I had a very interesting few hours on Tuesday wandering around the National Physical Laboratory on their open day.
( probably most famous for housing the atomic clocks which I viewed)
www.npl.co.uk/
It was interesting to see so much of the work being done there and to see what might have a direct impact on some of us.
Home insulation. Testing double glazing ( not just vertical windows) and other types of insulation.
All types of lights and their use in the home.
Using the excess heat generated by cars. Converting the heat directly into electricity.
Bubble technology. Drugs ( in bubbles) intoduced into the body but only the ones next to tumour are burst so they hit a precise target.
Some good demos for all including children.
Explaining how working at atom levels is explored
e.g. the amount your stubble grows in the time between picking up a razor and the razor reaching your face.
Retina recognition at airports being phased out.
With the new passports you can be identified by face from yards away by a camera based system.
Laser scanning of your mouth so no need for impressions to be taken for bridges /dentures.
The most incredible holograms.
So much to see and so little time.
Over 40 labs were open.
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didnt barnes wallis test his bouncing bomb theory there?
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Indeed, in the ship tanks, and work on blowing up damns with water in was done at Harmondsworth.
I think the ship tanks have gone, Henry can confirm.
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>>>> I think the ship tanks have gone
Tesco now on the site.
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Figures, hope they drown.
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Well Henry, you could of told us before the event. :-)
How often do they have Open Days? I can't find any reference on the website.
I last went there while still at school. Passed my driving test in the morning and drove there in the afternoon on a school trip. Can't remember if I had a plan B in case of failure!
I remember the long wave tanks but not much else. Your report sounds a lot more interesting.
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is there free parking at the NPL for visitors wouldnt mind having a gander
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>>Well Henry, you could of told us before the event. :-)
Sorry I did not get any notice.
>>How often do they have Open Days? I can't find any reference on the website.
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I was so impressed and I only saw a few of the labs during the 1400-2000 hours.
I did ask re open days and they said the last was two years ago.
I will give them feedback and encourage then to repeat the event.
I will suggest the publicity is better but that might mean several days open if as they say 2.5K visitors came this time.
>>I remember the long wave tanks but not much else. Your report sounds a lot more interesting.
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I remember the test tanks just near Hatton Cross and can also confirm Tesco is now sited there.
>>Is there free parking at the NPL for visitors wouldnt mind having a gander.
There was free parking on the open day with virtually no security.
I cannot believe you can visit any other time.
The labs are located in a new lab buildings on the edge of Bushy Park at the Teddington side.
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There is also a lot of stuff available for schools
www.npl.co.uk/educate-explore/
and
www.npl.co.uk/educate-explore/water-rocket-challenge/
Looks fun. 20 June is the next event see the Youtube video.
Much more fun than I was a kid. Schools from all over the UK take part.
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Thanks for the update.
Last year I spent a long time helping a friend design and test a release mechanism for his four year old son's water rocket. We got very wet but the biggest test was getting the rocket only to land in friendly neighbours' gardens!
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The future & NPL visit. - zookeeper
