LIGHTFEST
From 13-16 March 2025, LightFest transformed Sheffield's Millennium Gallery into a hub of scientific discovery during British Science Week.
LightFest aimed to educate and inspire the public about the vital role light plays in our world, from its fundamental properties to its potential for solving global sustainability challenges. The festival showcased cutting-edge research from the Universities of Sheffield and Bristol, focused on harnessing light for applications like solar energy and healthcare.
Curious minds were invited on a journey of exploration in a free city-centre festival exploring the wonders of light and how it illuminates and shapes the world around us.
LightFest introduced over 3,000 visitors to the quantum nature of light and some of the ways that light was important in life, technology, and art. Visitors embarked on a truly unique, visually exciting, and educational voyage of discovery suitable for all ages. There was also a special ‘Discovery Night’ on March 13 from 4-8pm.
LightFest is one part our Molecular Photonic Breadboards project, which aims to design new materials that harness the power of light for sustainable technologies, vital to the UK's economic success in areas like solar energy, quantum technologies, and healthcare diagnostics.
Professor Jenny Clark, from the University of Sheffield, said:
“LightFest was a tremendous success and we hope we were able to light that crucial spark of wonder - the one that inspires future scientists.”
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS:
The Wonder of Light
Light illuminates our world and powers our technology. We explored its mysteries, from its incredible speed to its dual nature as both wave and particle.
Plasmonics: The Magic of Tiny Metals
We delved into the fascinating world of tiny metallic particles, from their role in ancient Roman glass to their revolutionary applications in modern medicine.
Photosynthesis: Unleashing the Power of the Sun
Visitors discovered how plants convert sunlight into food and how nature inspires scientists to develop new technologies.
Polaritons: Where Light and Matter Dance
When light and matter vibrate in perfect harmony, they create extraordinary hybrid particles called polaritons. Our exhibits took visitors on a voyage into the realm of these unique entities, from their fundamental principles to their revolutionary applications in fields like energy and computing.
Professor Robert Mokaya, Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sheffield, said:
“This year marks the international year of the quantum, celebrating a revolution in physics that has led to many of the technologies that are so important in our everyday lives. Light is vital to solving the greatest challenge facing humanity today: how to live sustainably on Earth.
“At the University of Sheffield sustainability is at the centre of our work, and LightFest reflects this commitment. We hope that through LightFest you will be able to share our excitement about the remarkable properties of light, the inspiration we can find in nature and the tremendous possibilities that light provides to solve the greatest challenges of our time.”
Professor Graham Leggett, Principal Investigator on the research grant from the University of Sheffield, said:
“Through LightFest we were able to share our excitement about the beautiful structures used in photosynthesis, and to show how we aim to create sustainable materials for new technologies by combining biomimetic design with the remarkable properties of nanostructured metals.”
LightFest could not have been brought to the public without the kind support of key industry and academic partners including The University of Bristol, Aegiq, ARUP, Institute of Physics, The Royal Society, and Octopus Energy.
The event was featured in the Sheffield Star, ITV Calendar and in the news bulletins of the national ITV Good Morning Britain programme.
You can relive and explore the science behind LightFest in a special video series on the University of Sheffield player: www.sheffield.ac.uk/lightfest