STERLING GROUP VISIT – UNICAMP – APRIL 2015
LECTURES
Presentation 1
Exploration Robotics
Dr Rob Richardson – University of Leeds
Robots are no longer just for use in factories for manufacturing tasks. They are now being considered
for applications that will impact on every part of our lives, from domestic cleaning robots to miniature
surgical robots. This talk will cover research activities undertaken by masters and PhD level students
including: a robot designed to explore the Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt that discovered writing hidden
for thousands of years; and robots developed for medical applications such as a miniature robot
designed to walk inside the human body using sticky feet inspired by the tree frog. Future robotics
opportunities and challenges will be discussed with relevance to masters and PhD level students.
Speaker’s Bio:
Dr Rob Richardson is the Director of the Institute of Design, Robotics and Optimisation, School of Mechanical Engineering,
University of Leeds; a research institute of 15 academic staff and over 50 members. He is Director of the Leeds EPSRC National
Facility for Innovative Robotic Systems, a world class, £4.3M facility for designing and creating robotic systems initiated in
August 2013. He is a Fellow of the IMechE. He has explored The Great Pyramid of Giza, Egypt using robotic technology and has
discovered writing in the Great Pyramid that was hidden for thousands of years . In the 2008 he was successful in developing
air and ground robotic systems that reached the final of the UK MOD Grand Challenge. He is currently working on a broad
range of funded research projects including robots to inspect the inside of high pressure live gas pipes, robotic exoskeletons to
enhance human strength, intelligent lower limb prosthetics and robotic archaeology.
Presentation 2
Advances in energy, propulsion and aerodynamics
Prof Simone Hochgreb – University of Cambridge
The most challenging problems of the 21st century will be to address how to advance from a fossil fuel
based economy to other sources of energy, yet maintaining the advances which have enabled modern
living, health and transportation. At Cambridge we are working on understanding and developing
environmentally friendly solutions for low emissions, high efficiency and low noise combustion and
propulsion systems, as well as analysing where the most important advances ought to be made to have
significant impacts. In this talk, we will see examples of different examples of engineering problems in
gas and solid fuel combustion, thermoacoustics and noise, and how we are developing experiments and
models to make a difference.
Speaker’s Bio:
Simone Hochgreb is Professor of Combustion at the University of Cambridge. She researches processes in combustion and
reacting flows, including problems in internal combustion engines and gas turbines. She has developed models for autoignition
and rapid compression machines and engines, as well as spray, soot and measurements in a range of devices. Her current work
is in the application of optical diagnostics to understanding turbulent flames and combustion instabilities. She holds a degree in
Mechanical Engineering from the University of São Paulo, and a PhD from Princeton University. Prior to Cambridge she held
positions at MIT and Sandia National Labs. She is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and has received the Wolfson
Merit Award and the Society of Automotive Engineers Ralph R. Teetor Award. She is currently a visiting professor at the
Instituto Tecnológico da Aeronáutica, in Brazil.
Presentation 3
Novel Applications of Statistical Physics
Prof Sudhir Jain – Aston University
After a general overview of the persistence (or “first passage”) problem, we discuss the phenomenon at
zero-temperature in the disordered Ising model on a square lattice. Results from extensive numerical
simulations of both bond diluted and random bond models will be presented and discussed. Both
models display interesting evidence of “blocking”. Estimates of the persistence exponent are given. The
persistence probability in the case of the Ising spin glass is also studied and is found to display an
intriguing double-humped feature. Our results suggest that persistence in disordered and pure systems
fall into different universality classes. In the second part of the talk, the persistence phenomenon in a
financial context is explored by using a novel mapping of the time evolution of the values of shares in a
portfolio onto Ising spins. The method is applied to historical data from the London Financial Times
Stock Exchange 100 and the Japanese Nikkei 225 indices over arbitrarily chosen periods. We study the
persistence behaviour in these markets by monitoring the “first passage crossing time”. We find clear
evidence of a double-power law decay of the persistence. The long-time persistence exponent is
estimated to be ~ 0.5
The persistence of sequences of consecutive positive/negative daily log returns is also discussed.
In the final part of the seminar, we discuss the persistence phenomenon in a “toy” socio-econo
dynamics model which appears to capture some of the essential features of real systems. Computer
simulations on hypercubic lattices in dimensions up to 5 are performed at a finite temperature. The
model includes a local “social” field which contains the magnetization at time t. We find no evidence of
“blocking” in this model.
Speaker’s Bio:
Prof Sudhir Jain has an international reputation in my field and numerous research contacts overseas. The application of ideas
and techniques from statistical physics to novel areas such as econophysics, financial mathematics, sociophysics and complex
networks is the underlying theme of his present research interests.
