How can we keep our city and our homes cool and green in a heating world?

Posted on: May 2nd, 2025 by mlpEditor

This webinar will explore the theme of Urban Heat Islands – how and why our urban spaces are becoming hotter than the countryside that surrounds them. What can we do to make our homes, workplaces and communities more resilient to hot weather, and at the same time more pleasant places to dwell?

Heatwaves are increasing, even in Manchester: the results can be overheated and sleep-deprived people, stretched NHS and electricity grids struggling to cope with the demands of air conditioning. Night-time is perhaps the worst, especially for the very old and very young: those least able to regulate their body temperature and for whom heatwaves can be deadly. A 2024 UK parliamentary report has described summer heat as “the silent killer”. Heat stresses us physically and emotionally.

A seemingly easy solution to a hot home or work space might seem to be air con – but this has an energy cost and is part of a vicious circle as we warm the outside space making our neighbours even hotter.

In this webinar we will have input from:

Geoff Levermore, Emeritus Professor of the Built Environment at Manchester University, who has been conducting a study over several years into temperatures in our city – thanks to continuous readings from data logging at points in Central Manchester. Geoff has a fascinating story to tell about the impacts of lockdown, of traffic and of trees.

Thomas Ashfield is a façade meteorologist and climate consultant for a facade engineering consultancy, he is a passionate advocate of care for climate, providing advice for how the external surfaces of buildings can help to provide climate resilience, especially in the face of heating, and reduce energy demands. He will translate some of his experience into advice that can be applied to homes generally.

Meteorology was one of the subjects close to the heart of the early members of the Lit and Phil: John Dalton, polymath, chemist and long-time president of the Lit and Phil, recorded the temperatures outside his central Manchester home three times a day for over twenty years. We have ever more reason to care about those temperatures now!

3D Printing in Medicine: From Science Fiction to Reality

Posted on: April 15th, 2025 by mlpEditor

From Fiction to Possibility

In Mary Shelley’s iconic novel, Victor Frankenstein harnessed electricity to breathe life into inanimate matter. Fast forward to recent times, and we find films like “Moon” (2009) and “Mickey 17” (2025) exploring the ethical complexities of human cloning. These narratives spark a fascinating question: Could we someday print fully-functional human beings, much like Star Trek’s replicator materialized objects on demand?

 

Science Fiction Becomes Science Fact

What once seemed confined to the realm of science fiction is increasingly crossing into scientific reality. The journey from imagination to implementation has always been medicine’s most exciting narrative. Consider organ transplantation—first conceptualized in fiction in 1925, before becoming reality with the first successful kidney transplant in 1954.

 

Manchester’s Pioneering Role

The field of bioprinting stands at a similar frontier today. Two decades ago, Manchester proudly hosted the first International Workshop on Bioprinting, establishing our city as an early pioneer in this revolutionary technology. Since then, Manchester’s scientists and clinicians have remained at the forefront of this rapidly evolving field, pushing boundaries and transforming possibilities.

 

Current Breakthroughs and Future Horizons

Join us as we explore the remarkable progress in bioprinting both locally and globally. We’ll journey through current capabilities—from printing simple tissues to the complex challenges of vascularized organs. We’ll examine the latest breakthroughs in biomaterials, cell sourcing, and fabrication techniques that are bringing us closer to printing functional human tissues and organs.

 

Ethical Considerations and Practical Applications

Our discussion will bridge the gap between what was once purely imaginative and what is now scientifically achievable. We’ll consider not just the technical aspects, but also the ethical implications and regulatory frameworks that must evolve alongside these innovations.

 

About the Speaker

Professor Brian Derby is a pioneer in bioprinting who coined the term itself and has led ground-breaking research at the University of Manchester for over 20 years, collaborating with medical scientists and local hospitals to develop 3D printing applications for medicine.

 

Who Should Attend

Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a technology enthusiast, or simply curious about how science fiction continues to inspire medical advancement, this talk offers a fascinating glimpse into a future where bioprinting may revolutionize personalized medicine and potentially solve the global organ shortage crisis.

