Newsletter

August 2007 Former branch chair bids farewell As I prepare to hand over the representing more than 3024 The substantial financial committee. The IOP chair of the Institute of Physics students from across Ireland. contribution to SUPAII from the committee again thanks in Scotland committee to Entries have increased steadily eight participating universities Heather for her outstanding Prof. Julian Jones of Heriot-Watt every year for the past six is testament to the standing contributions to the success of University, I pause to reflect on years from 669 in 2001 to the of physics in Scottish higher the Stirling meeting. some developments that have record number in 2007. The education institutions. SUPA Following on from the highly taken place during the last year. aim of the BT Young Scientist has been good news for Scottish successful events held in 2006 One of the major highlights and Technology Exhibition is academic physics. I refer you to to mark the 175th anniversary of was the formation of an to attract more young people the editorial in the 28 June issue the birth of James Clerk Maxwell, Education Committee for to science by making it more of Nature. These are proving to IOP Scotland is, in partnership Scotland with terms of reference exciting, more accessible and be exciting times for physics with the University of Glasgow, and membership agreed by something that can be fun, and research in Scotland. supporting events to mark the IOP Council. The Curriculum to encourage them to take part At the September committee 100th anniversary of the death for Excellence website states: in the competition. meeting, Michael McVey of William Thomson, Lord Kelvin. “Scotland is currently pursuing The Science and Technology presented a report on the In 1846, when he was only 22 its biggest education reform Matters team of Careers 32nd Stirling Physics Meeting, years old, Thomson accepted the programme for a generation Scotland visited Dublin in which was held in May 2006. chair of natural philosophy at under the Scottish Executive’s January 2007 to see the The event attracted a record the University of Glasgow, which Ambitious, Excellent Schools exhibition first hand. The team number of 275 attendees. The he filled for 53 years, attaining agenda. The Curriculum for has been set up to address the 33rd Stirling Physics Meeting recognition as one of the Excellence is central to this serious decline in people going was held in early June this year greatest of his time. reform agenda. At its heart, into science and technology by and, although the numbers The Kelvin stone in Glasgow’s it is the programme of work supporting and reinforcing the attending were slightly down Victorian Necropolis cemetery that is reviewing the current national science and technology on the previous two years, the is currently being restored. The curriculum. It aims to provide programmes, and developing quality of the programme was Institute has made a contribution more freedom for teachers, additional resources to fill undiminished. The morning to the cost of restoration. greater choice and opportunity observed gaps in the provision session was, as usual, an An event will be held at the for pupils and a single coherent for pupils, teachers, parents equal mixture of physics and Necropolis on 17 December, the curriculum for all young people and the public. They will also physics education, while the 100th anniversary of Kelvin’s aged 3–18.” set up a steering group, which afternoon’s lecture presented death, to mark the completion of It is important that the will be tasked with coordinating physics and its applications at the restoration. Institute is well informed outreach activity. They are the frontiers of knowledge. The In June 2006 the IOP Scotland about Scottish developments hoping that Young Scientist will education elements focused on committee decided not to in education to enable it to be a centrepiece activity of this the Curriculum for Excellence offer the Paperclip Physics take a proactive role when group. Current expectations are – both the latest developments Competition in Scotland, after appropriate. The Education that the Scottish Exhibition will and one school’s attempt to the uptake from schools had Committee for Scotland be launched during 2008. implement its philosophy. Four been disappointingly low. is chaired by Prof. Julian The Scottish Universities of the five Higher and Advanced The Institute will now offer Jones, who will report on Physics Alliance (SUPA), Higher Physics prizewinners, a new national competition, developments in Scotland to the established in November 2004, their parents and their teachers SciCast, which will be run IOP Education Board. is now seeking a second round attended the meeting. in collaboration with Planet Our national officer, Alison of funding. For the first time, The Stirling Physics Meeting Science and the Engineering McLure, has been largely SUPAII will include physics is the jewel in the crown of IOP and Technology Board. Details responsible for raising colleagues from the universities Scotland activities and is the of the new competition will awareness within the Scottish of Aberdeen and , in envy of other IOP branches. reach schools soon. Dr Carol Executive of the Institute’s addition to the original six Our thanks again go to Michael Trager-Cowan, an IOP objective to promote a Young partners from the universities McVey and his team for their Scotland committee member, Scientist Exhibition in Scotland, of Glasgow, Edinburgh, Heriot- enthusiasm and dedication, will act as the contact with along the lines of the hugely Watt, Strathclyde, Paisley which result, year after year, in IOP headquarters for the successful Irish exhibition. and . A proposal, a very exciting meeting and one organisation of the competition The BT Young Scientist and involving an investment of circa that is highly appreciated by in Scotland. Technology Exhibition 2007 £50 million, will be submitted physics teachers in Scotland. One of the important roles broke all previous records, to the Scottish Funding Council Heather Reid has decided to of the committee is to support with 1278 projects entered, within the next few weeks. stand down from the organising events and,

Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007  during the last year, we have be posted on the IOP Scotland relation to physics outreach. receptive to suggestions about continued to support a diverse branch’s website. Finally, IOP Scotland is very how we might improve our range of them. We welcome Our outreach representative, much aware of the need to interactions with members so, applications for grants for such Dr Gillian Lang from the engage with physics students, if you have any ideas, do share activities. We have recently Glasgow Science Centre, has with schools, with Institute them with us. agreed a set of guidelines for represented IOP Scotland at the members working in all areas Robert Chapman Former chair outreach funding applications first of a series of meetings at of employment and with those of the Institute of Physics in to give more transparency to the IOP headquarters to exchange members who have retired from Scotland Committee, robert. application process. These will ideas and share best practice in full-time employment. We are [email protected] Senior members socialise in style The Lunchtime Rendezvous at the University of Glasgow on 23 January 2007 was particularly successful, with an attendance of 26 people – two more than the official capacity of the Melville Room and a further two cheques having to be returned due to oversubscription. The lecture, entitled “The School kids have Runaway Universe” and given fun studying our by Dr Martin Hendry of the Department of Physics and variable weather Astronomy, University of Glasgow, gave an overview of On 20 or 27 March 2007 at astronomical research past and 11.30 a.m., primary schools in present. Using a data projector The Edinburgh social (left to right): Steven Johre, John Brindley, Scotland participated in the he conveyed the excitement Alison McLure, Janet Higinbotham and Dr John Higinbotham. Weather Watch Challenge by of current investigations. measuring cloud cover and Afterwards Dr Hendry provided School of Engineering at the Building, University of Glasgow temperature, and uploading the details of the website (www. . on Tuesday 22 January; at the their observations to the astro.gla.ac.uk/users/martin/ Using a data projector and Clubhouse, Daniel Stewart’s dedicated website. The recorded presentations/) for those who high-quality speakers, Prof. and Melville College, Inverleith observations have been plotted wish to pursue this subject. Roulston gave an exciting and Playing Fields, 525 Ferry Road, on a map, which can be viewed Dr John McCormick, chairman brilliantly illustrated description Edinburgh on Wednesday atweather-watch-scotland.com. of the Scottish Association for of radar development. Film 19 March; and, for the first More than 100 primary Public Transport, presented clips showing some of the time, at the Maritime Museum, schools took part in the project, the lecture “Transport, energy pioneers in radar development Aberdeen in October. covering 27 of the 32 local and the environment from a were particularly interesting. More details, including authority areas. The challenge ’s perspective”, giving The crucial step by Randle and the names of speakers, will was partly designed by the a detailed analysis of the cost: Boot of solving the instability be included in a later issue Institute’s national officer for benefit ratio of various forms of problem of the multicavity of this newsletter. Booking Scotland in partnership with transport. One surprising result magnetron was carefully forms, menus and prices, will Careers Scotland. It was an was the very high fuel cost per explained. be available on our website opportunity for primary school passenger associated with some John Brindley, director of (iop.org/activity/branches/ pupils to monitor changes island ferry services in Scotland. membership at the Institute, Scotland/) and will be sent in the weather and see what The talks were followed by then talked about “The role to senior members in the the weather was like all over a tour of the chapel by Tommy of members in elections and Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh Scotland on one particular day. Kane and a four-course seated registrations”. Of particular and Glasgow areas. The event served as a gentle lunch in the Melville Room. interest was the role that retired Suggestions are welcome introduction to observational A second Lunchtime members can have as members for topics and speakers for science and meteorology for Rendezvous, attended by 20 of the various panels, such as the Lunchtime Rendezvous or school pupils. It is hoped that members and guests, was held the Fellowship Panel. other Seniors Group activities. teachers will be able to build at the Clubhouse in Edinburgh The talks were followed by Contact Dr John Higinbotham, on this in the future. Links have on 21 March 2007. The lecture an excellent four-course seated Seniors Group Coordinator, The been added to the website so entitled “Waves in war: the lunch in the Clubhouse. Institute of Physics in Scotland, that pupils and teachers can technology of enemy and allied Three Lunchtime Rendezvous 12 (1F2) Bruntsfield Gardens, investigate the subject s of radar in WW2”, was given by for members and partners are Edinburgh EH10 4EA. weather and climate further. Prof. John Roulston, industrial being planned for 2008: at the John Higinbotham john. Alison McLure professor of electronics in the Melville Room, Gilbert Scott [email protected] Check out our website at http://scotland.iop.org

 Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007 Branch can offer Branch event: environmental talks, funding for your the AGM, RSS Discovery and dinner physics projects The Institute of Physics in The Institute of Physics in Scotland held a day of talks Scotland actively encourages about environmental physics, its members and others to followed by the AGM and communicate exciting aspects dinner on 2 June 2007. The day and applications of physics was held at Discovery Point in to a wide audience. Its grant Dundee. This was an excellent scheme is designed to give venue with an exhibition about financial support of up to £2000 Antarctica and Royal Research to individuals and organisations Ship Discovery to entertain that are running physics-based those not so interested in events and activities. environmental physics. Thirsty work: the branch organized a varied and stimulating event. Examples of events that Prof. Arthur Cracknell, we’ve funded are highlighted recently retired from the algal blooms. Dr Paul Williams and was used by Capt. Scott in most branch newsletters. For , started of the IOP Environmental on a remarkable Antarctic example, the NASA evening at with a talk on fossil fuels, global Physics Group finished off expedition from 1902 to 1904. Glasgow Science Centre (p7) warming and the threat to our the environmental part of the The ship was built especially was part-funded by the branch. way of life. He took us skillfully day with a passionate lecture for research purposes and, as The aim of the grant scheme through the evidence behind entitled “Climate change and physicists, we were particularly is to encourage and support the climate change and the dangers the Gulf Stream”. The discussion interested in the experiments development of projects that: that it presents to the current centred on the chances of the of the ship’s physicist, Louis ● raise public awareness of, and way we live our lives. Dr Mhairi Gulf Stream slowing down and Bernacchi. His work included engagement with, contemporary Coyle of the Centre for Ecology what effects this might have on magnetic measurements, physics; and Hydrology provided more the climate of the UK. auroral observations and ● inspire and enthuse young detail with her talk, entitled Those who didn’t need to be seismic recordings, and the people, especially those not “Tropospheric ozone: pollutant involved in the branch AGM were results were published by the previously interested in physics; and greenhouse gas”. invited to a special showing of Royal Geographical Society. ● develop individuals’ Lunch was followed by the Magic Planet at Sensation, We returned to dry land for a communication skills; another excellent presentation Dundee’s Science Centre. In feast far better than that enjoyed ● reach audiences beyond the on the physics of marine remote the meantime the AGM was by Scott’s men on the ship. classroom and workplace. sensing. Dr Alex Cunningham efficiently dealt with so that Thank you to the 50 or so people The committee has developed of the University of Strathclyde everyone attending could enjoy who attended the talks, AGM, guidelines for these grants and outlined the work that he is a tour of Discovery. dinner or a combination of these. encourages members to see doing to monitor and model The ship was built in Dundee Alison McLure if their ideas can attract our funding. Further details and an application form can be found on the IOP Scotland website What is the SNP’s plan for science? (iop.org/activity/branches/ The Scottish National Party assured training opportunities to develop a Scottish skills Scotland/index.html) or won the election in May by the throughout their working lives; strategy, which will “outline our obtained from Alison McLure. narrowest of margins. Clearly ● provide an additional aims, ambitions and plans for Alison McLure alison.mclure@ there will be constitutional £10 million for cutting-edge making Scotland’s skills base iop.org ramifications from the result, research; truly world class”, as announced but what is the future for science ● refocus the Enterprise by Fiona Hyslop, the Cabinet under the new administration? network to provide a more Secretary for Education and Career tool helps The SNP manifesto 2007 streamlined service for the Lifelong Learning. you plan future mentioned science in a few Scottish business community The Institute will reply to that contexts and promised to: and support key industries, consultation when it is issued. The Institute has launched a ● provide new measures to such as tourism. Get in touch if you have any free online tool that allows you support innovation and extend These promises were before ideas about what should be in to identify your professional access to vocational skills; the election, so what has the such a strategy. development needs and to ● ensure no new nuclear power SNP said that it will do now that There