The photo shows a simple experiment demonstrating how a thermoelectric generator creates energy. Two small baths, one filled with cold water, and the other with hot water are placed together with two metal plates protruding from the top. An electric motor is then placed on top and connected to each plate, the resulting energy which is created in turn makes the fan spin.

More about NPL’s Energy harvesting exhibit, or read the full BBC News story.

A selection of my photos from the 2011 Water Rocket Challenge have been published in several local newspapers around the Richmond and Kingston area in the Local Guardian and Richmond and Kingston Informer.

Press cuttings (PDF)

You can read and see the online versions of the articles in the Informer before the event (using my previous years photo), and after the event and in the Local Guardian.

Blast Off!

A rocket launches with an egg on-board - leaving a trail of feathers behind!

Checking the payload with anticipation!

Preparing for launch

Houston we have a go!

The army attempt to construct a tower out of newspaper

Preparing to launch the World’s Largest Water Rocket

Blast Off!

Some of my contributions to the day are below, you can see all the photos submitted throughout the day at NPL’s Flickr set.

Andrew Hanson takes delivery of fizzy drinks bottles ahead of NPL’s Annual Water Rocket Challenge.

A partner organisation finalises a deal.

Visiting Bilbo Baggins


Testing in progress

Ready, set, go!

Staff canteen

The photo shows Robert using a prototype of Argento’s point-of-care device in his lab and accompanies a two page article which examines the medical device and its uses and benefits.

View the article on The Engineer’s website.

What would we need from you

All we ask is for you to answer a couple questions every month or so at the minimum, if you want to answer more than feel free! They only have to be a few paragraphs long, and written to GCSE / A-level level to make sure the widest possible audience can understand them.

Don’t want to write? We also have a possible exciting new venture which would see us team up with a leading online audio site which would let visitors ask questions verbally, and let scientists respond to them likewise.

What’s more, if you’re a STEM Ambassador, your contributions will actively count towards your activities!

You’ll be credited for all your work, and it’s a great visible way of getting yourself out there and in the public eye.

Get more info and take part!

If you want to take part or get more info, simply leave a comment below, or email us at hello@askascientist.co.uk

To see how we’ve been getting on so far, and what’s already been answered, you can view the Ask a Scientist website.

You can see the photo below, which shows Paul working in his lab viewing a laser beam which is being shone through the light bulb and onto a piece of card.

The photo, taken in a very dark lab, was shot with a Canon 7D, f1.8 50mm lens and a Sigma EF 530 Flash.

Read the online version of the article here.

Above, acoustics scientist Richard Jackett reading Serco’s internet magazine Scoop inside NPL’s anechoic chamber, designed to produce no sound echos and insulated from all exterior noise. A perfect place to get some quiet reading done!

Argento Diagnostics’ chief scientific officer Rob Porter, shown here in his lab using a prototype device which will allow medical and sports professionals to conduct tests of samples in the feed within minutes.

Above, scientist Paul Miller is seen here working in his lab, monitoring a laser being shone through a light bulb onto a small piece of card in his hand.

View the photography section for more photos of people

You can read the review online; my photo is on page 17.

2010 also saw Fashion Shows put onto the agenda of events I attend. First was the London Fashion Weekend in the Spring, followed by press access to the Clothes Show Live in Birmingham in the Autumn.

The summer brought with it great weather, providing the opportunity to get out and about and shoot the great outdoors, like the shot below from Dungeness

The summer is also the time for car shows, such as Modified Nationals which featured Sextons girl Lucy Allen below.

The year also had its spells of bad weather too, which provided some great time for some indoor photography, such as this still life Strawberries & Cream shot.

As well as personal work, I also shot many photos for work, such as the NPL Water Rocket Challenge.

This is obviously only a snapshot of all the goings on in the past year; for more – you can see everything which happened during the year in the 2010 archives.