Doctoral research thats worlds apart

From one of the solar system’s largest planets to the finest of powders, the breadth of postgraduate research at Leicester will be on show on Tuesday 20 March, when two PhD graduates will deliver public talks on their respective specialist areas.

The third in a series of Doctoral Inaugural lectures, organised by the Doctoral College, features presentations from some of the University’s best research degree graduates, this time from the College of Science and Engineering. Commencing at 5pm, the lectures will be held in the George Davies Centre, Lecture Theatre 2, with a reception following the event.

Dr Gregory Hunt, Research Associate on Space and Atmospheric Physics, will discuss “Saturn's Auroral Current Systems as Revealed by the Cassini Mission”, and explore recent analyses of magnetic field data from the Cassini mission, which show the presence of field-aligned currents.

Dr Hunt will be discussing the implications of these results on Saturn’s periodicities and aurora. He will also examine how these results provide an important framework to inform analysis of the recent end of mission dataset.

Dr Reza Baserinia from the Department of Engineering will be examining his research into the “Flow of Fine and Cohesive Powders under Controlled Air Pressure Conditions”.

During his lecture, Dr Baserinia will discuss how the parameters affecting the flow of powders is necessary to enable the design and control of products and processes. His research examines powder-air interactions for three powder handling systems: bin discharge, linear shoe-die system and rotary paddle feeder.

Professor Dave Lambert, Doctoral College Director, said: “From auroral systems on a distant planet, to controlled air pressure on earth – these Doctoral Inaugural Lectures from The College of Science and Engineering demonstrate the exciting breadth of research our post-graduate researchers are undertaking.”

Professor Paul Monks, Head of College for Science and Engineering, added: “The doctoral inaugural lectures give a chance for our very best research degree graduates to share the outcomes of their work. These talks look exciting and stimulating, and reflect the breadth of work undertaken in the College of Science and Engineering from space to drug formulation.”

All University staff, students and members of the public are invited to attend the Doctoral Inaugural Lectures. Further details on the content can be found here: https://www2.le.ac.uk/offices/red/researcher-development/DIL-archive

• Entry is free, but seats must be booked in advance.  You can book your seats here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-doctoral-college-presents-doctoral-inaugural-lectures-tickets-42632044593
• Press release
• The University of Leicester’s leading role in space research and technologies will be represented at the GREAT Festival of Innovation from 21 - 24 March in Hong Kong organised by the UK’s Department for International Trade. Space science researcher and aspiring astronaut Dr Suzie Imber will join representatives of the University in talking about some of the latest exciting developments to come from space science and space-enabled technologies. The GREAT Festival of Innovation will explore how innovation impacts the way we LIVE, WORK, PLAY and LEARN with an impressive line-up of thought leaders and entrepreneurs from business, education, culture, media and technology.