Scientific Perspectives and the Year of Light

The United Nations and UNESCO have declared 2015 the International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies. As a result of this celebration, the series provides a transdisciplinary vision of a central field of science: technology and everyday life.

Light plays a key role in our lives and it is a discipline of the XXI century with a major impact on all areas, from health to communications, agriculture, etc. Photonics have revolutionized medicine, opened international communication over the Internet and remains central to cultural, economic and political aspects of the global society. It is a field which includes work by engineers, doctors, biologists, computer scientists, artists, designers, mathematicians, architects, ... and without which our world would be very different from how we know it.

In the framework of the International Year of Light Barcelona Libraries have also developed a READING GUIDE about the topic.

PROGRAM

7 pm, Monday 12 January 
How do humans and animals perceive light? 
Xavier Duran, a chemist and TV3 journalist 
Camp de l'Arpa-Caterina Albert Library

7 pm, Monday 26 January 
What is a synchrotron and how does it work? 
Caterina Biscari, a physicist and director of the Alba synchrotron 
Sagrada Família-Josep M. Ainaud de Lasarte Library

7.30 pm, Monday 2 February 
Brief history of light 
Xavier Roqué, a physicist at the History of Science Centre (UAB) 
Les Corts-Miquel Llongueras Library

7 pm, Monday 9 February 
Rainbows, northern lights, sunsets and other natural phenomena 
Daniel Ramírez, TV3 meteorologist 
Camp de l'Arpa-Caterina Albert Library

7 pm, Monday 16 February 
Light in art 
Josep Perelló, a physicist and lecturer (UB) 
Vila de Gràcia Library

7.30 pm, Monday 2 March 
The laser in everyday life 
Marta García, a physicist. Technology Knowledge and Transfer Unit (ICFO) 
Les Corts-Miquel Llongueras Library

7 pm, Monday 9 March 
What can light do for health? 
Míriam Martí, a biologist. Technology Knowledge and Transfer Unit (ICFO) 
Vila de Gràcia Library

7 pm, Monday 23 March 
What lighting do we need for public spaces and at home? 
Maria Güell Ordis, a lighting designer 
Sagrada Família-Josep M. Ainaud de Lasarte Library

Series co-ordinated by Lluís Reales

Further information: Biblioteques de Barcelona