Energy on the agenda at materials science conference

The Armourers and Brasiers' Cambridge Forum, which will be held on Tuesday 12th June, will focus on how large-scale energy consumption can adapt in the face of growing pressure to cut CO2 emissions and reduce our dependence on finite natural resources.

The annual conference, which is held at the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy on the New Museums Site in central Cambridge, brings together key figures from industry and the academic world to showcase the latest achievements of materials science in the UK.

It is best known for the flagship Kelly lecture – an invited lecture given by one of the world's leading materials scientists on the event's central theme.

In keeping with this year's focus on energy consumption and the environment, this year's Kelly lecture will be on “Environmentally-informed material choice” and will be given by Professor Mike Ashby, from the Department of Engineering. Professor Ashby will discuss the different methods and tools that are being used to limit the damaging effects of human activity on the environment.

Further presentations will reveal how hydrogen storage technology is aiding efforts to create zero-emissions cars, the latest developments in solar energy conversion, and the challenges facing the aviation industry as it tries to cut greenhouse gas emissions.

The conference is supported by the Armourers and Brasiers' Livery Company – a UK charity supporting metallurgy and materials science in universities and schools – as well as 10 other sponsors.

Professor Lindsay Greer, head of the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy at the University of Cambridge, said: “It is accepted that rising CO2 emissions can lead to global warming and other environmental degradation, such as acidification, and that over-dependence on oil is unwise even if supplies can be maintained.

“The future sustainability of large scale energy consumption may therefore rest on our ability to reduce CO2 emissions, while the sustainability of large-scales materials consumption may depend on the increasing use of materials with low energy cost. Materials research has a vital role to play in developing solutions to this and the presentations at the forum will make that clear.”

A full programme for the forum can be seen by clicking the link to the right. Most places are taken, but registration is still possible and a form can be found by using the same link.