 

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

Booking is essential. Lit & Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

 

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Sharston Materials Recovery Facility Tour

Posted on: March 20th, 2025 by mlpEditor

Experience first-hand where recycling happens! The Sharston Materials Recovery Facility processes recycling from nine Greater Manchester boroughs, expertly sorting materials like glass, steel, aluminium, and various plastics.

Our two-hour visit includes a comprehensive tour of the facility guided by the passionate Education Team. You’ll witness the story of the first stages of the recycling journey – from mixed to sorted – and on its way to becoming something else. Enjoy discussion time to ask questions about proper recycling practices and learn what truly happens to items after they leave your bin.

 

Important Information:

  • The tour involves walking and stairs
  • Casual clothing recommended (jeans and trainers ideal)
  • Safety equipment (including hard hats) will be provided
  • Please inform us in advance if you have pacemakers, insulin pumps, cochlear implants, or mobility needs, as we’ll customize the tour to avoid strong electromagnets used in processing
  • This educational experience is completely free of charge

 

Getting there

  • The site is at Longley Lane, Sharston M22 4RQ.
  • It is an 18-minute walk from Gatley railway station.
  • There is a visitor car park on site.

How They Built the Atom Bomb: The Manchester Connection

Posted on: March 19th, 2025 by mlpEditor

Manchester’s Atomic Legacy

What connections does our city have to one of humanity’s most transformative scientific developments? Manchester’s scientific legacy holds surprising links to the development of atomic energy and ultimately, the atomic bomb.

 

The Birth of Atomic Theory (1803)

The story begins on October 21, 1803, at the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society on George Street in what is now Chinatown. That evening, John Dalton, a Manchester-based scientist, presented his groundbreaking atomic theory to the Lit & Phil, proposing that atoms were the fundamental building blocks of all matter. This revolutionary idea would forever change our understanding of the physical world.

 

Splitting the Atom (1917)

Just over a century later, in September 1917, Ernest Rutherford achieved another milestone at Manchester University when he split the atom, transforming nitrogen into oxygen. Neither Dalton nor Rutherford could have fully envisioned how their discoveries would ultimately lead to harnessing the atom’s tremendous energy.

 

The path to the Manhattan Project

As we approach the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in 2025, join Ed Glinert—Manchester historian, author, and tour guide—for an exploration of this remarkable scientific journey. From Dalton’s early theories to Rutherford’s experiments, from the scientists who first recognized the potential of nuclear chain reactions to the Manhattan Project, we’ll examine this complex legacy.

 

Questions to Explore

We’ll also consider fascinating questions:

  • How did Manchester become the world’s first nuclear-free zone in 1980?
  • What factors led to the Allies developing the bomb before Nazi Germany?
  • How do we reconcile the scientific achievement with its devastating human impact?

 

This thought-provoking discussion invites us to reflect on Manchester’s pivotal role in a scientific advancement that continues to shape our world.

 

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

Booking is essential. Lit & Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

 

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

 

Green Hydrogen: Unlocking a Clean Energy Future

Posted on: March 5th, 2025 by mlpEditor

Curious about how we can power our world sustainably? While solar and wind power are making great strides, some industries need additional solutions to eliminate their carbon emissions. That’s where green hydrogen comes in.

 

What You’ll Learn

Join us to discover how this promising technology works and why it matters. We’ll explore:

– How green hydrogen can help decarbonize industries that can’t run on electricity alone, like steel manufacturing and long-distance shipping

– Why current green hydrogen costs more than traditional hydrogen, and the innovative solutions being developed to make it more affordable

– What needs to happen with infrastructure and policy to help green hydrogen reach its full potential

 

About the speaker

Dr Caroline Hargrove is Chief Technology Officer at Ceres Power, a leading developer of green hydrogen technology.