has been no talk, as yet, plan and record new learning. stations are built in Scotland; it is governing the country? The of its other manifesto promises, You can also use it to plan your ● put science and technology SNP-led administration has but these are early days and a progress towards (along with modern languages) already stated in Parliament comprehensive spending review status. It is supported by at the heart of the curriculum; that it doesn’t want nuclear is coming soon. comprehensive help materials ● introduce a Scottish science power stations in Scotland. The Institute will keep an eye and information sheets (e.g. baccalaureate (as well as a It has also said, in general on what is happening and try to “choosing a quality training Scottish modern language terms, that it will support keep members informed. Let us provider” and “Web 2.0 for baccalaureate); innovation, science and know if you have any burning professional development”. See ● focus the skills agenda so that research, but it hasn’t stated issues that you would like us to members.iop.org for details. people of all ages have access specifically how it will achieve lobby on. Stephanie Richardson stephanie. to relevant, valued and quality- this. That said, it intends Alison McLure [email protected]

Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007  Why should we remember Kelvin? A large audience gathered in back the theory of electricity. Glasgow University’s newest Even after discovering the lecture theatre – the Sir Charles electron, J J Thomson (no Wilson Building – on 30 April relation) regarded the electrical to hear the gifted lecturer theory of matter, which led to and historian of science, modern quantum mechanics, Prof. Andrzej Wroblewski, give as inferior to Kelvin’s “vortex his lecture “Lord Kelvin, a look atoms” theory. Kelvin across a century”. declared in 1896 that he had Prof. Wroblewski is a former failed to overcome Fourier’s (principal) of the threshold. He could account University of Warsaw. His fields mathematically for many of research are high-energy things but had not broken the physics and the history of The £100 note issued by the Clydesdale Bank for the anniversary. barrier into, for example, the physics. He is the author of nature of the chemical bond. several books and his recent name and in 1849 he reanalysed this preceded the internet by In the last decade of his life, Historia Fizyki (“History of Carnot’s heat engine. 140 years and shrank the world new phenomena broke into his Physics”) topped the list of Kelvin was seized by Fourier’s as never before. On the way world – the electron, X-rays, bestsellers on Merlin.pl (the book. He showed that heat flow he invented such necessaries radioactivity. This was a task for Polish equivalent of Amazon). could be analysed by integral as a device for measuring the a new generation. He holds three honorary calculus and a huge range of (unknown) depth of the ocean Thomson was the first degrees, including one from the useful predictions made without and the first inkjet printer (for scientist to be made a lord. University of Glasgow. knowing what heat actually recording the signals with His life was characterised by William Thomson – Lord Kelvin is. This opened up the whole minimal power demands.) boundless energy – enough – was the dominating figure in subject of the properties of Kelvin entered the to keep a whole laboratory of science in the second half of the continuous media to calculation controversy in evolution and assistants jumping, to write 19th century. He was buried in and underpinned the later geology on the ages of the Sun 661 scientific papers and to Westminster Abbey next to Isaac development of electromagnetic and the Earth. He introduced establish 75 patents. A modern Newton, where a nave window theory by Maxwell. correct logic for the first time, equivalent might be Richard pays tribute to him as “Engineer. Kelvin was a key player in looking at all known sources Feynman. Both were brilliant Natural Philosopher”. the establishment of the law of energy supply for the Sun mathematical physicists and Yet in 1999 he did not make of conservation of energy and and the progressive cooling of problem solvers. Both made it into the top 10 physicists of the first and second laws of the Earth to arrive at a figure of major contributions to many all time in two independent thermodynamics (as he named around 25 million years, which areas of physics, had a wide surveys, which were dominated the subject in 1851). These alarmed Darwinists because interest in other areas and were by 20th-century physicists and are epic ideas so embedded it allowed insufficient time inspirational teachers. included only Newton, Galileo in the whole of science and for evolution. But he pointed If we are to look for one thing and Maxwell from earlier times. engineering that we tend to take out that new energy sources to remember him by, scientists So what did this man achieve, them for granted. would extend this. These might pick the absolute scale he who at age 10 was Glasgow were discovered much later of temperature as Kelvin’s University’s youngest-ever Heat is work and work is heat – nuclear fusion for the Sun and crowning achievement. student, at age 75 was its They have been stated in radioactive decay for the Earth. Members of the public might oldest, and during his 53 popular form in many ways Kelvin had many students. opt for the telegraph cable years as professor there was – from the Flanders and Swann Gerhard Phillips came from across the ocean. To quote