What's the link between Lego™ blocks, zero pollution cars, disposable nappies, liquids that flow up hill, and false legs? How is this linked to the perfect recipe for slime? And how can you use all this to make a Million? Our next event will reveal all as we welcome Prof Averil Macdonald to Brussels with her renowned Fantastic Plastic demonstration lecture.
Prof Macdonald has delivered this hands-on insight into polymer chemistry and innovation to over 45,000 young people in the UK and around the world and the section is taking her on a tour of a number of Belgian schools as well as organising this public evening lecture.
Fantastic Plastic – or How to Make your First Million!
Prof Averil Macdonald, Reading University
19h45 for 20h00 start, Thursday 26 February 2015
Brel Theatre, British School of Brussels
Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren
The lecture gives a brief overview of the great variety of physical properties of plastics that make them suitable for various intriguing and surprising applications. We will then be introduced to the concept of polymers consisting of long chain molecules, their ability to exist as solid and liquids but often having the properties of both (as in slime). Lively demonstrations show the effects of increasing the temperature, cross linking the molecules, "tangling up" the polymer chains, and dissolving them in liquids. Some examples are given to show how by controlling what happens at the molecular level, the characteristics of the final material are determined. Averil focuses as much on enterprise and business opportunities as she does on the chemistry and properties of polymer molecules – hence the subtitle. Sounds like fun!
Averil Macdonald is Professor of Science Engagement at the University of Reading. Amongst many other roles she is a Trustee of the London Science Museum and chairs the UK Expert Group for Women in Science.
A nominal entry fee of €5 (free for bona fide students) will be charged as a contribution to the cost of refreshments. This event will take place in the Brel Theatre at the British School of Brussels. As usual light refreshments will be available after the presentation to allow time for networking and further discussions.
Prof Macdonald has delivered this hands-on insight into polymer chemistry and innovation to over 45,000 young people in the UK and around the world and the section is taking her on a tour of a number of Belgian schools as well as organising this public evening lecture.
Fantastic Plastic – or How to Make your First Million!
Prof Averil Macdonald, Reading University
19h45 for 20h00 start, Thursday 26 February 2015
Brel Theatre, British School of Brussels
Pater Dupierreuxlaan 1, 3080 Tervuren
The lecture gives a brief overview of the great variety of physical properties of plastics that make them suitable for various intriguing and surprising applications. We will then be introduced to the concept of polymers consisting of long chain molecules, their ability to exist as solid and liquids but often having the properties of both (as in slime). Lively demonstrations show the effects of increasing the temperature, cross linking the molecules, "tangling up" the polymer chains, and dissolving them in liquids. Some examples are given to show how by controlling what happens at the molecular level, the characteristics of the final material are determined. Averil focuses as much on enterprise and business opportunities as she does on the chemistry and properties of polymer molecules – hence the subtitle. Sounds like fun!
Averil Macdonald is Professor of Science Engagement at the University of Reading. Amongst many other roles she is a Trustee of the London Science Museum and chairs the UK Expert Group for Women in Science.
A nominal entry fee of €5 (free for bona fide students) will be charged as a contribution to the cost of refreshments. This event will take place in the Brel Theatre at the British School of Brussels. As usual light refreshments will be available after the presentation to allow time for networking and further discussions.