 

Who Should Attend

Through real-world examples and the latest developments, we’ll show how collaboration between industries and governments is helping overcome these challenges. Whether you’re new to the topic or already familiar with hydrogen technology, you’ll gain fresh insights into how green hydrogen could transform our energy landscape.

 

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session and light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

Booking is essential. Lit & Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

 

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Interview with Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu

Posted on: March 5th, 2025 by mlpEditor

Q: What part of your career would have most impressed your teenage self? 

A: The fact that I designed a medicine component from scratch that has now been tested in humans and has the potential to make a difference to healthcare.

 

Q: What has been the most surprising breakthrough in which you have been involved? 

A: The fact that a small chemical change to a protein in our body, changes the way that protein interacts with cells – allowing it to act as a specific drug transporter into cancer cells. This was a surprising finding.

 

Q: What branches of medicine do you think will be most impacted by your team’s work on nanomedicine?

 A: Our focus is now on ophthalmology and so we are hoping to be able to make an impact on eyecare.

 

Q: How hopeful are you that the work of your team will be able to impact global healthcare rather than the healthcare of the most wealthy? 

A: This is something that we are always concerned about and we would hope that our medicines would not be too expensive and thus have an impact on a variety of populations.

 

Q: Your profile shows that you are frequently involved in encouraging diversity in academic study and STEM in particular.  What advice would you have for bright young people who enjoy science but think that academic research might not be for “people like them”?

A: It is always difficult to give advice as an older woman.  I doubt that I would have taken advice from an older academic when I was comparatively young.  Here is the advice I wish I had been given and actually taken: There are no barriers that you cannot break and it would be foolish to assume that barriers do not exist, but we all have one goal – to go out and smash those barriers down by demonstrating our excellence in everything that we do.

 

Thank you to Dame Ijeoma for taking the time to answer our questions.

Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu will be giving her talk – Small Particles, Big Impact: Revolutionising Drug Delivery – at the Renold Building, Manchester, on Thursday 20 March.

How Can We Create a Good Food Future?

Posted on: March 4th, 2025 by mlpEditor

The Food System Challenge

Every day, we encounter diverse and sometimes conflicting advice about what to eat—for our health and for our planet. Our current food system has an enormous impact, consuming vast amounts of fossil fuels, chemicals, and land.

 

Consequences of Our Current Approach

For decades, we’ve focused on maximizing productivity through technology, but this approach has consequences. Our soils are becoming less fertile, threatening future food security, while extreme weather events challenge our food supply’s resilience.

 

The True Cost of Food

Industrial animal farming provides inexpensive meat, but at significant costs to animal welfare, the environment, and public health. New plant-based alternatives offer additional choices, but are they complete solutions? How can nutritious food become accessible and affordable for everyone when fast food is often cheaper than fresh options? And who should take responsibility for making positive changes?

 

Reimagining Food as a Force for Good

If food has such a major influence on our world, how might we transform what we grow and eat into a force for good?

 

Join the Conversation

In this session, Dr. Mitchell invites us to explore our power as both consumers and citizens to shape a new future for food and farming. Together, we’ll navigate the complex challenges facing our food system and discover how we can create our own “good food future”—one that helps restore nature and climate while ensuring healthy food is available to all.

Join us on this journey of exploration as we reimagine our relationship with food!

 

Practical Information

The presentation will include time for questions and discussion. Light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

Booking is essential. Lit & Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

 

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Small Particles, Big Impact: Revolutionising Drug Delivery

Posted on: January 7th, 2025 by mlpEditor

Imagine a future where medicines work better and cause fewer side effects. Join us to hear from pharmaceutical pioneer Professor Dame Ijeoma Uchegbu, President of Wolfson College, Cambridge, as she explores the future of medicine through nanotechnology.

Ijeoma and her team are developing groundbreaking nanoparticle technology that delivers drugs precisely where they’re needed in the body. It’s a fascinating breakthrough that anyone interested in technological innovation needs to hear more about.

