U3A at the Ri: Space, chemistry and powering our future

Join us at the Ri for an afternoon of talks on subjects ranging from twin science to space exploration! (Tea and coffee included if you attend in person).

Mark Sumner: Electric motors and the future of our energy

On 3 September 1821, Michael Faraday invented the electric motor at the Royal Institution. It revolutionised the world and 200 years later, they are still in use today. Discover how the electric motor helped us develop technology and where will it lead when it comes to much-needed renewable energy.

Rebecca Smethurst: Supermassive blackholes

When we think of black holes, we often think of them as endless hoovers, sucking up anything around them. The reality is, it’s very difficult to grow a black hole and to get matter close enough to that point of no return. Most matter will happily orbit a black hole. Just like the Earth orbits the Sun, the Sun orbits a supermassive black hole at the centre of the Milky Way over 4 million times more massive than the Sun itself.

Dan Plane: Dazzling demonstrations

We’ll end the day by celebrating 40 years of U3A events, and the first event at the Ri in 3 years, the only way we know how. Join our Head of Demonstrations for 30 minutes of spectacular science demonstrations covering the world of chemistry. Expect lots of colours, chemicals and the occasional bang.

Biographies

Rebecca Smethurst is an astrophysicist at the University of Oxford and star of astronomy-themed YouTube channel Dr Becky. Her current research is trying to answer the question 'how do galaxies and black holes evolve together?'. Her YouTube channel, Dr Becky, where each week she explains either an unsolved mystery, a weird object found in space or general space news with an unnatural level of enthusiasm, has over 200,000 subscribers (and counting!). Her debut public science book ‘Space: 10 things you should know’ was named one of Sky at Night Magazine’s top 20 books of 2019.

Mark Sumner received his degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from Leeds University in 1986 and then worked for Rolls Royce Ltd in Ansty, UK. Moving to the University of Nottingham, he completed his PhD in induction motor drives in 1990, and after working as a research assistant, was appointed Lecturer in October 1992. He is now Professor of Electrical Energy Systems. His research interests cover control of power electronic systems including sensorless motor drives, diagnostics and prognostics for drive systems, power electronics for enhanced power quality and novel power system fault location strategies. Mark is a member of the Power Electronics, Machines and Control research group.

Dan Plane repeatedly fell in and out of love with science across his education but realised the importance of inspiring and engaging science education for young people. After gaining experience working in primary schools, particularly with children with additional learning needs, he cut his science communication teeth at the Science Museum in London and is now Head of Demonstrations at the Royal Institution. He hopes to inspire children to follow science paths, families to try science demos at home, teachers to engage their pupils with exciting demos and investigations, and help adults enjoy science as entertainment.

Photo credit: Paul Clarke

u3a Explores Science at the Ri