Institute of Physics Award at BT the Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition
Stimulating interest in science
Institute of Physics in Ireland
15 January 2008
Ciara McCarthy, Ellie Townsend and Lisa O’Sullivan from Colaiste Choilm, Ballincollig, Co Cork with Bob Kirby Harris, chief executive of the Institute of Physics (left) and Sir Anthony Cleaver with the winners
These three students received three major awards at the 2008 BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
 |
The students have entered the Young Scientist competition several times before. For this project, The Physics of Perforations, they looked at the polarisation patterns that appear on stretched thin films and extended this to a complex analysis of how perforations tear (using plastic bags) when under stress. They experimented with stress levels on a selection of perforation types such as cirsles, squares and slits and found that the slit perforations delivered the cleanest tear.
 |
The Institute of Physics hosted a Physics and Radar stand in the Industries Hall at the Exhibition. Over 5000 kicks were taken and speeds displayed at the stand over the three days of the exhibition with staff and postgraduates from physics departments in DIT, TCD, UCD, DCU and NUIM assisting with providing physics information and explanations.
 |
^ To the top ^