Tag Archives: University of Manchester

Oct 06 2017
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Art and architecture, Daily Post

Graphene

Thursday 5th October 2017, 1.10pm (day 2,233)

NGI translucency, 5/10/17

I have never noticed before taking this picture what a masterly piece of architecture the National Graphene Institute is. The crane you see in this picture is not a reflection. In fact, it stands behind the building, which is therefore translucent in its upper portion. Graphene was discovered by Andre Geim here at Manchester by how it adhered to pieces of sticky tape used to clean graphite, and look — here are those pieces, lined up, black, translucent — just like graphene. It’s brilliant, actually.

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Sep 26 2017
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Art and architecture, Daily Post

The students are back

Tuesday 26th September 2017, 4.20pm (day 2,224)

Students return, 26/9/17

I had managed to keep a low profile for the last week or so, by being in France, but there really was no avoiding it today. Welcome back to them all anyway — after all, they are why we here. (Yes, I do believe that still.)

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Sep 16 2017
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Daily Post, Urban scene

The liquid nitrogen arrives

Thursday 14th September 2017, 8.05am (day 2,212)

Nitrogen delivery, 14/9/17

However you make ‘miracle substance’ graphene, or go about making it into things once you’ve got it, you clearly need a lot of liquid nitrogen to do it with…. Early morning delivery here at the National Graphene Institute, from the big tanker out of shot to the right. And yes, I was on campus by just after 8am. How keen of me.

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Sep 06 2017
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Daily Post, Urban scene

Summer no more

Tuesday 5th September 2017, 11.45am (day 2,203)

Rain from office, 5/9/17Joe and his fellow 14-year-olds returned to school. I returned to Manchester. It threw it down. There went the summer…. This picture is dull, I know. But it’s meant to be.

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Aug 08 2017
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Daily Post, Urban scene

Estates and facilities

Tuesday 8th August 2017, 9.55am (day 2,175)

Workmen at University, 8/8/17

Definitely the most important Directorate of the University at this point in time. It is almost impossible to take a photograph anywhere in Manchester city centre without hitting some kind of building site at the moment (as I have observed numerous times recently); the University is certainly doing its bit for this architectural movement of 2017.

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Jul 21 2017
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Daily Post, Friend, Portrait

Waiting for the graduation ceremony

Thursday 20th July 2017, 12.15pm (day 2,156)

Waiting for graduation, 20/7/17

The twice-yearly graduation ceremonies give us the chance to dress up in our finery and enjoy some pomp and circumstance. Opportunities to do that are getting fewer in the world so let’s embrace them while they still exist. And as ever, congratulations to all the students as well.

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Jul 13 2017
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Daily Post, Interior

Graduation balloons

Thursday 13th July 2017, 9.00am (day 2,149)

Graduation balloons, 13/7/17

It’s that time of year again. It crossed my mind today that it’s now twenty years since I first graduated, in July 1997. Gosh…

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Jun 27 2017
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Daily Post, Interior

Waiting for my interview

Monday 26th June 2017, 10.30am (day 2,132)

Bridgeford Street corridor, 26/6/17

How many generations of students have spent their time waiting around in corridors, until the time they are called into the room? It doesn’t change. Did I get the job? Not this time.

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Jun 16 2017
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Daily Post, Interior

Inside Mansour’s Mac

Friday 16th June 2017, 10.55am (day 2,122)

Mansour's Mac, 16/6/17

Have been a Mac owner for nigh on a decade now but realised today I had never before seen inside one — this realisation coming about when my student Mansour turned up in my office and started dismantling his, for reasons that are too unnecessarily complex to reveal here. Anyway, there you go, that’s what it looks like inside. I somehow feel there should be more to it.

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May 17 2017
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Daily Post, Interior

Lego workshop

Tuesday 16th May 2017, 1.00pm (day 2,091)

Lego workshop, 16/5/17

It was time today for the monthly staff development workshop that I organise. Why the Lego? Well, ask the speaker… but the talk was about creative innovation, so always good to have some toys to spark interest. I always try to do something creative each day — the proof has played out over the last five-and-three-quarter years on here.

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