Smirnoff cows

15 March 2006

TECHNIQUEST@NEWI are getting behind Wrexham Science and Technology Week with the organisation of four science events set to change the way people think about sound, food, fuel consumption and alcohol!

The first event is on Monday and gets the week off to a boozy start with the Science of Alcohol. This interactive talk will discuss why people get drunk and explore the science behind drinking. Topics covered will include how alcohol is made and what from, how to make the perfect B52 and even how to make vodka from milk! A range of drinks will be discussed to help the science go down; with people over the age of 18 being able to take part in taste demonstrations.

For the car fanatics out there ‘Hybrids to Hydrogen: the cars of the future’, on Wednesday evening, will explore fuel usage in cars and how we can reduce their energy and fuel consumption, or use fuels other than oil? From his experience in research into electric and hybrid vehicles, John Griffith of Techniquest@NEWI will explain how energy use can be reduced and why our cars could do 300 miles per gallon if their engines could use all the energy in the fuel. John will also talk about the secret behind hybrid vehicles, such as the Toyota Prius and how they achieve such striking improvements in fuel consumption and offer a discussion into the cars of the future: will they be battery or hydrogen powered? He will also offer some useful tips on how changing the way you drive might significantly help to reduce your trips to the filling station!

The next day ‘Kitchen Science’ will explore the science themes related to the hub of everyone’s house; the kitchen. The talk will demonstrate that not all experiments have to be done in the controlled environment of the laboratory. This illustrated talk which will involve taste tests will explore the genius of science using nothing more complicated than a bag of sugar. Questions that will be answered include: why does bread rise; how do you make fruit fizz; and why do egg whites fluff, but not yolks?

Also on Thursday there is a family show aimed at exploring the science of sound. ‘Now Hear This’ will explore why Barry White had such a deep voice and how to win X-Factor without the need for musical talent as well as illustrating how modern music is created and mixed. There will also be an opportunity to see some home-made musical instruments powered by blowtorches and bins and some demonstrations of the amazing musical technology that exists today to help musicians compose, record and perform their songs. This show will feature live music and popular tunes as they’ve never been heard before.

All these events are being held at NEWI, the Science of Alcohol event is on Monday 20th March at 7pm; Hybrids to Hydrogen: the cars of the future is on Wednesday 22nd March at 7pm; Now Hear This is on Thursday 23rd March at 7pm and Kitchen Science is also on Thursday 23rd March at 7pm.

For more details on any of these events being held during Wrexham Science and Technology Week @ NEWI log on to www.newi.ac.uk. The lectures throughout the week are free, but people are asked to reserve their place by calling 01978 293439/3597 or e-mail eventsteam@newi.ac.uk.