Hugh Edward Potts
Curriculum Vitae

A postdoctoral physicist with a thorough knowledge of practical electronics and substantial programming experience. Skilled at finding innovative solutions to practical problems of all kinds.

Address 	Work Address	Personal Details
10, Foyers Terrace 	Dept. of Physics and Astronomy	Date of birth: 5/8/73
Springburn 	University of Glasgow	Nationality: British
Glasgow  G21 4NF 	Glasgow  G12 8QQ	Sex: Male
tel: 0141 558 3320	hugh@astro.gla.ac.uk	
	tel: 0141 339 8855 ext. 0102	
Qualifications
•	Member of  the Institute of Physics - Chartered Physicist  (MInstP, CPhys)
•	PhD in Physics from UMIST, Manchester 1994-1998. Details in recent employment section.
•	BSc. Hons. Degree Class 1 in Physics and Electronics
	1991-1994  University  of Lancaster, Lancs. 
•	GCE 'A' and 'S'  Levels
	1991  Huntington Comprehensive, York
	  Physics 		A   	'S' level Grade 1
	  Chemistry		A	'S' level Grade 1
	  Maths			A
	  General Studies	A
Technical Skills
Computing/ Numerical modelling
•	Experienced programmer in Borland DELPHI, including:
•	Video capture, image analysis, storage and manipulation 
•	Hardware interfacing, using manufacturer supplied DLLs
•	Finite difference modelling
•	General data manipulation and analysis
•	Substantial experience in PASCAL, some FORTRAN and BASIC programming
•	Setting up experiment control and data acquisition systems
•	Considerable experience in setting up and maintaining Windows NT4 workstation, Windows 95/98 and Windows 3.11
•	Some basic UNIX experience
•	Skilled at finding and resolving hardware problems
•	Mathematical modelling and data analysis in MATLAB
•	LaTeX typsetting and HTML programming 
Electronics
•	Designing and building experimental instrumentation and control systems 
•	Design of Microwave power systems
•	Computer/ experiment interface
•	Skilled electrician with lots of practical experience, including circuit design and fault finding. Particularly good at repairing systems when resources are limited.
Other
•	Full clean UK driving licence
•	Competent metalworker with experience of milling, lathe work, machining and welding
•	My greatest strength is in thinking up novel ideas to solve problems within my areas of expertise. I can also repair almost anything.
Recent employment
June 1998 - Present: Post doctoral research assistant, Department of Physics, University of Glasgow
Studies of the dynamic behaviour of magnetic liquids
Using a magnetic liquid (ferrofluid) as a tool to investigate unstable surface wave evolution and the dynamic behaviour of freely levitating liquid drops. Also studies of acoustic wave scattering by magnetic structures in ferrofluids exposed to magnetic fields. 
Work included:
•	Setting up a laboratory from scratch, researching and purchasing equipment
•	Project management - deciding on direction of research and managing project budget 
•	Design and execution of experiments including:
•	Design of software for image acquisition and analysis, including recognising features in noisy images, and hardware programming
•	Design of an ultrasonic (5-10Mhz) sonar type system to measure inhomogeneities in ferrofluid caused by an external magnetic field
•	Real time computer feedback control system for manipulating and acquiring data from a drop of ferrofluid freely suspended in a magnetic field
•	Teaching: tutorials, some lecturing and supervising undergraduate labs
Sept 1994 - June 1998: PhD in Physics at EA Technology, Chester and UMIST, Manchester
A fundamental study of a novel plasma process	
Exploration and development of a new and novel industrial plasma processing technique.
Work included:
•	Designing, building and commissioning an experimental rig, including COSHH and electrical assessments. This involved high power microwave generators.
•	Co-operating with groups working on other aspects of the technology
•	Designing and performing experiments to analyse the plasma
•	Mathematical and computer modelling
•	Presentation of results, including a oral presentation to the Institute of Physics Plasma Physics Conference (1996)
Other Responsibilities
•	Presenter of planetarium shows to local schools, using an inflatable planetarium. It is possible to fit up to 30 primary school children inside!
•	Mechanic and maintenance teacher for the Caledonian Ladies Cycle Club. I am in the process of writing some web pages giving basic bike maintenance instructions.
Previous employment		
1992 - 1994	Electrician at ABA discos, Lancaster, part time
Responsibilities involved repairing and maintaining disco equipment, designing and making components, setting up lighting rigs and sound rigs on customers sites. Also freelance electronics work for local nightclubs
1992 - 1994	Barman at 'The Alex' pub and club, Lancaster, part time. 
Responsibilities included opening the club bar on my own, dealing with awkward customers, cellar work and counting money
March-May 1994	Private tutor for ‘A’ level maths
Prior to this I have had a variety of part time and temporary jobs in shops and factories, involving dealing with customers and money
Publications
Potts H., Barrat R., Diver DA. Dynamics of freely suspended drops  J.Phys D.  (Submitted Oct 2000)
Potts H., Diver DA. Large amplitude ferrofluid surface waves and jets New Journal of Physics (Submitted Oct 2000)
Potts H., Diver DA. Experimental and theoretical study of freely suspended ferrofluid drops in a magnetic field Poster presentation, International Workshop on Magnetic Fluids, Brasilia, Brazil (2000)
Potts H., Hugill J. Studies of high-pressure, partially ionised plasma generated by 2.45 GHz microwaves  Plasma Sources Science and Technology 9 pp18-24 (2000)
Potts H., Bremner S., Diver DA. The dynamics of magnetic liquids, poster presentation, 26th IOP Plasma Physics Conference (Pitlochry, Scotland, 1999)
Potts H., Hugill J.,  Rusbridge MG. Characterisation of a high pressure, microwave induced plasma, Oral presentation, 23rd IOP Plasma Physics Conference (Crieff Hydro, Perthshire, 1996)
Interests
Sport / outdoor
Mountain and road biking, climbing, hill walking, sailing
Other
Making and mending all sorts of things, restoring cars, listening to music, particularly large choral works, reading, playing the 'cello and singing 1st bass in the City of Glasgow Chorus
I am also interested in trying to design and make everyday objects that are more energy efficient.
References available on request