RV Jones Distinguished Lecture Series

The series provides invited lectures from distinguished speakers in areas of engineering related to research within the School of Engineering. at the University of Aberdeen. The lectures are intended to appeal to a diverse audience from the University and beyond. They typically draw upon a current research topic to provide a wide-ranging introduction in a semi-popular style.

The Lecture Series can be viewed online at the Virtual Aberdeen site.

1st Lecture, What Lies Beneath? by Professor Peter Davies, University of Dundee.Observations on the sea surface can often be misleading. Even with flat, calm conditions, powerful waves capable of destroying underwater vehicles, tilting offshore rigs and halting a ship at full power can still exist deep within the ocean. Professor Peter Davies will discuss modelling these so-called internal waves and the ways in which we may predict their behaviour in the ocean in the future. 6th October 2011.
2nd lecture, The Sympathy of Pendulum Clocks and Beyond, by Professor Henk Nijmeijer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands. Professor Nijmeijer will examine some fascinating examples of Hyugen's synchronised systems, looking at examples in networks as diverse as brain function and traffic behaviour. He will also explore how controlled synchronised motion is used in engineering systems, such as robotics and cars. 20th April 2011.
3rd lecture, by Professor Michael Thompson, School of Engineering, University of Aberdeen. Professor Thompson will give a fascinating pictorial overview of non-linear phenomena and the chaos that can arise from simple changes, highlighting key findings from his own research throughout his career. Dramatic film clips and simulations will highlight the stability and buckling of engineering structures. Professor Thompson will examine the so-called chaos which arises when we take one small step beyond the solutions suggested by Newton, highlighting how simply stepping from a single pendulum to a double pendulum results in unsolvable chaotic motions. The lecture includes a look ahead, to global warming and the prediction of climate tipping points. 26th October 2011.

The lecture series commemorates Prof. R. V. Jones, one of the University of Aberdeen’s most distinguished professors. He is best known for his work co-ordinating scientific intelligence during the second world war, working with radio navigation, early applications of radar, and interpretation of intelligence on flying bombs, rockets, and insight into a wide range of other physical and engineering problems. He held the Chair of Natural Philosophy from 1946 to 1981. He meticulously planned the new Natural Philosophy building, now the Fraser Noble Building that houses the School of Engineering. He devoted much of his career to scientific instrument design touching on was so successful that he was able to reach the limits of what is physically achievable through careful attention to good design principles and painstaking attention to detail, such as isolation from extraneous disturbances, appropriate choice of material and accurate construction. Like most pioneering technical developers, he did not follow the recipe books, but effectively wrote them himself. Throughout, he took a great interest in promoting public understanding of science, for twenty years he edited the Notes and Records of the Royal Society. He was renowned for his enthusiastic undergarduate lectures and lively scientific demonstrations.

For details concerning the lecture series, please contact:

J Michael Thompson FRS (Six Century Professor, School of Engineering)

Engineering Research Seminars

The School of Engineering organises a range of seminars, workshops and presentations across the range of Engineering activities. Seminars by invited speakers at the School-level highlight key Engineering topics. Each of the four research groups also organise a regular programme of seminars and/or workshops. The seminar programme is open to all staff and postgraduates and is often made available to external guests.

Research students are also required to regularly present their work at the seminars and workshops organised by each of the four research groups.

No future engineering seminars listed.