knighted and enobled and made song (“Heat is work and work is Eindhoven to learn how to make Alexander Russell (1912, five a fortune, most notably from heat, and, heat won’t flow from light bulbs (Kelvin’s house was years after Kelvin’s death on intercontinental submarine a colder to a hotter, you can try the first on Earth to be fully lit 17 December 1907): “His work telegraph cables and the it if you like but you’d far better by electricity). Smoluchowsky lives and will continue to live. To compass for iron ships? not to”) to “You can’t win, and came from Poland; Tanakadate him it has been given to make Thomson was born in Belfast you can’t even break even.” from Japan. The latter was the history which will live so long in 1824. His father became Modern science lives from these father of Japanese geosciences as intelligent man survives on professor of mathematics principles and perpetual motion (a crucial study in a land of this Earth. As the years roll in Glasgow and at 10 years machines are thus banished to earthquakes), the first person to on, our indebtedness to him old William matriculated at the realms of fantasy. use Roman letters for Japanese increases.” These words are not the university there. He read Kelvin introduced along the words and the first Japanese inappropriate for the scale of Fourier’s neglected Theory way words like “potential” and person to own a typewriter. Kelvin’s achievements. of Heat at 16 years old before “kinetic” – things that every Kelvin famously said that he There are a number of going to study at Cambridge. In school child learns today. was never content with a theory centenary events planned 1846 he worked in Regnault’s Between 1858 and 1866 until he had a mechanical model throughout the rest of the lab in Paris before moving he laid the first transatlantic of it, and Glasgow University’s year. For further details, see back to Glasgow to become telegraph cable. This was a Hunterian Museum store is full the calendar of events in this professor of natural philosophy challenge and an adventure, of his models. This served him newsletter or on the website at at the university. In 1848 he pushing forward the limits well for many years but failed physics.gla.ac.uk/misc/Kelvin established the absolute scale of of technology. With packet when he was confronted by Centenary2007/index.html. temperature that now bears his switched digital encoding electromagnetism, and held David Saxon

 Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007 Scottish physicists get awards in recognition of their contributions Congratulations go to a number Holly Batchelor of Scottish physicists who have We are extremely pleased to achieved remarkable things. announce that Holly Batchelor, 18, from the Mary Erskine Tom Balanowski School, Edinburgh, has scooped First to Tom Balanowski, a three prizes at the prestigious physics teacher from Linlithgow Intel International Science and Academy and an IOP teacher Engineering Fair (ISEF), held last network coordinator, who week in Albuquerque, US. becomes an OBE for services to Holly’s project investigating education in West Lothian. cosmic rays – high-energy particles that travel close to the Michael Cates and John Peacock speed of light – received much The Institute also congratulates interest throughout the week at two new fellows of the Royal ISEF and can be seen on YouTube Society, both of whom are (www1.the-ba.net/ypp/ physicists working in Scotland: sciencefairvideo.asp). It won her Prof. Michael Elmhirst Cates the following three prizes: and Prof. John Andrew Peacock. ● first award in the physics and On 17 May, 44 new fellows astronomy category ($3000); and eight foreign members ● an Agilent Technologies paid were elected from the fields summer internship; of science, engineering and ● a certificate of honourable technology. Fellows are elected merit from the American for their contributions to Association of Physics Teachers science, both in fundamental and the American Physical research resulting in greater Society. understanding, and in leading This was a fine achievement, and directing scientific and especially considering that technological progress physics and astronomy was the in industry and research Holly Batchelor in front of her Cosmic Rain project in Albuquerque. second most popular category, establishments. with 117 projects in total and Prof. Michael Cates is and the large-scale distribution from which blue, green and only 32 of these being carried professor of natural philosophy of galaxies. He has also been white LEDs, and blue laser out by girls. We are very proud in the School of Physics at the influential in inspiring young diodes are manufactured. of Holly and delighted that University of Edinburgh. He researchers in cosmology. Prof. Andrew Hamnett, her CREST project allowed her is renowned for his theories principal of the university, said: to be part of such an exciting of surfactant aggregates, Carol Trager-Cowan “Carol is strongly committed to international event. polymers, colloids and other Dr Carol Trager-Cowan is a public engagement activities Two UK students also won soft materials. His work has physicist who has inspired and it is hard to overstate the three awards between them given new insight into the thousands of people to take importance of this side of her in the engineering categories, flow and aging of emulsions, an interest in science and work. She embodies useful including a first award in the foams and other “soft technology. She has been learning, making often complex electrical