 

The Challenge in Drug Development

What if we told you that for every successful medicine, 4,999 candidates fail? Drug development is a complex journey, with only 1 in 5,000 molecules making it from concept to market, at a cost of $1 billion per success. Even in clinical trials, 90% of drugs fall short, often because they can’t reach their target effectively.

 

Patient Challenges: A Call for Better Solutions

Ever wondered why half of patients with chronic conditions struggle with their medication? More often than not, it’s fear of unwanted side effects that holds them back. But what if we could direct medicines to focus on diseased areas while sparing healthy tissue?

 

A Breakthrough Approach

This is where the story gets astonishing. Scientists are developing nanoparticles – tiny carriers just a thousandth the width of a human hair – that can guide medicines to where they’re needed most.  Professor Uchegbu’s flagship development, Envelta™, represents a breakthrough in pain management. As a non-addictive alternative to opioids, it addresses a critical need: every year, 80,000 Americans lose their lives to opioid poisoning, while in the UK, 40 families face such tragedy weekly.

 

Building on this success, her team’s research extends into cancer treatments and therapies for sight-threatening conditions, with new discoveries emerging through Nanomerics Ltd., recipient of the 2024 King’s Award for Enterprise for Innovation. Some of these potential therapies are in clinical trials. Join us as we explore the possibilities of this truly revolutionary approach to medicine.

 

About the Speaker

Professor Uchegbu is a pioneer in pharmaceutical nanoscience and a champion of scientific innovation. As UCL’s Professor of Pharmaceutical Nanoscience and Chief Scientific Officer of Nanomerics Ltd., she has successfully translated laboratory discoveries into clinical applications.

 

About the venue

Sister is Manchester’s new innovation district, where people come together and great ideas flourish.

Formerly known as ID Manchester, Sister is a joint venture between The University of Manchester and Bruntwood SciTech that will see the University’s former North Campus transformed into a world-leading innovation district and welcoming new neighbourhood. Sister will be home to the discoveries, technologies and businesses that shape our future and transform the way we live.

A global hub for science and technology, and a community for entrepreneurs, professionals, families, scientists and creatives alike, Sister represents a new way of thinking about innovation. One based on collaboration, not competition.

Sister provides the perfect conditions for ideas to spark, for collaboration to thrive, and for world-changing innovations to scale.

 

Practical Information

The talk includes a Q&A session.

Booking is essential. Lit & Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

 

Accessibility Information

Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

 

 

Overcoming the challenges of global decarbonisation

Posted on: December 9th, 2024 by mlpEditor

The global drive toward decarbonisation has reached a pivotal moment. While we’ve made impressive progress in some areas – particularly in renewable energy and electric vehicles – we now face our greatest challenges. This talk by specialist Chris Goodall explores how we can tackle the most difficult aspects of decarbonisation: from transforming heavy industry and modernizing our infrastructure to ensuring a fair transition for all.

 

Our Journey So Far: Early Signs of Progress

We’re witnessing remarkable progress in our global efforts to tackle climate change. Look at China, where electric vehicles have captured the imagination of the world’s largest car market, now representing over 50% of new sales. In northern European homes, heat pumps are becoming the new normal for heating, showing how quickly we can adapt when solutions make sense. These developments tell us something exciting: the first steps of our energy transition are not just possible – they’re happening.

 

Powering Tomorrow: The Rise of Clean Energy

As we explore the foundations of this transition, we’re seeing renewable energy evolve in fascinating ways. Wind and solar power are becoming more powerful and reliable, while battery technology keeps surprising us with new possibilities. One of the most intriguing developments is how we’re learning to use hydrogen – making it when we have surplus renewable electricity and using it to power our grid when we need it most. What other innovative storage solutions might we discover as we continue this journey?

 

Cracking the Code: Industry’s Next Chapter

Now we’re entering more challenging but exciting territory. How do we transform industries like steel, cement, and fertilizer production that can’t simply plug into the electricity grid? We’re discovering that hydrogen might be key for cement production and high-temperature processes. The transport sector is opening up new frontiers too, exploring synthetic fuels made from captured CO2 and hydrogen. These solutions might play an even bigger role than we currently imagine – what other breakthroughs might be just around the corner?

