Minerva series

University of Bath Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor, introduces the State of Disappearance exhibition.

State of Disappearance introduction (Vice-Chancellor, Professor Phil Taylor)

Like the mutating cells it was trying to investigate, and through a serendipitous series of unrelated coincidences, what started out as a multi-disciplinary UK-based research project to explore the stratosphere using helium balloons somehow evolved and mutated into a high-powered rocketry based research collaboration with NASA Astrobiologists in the Nevada Desert.
 
This high-octane talk by University of Bath researcher Dr Paul Shepherd explores the highs and lows of his journey into High Altitude Bioprospecting for a project which has fused structural engineering, electronics, computer science and biology.

What is high-altitude bioprospecting?

Minerva lecture on 21 February given by Professor James Turner for the Minerva Series.

Society has become used to the fact that personal transportation is really affordable. Over the past 130 years this situation has arisen with no stimulus from government because of the favourable economics that have evolved. However, the use of fossil fuels to power transportation rightly means that action has to be taken if we are to avoid climate change. The lecture discusses the scale of the challenge, some of the alternatives to the incumbent technology, whether these are practical to implement within the economic model, and postulates an alternative scenario which will also allow decarbonization of petrochemicals and other transport modes. The conclusion reached, however, may not be entirely in line with current policy.

http://www.bath.ac.uk/events/transport-in-the-low-carbon-age/

Transport in the Low Carbon Age

Lecture, given 2 May 2018 by Dr Benjamin Moon, a Postdoctoral Researcher who appeared in Attenborough and the Sea Dragon, using CT scans to reconstruct the skeleton and anatomy of that ichthyosaur.

Dr Benjamin Moon discusses a recent shift in our knowledge. He explains that new techniques are being applied which could bring new insights to ichthyosaur evolution.

Back to the Water: Ichthyosaurs in the 21st Century

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

Minerva lecture on 12 September 2018 given by Dr Ian Walker. Transport psychologist from the University of Bath, Dr Ian Walker, notched up 4,300km in just 11 days to win the North Cape 4000 unsupported bike race this summer. How do you prepare for this kind of ride? What do you pack? What should you eat and what do you actually end up eating? If you hit the wall and feel like there’s nothing left in the tank, then how do you push through? And what do you think about for mile after mile, cycling up to 16 hours a day? Hear more from Ian sharing his experiences and reflections with some expert help from researchers across the University.

How I cycled through 11 countries in 11 days to win the trans-European North Cape bike race

Minerva lecture on 10 October 2018 given by Professor Gareth Price, Professor Janet Scott and Dr Antoine Buchard. "There would rarely be a dive where I wouldn't find some form of plastic from a thread of plastic fishing line, sweet wrappers or plastic bottles," assistant producer of Blue Planet 2, Sarah Conner told the BBC. Plastics are everywhere around us and form key parts of modern day life. Researchers at the University of Bath are working hard to develop new types of polymers that are stronger, better and more sustainable. In this discussion three researchers from the University of Bath talk about their work in the creation of new polymer materials including recyclable and biodegradable plastics.

Combating Pollution Through New Biodegradable Plastics

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

The University of Bath podcasts are a series of public lectures available to download for free.

Enhance your understanding of subjects ranging from how babies develop to the workings of the universe. Learn from academics and business and industry experts.

The University of Bath is a leading UK insitution. We offer a distinctive blend of research-led teaching, an outstanding graduate employment record and personal development opportunties.

What is high-altitude bioprospecting?

University of Bath

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