and mechanical glassy materials”. He has named Strathclyder of the Year concepts understandable engineering category. made important advances by the University of Strathclyde. to young people, which will Congratulations to former in simulation methods to Senior lecturer Dr Trager- undoubtedly have a positive CREST gold winner Andrew study fluid demixing and has Cowan received the honour impact on the future of science Nowell and to David Badger developed new methods to for her dedication to bringing education and research.” for their successes in these predict the yielding and flow science out of the labs and into Dr Trager-Cowan is heavily categories. More information of colloids, and to address the the street to engage school involved with a number of is available from Young physics of jamming. pupils and the general public. influential science groups and Engineers on these engineering Prof. John Peacock is Her outreach projects include projects, including the SQA achievements. professor of cosmology at uncovering Glasgow’s scientific Physics Subject Advisory Group; These awards illustrate the the Institute for Astronomy at heritage on tours of the city; the Institute of Physics; the strength and potential of young the University of Edinburgh. helping kids to get to grips with Glasgow Science, Technology, people in the UK in both science He is recognised for his physics by enabling them to Engineering and Maths (STEM) and engineering and give us significant contributions to our create indoor lighting, rainbows Partnership Committee; all a further incentive to work understanding of the cosmic and silicon chips; and giving and the Glasgow and West of together to create a high-profile evolution of extragalactic radio organising talks on science. Scotland Branch of the British national celebration for these sources, the role of gravitational Her research includes the Association; and the Science talented young people. lensing in mapping dark matter study of nitride semiconductors, Circus project. Roland Jackson

Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007  L ab in a Lo rr y Lab in a lorry reaches n e e ds yo u Are you nterested in communicating science to young people? Why not volunteer for Lab in a Lorry? parts other labs can’t We have plenty of events in Scotland, many of which will In April, Lab in a Lorry teamed be in your area. Many of our up with science and technology previous volunteers surprised company QinetiQ to deliver a themselves by how good they tour in and around their sites are with children. in Fife, the Isle of Skye (Eilean Full training will be provided a’ Cheò) and the Western Isles and you can either stick to the (Eilean Siar), with more than one experiment for the day or 1400 children visiting the lab. try out the others. The three Lab in a Lorry is a hands-on experiments we currently have working lab, staffed by are on resonance, viscosity practising physicists and and surface tensions, and engineers, with the aim of scattering. enthusing the next generation of If you’re interested in physicists. It’s aimed at becoming a volunteer, contact 11–14-year-olds and is a Ian Cuthbert (e-mail ian. partnership between the [email protected]). Institute of Physics, the Schlumberger Foundation Lab in a Lorry dates for 2007 and the Offshore Training 22 August Foundation. Perth Grammar School, As one of the largest Perthshire employers of physicists in the 23–24 August UK, QinetiQ was well placed to Kinross High School, provide volunteers, particularly Perthshire for these remote places. 27 August Volunteers for the Fife tour Top: Lab in a Lorry boarding the Skye ferry. Bottom: Fife pupils Kingussie High School, came from QinetiQ’s Rosyth site doing experiments on impact testing (left) and resonance (right). Perthshire and were involved in the visits 30–31 August to Queen Anne High School, volunteers from QinetiQ’s site impact on the islands. It is the Grantown Grammar School, St Columbas RC High School, at the Kyle of Lochalsh. The lab remote communities that benefit Granton-on-Spey Inverkeithing High School, then went east back to Fife, most from these projects.” 3–4 September Dunfermline High School and stopping at Kirkcaldy High Murdo Macdonald, project Meldrum Academy, Woodmill High School. These School and finishing off at Beith manager at QinetiQ, said: Oldmeldrum, Aberdeenshire visits were given an additional High School, Cowdenbeath. “We are all really enthusiastic 5 September boost when local MP for Again, volunteers came from about promoting science and Alford Academy, Dunfermline, Willie Rennie, QinetiQ’s Rosyth site. technology and delighted that Aberdeenshire came to see the lab in action. By the end of this tour, Lab in the lab toured Scotland. Our 6 September The lorry then went west a Lorry had had more than 1400 volunteers on the lab were all Westhill Academy, to Plockton High School near children visit, many coming from scientists or engineers who Aberdeenshire the Isle of Skye. This visit was some of the most remote areas work at our Scottish sites 10 September staffed by volunteers from of Scotland. and they were all very excited Harlaw Academy, Aberdeen QinetiQ’s BUTEC site at the Kyle Ian Cuthbert, programme about taking science into the 11–12 September of Lochalsh. manager for Lab in a Lorry, said: community.” Portlethen Academy, After quickly packing up, the “This recent tour of Scotland Lab in a Lorry now has funding Aberdeenshire lab arrived in Uig just in time to has shown Lab in a Lorry at its to operate one lab in Scotland 13 September