Dr Steven Hepplestone and guests at The STEMM Cell @ Exeter Science Park
Credit: Guy Newman for KOR Communications

Exeter's entrepreneurs and academics solving the world energy crisis

Pioneering research at the University of Exeter into solving the world’s energy crisis and improving energy efficiency has been presented to delegates at the first in a series of talks; The STEMM Cell @ Exeter Science Park. 

Dr Steven Hepplestone, a lecturer in the theory of quantum mechanics, presented details of the innovative project alongside his research team at The STEMM Cell @ Exeter Science Park – Inspiring Growth event. (Wednesday, September 27).

Dr Hepplestone addressed the matter of the world energy crisis, explaining how with quantum mechanics – the study of the smallest constituent particle of matter – we can improve energy efficiency.
A normally theoretical scientific study, Dr Hepplestone and his team have been studying how quantum mechanics can be put to practical use by predicting and creating new materials with properties that can improve energy efficiency.

Dr Hepplestone said: “By both generating energy and improving energy storage, we can improve viability and efficiency.

“For example, we study how to make batteries more efficient and able to hold more charge by careful atomic level design of the materials. This can then be tested and applied to practical situations for business use or further scientific study.”

Looking at topics including productivity, innovation and leadership, as well as science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM), The STEMM Cell @ Exeter Science Park events are a series of presentations designed to inspire business growth.

Dr Sally Basker, CEO of Exeter Science Park said: “The Science Park’s mission is to host and support innovative STEMM companies to deliver extraordinary growth. In running these events, we’re bringing together the thought-leaders, innovators and key players in the region to collaborate and share knowledge on key topics linked to leadership, productivity and STEMM subjects.

“With revolutionary scientific study taking place in the region and with the world energy crisis a hot topic at the moment, it was an obvious choice for our first discussion.”

The events are being run in partnership with the SETsquared Exeter incubator.

The STEMM Cell events will continue with a presentation from Innovate UK on Wednesday, October 18th, discussing innovation, industry, collaboration and funding. The Autumn/Winter term schedule of events also includes:

25th October: productivity and innovation
1st November: Plastics in the marine environment
8th November: The FAB Project – a ground breaking engineering project running a sub-sea electrical interconnector from France to Britain
15th November: Leadership without words
6th December: Meet the neighbours – Lidl’s distribution centre in Exeter

Attendees are welcome to arrive and use the Science Park Centre facilities from 3:00pm with networking due to start at 5:30pm. Presentations start at 5:45pm, followed by a Q&A session.

Tickets are now available to purchase for all the presentation and are £10 per event or £2.50 for students.

For further information, contact Annette Richman at KOR Communications on 01392 466733 or annette.richman@korcommunications.co.uk

Date: 2 October 2017