The Barlow Memorial Lecture 2019 and Research Poster Presentation

From Radar to 5G, how measurement science unlocks new applications

Dr Peter Thompson, CEO of the National Physical Laboratory (NPL)

Abstract

On World Metrology Day, 20th May 2019, the way in which measurement standards are defined was changed forever. The “redefinition of the kilogram” as it became known, even attracted national media interest. But “so what?” most people may ask? Why is this important?

In Dr Thompson’s presentation, he will outline, “from Radar to 5G”, how metrology has underpinned scientific breakthroughs that have had global impact, how measurement standards affect our daily lives, including his own career, and how emerging technologies such as Quantum are dependent on metrology for successful commercialisation, but have been shaping science and innovation for decades already.

The 2019 Barlow Memorial Lecturer: Dr Peter Thompson

Following a PhD in molecular electronics, Peter Thompson worked in trace analytical chemistry for the Defence Research Agency and Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. He held a variety of technical, project and programme roles before joining the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), where he undertook business unit leader and customer-facing roles in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for defence and security.

Peter became head of the Counter Terrorism Science and Technology Centre, before returning to Dstl as a Programme Director for Science and Technology. Following a period in the Ministry of Defence headquarters, where he joined the Senior Civil Service leading Science and Technology policy, Peter returned to Dstl as a Board Member and Deputy Chief Executive, responsible for corporate strategy, governance, strategic relationships, communications and human resources.

Peter took up his present role at NPL in September 2015 and has overseen the laboratories development and growth as a public corporation, solely owned by Government.

Programme

2.00pm Registration (South Cloisters). Research Poster Session (North and South Cloisters) and Technology Demonstrations (North Cloisters), Wilkins Building

3.30pm Drinks Reception - South Cloisters, Wilkins Building

5.00pm Lecture and Student Prizes - B304 LT1, Basement of the Cruciform Building

6.30pm Close

About the Barlow Memorial Lecture

The Barlow Lecture is held in memory of Harold Everard Monteagle Barlow (1899-1989) who was the Head of the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at UCL from 1950 to 1967. He invented the H01 millimetre waveguide and is remembered for his many contributions to microwave research for which he was awarded the IEE Kelvin and J J Thompson Premiums, the Faraday Medal, the URSI Dellinger Gold Medal and the IEEE Kelly Prize. This year's Lecture is for the third year in partnership with the UK's national institute for data science and artificial intelligence, the Alan Turing Institute.