His present position as Associate Dean covers two portfolios: Postgraduate Taught Programmes and International Relations.
The former covers all of the taught MSc programmes in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, including Professional
Engineering which is a work based distance learning programme.
In his international role, he is responsible for the development and promotion of a coherent policy for the School when dealing
with potential partnerships and/or exchange opportunities. The international role covers not only both UG and PG programmes
but also School research links.
Presentation 4
Engineering Sustainable & Resilient Cities
Professor Mark Gillott & Dr Lucelia Rodrigues – University of Nottingham
We live in a world where the pressures on the built environment are multiplying due to the growth of
megacities, depletion of fossil fuels and the environmental threats of global warming and pollution. At
present buildings use approximately 40% of global energy, 25% of global water, 40% of global resources
and they are responsible for approximately one third of all greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). However,
buildings offer the greatest global potential for achieving significant GHG emission reductions at least
cost. The adaptation and creation of sustainable and resilient cities will require a holistic design
approach which cuts across professional boundaries and opens up even wider horizons for architectural
and engineering skills. University research and teaching has a key role in providing innovation and
solutions to address these issues as well as equipping the next generation of graduates with the
necessary knowledge and skill sets. This presentation will cover design, technology and engineering
solutions aimed at providing a more sustainable and resilient built environment. The content of the talk
specifically covers innovative solutions developed and implemented by the speakers through numerous
PhD research and Master’s Degree Level teaching activities. The presentation will highlight UK University
post graduate taught and research degree programme opportunities that are available and aimed at
addressing some of the most pressing issues of our day, the resolution of which will determine the fate
of future generations.
Speakers’ Bios:
Professor Mark Gillott is the Chair in Sustainable Building Design and Deputy Head of the Architecture Climate & Environment
Research Group at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, University of Nottingham. He has a BEng (hons)
degree in Civil Engineering, an MSc in Architecture, Environmental Design and Engineering, and a PhD in Sustainable Energy
Technology. Professor Gillott has over 20 years research experience in low carbon sustainable energy technologies, including
renewable energy systems, micro generation, CHP, ventilation, heat recovery, heat pumps and near zero energy building
design. His past and current research portfolio contains projects with a total value in excess of £25M. Professor Gillott lectures
on renewable energy and environmental design to undergraduate and postgraduate Architecture and Engineering students as
well as providing professionally accredited CPD to architecture and engineering professionals. Professor Gillott’s work is widely
published and he has presented numerous papers relating to his research at national and international conferences. He has also
presented his research work internationally and nationally through television/radio media (e.g. BBC News, Sky News, Voice of
America News) and his work has been exhibited at the National Science Museum in London.
Dr Lucelia Rodrigues is the Deputy Head of the Infrastructure, Geomatics & Architecture Research Division and an Assistant
Professor at the Department of Architecture and Built Environment, the University of Nottingham, where her teaching and
research has a strong focus on environmental design, sustainability and urban resilience. Her work is very cross-disciplinary,
building the link between architecture, building science and energy technologies. Dr Rodrigues qualified as an architect in Brazil
in 1999 and spent the next five years working in practice on residential and commercial building projects where she acquired
experience in sustainability in architecture. She then completed an MSc in Renewable Energy and Architecture as a Chevening
Scholar followed by a PhD exploring the thermal performance and climate resilience of low-energy housing through analysis of
empirical data and the application of probabilistic future climate scenarios in dynamic computer simulation. Dr Rodrigues has
ten years research expertise in the field of sustainable and resilient architecture with a current research portfolio containing
projects with a total value in excess of £20M. Her work is widely published and she has presented numerous papers at national
and international conferences, and has presented her work as an invited speaker in both professional and academic events. She
teaches mostly at postgraduate level, and students under her guidance have won over 25 awards since 2008.
Presentation 5
Engineering Urban Soils to Capture Atmospheric Carbon
Prof David Manning – Newcastle University
Photosynthesis is the most effective way of removing CO2 from the atmosphere, and offers a number of
possibilities for mitigating human impacts on atmospheric CO2 concentrations. The key issue concerns
how best to fix photosynthetic carbon to produce a sink that is permanent from a human perspective.
Given that composts turn over rapidly in soils, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere, alternative more
permanent sinks for carbon include soil carbonate minerals and biochar.
We have shown that the formation of calcium carbonates in urban soils is capable of removing 85 t CO2
per hectare annually. This takes place even with sparse vegetation by reaction between atmospheric
CO2 and calcium silicates and hydroxides derived from demolition waste. Reaction between composts
and quarried natural calcium silicates (dolerite and basalt) similarly produces calcium carbonate, but at a
slower rate (60 t CO2 per hectare annually). These two processes differ fundamentally in their
embedded carbon cost. In contrast, biochar offers the opportunity to physically add carbon derived
from plant growth to a soil, at controlled, desired, application rates.
