Shedding new light on climate change (10/27/2007)

The conference will explore the use of light in combating climate change

More efficient lighting, lasers to observe the earth from space, and solar power - just some of the ways that the study of light can impact on climate change and a cutting edge area of the discipline of photonics.

All of these technologies will be discussed at a conference organised by a University of Salford scientist next week.

The first ever meeting of the North West Photonics Association (NWPA) on 31 October at Daresury, Warrington draws upon the expertise of scientists from across the country to discuss how the discipline (which studies materials and devices that use light) can have a positive effect on the global issue of climate change.

The event is organised by Professor Allan Boardman of Salford University's School of Computing, Science & Engineering and he has assembled speakers who are experts in the field.

On the day, Steve Welch of the Mullard Space Laboratory will be talking about how lasers and optics can be employed to study the earth from outer space and tell scientists more about how mankind may be changing the planet.

Also amongst the speakers is Professor Stuart Irvine of the University of Wales, Bangor, who will outline how LED lighting is the future for extremely low cost and low energy lighting and how technology can be employed to produce highly efficient solar energy.

Allan, who was widely reported on earlier in the year for his work on 'invisibility' technology said: "The aim of the event and the Association is to bring together expertise in this important field of science. For our first meeting we've decided to take a look at how our discipline can make a real difference to one of humanity's most urgent problems.

"Using clean light technology is one of the major ways in which we can reduce our impact on the environment and this conference is an ideal start to our work."

Note: This story has been adapted from a news release issued by the University of Salford

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