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2nd Meeting of the 192nd Session (2012-2013)
In the Augustine United Church
41 George IV Bridge
Edinburgh, EH1 1EL
On Monday 12th November 2012, at 7pm
Forty years ago, the notion that we might get even close to touching an atom was absurd. Thirty years ago, the first micro-machines were beginning to be designed and the concepts of nanotechnology were being conceived. This talk will offer a "top-down" mechanical engineer's perspective of developments in micromechanics, tracing the developments from micromachines which were little more than 3D pictures of devices to the current state-of-the-art devices of overall size in the millimetre range with features down to one micrometre, capable of making physical interventions at this scale. It will review the remaining challenges in bridging the gap to meet the nanotechnologists coming from the bottom up.
Bob Reuben is Professor of Materials Engineering in the Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University. He is also an Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering and Electronics at the University of Edinburgh through his membership of the Institute of Integrated Systems, one of the Joint Research Institutes which embody the Edinburgh Research Partnership. His broad area of research is in experimental mechanics and his current research interests include microsystems engineering, where he works on the mechanical applications of devices of overall size in the order of a few millimetres, often, although not exclusively, for medical applications. He also has considerable current interest in the sensor-based monitoring of machinery, processes and structures. He has published over 300 items, including books, and journal and conference papers since 1992 and has acquired over £5M of research funding from EPSRC, the European Union and from industrial sources. He has a wide network of industrial partners in Europe and UK, including direct relationships with 11 separate UK and 14 separate non-UK industrial concerns and hospitals. Other formally funded collaborations include 2 UK and 8 non-UK research institutes and 4 UK and 5 non-UK Universities. He also maintains strong contacts with industry through consultancy work for clients such as Rolls-Royce, Raytheon, BP and a range of legal, industrial and public organisations.
Complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are served from about 6:40pm onwards before the meetings.
Members of the Public are welcome to attend
Jane Ridder-Patrick, Secretary
secretary@rssa.org.uk
The Royal Scottish Society of Arts is Registered Scottish Charity SC015549