catch the ferry to Lochmaddy in best. Having mobility has given and will be touring the country Carnoustie High School, North Uist. From there it visited us the opportunity to reach the for the rest of the year. In Angus Sgoil Paible, North Uist, Sgoil unreachable by sending the lab addition to the dates listed here, 17–18 September Daliburgh, South Uist and Sgoil to the Western Isles of Scotland. the lab is planning a west coast Monifieth High School, Lionaclete, Benbecula. All of the In conjunction with QinetiQ we tour in and around Glasgow Monifieth, Angus volunteers came from QinetiQ’s delivered quite possibly the for the whole of October and 19 September range site in Benbecula, some best tour yet, with hundreds a tour of Edinburgh, Lothian , Dundee of whom communicated their of children taking part. The and Borders for the whole of 20 September science to the children in Gaelic children, and the islanders in November. High School of Dundee After the Western Isles tour, general, really appreciated us Further information about 24–25 September the lab went back on the ferry going all that way. Interestingly the Lab in a Lorry project is Thurso High School, Caithness and got to the mainland in time there was also a mobile cinema available from the website 27–28 September for a two-day visit to Portree when we were there, so clearly atlabinalorry.org.uk. Wick High School, Caithness High School, again using mobile units are having an Ian Cuthbert [email protected]

 Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007 Visitors from outer space attend space school

Every year the Careers Scotland sleepover and the Tomorrow’s astronauts talked to a packed very open and humorous in their Scottish Space School holds a Inventors final. They also visit in IMAX theatre at Glasgow replies. The feedback was “out Science and Enterprise Festival excess of 20 000 pupils in their Science Centre. They told us of this world” being described in June. During a fortnight a schools around Scotland. about their inspiring journey in as educational, inspirational, number of NASA personnel visit The Careers Scotland focus is the shuttle to the International motivating and enjoyable. and tour Scotland. The NASA on the formal education system. Space Station in 2006 and The event was a joint venture guests, including a number of However, there is tremendous also talked about the training between IOP Scotland, Careers astronauts, attend a variety of interest in aeronautics and involved before reaching that Scotland and the Glasgow events, such as the residential space science among the point. The astronauts answered Science Centre. summer school, teacher CPD general public. As a result, two questions at the end and were Alison McLure If you want to contribute an article to the next issue of this newsletter e-mail alison [email protected]

institute of physics in scotland committee members 2007 Chair Outreach coordinator Seniors Group coordinator Julie Macdonald Prof. Julian Jones Dr Gillian Lang Dr John Higinbotham Stewart’s Melville Heriot-Watt University E-mail john.higinbotham@ E-mail [email protected] E-mail [email protected] Tayside local-area coordinator physics.org Dr David Keeble Co-opted members Vice-chair University of Dundee Education officer Ann Griggs (student representative) Prof. Andrew Long E-mail [email protected] Tom Dickson Michael McVey (Stirling contact) Ronna Montgomery Honorary secretary St Andrews local-area coordinator Ordinary members Bob Kibble Iain Ross Dr Bruce Sinclair Prof. Alan Walker Prof. Derryck Reid E-mail [email protected] E-mail b.d.sinclair@st-andrews. Dr Carol Trager-Cowan Past chair (and Glasgow local-area Honorary treasurer (and Grampian ac.uk Iain Glennie coordinator) local-area coordinator) Uddingston Grammar School Prof. Bob Chapman Dr Alistair Flett Edinburgh local-area coordinator E-mail iglennie@uddingston. University of Paisley E-mail [email protected] Prof. Derryck Reid s-lanark.sch.uk E-mail chap-ph0@wpmail. paisley.ac.uk Business, industry and engineering IOP national officer for Scotland Prof. Duncan Hand coordinator Alison McClure Heriot-Watt University NEXUS representative Stephen McGeoch E-mail [email protected] E-mail [email protected] Leila Sattary

Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007  calendar of events september 2007 – January 2008 An up-to-date listing of Institute body – and to treat them. Laser Chair. Programme details are different types of memory, of Physics in Scotland meetings light can get almost anywhere available online (www.iop. and identifying the neural can be obtained by searching on using thin fibres passed through org/Conferences/Forthcoming_ mechanisms that support the Scotland at whatson.iop.org flexible telescopes or even just Institute_Conferences/KEL07/ experience of remembering. down needles. It can be used to event_9067.html).To register To try to divide memory into Monday 17 September 2007 destroy abnormal tissue in many interest, contact Claire Garland its constituent parts, and to Schools’ Lecture Series sites. Above all, with no open (tel 020 7470 4800; e-mail understand the way in which Light Fantastic: the Science of surgery and safe healing, it’s a [email protected]). the brain supports memory, we Colour simple and gentle approach for can use brain-imaging methods. St Andrews University treating an increasing range of Thursday 15 November 2007 These probe the pattern of brain 10.00 a.m. conditions. History of Physics Conference activity whilse people perform Talk by Dr Pete Vukusic, School Glasgow