Recharging My Batteries

After a couple of weeks recharging my own batteries, I was thrilled to read about the recent developments powering their way over from the University of Leeds. Puns aside, a new polymer jelly could provide a huge leap forward for lithium batteries - by replacing the hazardous liquid electrolyte which is currently used. This could potentially lead to the creation of smaller, cheaper and safer gadgets.

It's a far cry from our early batteries, such as this rechargable battery cell by Chloride Electrical Storage Co. Ltd, Manchester (c.1935). Being an incredibly heavy duty example, it could in fact power a wireless radio for a week or so!! 

Read the full article here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-14852073 and see a examples of early batteries in MOSI's Collections Centre http://www.mosi.org.uk/collections.aspx

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.

These are a few of my favourite things #3

Following a brief holiday to reinvigorate the old energy levels (pardon the pun!) - I thought I'd share a few more of my favourite pieces from our incredible collections. Shifting back to objects we will all be familiar with, here are some of the earlier incarnations of the washing machine...

This washing machine was made by Thor Canadian Ltd, Toronto, Canada and was used in Manchester. In 1936 the company produced the 'Electric Servant' which was a combined washing machine, food mixer, blender and juicer. Needless to say, it was not a success.

In the 1940s, Thor introduced the 'Automagic' hybrid washer/dishwasher complete with both a removable clothes washing drum and a dish washing drum! It was heavily marketed but it wasn't long before it disappeared from the shelves as consumers were put off by washing dirty clothing and dishes in the same machine. Perhaps, in the current age of apartment living, they'll be more demand for these inventive dual purpose appliances!

This fine example of a washing machine was purchased by a Mr Slack. He worked for Metropolitan Vickers which was part of the same group of companies as Hotpoint. Metrovicks offered their employees the chance to buy goods manufactured from their sister companies at very favourable terms. Mr Slack bought this machine under Metrovick's Staff Purchase Scheme.

Confessions of a Curator #5

MOSI featured on radio 4 yesterday when the well-known BBC economist Evan Davies came to Manchester.  He was making a report for the Today programme on the organisation's move north. I was asked to speak on behalf of MOSI, and Evan chose as a background for his report the atmospheric sound-scape produced by the museum's Lancashire loom and one of our gas engines - another part of our Energy story!

Evan and I discussed the story of the Industrial Revolution and the changes that Manchester has seen in recent years. It was great to have a chance to share what MOSI has to offer with the Radio 4 audience, and the team here is excited about working more with the BBC in future as they get settled into Media City.

These are a few of my favourite things #2

Back O’ Th’ Bank generator (or Big Jennie as she’s affectionately known!)

An impressive AC generator with steam turbine, condenser and DC exciter sits in the middle of our current electricity gallery. Used at the Back o' th' Bank Power Station, Bolton, between 1923 and 1984. This turbogenerator was made by the English Electric Company and was one of six in operation in the turbine hall.  This was used to condense the steam once it had passed through the turbine. The steam's movement through the turbine made the blades rotate, producing electricity.

Big Jennie is an imposing object, standing a good 3 or 4 foot taller than the average visitor, so it is doubtful she'll be moving anywhere during the redevelopment - and why would we want her to?!! Proudly displaying some robust engineering clout and still in working order to this day, we plan to bring her story to life through some clever light, sound and projector tricks!