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Down to Earth: From Sniffing a Comet, the Moon and Mars to Submarines, Scotch Whisky and more…

Dates
Friday, March 20, 2020 - 15:00 to 16:00
Location
The Higgs Centre for Innovation, Royal Observatory, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ
Photo of a glass of whisky

This event has been POSTPONED until further notice. What links space exploration and whisky?! 

Come and learn about how technology that landed on a comet is now being used on Earth, in this talk by the OU's Dr Geraint (Taff) Morgan. 

Taff Morgan is highly active in analytical chemistry and the space technology translation agenda at The Open University.

The first half of his career was spent developing instruments for the Rosetta comet probe and the Beagle2 Mars lander.

Having successfully analysed a comet, Taff has led research teams to develop a wide range of bespoke, high impact, solutions to challenges. This includes developing the award-winning air quality monitoring system for use on all future UK submarines, and instruments for the world’s largest flavours and fragrance company.

The Science and Technology Facilities Council Food Network + has allowed Taff to work with end-users, with the aim of developing novel sniffing solutions, such as for earlier detection of Campylobacter in chicken farms - the primary cause of food poisoning in the UK.

In partnership with the Scotch Whisky Research Institute, and IBM Research UK, Taff's team is developing a sniffing method for detecting fake and adulterated whisky. 

This event is free to attend. Tours of the observatory are available for visitors from 2pm. The talk starts at 3pm. 

Book your place via the Space Science and Scottish Whisky Talk Eventbrite page

Contact us

If you are interested in potentially holding an event with us please email: 
Scotland-Marcomms@open.ac.uk