 

Growing Together: Challenges That Unite Us

As we dig deeper, we find that decarbonisation isn’t just about new technologies – it’s about reimagining our whole society. Here’s what we’re learning:

  • Resource Innovation: How can we get smarter about using and reusing our raw materials? We’re seeing exciting developments in recycling technology every day.
  • Investment for All: While the transition needs significant funding – about 3-4% of GDP over two decades – we’re discovering new ways to make this work for both developed and developing economies.
  • Building Support Together: Perhaps our most interesting challenge is creating change that works for everyone. How can we design carbon-reduction policies that benefit all members of society, especially those most vulnerable to rising costs?
  • Grid Evolution: We’re learning that modernizing our electricity networks isn’t just about technology – it’s about working with communities to create solutions that work for everyone.
  • Food System Transformation: We’re discovering new approaches to agriculture that could help both our planet and our health, from changing what we eat to finding better ways to care for our soil.

 

Moving Forward Together

The path to full decarbonisation is one we’re still mapping out, but it’s filled with possibilities. Every day brings new insights, technologies, and ways of working together. While the challenge is urgent, we’re learning that when we combine our creativity and commitment, solutions emerge that we might never have imagined.

 

Practical Information

The presentation will include time for questions and discussion. Supporting slides will be provided to help understand technical concepts. Light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

Booking is essential. Lit & Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

 

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

Forever chemicals: what are we actually exposed to in the UK?

Posted on: November 4th, 2024 by mlpEditor

Environmental pollution is making headlines, but are we focusing on the right risks? Dr David Megson reveals the hidden story of chemical pollution in the UK, exploring the invisible toxic substances that have become part of our daily lives.

 

Why This Matters

While plastic waste and sewage pollution capture public attention through visible evidence, Dr Megson suggests that less visible chemical pollutants may pose greater risks to our health and environment. This talk explores the science behind these “forever chemicals” and their impact on our lives.

 

Key Terms Explained

‘Forever Chemicals’ are defined as substances that persist in the environment and human body for extended periods. These toxic chemicals are carcinogenic (meaning they can cause cancer), mutagenic (meaning they can cause genetic mutations), and teratogenic (meaning they can harm fetal development).

 

Topics Covered

In this comprehensive presentation, Dr Megson will explore the contrast between visible pollution and hidden chemical threats in our environment. He will discuss common sources of toxic chemicals found in everyday products and explain why certain harmful substances remain in use despite known risks. The talk will examine the complex balance between chemical benefits and risks, including historical “miracle chemicals” and their lasting legacy. Current research on chemical exposure in the UK will be presented, along with information about steps being taken to manage chemical risks.

 

What You’ll Learn

Understanding chemical pollution goes beyond visible environmental damage. You’ll discover how these substances enter our lives through everyday products, from food packaging to furniture, and learn about current scientific efforts to understand and manage these risks.

 

About the Speaker

Dr David Megson is an expert in environmental forensics whose research focuses on identifying and understanding chemical pollutants in our environment. His work helps inform policy decisions about chemical safety and regulation.

 

Content Notice

This talk discusses environmental pollution and health risks from chemical exposure. While technical terms will be explained, some content may be concerning to those worried about environmental health issues.

 

Practical Information

The presentation will include time for questions and discussion. Supporting slides will be provided to help understand technical concepts. Light refreshments can be purchased from the venue’s bar.

Booking is essential. Lit & Phil members: we recommend logging into the website to make booking your free member ticket quicker and easier.

 

Accessibility Information

The venue is wheelchair accessible with an accessible toilet on the ground floor. Please contact us regarding any specific accessibility requirements you may have by emailing events@manlitphil.ac.uk

 

Further Information

For those interested in learning more before the talk, we recommend looking at Imperial College’s Environmental Research Group website pages.

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