Profile
Daniel Hewson
My CV
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Education:
University of Exeter (2012-present), Queen Mary UoL (2007-2010), Exeter College (2005-2007), Cambridge Regional College (2003-2004), Netherhall Sports Academy (1993-2000).
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Qualifications:
I have a Masters Degree in Advanced Materials Engineering, a Bachelors Degree in Dental Materials, I have A levels in Chemistry, Biology, Geography, Sports Science, Business and Econonmics and art history. I have GCSEs.
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Work History:
Exeter Royal Academy for Deaf Education, Darts Farm, University of Exeter print and copy services, Sense (Charity for the sensory impaired), Next, Sainsburys, Tesco, First sport, University of Cambridge holiday playscheme and my first job was a paper round.
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Current Job:
I am a PhD researcher at the University of Exeter
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Read more
The most striking colours produced by nature come from physical structures found in insects like butterflies and beetles. They produce brilliant iridescent colour which can also be seen in things like bubbles and oil spillages. I work with a material called cellulose (the stuff plants are made of) which I form into structures, like those found in nature, to display similar colours.
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My Typical Day:
My typical day involves using different kinds of microscope that help me understand how my material behaves.
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Read more
Because I need to know what my material is doing I need to use a variety of different microscopes to be able to see how it is behaving. My starting material is 100 nanometers long which is 70 times smaller than the red blood cells in your body. To see these I need to use a Transmission Electron Microscope which is powerful enough to see layers that are 1 atom thick. I use light microscopes with special filters to understand how my material interacts with light.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would donate the money to TASTE, a charity set up to bring scientific learning to children in Africa.
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Funny, flexible (in a laid back sense) and creative.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Of course, life is a testing ground and the boundaries must be tested.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
I don’t really have a favourite, but the most moving/inspirational music I have listened to has been either classical or choral (MoTab).
What's your favourite food?
Sinigang baboy (It’s a Filippino dish that I enjoyed many many times while I was on the Island of Luzon).
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Firstly, I would have to rule the universe. Second, I would be able to travel through space and time and third, Waitrose would be the standard for all supermarkets.
Tell us a joke.
What is the last thing that goes through a flies mind when it hits a windscreen? Its bottom.
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