The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition takes place annually and provides an opportunity to showcase research from universities and research institutions all over the UK.
This year, 13 main exhibits were on display, ranging from the science of healthy brain ageing to formulation engineering and the physics of sand grains.
The exhibits were engaging and interactive for those of all ages, including the opportunity to walk through a model of the human digestive system!
Among the highlights was ‘From Our Lab to Your Home’, an exhibit on formulation engineering from the University of Birmingham, which revealed the science behind the making and functioning of many of our everyday items.
For example, the bubbles in washing-up liquid do not actually serve a purpose in the cleaning of dishes, but rather the surfactants are responsible, as they trap grime in ball like structures called micelles and wash it away.
We were also surprised to learn that in washing-up liquid testing, there is a device that is used to measure the ‘squeaky-clean’ sound when dishes are freshly cleaned!
Another fascinating exhibit was from Brighton and Sussex Medical School, the University of Sussex and Birkbeck University of London. It informed us about the influence of everyday factors on cognitive ageing. Among these were sleep, exercise, social connection and emotional wellbeing.
This research is crucial because it is thought that 40% of dementia risk may be linked to modifiable factors such as these that can be incorporated into life from an early age.
This year’s exhibition highlighted the diversity of scientific research taking place in the UK, demonstrating its relevance not only to medical treatments, but to our daily lives.
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