Thermoelectric Network UK Meeting

Adindu presenting his poster

On the 14^th and 15^th February 2017, thermoelectrics researchers from the UK, Europe and Japan gathered in Manchester, UK for the spring EPSRC Thermoelectric Network UK Meeting. The programme encompassed the full range of thermoelectrics research, from fundamental materials studies, to updates from industries already using this technology. Prof Derek Sinclair was an invited speaker, and gave an overview of the different thermoelectric research strands here at Sheffield. He was joined at the meeting by Lloyd’s Register Foundation/Royal Academy of Engineering Fellow Rebecca Boston, research associates Whitney Schmidt and Brant Walkley, and PhD student Adindu Iyasara, who presented a poster on his doped strontium titanate research.

Although this was the final Thermoelectrics Network UK meeting, it is hoped that the strong links which have been created between the various global groups will be maintained in the future.    

CECAM Workshop - Designing Forcefields in an Age of Cheap Computing July 26, 2017 - July 28, 2017

FMD researchers Prof John Harding, Dr Colin Freeman and Dr Chris Handley recently won funding to host a workshop at the University of Sheffield, the topic being "Designing Forcefields in an Age of Cheap Computing", July 26, 2017 - July 28, 2017.

Robust, reliable forcefields are central to successful atomistic simulations. This workshop will bring together leading experts to discuss the impact of increasing computer power, both in terms of speed and data storage, on the development, validation and use of forcefields in molecular simulation.

Chris: As a researcher who has worked in the field of chemical simulation since my master project with Prof Paul Popelier, it is exciting to be able to host a workshop such as this, bringing together experts in atomistic simulations for all manner of materials and molecules, and to discuss the problems that still persist in traditional simulation methods, and how they might be addressed with cutting edge computing techniques. It should lead to lively discussions and some good insight into how such simulations can take advantage of modern computing power.

Invited speakers will also include experts in machine learning and GPU programming, who can give an informed perspective on modern HPC computing.

The workshop by its nature with feature keynote presentations, framing particular topics in chemical and materials simulations, with more open discussion forums between talks, allow groups to break off and tackle topics in more depth.

Short talks and posters are welcome.

Delegates will be hosted at Halifax Hall, located on the west side of Sheffield City Centre and only a short walk from Ecclesall Road, an area which provides a hub of bars, pubs and restaurants. It offers a great location for both business and leisure trips in Sheffield. Situated within The University of Sheffield’s Endcliffe student village it also offers the perfect place for visiting parents and prospective students to stay.

Local attractions include the picturesque Botanical Gardens, only five minutes away, whilst shopping and other city centre attractions are easily commutable by bus and taxi. Further afield the location offers great access to The Peak District National Park, which by car is only a 15 minute drive, whilst the stunning Chatsworth House is only a 30 minutes’ drive.

ICACC - International Conference and Expo on Advanced Ceramics and Composites

The 41st InternationalConference and Expo on Advanced Ceramics and Composites (ICACC) was held on 22-27 January 2017 at Daytona Beach, Florida, USA. This annual conference showcases cutting-edge research in advanced ceramics, armour ceramics, solid oxide fuel cells, ceramic coatings, bio-ceramics and more. Postdoctoral Research Associate Dr. Fan Yang from our group attended the conference and presented our recent work on tuning the electrical properties of sodium bismuth titanate perovskite by chemical doping with a focus on the oxide-ion conduction behaviour of NBT. Her presentation has raised lots of attention from the audience who also work on developing new electrolyte/electrode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs).

Some key invited speakers working on oxide-ion/mixed conductors include Professor Eric Wachsman from University of Maryland, USA, Professor Tatsumi Ishihara from Kyushu University, Japan and Professor Scott Barnett from Northwestern University, USA. Other symposiums related to our group’s work include lithium/sodium ion batteries, thermoelectrics and piezoelectrics, etc.

Hilton Daytona Beach Resort where the conference 

was held and the beautiful sea view outside Hilton