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Warrington U3A
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Since the last Magazine in Spring 2009 the science group has held 4 meetings. As our group
consists of people with both a scientific and non-scientific background, we do not
delve deeply into the technical nitty gritty of the subjects, which allows everyone to participate. In March John Payne lead a discussion on the future developments in computers. He developed the story through thermionic valve computers, transistor computers and integrated circuits up to where we are now. We then discussed, led by John, the current ideas in Quantum Computers, the application of nanotechnology to computers, molecular switches, optical computers and then on to networks and the internet. There was a considerable amount of discussion on the human brain as a computer and how there is an apparent different speed between logical structured thought and "instinct". We also touched on developments in the field of hardware implants into the human body which may, in future, allow us to do such things as instant translation, utilising the ear and the vocal cord system. On the other hand, we also had a brief discussion on how command signals from the brain through the central nervous system may be able to be linked to man-made prosthetics. At the April meeting John Lloyd gave a talk on Nanotechnology including a film, which was followed by a discussion. The nanotechnolology talk included many points, including the derivation of the name and the different philosophies within the science. A summary of the possible uses of nanotechnology, the ethical question and criminal misuse were some of the examples that were discussed by the group in a lively discussion that followed John's talk. For our May meeting we were lucky enough to have an external speaker, Dr Richard Pierce, talk to us on wave/tidal power. He opened his lecture by explaining the government's hope of how rnuch of the nation's electricity will be generated in the future by various types of renewable energy generating technology, including wave & tidal power. The lecturer identified a significant number of both wave and tidal power generating technologies. Some of the technologies have been built on a pilot plant basis, others are in the experimental stage and some still at the design stage. A common characteristic of the machines is that they are generally of the few hundreds of kilowatt to a few megawatt size. Whilst the power output of wave machines is largely unpredictable because wave strength varies with time, the power output of tidal power machines is predictable as the tides ebb and flow in a totally predictable way. In June we had as our guest Prof. Peter Brandon from Salford University. Peter gave a talk on the computerised modelIing and planning techniques that have been developed at Salford. These are now employed by the construction industry on large construction projects world-wide. A programme of meetings has been arranged for September, October and November as follows: 17th September - Discussion on Ethics of Science 15th October - The Resistance of the Skin to Agrochemicals 19th November - Mycology (fungus) All of the above at Bold Street Methodist Church Room 2A, starting at 2pm on the third Thursday of the month. Group Organiser: Bob |
| Acknowledgement: Warrington U3A Magazine, Autumn 2009 | Page last updated 16th August 2009 |
For further information, about this or any of our groups, email here to get names and telephone numbers. Alternatively, you can attend a WU3A monthly general meeting and speak to a group representative. |