Hugh Edward Potts

Curriculum Vitae

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

June 1998 – Present: Post doctoral RA, Department of Physics, University of Glasgow

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)

• Member of the Institute of Physics – Chartered Physicist
• PhD. in Physics 1994-1998, UMIST, Manchester. See Recent Employment
• 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

Computing/ Numerical modelling

• Experienced programmer in Borland DELPHI, including
  • Video capture, analysis, storage and manipulation
  • Hardware interfacing, using manufacturer supplied DLLs
  • Finite difference modelling
  • General data 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, 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 with limited resources

Other

• Full clean UK driving licence
• Competent metalworker with experience of milling, lathe work, machining and welding.

• 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.

1992 – 1994 Electrician at ABA discos, Lancaster, part time

1992 – 1994 Barman at 'The Alex' pub and club, Lancaster, part time.

March-May 1994 Private tutor for 'A' level maths

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)

Sport / outdoor

Other

Making and mending all sorts of things, working on 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.