Physics
Atomic and Optical Physics
The Physics Dept of the University of Otago has a number of groups active in Atomic and Optical Physics that arnold.co.nz is working with. This includes two recently completed smaller research programmes: Highly efficient solar-to-hydrogen energy conversion based on innovative nanophotonic platform (Prof. Richard Blaikie) and Space-ready radiometers for climate monitoring: using light to detect thermal radiation (Prof. Harald Schwefel).
Harald's programme successfully demonstrated the radiometer. arnold.co.nz has assisted with the development of a subsequent larger programme to deploy this on a CubeStat and to use its measurements to improve the quality of climate modeling based on the impact of ozone on atmospheric dynamics. We are assisting with the ongoing programme.
We also worked on quantum memories for quantum communications (Assoc. Prof. Jevon Longdell). These rare earth ion memories can preserve quantum states for time frames up to an hour without degrading. They not only have application in QKD and quantum repeaters, but also potentially as short-term memory of quantum states in quantum computers.
Finally on photonics, we have been working with Dr Sam Lowrey on the prospects of developing instruments capable of manufacturing short-runs of low cost meta surfaces with periodicities down to 100nm, simplifying their development and production.
Sam and Harald's work also have a quantum technology dimension. Sam's instrument may be able to prototype and produce short runs of the photonic and superconducting chips needed for quantum devices, and Harald's transducer can preserve the quantum state of photons while changing their frequency, allowing the states to be transferred between components that operate at different frequencies.
Superhydrophobic surfaces and micro compressors
Sam is also has a current research programme underway developing superhydrophobic coating-free surfaces with applications from wind turbines to heat exchanges, and on applications of micro compressors in dehumidifiers. We are again assisting with these developments, and have established Heat and Light Ltd with Sam, Gerry Carrington and Otago University to commercialize thermodynamic and photonic technologies.
High Temperature Superconductors
In 1998 scientists at the then Department of Scientific and Industrial Research in New Zealand discovered the first High Temperature Superconductor able to be turned into a long length conductor. Products based upon them started to emerge a decade later and New Zealand was active in the then small global industry.
For around 15 years arnold.co.nz worked with the developing industry producing two roadmaps for it, being involved in the establishment of HTS-110, and the commercialisation of a novel cryocooler particularly designed for HTS applications, and HTS Roebel cable technologies. For a period Simon Arnold was CE of the NZ High Temperature Superconductor Industry Association.
The research on high temperature superconductors continues today through Robinson Research at Victoria University of Wellington.
Solar Tsunamis
The original Solar Tsunamis research programme led by Prof. Craig Rodger at the Physics Dept of the University of Otago, sought to understand how New Zealand’s energy infrastructure will be impacted by an extreme space weather event and what can be done to mitigate the effects.
arnold.co.nz assisted with the development of the programme proposal and was contracted to assist in achieving the key outcomes. This first five year programme has been completed and has been successfully extended for a further five years.