Biochar is produced by pyrolysis, ideally in association with the generation of electricity. In ideal
circumstances, this can lead to a carbon-negative route to power generation. As well as providing a
carbon sink, biochar improves soil fertility. In contrast, carbonate precipitation may bring geotechnical
benefits with little impact on fertility. The origin of plant material for pyrolysis can be controversial.
There is scope for the pyrolysis of putrescible matter waste streams, but the presence of possible
contaminants may be an issue when planning to apply to land. In contrast, the use of purpose-grown
material may create competition for land use.
To reach targets for atmospheric carbon management, a wide range of tools need to be used.
Carbonate precipitation and biochar provides two possible options, and need to be considered within a
holistic context that addresses a range of benefits and risks.
Speaker’s Bio:
David Manning is Deputy Head of the School of Civil Engineering & Geosciences at Newcastle University, where he is Professor
of Soil Science. He is also President of the Geological Society of London, which is the professional body for geology in the UK.
His current research focuses on mineral reactions in soils, investigating the formation of carbonate minerals in engineered soils
as a way of removing CO2 from the atmosphere and he also investigates the use of silicate minerals as sources of potassium for
plant crop growth (focusing on Brazil). In addition to soils, he works on deep geothermal exploration, and led the completion
project on Newcastle University’s 2 km geothermal well, located in Newcastle city centre. He has over 100 peer-reviewed
journal publications, and was awarded the Mineralogical Society’s Schlumberger Medal in 2004.
Presentation 6 – A (for faculty members)
Research Collaboration with Cardiff University and Sources of Funding
Dr Stephen Bentley – Cardiff University
This presentation will aim to identify research areas of mutual interest and to explore opportunities for
funding collaborations.
It will describe Cardiff University’s current, high impact research in the disciplines of Civil, Mechanical,
Medical, Electrical and Electronic Engineering; aspects of Computer Science will also be included.
An overview will be given of sources of research funding for UK/Brazil collaboration, including the
Newton Fund, the EU’s Horizon 2020 and the UK Research Councils.
Finally, opportunities will be explored for the exchange of PhD students and the use of these exchanges
to establish working relationships between research faculty in Cardiff and Brazil.
Presentation 6 – B (for undergraduates)
Landslides on Flat Ground
Dr Stephen Bentley – Cardiff University
This short presentation will be given in the manner of a typical British University undergraduate lecture.
The sensitivity of soil is the ratio of undisturbed to disturbed (or remoulded) strength. Some clay soils
have sensitivity values of over 100, in extreme situations, values can be infinity because the disturbed
clay has a strength of zero. Clay mineral soils have unique properties because they are electrochemically
active. The electrochemistry of clays will be explained and used to show how under certain
circumstances clay soils can become transformed from solids to liquids. Once chemically transformed,
these sensitive clays become vulnerable to small disturbances; the result can be a spectacular flowslide
where millions of cubic metres of clay liquefy.
Speaker’s Bio:
Dr Bentley is an Engineering Geologist.
He graduated from Nottingham University with top honours having won the Williamson Prize and a University Exhibition for
being the top student in his year. At Leeds University he undertook a NERC sponsored MSc in Engineering Geology and
Geotechnics and then moved to the Civil Engineering Department for doctoral research. His PhD thesis concerned the
relationship between geochemistry and geotechnical behaviour of clays and was funded by the then Science Research Council;
the thesis was completed in less than 2 years and resulted in 5 journal papers. Dr Bentley has acted as sole supervisor to 10
PhD and MPhil research students, together with over 50 MSc research projects.
Highlights of his research work include the textbook 'Correlation of Soil Properties' which has been adopted by many
consultancy firms as a standard reference book. Another textbook is nearing completion and will be published by John Wiley
later this year. Also, the visualisation software, 'STRATA', which was used in the design of the foundations for the 5.1 km bridge
over the Severn Estuary in SW England. The STRATA software was successfully commercialised and was sold into over 100
companies in 12 countries worldwide.
He has acted as a consultant to many companies including the Department of the Environment (UK) and to the Departments of
Public Works in Brunei and Saudi Arabia.
He has 100 publications, over 40 of which are journal papers.
Dr Bentley has been involved in the establishment of the engineering training company, Engineering Practice Ltd, the
engineering consultancy, Earth Science Partnership (www.earthsciencepartnership.com), the software and utility support
company, MBA Group Ltd (www.mba-group.com), and the not for profit recylcing company and fore-runner to WRAP Wales
(www.wrapcymru.org.uk), the Wales Environment Trust.
He is currently the International Dean for the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering.