Energy and the Environment -

the applications of surface analysis

Host: University of Bristol
Venue: At-Bristol, Harbourside, Bristol, BS1 5DB

Wednesday 13 January 2010

Programme | Registration | Accomodation | Travel

Synopsis

final meeting programme and abstracts (pdf)

As the global financial turmoil subsides, attention is turning to ways to ensure that future economic growth is based on greener and more sustainable principles. The environment therefore remains near the top of the agenda for the G-20 leaders, as demonstrated in their statement issued after the recent Pittsburgh summit.

As part of this policy, improved methods for energy generation, storage and conservation are continually being sought, owing to their dramatic implication for climate change and global warming. Science and technology will identify the problems and offer the solutions, and understanding the surface properties of materials is an essential part of the jigsaw. As a result, surface analysis by established and novel methods will continue to have a major role to play in both research into and practical implementation of cleaner technologies.

Our host, the Interface Analysis Centre (IAC) at the University of Bristol is a fully equipped technical centre specialising in just this type of surface and materials analysis. Operating successfully since 1990, it has a multi-million pound range of analytical instruments at its disposal. As well as consultancy and analysis focused on industrial problem solving, the IAC performs a wide range of research activities, both academic and commercial

The Meeting is being held at At-Bristol. Explore-At-Bristol is one of the UK's most exciting hands-on science centres, with interactive exhibits, special exhibitions, a planetarium show and a live science team for fun experiments and activities. A registered charity, Explore runs formal and informal learning programmes and aims to make science accessible to all.

At-Bristol is located on Bristol's historic Harbourside, in an innovative building incorporating a listed railway goods building built at the end of the 19th century. It is linked to the Harbourside waterfront and the city centre. There are cafés, restaurants and bars, and the open spaces feature public artworks including water and light features and sculptures. The public art has been themed around reflection and exploration to complement the rich architectural heritage of the site and to extend the themes of Explore by encouraging people to look at the world in a new way.

Attractions in the area include Brunel’s ss Great Britain (the first steam-powered ocean-going vessel with a screw propeller and iron hull), and the Arnolfini (a centre for contemporary arts featuring exhibitions, film, live art, dance, music and literature).