Robert Lloyd - a Sir Gar Blog of random news . . . and some Clecs!

Materials physicists at the Institute of Mathematics and Physics (IMAPS) at Aberystwyth University have discovered a new method for producing graphene, a material with amazing optical and electrical properties. Graphene is a single layer of carbon atoms bonded together in a similar way to graphite. However, it has very different and superior material properties. Experiments have shown that graphene is one of the strongest known materials and one of the best conductors of heat and electricity. It is also almost transparent to visible light. Professor Andrew Evans, Director of IMAPS, who headed up the research team said: “Graphene is many hundreds of times stronger than today’s construction materials and much faster and lighter than electronic materials such as silicon. It is a more sensitive gas detector than any currently available, being able to sense single molecules and it could replace conducting glass in displays and solar cells. “Graphene will be to the 21st century what plastic ...

Tomorrow, Friday 8 March, the Law Commission will hold a seminar at the Department of Law and Criminology at Aberystwyth University to discuss the creation of a Welsh Advisory Committee. The Chair, Lord Justice (Sir David) Lloyd Jones, has been a judge of the Court of Appeal since October 2012, is Chairman of the Law Commission and also an Aberystwyth University Fellow. A statutory independent body created by the Law Commissions Act 1965, the Law Commission of England and Wales aims to keep the law under review and to recommend reform where it is needed. The Advisory Committee’s mandate is likely to include advising on the selection of projects for the Commission’s 12th Programme of law reform. It is thought that the Committee would have a valuable role to play in relation to the consultation process and in the assessment of proposed projects which lie in policy areas wholly or partly devolved to the Welsh Assembly or Welsh Ministers or which impact significantly on devolved responsibi...

Award-winning South Wales business The Jenkins Bakery has released details of its Mother's Day range of products. "Everyone knows mums are special," said the Jenkins Bakery's operations director Russell Jenkins. "There's gifts galore out there for Mothering Sunday, but we have found our own very special way of saying 'I Love You' to mums. "Make your mam a cup of tea and give her one of our special Mother's Day cakes to sample - she'll love it." The Jenkins Bakery staff have produced three special products to mark the occasion - Mum Cup Cakes (90p), a moist cup cake topped with vanilla flavour filling cream and a hand decorated sugar paste disk. Mum Heart Sponge (£5.00), a luxury red velvet muffin sponge flooded with flavoured fudge icing, hand decorated and gift wrapped. Mum Biscuits (60p) make up the trio of delights. The Mother's Day specials will be available throughout the Jenkins Bakery shop network. Website -  http...

Fracking, underground coal gasification and coal bed methane could lead to ‘catastrophe’ for Wales and the planet, the National Assembly’s Sustainability Committee will hear tomorrow (Thursday 7 March). The Committee is examining unconventional gas as a result of an anti-fracking petition submitted by Friends of the Earth Cymru that attracted more than 1,000 signatures [1]. According to Friends of the Earth Cymru, introducing a moratorium on unconventional gas, and instead focusing on renewable energy, could be the beginning of a prosperous and sustainable future for Wales. Gareth Clubb, Director of Friends of the Earth Cymru, will tell the Assembly Committee: “The global authority on energy, The International Energy Agency, has described our continuing rush to exploit more and more new sources of fossil fuels as catastrophic for the planet [2]. "But renewable energy can offer a prosperous and sustainable future, powering Wales and providing jobs for hundreds of years to come. ...

Wildlife experts and volunteers at Aberystwyth University are calling on students, staff and member of the public to help to find and record as many different types of plants and animals as possible. The University is holding a Bioblitz on its Penglais campus on Saturday with the aim of breaking the record for the largest number of species found on a university campus in a single day. Aberystwyth University boasts one of the most picturesque settings of any university in the country, lying in the shadow of the Cambrian Mountains and on the shores of Cardigan Bay. It is also the only UK university campus located in a UNESCO designated biosphere reserve. Bioblitzes have been carried out in many places around the world and are an attempt to list all the species that live in a specific area. The Penglais campus Bioblitz is just that bit more ambitious as it wants to list all the species that live on the campus alongside the students and staff. Bioblitz organiser and Director of Teaching an...

The ladies from Dwsin (Dozen) Charity Group in Llanelli are pictured with Ahmed Ali of the Masala restaurant in West End, Llanelli, after their very successful charity curry night in aid of the Wallich Clifford charity which supports the homeless of Llanelli. The Dwsin Ladies, aided by Mr Ali and his staff, raised £500 for the cause. Last year, the Dwsin ladies raised more than £6,500 for the Air Ambulance by hosting an extremely well attended and successful black tie charity ball at the Stradey Park Hotel. The Dwsin group are especially grateful for the continuous and generous donations received from their loyal supporters.

The latest 'Healthy Wednesday' advice from the Hywel Dda Health Board - With another round of Six Nation matches this weekend this Healthy Wednesday we are urging you to think about what you drink. Thinking about what you drink doesn’t mean you have to stop altogether, all you really need to do, if you choose to drink, is to stick within the guidelines. Adding up what you normally drink can really help you decide if you need to cut back. The Change4Life drink checker not only tells you how many units you are drinking but also how many calories that equates too and how much money it costs! Rhys Sinnett, from Public Health Wales, said: “Having two alcohol free days a week is one of the best pieces of advice, just make sure you don’t increase the amount you drink on the other days to make up for it!!! “Women should not regularly drink more than 2 to 3 units of alcohol a day which is the equivalent to a standard 175ml glass of wine (ABV 13%) and men should not regularly drink more ...