Engineering

Martin Widden has worked in industry in the UK, USA and Australia, and in universities in the same countries. However, his longest spell has been in the Engineering Department at Lancaster University. He finds the Department and the University very rewarding places to work in.

His current research is primarily into topics to do with energy: energy consumption and how this can be reduced, and energy from renewable sources. His recent publications are chiefly on power from sea waves and from hydro resources, particularly low-head hydro. The waves of the sea off the west coasts of Great Britain are among the most vigorous of any coast in the world. If this energy could be even only partially captured, it could provide a good proportion of the UK's needs, so there is a good incentive to develop equipment capable of converting some of this energy. Hydro power, a major source of renewable energy world-wide, is already well developed in many parts of the world. However, there are further possibilities for local generation of hydro power, especially from low-head sources, and his research is concentrated in this area.

Martin is a keen and enthusiastic teacher, teaching primarily on mechanics, fluid mechanics, and energy resources, especially resources of renewable energy.

Martin has been Head of Department (2006-08), and a college principal (1995-2000). Outside the University, he has for some 20 years been a committee member of Lancaster Civic Society and a trustee of what is now North Lancashire Citizens Advice Bureau. He is a keen pianist, and particularly enjoys playing chamber music with other musicians.