Prof Stephen Salter

Emeritus Professor

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Research Institute: 

  • Energy Systems
Prof Stephen Salter

Biography: 

Stephen Hugh Salter (1938–2024) was an Emeritus Professor of Engineering Design at the University of Edinburgh and inventor of the eponymous Salter duck wave energy device. Salter was also a proponent of geoengineering and was responsible for creating the concept of the mechanical enhancement of clouds to achieve cloud reflectivity enhancement.

The wide tank at the University of Edinburgh — a novel design and invention by Stephen Salter, built in 1977 — was the world's first multi-directional wave tank equipped with absorbing wavemakers. Feedback control systems on the wavemaking flaps were used for the absorption of reflected waves, propagating along the water surface of the tank interior towards the 89 flaps.

Stephen Salter was a Specialist Advisor at wave energy company Aquamarine Power advising on the development of the Oyster wave energy converter.

Salter was appointed MBE in the 2004 Birthday Honours for services to engineering. In 2012 he received the Royal Academy of Engineering Sustained Achievement Award.

Read more about Professor Stephen Salter's remarkable life and career.