Semiconductors to Shipbuilding

[dave walsh]

"The Life Scientific" on Radio 4 this morning featured Prof Alf Adams an unassuming and amusing chap who described his life time research career that has had major implications for domestic and industrial technology. He started by explaining that valve Radar technology was superseded by semiconductor based applications and it all then just got more and more interesting, particularly in the high powered Laser area. He is an advocate of doing research to learn rather than with a specific purpose as the eventual uses [if any] he says, may not be as anticipated. Recommended to. Some similarities to the mind set that led to Radio Amateurs doing pioneering things that they had been told wouldn't work!
On again at 9-30pm tonight.
Dave W

[mole42uk]

An excellent programme, well worth catching if you can

Richard

[G6Tanuki]

I may just have to see if this becomes available to download.

[dave walsh]

It will be on the I Player for a week!
Dave

[threeseven]

Thanks for posting this, I just happened to see it in time to listen to it this evening. Extremely interesting.

[G8HQP Dave]

Yes, I heard it. Interesting that when he had his idea of strained lattice semiconductors none of the existing laser diode firms would listen to him - it seemed too counter-intuitive. So he went to Philips, who were starting from fresh in that area.

[threeseven]

Very unfortunate that he accepted just £1000 from Philips to buy him out, which he then gave to some of his students for their research!

[Telleadict]

Hello

The programme page is here. Apparantly available to stream for "at least 1 year" and for mp3 download "indefinately". I've dowloaded it but haven't had chance to listen yet.
Will