In this episode he meets: 

Professor Alison Walker from Bath's Department of Physics. Alison’s research concerns multiscale modelling of perovskite solar cells and organic devices such as displays. In 2019, she chaired the Solar Commission whose aim was to show how UK innovation and industrial capabilities could be harnessed to allow the UK to be a global player in solar in the years ahead. The report was launched in the House of Lords. She directs the 7 university Centre for Doctoral Training in New and sustainable photovoltaics, CDT-PV. Locally, students funded by the CDT-PV worked with Bath Abbey to explore how could be installed on historic buildings to reduce emissions. 

Professor Petra Cameron from Bath's Department of Chemistry. Her group researches energy materials and makes perovskite solar cells. She focuses on understanding ion motion in perovskites (perovskites are mixed electronic-ionic conductors), making perovskite solar cells with carbon coatings for water splitting to make solar fuels. This is about making perovskites more stable to help scale up their production. Her work has helped to position the University as somewhere of real solar energy expertise and has also helped to put the UK to the forefront of perovskite development. 

For more information on our guests and the University of Bath’s Research with Impact Podcast please visit go.bath.ac.uk/research-with-impact or follow @uniofbath.

Research with Impact with Roland Pease Episode 4: 'A bright future for solar energy'

A recording of the lecture from 13 June 2018, which overviews the tremendous contribution of Professor Darryl Almond to the research profile of the University of Bath. 

Darryl had a unique ability to use his expertise in physics to undertake cutting edge research across a range of subjects in science and engineering.

A Life Connected by Physics: A Tribute to Professor Darryl Almond

Additive manufacturing allows us to produce parts at a reduced size and weight. For amputees, this means we can create powered prosthetics that are both durable and a more comfortable fit. Working alongside Moog and Blatchford we set out to bring our powered prosthetics research to the commercial market. Professor Andrew Plummer discusses how this could be game-changing for the prosthetics industry.

Transcript:
"Imagine you got ill, maybe diabetes or had an accident and had to have a leg amputated. In days gone by, you could get a wooden leg, but that wasn't a great substitute particularly for above the knee amputees. Nowadays you might get a leg made from carbon fibre or light alloys, and subtly designed joints incorporating springs and shock absorbers to give a fairly natural and pleasant walking experience. They might even be computer-controlled. But you'll still be a long way from the league of a bionic man or bionic woman. Walking up slopes or stairs will still be slow and tiring because your new leg will have no muscle power. Your trailing leg really needs to push off every time it leaves the ground to propel you up and along, but building in muscle power into prosthetic legs is a formidable engineering challenge. Using existing technology, the leg ends up being too bulky, too heavy or using too much energy, not to mention the challenge of controlling the leg to automatically synchronise with your movements. I'm Andrew Plummer, Professor in the mechanical engineering department, so I lead the Power Transmission Motion Control research centre here at Bath and we have considerable experience in hydraulic actuation, this provides very high-power density by using pressurised oil, which means we can generate significant muscle power in a light and compact leg. And using additive manufacture we can further integrate these powerful hydraulic actuation components into incredibly light titanium prosthetic joints. At Bath we have been fortunate in having world-leading industrial partners. We were working with Moog and Renishaw on additive manufacture for hydraulic components and independently with Blatchford on smart powered prosthetics. Bringing the two strands of work together was, as they say, 'a no brainer'. I'm convinced this is a game-changer for future prosthetics technology."

Professor Andrew Plummer discusses additive manufacturing's potential for the prosthetics industry

In this talk, Professor Mott from the Faculty of Engineering and Design, debates the impact that COVID is having on engineering and technology businesses and how they need to adapt to rapidly changing circumstances.

Professor Peter Mott talk: Covid-19 and its impact on industry

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Research with Impact with Roland Pease Episode 4: 'A bright future for solar energy'

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