Confessions of a Curator #7

Just back from a research visit from the Science Museum's stores at Wroughton. Great to see a low-energy philosophy informing the retrofit of one of their Second World War aircraft hangars.

Instead of putting lots of energy hungry air handling equipment in the store, the approach has been to increase installation and airtightness with a new external skin on the old frame.  It's become a building which is passive. It's not just green: it's also cheaper to run. Very encouraging.

Drum Roll...for the MOSI Poll!!

Big thanks to all those who took part in our poll to find out what you consider the most important idea from the Energy Gallery Symposium. At number one (drum roll please), with 66% was 'Making it relevant to peoples lives' - closely followed by 'Celebrating how far we've come in the energy story'.  

And I have to say, I think I agree.

Confessions of a Curator #6

Had a meeting with Prof Mohammed Missous at the University of Manchester Microelectronics & Nanostructures Group, to find out about his innovative semiconductor research. He is developing semiconductor materials for ultra high precision sensing, THz (very high frequency) imaging and renewable energy generation.

I was deeply impressed by the amazing quality of the facilities at the University and the innovative nature of the research. Whether in the new Square Kilometre Array to be built at Jodrell bank - a fully digital radio telescope -  or in the electricity meters of the future, these devices are clearly going to be very useful indeed. 

Professor Missous is also an inspiring science communicator - a great meeting, and we hope to collect examples of his work for the MOSI collection and future displays.