Knowledge Transfer Activities in Mathematics

• The UCL Science Centre runs lectures for 6th Form students and teachers. On 5 December 2008, Christian Böhmer gave a talk entitled Einstein’s Theory of Relativity. In this talk the basic principles of Einstein's theories of special relativity and general relativity were introduced. In the context of special relativity the famous twin paradox was discussed and its possible implications for time travel. After describing one of the buildings blocks of general relativity which is a four-dimensional spacetime that curves due to the presence of matter, specific solutions like black holes and wormholes were discussed. The final part of the lecture was about cosmology and topical issues like dark energy and dark matter.
  
  
• In July 2006 Helen Wilson participated in the week-long Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition, possibly the only mathematician to do so. As part of the interdisciplinary "Microscale Polymer Processing" project based on her research, she presented the exhibit "Puzzling Plastics", which engaged schoolchildren, scientists, members of parliament and the general public in a discussion of the way chemistry, physics, engineering and mathematics can be brought together to understand polymers.

• Much outreach or public awareness activity is also being performed by Steve Bishop and Robert Bowles with schools, through visits and talks. The department also hosts a Further Mathematics Centre.

• Similar activity in outreach and awareness is through the Lighthill Institute for Mathematical Sciences which is led by the department, e.g. school-university-interface events during National Science and Engineering Week. See http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lims/events/LIMS_Evening_Lectures_Notes/Science%20week%2012th%2007%20Poster.htm

• Nick Ovenden's work on sound transmission in aero-engine ducts, linking CFD with semi-analytical models in the far-field, has led to commercial software (Rolls-Royce, Free Field Technologies).

• Two Research Associate Industrial Secondments have been successfully funded and arranged, one for 2004-5 and one to come in 2008. Each is with QinetiQ at Farnborough and is for 6 months’ duration. Contact is Frank Smith.

• Numerous research projects at PhD or postdoctoral level are or have recently been jointly funded with industry concerning improving of food processing and aircraft safety limits in particular. Contact is Frank Smith.

• The department also has close and fruitful links with QinetiQ at Fort Halstead, specifically through a Royal Society Industry Fellowship for John Curtis during 2006-2010.

• Liaison with a wide range of Industry is continuing to take place through the Knowledge Transfer Network for Industrial Mathematics. Contact is Frank Smith.

• The department has productive close links with the Met Office, including funding of PhD projects and a joint staff appointment. Contact is Mick Davey.

• A Research Associate Industrial Secondment under the Knowledge Transfer Network in wave generation and propagation at QinetiQ in Farnborough for 6 months in 2010-2011. Contact is Ted Johnson.

This page was last modified on May 6, 2010 by Helen Higgins