University memory tasks. Neuro-imaging of Physics, Exeter University. Tuesday 6 November 2007 Organised by Denis Weaire. techniques (functional magnetic Contact Lesley Aitken (tel Pie in the Sky – Scotland’s Space Sponsored by the Institute resonance imaging and 01334 463100; e-mail physics@ Satellites of Physics and the European event-related potentials) can st-andrews.ac.uk). Glasgow Science Centre Physical Society. be used to identify a network of 7.00 p.m. brain regions in the frontal and Tuesday 18 September 2007 Talk by Dr Craig Clark of Clyde Tuesday 20 November 2007 parietal cortices that are active Schools’ Lecture Series Space in Glasgow on space as Forests and Physics when people remember events Light Fantastic: the Science of the final frontier. Is it too far a Glasgow Science Centre from the past. This talk explores Colour frontier for Scotland to have 7.00 p.m. where this fascinating subject Aberdeen any input into? Your average Talk by Dr Ronnie Milne from might take our understanding of Talk by Dr Pete Vukusic, School Scot might think so, but a the Centre for Ecology and our own minds. of Physics, Exeter University. change of mindset to “can do” Hydrology, Edinburgh. He will Contact Alistair Flett (tel 01651 would be enough to make space explain how physics can help us Monday 17 December 2007 891620; e-mail amflett@ innovation and exploration part to understand the fascinating Schools’ Lecture Series hotmail.com). of Scotland’s proud heritage of and intricate world of the forest Lord Kelvin engineering achievement. ecosystem. Edinburgh University Wednesday 19 September 2007 In fact, a small company in Dr Milne will look at methods Lecture by Johnny Ball. Schools’ Lecture Series Glasgow has already started for describing how water moves Sponsored by the Royal Society Light Fantastic: the Science of down the road of defying the from the soil through tree trunks of Edinburgh and IOP Scotland. Colour doubters. Clyde Space plans to and out to the atmosphere. Heriot-Watt University have launched Scotland’s first Basic ideas from mechanics can Tuesday 18 December 2007 Talk by Dr Pete Vukusic, School satellite within two years. be used to describe the bending Schools’ Lecture Series of Physics, Exeter University. This first mission will fly a of trees in the wind. He will also Lord Kelvin 10.00 a.m. and 2.00 p.m. scientific payload, ScotSat‑1, look at how the carbon dioxide Glasgow University Contact Derryck Reid (tel 0131 from one of Scotland’s that is absorbed by trees from Lecture by Johnny Ball. 4513652; e-mail [email protected]. universities. It will bring the atmosphere is important Sponsored by the University of uk). together the efforts of students in predicting climate change Glasgow and IOP Scotland. and academics from Strathclyde – something that is becoming Thursday 20 September 2007 and Glasgow universities, ever more important in today’s Thursday 17 January 2008 Glasgow University in addition to an outreach carbon-conscious world. Joint IOP Scotland/IMechE Seminar Schools’ Lecture Series programme to get 5th- and 6th- – Is Renewable Energy Really Light Fantastic: the Science of year secondary-school students Thursday 6 December 2007 Sustainable? Colour involved in the design, build and Joint IOP Scotland/IMechE seminar Glasgow Caledonian University Talk by Dr Pete Vukusic, School launch of the satellite. – 3D Visualisation Talk by Ian Arbon. of Physics, Exeter University. There are many compelling House for an Art Lover, Glasgow 11.30 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. reasons for humanity to explore The branch newsletters are Contact Lucy Murray (tel 0141 and exploit space. It is hoped Tuesday 11 December 2007 published by IOP Publishing, 3304707; e-mail l.murray@ that ScotSat-1 will stimulate Unravelling the Secrets of the Brain Dirac House, Temple Back, Bristol physics.gla.ac.uk). interest in the science and Glasgow Science Centre BS1 6BE, UK. technology that go into a space 7.00 p.m. ©2007 Institute of Physics in Tuesday 2 October 2007 mission, leading to a higher Talk by Dr David Donaldson Scotland Light for the Firm but Gentle take-up of technology subjects from the University of Stirling Control of Disease in schools and universities. about memory. How can you Printed by Warners (Midlands) plc, Glasgow Science Centre Clark will discuss the challenges remember your past so vividly Bourne, Lincolnshire, UK. 7.00p.m. of designing and launching that it is almost as if you are The contents of this newsletter Talk by Prof. Stephen Bown, a satellite and the plans for reliving the experience? Despite do not necessarily represent the director of the National Medical Scotland’s first homegrown the fact that remembering views or policies of the Institute Laser Centre at the Royal Free space adventure. is fundamental to human of Physics, except where explicitly and professor at University experience and critical for stated. College Medical School Wednesday 14 November 2007 normal life, how it works The Institute of Physics, on medical imaging. Kelvin 2007 Conference remains one of the unexplained 76 Portland Place, London As medical imaging evolves, Kelvin Gallery, Glasgow mysteries of the human mind. W1B 1NT, UK. it becomes easier to understand University One important step towards Tel 020 7470 4800. the nature and extent of Chaired by Prof. David Saxon, understanding memory lies in Fax 020 7470 4848. localised diseases in the human current holder of the Kelvin clearly distinguishing between

 Institute of Physics in Scotland Newsletter • August 2007