Duke of Edinburgh informed about physics and the green economy at visit to Institute of Physics in London
Prince Edward finds out about the work of physicists supporting the green economy The post Duke of Edinburgh informed about physics and the green economy at visit to Institute of Physics in London appeared first on Physics World .
On February 5th, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, visited the headquarters of the Institute of Physics (IOP) in central London to learn about the critical role that physics plays in supporting the green economy. The event, which drew together around 100 business leaders, policy chiefs, senior physicists, and IOP and IOP Publishing staff, underscored how physics research is paving the way for clean energy solutions and economic growth.
During his visit, the Duke toured an exhibition featuring 12 companies that are leveraging physics-based innovations to address environmental challenges. Among these were Nellie Technologies and Promethean Particles, both of which specialize in carbon capture, as well as Tokamak Energy, a fusion energy firm, and Sunamp, which develops non-flammable thermal batteries. The other participating companies included Intelligent Energy, Matoha Instrumentation, NESO, Oxford Instruments, Inductive Power Projection, QBA, Reclinker, and Treeconomy.
The event also included a panel debate chaired by Tara Shears, the IOP's vice-president for science and innovation. Participants in the discussion included ex-BP CEO John Browne, now involved in green energy initiatives, Sizewell C energy-strategy director David Cole, Nellie Technologies founder Stephen Millburn, solar-cell physicist Jenny Nelson from Imperial College, and Emily Nurse from the UK's Climate Change Committee.
In his remarks following the debate, the Duke expressed his admiration for the "brilliant ideas" being developed to tackle pressing environmental issues through creativity and imagination. He emphasized the importance of nurturing the right skills for the future and creating an environment that fosters the growth and marketization of these innovative solutions. "Our ability to evolve the right skills for the future has been well demonstrated here," he said. "It comes down to creating the right climate to allow these ideas to flourish and come to market. We simply cannot drop this issue."
The Duke's visit to the IOP headquarters highlighted the pivotal role that physics research plays in driving sustainable solutions for a green economy. By bringing together industry leaders, policymakers, and researchers, the event showcased the potential of physics-driven innovations to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our planet, from climate change to the transition to clean energy. The Duke's words serve as a reminder of the urgent need for continued collaboration and investment in these areas to ensure a sustainable future for all.
