Dear Parents/Guardians s30

‘Powering the Future – The Physics of Fusion’ – a lecture by Dr Melanie Windridge

As part of the Science Department at the Royal Masonic School’s Lecture Series we are delighted to welcome Dr Melanie Windridge who will be delivering a lecture entitled ‘Powering the Future - The Physics of Fusion’.

Dr Windridge is a physicist and Science communicator with experience in live presenting, television and writing. She has a PhD in Fusion Energy from Imperial College London, and spent much of her research time at the JET research facility at Culham Centre for Fusion Energy. She now works as a consultant for Science and Technology start-up companies, including a fusion start-up, and in Education.

In 2010 Dr Windridge was the Institute of Physics Schools lecturer and spoke to over 10,000 students about fusion. She continues to lecture at schools, interest groups and festivals around the country and has published a book on the same subject as the lectures – a basic introduction to fusion power – called “Star Chambers: the race for fusion power”. Melanie makes regular TV appearances, including BBC Bang Goes the Theory, Country Tracks, My Genius Idea and James May’s ‘Things You Need to Know About Einstein’, and has presented online podcasts and pieces for HeadsqueezeTV.

During this lecture we will find out how the reaction that powers the sun could provide a clean energy source for the future. This exciting, interactive talk builds on everyday physics to explain ground breaking research.

We will discuss:  The physics behind the fusion reaction that powers the sun;  How physicists are trying to replicate the fusion reaction in massive experiments at places such as JET, the world’s largest nuclear fusion experiment at Culham  The potential for harnessing the energy produced in the fusion reaction as a future alternative to fossil fuels.

With hands-on demonstrations we will explore the challenges of creating facilities that can withstand the high temperatures of the sun in order to create the fusion reaction on earth.

The lecture takes place on Thursday 1st May at The Royal Masonic School, Rickmansworth Park, Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire WD3 4HF, in the New Mark Hall. The lecture will begin at 6.30pm, with the opportunity to ask Dr Windridge questions at the end of the talk. Tea and Coffee will be served from 6.00pm. All are welcome, but this will be of particular interest to students in Years 9 and above.

If you would like to attend this event with your daughter/ward or friends please email [email protected] with the number of people attending .

Kind regards, Mrs Natalie Timoney Head of Science