01 November 2007

Green vehicles gearing up for National Chemistry Week

A fleet of environmentally-friendly vehicles – including a bio-ethanol fuelled Lotus Elise and the world’s first hydrogen-fuelled Formula Student racing car – will descend on Nottingham Trent University’s Clifton campus as part of this year’s National Chemistry Week celebrations. The vehicles are part of the Fuelling the Future Tour which aims to support this year’s ‘travel’ theme set by event organisers The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC).

The tour, which stops off at the University on 6 November, forms part of the RSC’s energy and transport campaign, which aims to show how chemistry can offer positive solutions to the energy challenges that travel and transport face today. Other vehicles on show outside the University’s Centre for Effective Learning in Science (CELS) building, will include a fuel cell motorbike, a bio-diesel fuelled Land Rover and a hydrogen-fuelled BMW 7 Series.

As well as drawing attention to the role of chemistry in the motor industry and the importance of reducing carbon dioxide emissions, there will be a giant representation of a carbon dioxide molecule on show, measuring an impressive six feet in height and breadth. CELS will also be running a series of children’s activities during the morning involving a workshop on fuel cells.

The Fuelling the Future Tour is part of a series of National Chemistry Week events at Nottingham Trent University intended to promote a positive image of chemistry and increase public understanding of the importance of chemical science in our everyday lives. School pupils from across the East Midlands will take part in a range of fun and exciting hands-on activities and demonstrations, hosted by the University’s CELS team and its School of Science and Technology.

These include a Know Chemistry event on 7 November, when older pupils will take a fun look at how chemistry impacts on their lives, and examine some of the principles behind the technology. And during a Snap, Crackle and Snot activity session on 8 November, they will study liquid nitrogen and the chemistry of solids and even have a go at making slime.

CELS Outreach Coordinator, Dr Georgina Westbrook, said: “Having the Fuelling the Future Tour visit Nottingham Trent University is very exciting for us. The exhibition will allow the visiting pupils to see up close just what steps are being made in transport technology and how their lives may be affected by them. The event is an excellent addition to the CELS Chemistry Week programme.”