Nuffield Scholar at ICIT turns the tide on tidal prediction
John Morrison, a 6th year student from Stromness Academy has demonstrated methods of tidal prediction during a placement at ICIT under the Nuffield Scholarship Scheme, and produced his own computer software to predict Orkney tides until 2017.
Tidal height information is useful in many fields of coastal life; recreational, fishing and commercial vessels rely on tidal height information every day to prevent delays and to plan their movements. Such knowledge is also of vital importance to those involved in the planning of tidal energy projects.
His study used data on water elevation from Acoustic Doppler Current Profiler (ADCP) measurements, recorded between 12th March -13th April 2007, at the European Marine Energy Centre's (EMEC) Falls of Warness tidal test site in Orkney.
Emmanuel Osalusi, a PhD student at ICIT, who worked closely with John explained "The mathematics involved was very demanding for a young scholar. John employed harmonic analysis and Fourier analysis to produce a set of constants from which a prediction of tidal heights up until 2017 can be made. While we gave him some help he did the work, and had to really understand what he was doing"
John's predictions compare well with commercially available software and the tide tables for Orkney, but enable tidal height to be estimated every 12 minutes, rather than simply for the times of high and low water.
John presented his completed project at ICIT on Wednesday 20th August to a group of ICIT staff, PhD students, his head-teacher and parents.
ICIT Director, Professor Jonathan Side thanked EMEC for use of their data and the staff and PhD students, and particularly Emmanuel Osalusi, who had worked closely with John during his placement at Heriot-Watt University's Orkney Campus.
He praised the Nuffield scheme for providing an opportunity for young scholars to use their scientific and mathematical training in real world applications, working alongside others pursuing careers in these fields.
"The proof of the strategic value of schemes like this is surely in the careers that the scholars follow. Two of our previous Nuffield scholars are now working for Scotrenewables on the development of its tidal turbine, and I first met Barry Johnston, Scotrenewables' Managing Director, when he came in to ICIT on a student placement from Stromness Academy at the age of 14. We really should do more to promote interest in these schemes in our schools."
Frances Chapman, who coordinates the Nuffield Scholarship Scheme, thanked Heriot-Watt University for a fifth successful scholarship placement in Orkney and said "The scheme offers young people at a crucial stage in their careers, a wonderful, unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience, develop their key skills and inspire them to consider higher education and careers in science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics."
Mrs Hilda Learmonth, Headteacher at Stromness Academy added "We are very pleased that Biology staff were able to support John towards the Nuffield award. He has certainly taken the opportunity and made it work for him. Both as a student and as an ambassador for the school, John has been impressive. It will be great to build on the links with ICIT staff in the future, too."
John will present his work at The Nuffield School Bursary Scheme Celebration Event 2008 in the Royal College of Physicians, Edinburgh on Friday 29th August 2008.
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1st Sep 2008
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