Conferences and meetings
The International Conference on Optical, Optoelectronic and Photonic Materials and Applications (ICOOPMA 2007) takes place at Queen Mary University of London from 29 July to 3 August.

Sticking with optics, the Loughton Astronomical Society have an evening meeting on 2 August where astronomers can learn how to build an observatory for under £300.

Seminars
David Lyons from Stanford School of Medicine is at UCL on 1 August to talk about genetic analysis of myelinated axon development in zebrafish. On the same day, a PhD lecture from Boonserm Kaewkamnerdpong explores modelling nano-robot control using swarm intelligence.

Exhibitions and tours
Until December, the Hunterian Museum in Lincoln’s Inn Fields have a new exhibition about skin pigmentation and self image. A Visible Difference coincides with the Bicentenary of the Parliamentary Abolition of the Slave Trade and runs until December.

Learn more about Sir Henry Wellcome on 2 August via a tour of the newly reopened Wellcome Library.

Finally, the Science Museum offers the chance to examine the UK’s first deep-sea robotic submarine. The ISIS sub is on show at the Antenna Gallery from 31 July to 2 August.

Public talks
The Croydon Café Scientifique on 31 July looks at the relative merits of moderate and vigorous exercise. Gary O’Donovan, a Research Fellow in exercise physiology at Brunel University discusses the effect of exercise intensity on aerobic fitness and other heart disease risk factors.

On 1 August, the British Library presents an evening examining the use of medicine and faith for healing. Michael King from UCL and writer Zia Sardar look at how the two seemingly opposed approaches might work together.

And finally…
Kew Bridge Steam Museum’s 90-inch Boulton & Watt and Maudslay beam engines are at full steam on 28 and 29 July. Learn about the working life of the Victorian pumping station.