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Studenterkollokvium - Hazel Haaversen Clarke: How Physics Has Helped Resolve Sustainable Energy Challenges

Info about event

Time

Thursday 7 April 2016,  at 14:15 - 15:00

How Physics Has Helped Resolve Sustainable Energy Challenges

Hazel Haaversen Clarke

 

Vejleder: Gorm Andresen

 

Thursday 7th of April kl. 14.15

Fysisk Auditorium

 

The human race is facing growing environmental challenges. Climactic changes are generating extreme weather patterns and dramatically altering water levels. An increasing human population is generating enormous energy demands. From temperature control, lighting, transportation and food, the need for optimized use of existing resources in all these fields has become critical.

Through their work in semiconductor physics, material physics, electromagnetism and fluid mechanics, physicists have played a key, historic role in the development of solar and wind energy. Now, statistical mechanics and the physics of complex networks are making it possible for scientists to study the labyrinthine patterns of energy use in large systems more effectively. This knowledge will help people more efficiently design and handle energy systems throughout the world. Key work in aerodynamics and aeroponics, often spearheaded by NASA, is also helping to improve human life by changing the way food is being produced and altering traditional thoughts on how urban environments should be designed and built.