University of Strathclyde continues its Outreach Project Solar Suitcase

The Solar Suitcase has been showcased in seven schools this term in and around Glasgow, Scotland, reaching approximately 280 pupils. This program educates students about climate change and explores various ways to mitigate its impact. A key theme is renewable energy, with the suitcase offering hands-on experiments, activities, and the specially developed Solar Card game, which demonstrates how different renewable energy sources can replace fossil fuels.

Additionally, the Solar Suitcase has been showcased at a STEM event held at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, as a stall-based activity, reaching approximately 200 pupils. Again, the main theme being renewable energies, the Solar Card game was made into a jigsaw puzzle that pupils found particularly engaging as they were able to fit together the roadmap to mitigating the effects of climate change, replacing fossil fuels with renewable energy.

Ioanna Itskou received SCN funding to attending the 2024 MRS Meeting in Boston, USA

I am thankful and honoured to have received the Solar Chemicals Network (SCN) Travel Award to attend (and present at) the 2024 MRS Fall Meeting & Exhibit, in Boston, MA, USA during 1-6 December 2024.

Thanks to this award, I was able to take part in such a valuable experience. While I have been lucky enough to attend several scientific events throughout my PhD, this conference was a unique opportunity for me, as a final year PhD student about to submit my thesis. Firstly, it was an opportunity to present the last part of my work, which had only recently been summarised in a manuscript, ready to be submitted for publication. My session was related to materials for solar fuels production, with many experts and rising researchers in attendance. My oral presentation was well received, with engagement and many questions from the audience. I also attended many interesting talks, and discovered new scientific methods, research outputs, as well as troubleshooting experiences and insights related to the solar fuels field. I was able to make new connections and renew old ones, including PhD students, fellows and faculty. This greatly boosted my visibility as a scientist, independent thinking and (collaborating) network. Finally, in terms of both timing and connections, this was a one-of-a-kind chance for me to discuss with prospective future hosts/employers and introduce myself not just as a researcher, but also as an eligible candidate.

Guanglei Chen attends the Atom Probe Tomography School in France

I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to the Solar Chemical Network for providing me with the opportunity to attend the Atom Probe Tomography (APT) School. During this program, I had the chance to connect with experts from around the world. The lectures offered an in-depth understanding of the development and advancements in APT technology, helping me better understand its advantages and limitations. This knowledge will be invaluable in applying APT techniques to solve my own scientific challenges.

The hands-on sessions were especially beneficial. By learning about the experimental setup in their university lab, I gained the insights needed to establish a similar setup in my own laboratory. Additionally, engaging in discussions with other researchers allowed me to address specific issues in my work and gain valuable perspectives.