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Polymers and plastics are becoming an increasing concern in the modern world. Come and learn how scientists try to find sustainable solutions to tackle this problem. Could meta-materials be the answer? Discover cutting edge research in the engineering of new materials that aren’t found in nature and learn about the amazing things they have the potential to do.
Metamaterials and the Science of Invisibility
Prof John Pendry
(Chair in Theoretical Solid State Physics at Imperial College London)
Recently, a new area of research has emerged from our ability to engineer materials with properties not found in nature, hence called metamaterials. These opportunities have led theorists to introduce new exotic concepts: we can now specify how to make a lens with potentially infinite resolution, guide light along a trajectory, avoiding objects and hiding them from sight.
Plastic, how fantastic?
Dr. Charles Romain
(Junior Research Fellow at Imperial College London)
Materials shape our history and our society. After stone, bronze and iron, are we now in the plastic age?
Polymers, fascinating large molecules which are the main ingredient of plastics, are literally everywhere in our daily life. They contribute to improving our quality of life but at the same time raise some environmental issues. This talk will be the opportunity to learn more about how researchers try to find sustainable solutions, in particular using renewable resources to make plastics that won’t cost us the earth.
Polymers, fascinating large molecules which are the main ingredient of plastics, are literally everywhere in our daily life. They contribute to improving our quality of life but at the same time raise some environmental issues. This talk will be the opportunity to learn more about how researchers try to find sustainable solutions, in particular using renewable resources to make plastics that won’t cost us the earth.
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