Sparks and Quarks

Sparks and Quarks

By Dan Hanvey & Adam GillardTechnology
Download on the App Store

Sparks and Quarks episodes

  • E9: Mobile Internet and 5G
    Adam's just finished his exams and is somewhat drained - so it's just the one topic this time from Dan, talking about the history of mobile internet, how 5G works, and what it could allow us to do. Thankfully, Adam can shed some light on the physics of it!
    If you have any questions, queries or complaints contact us at [email protected]. Also find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sparksquarks/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/SparksQuarks), and now Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sparksquarks/?hl=en)
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Dan's sources:
    https://blog.vodafone.co.uk/2013/01/21/a-brief-history-of-mobile-data/
    https://www.ofcom.org.uk/spectrum/information/cellular-networks-and-technology
    https://www.lifewire.com/1g-vs-2g-vs-2-5g-vs-3g-vs-4g-578681
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_mobile_phone_standards
    https://5g.co.uk/guides/small-cells-hetnets-5g/
    http://www.emfexplained.info/?ID=25916
     
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    1 hr 6 min
  • E8: Quantum Nano-Switches and the SABRE engine
    After a horrendously long delay (sorry, Dan had audio issues) - we're back! I have a strange sense of déjà vu.
    This episode, Adam is talking about quantum nano-switches that could be used to miniaturise technology, and Dan is talking about how the SABRE rocket engine works.
    If you have any questions, queries or complaints contact us at [email protected]. Also find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sparksquarks/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/SparksQuarks), and now Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sparksquarks/?hl=en)
    ***************************************************************************************************************
     
    Adam's sources
    https://phys.org/news/2019-04-atomic-plasmonic-metallic-contact.html
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasmonic_nanoparticles
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Break_junction
    https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.6b05676
     
    Dan's sources:
    https://www.explainthatstuff.com/jetengine.html
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramjet
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scramjet
    https://web.archive.org/web/20110725042437/http://www.reactionengines.co.uk/downloads/Heat%20exchanger%20development%20at%20REL%20IAC%2008%20C4.5.2.pdf
    https://www.reactionengines.co.uk/sabre
    http://das.uwyo.edu/~geerts/cwx/notes/chap06/condensation.html
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SABRE_(rocket_engine)
     
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    50 min
  • E7: CO2 Battery and New Hearing Mechanism
    Our first episode of 2019! We're sorry we took a while, Dan had health issues and Adam was doing exams. But we're back! This episode, Dan's talking about a new type of battery that uses CO2 to produce energy, whilst Adam is talking about a newly discovered hearing mechanism that could create new hearing-aid technology.
    If you have any questions, queries or complaints contact us at [email protected]. Also find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sparksquarks/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/SparksQuarks), and now Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/sparksquarks/?hl=en)
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Dan's sources:
    Article: https://www.theengineer.co.uk/fuel-cell-based-system-co2/
    Paper: https://www.accessscience.com/content/superionic-conductivity/801340
    Additional paper info: https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S258900421830186X-mmc1.pdf
    Superionic conductivity: https://www.accessscience.com/content/superionic-conductivity/801340
     
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Adam's sources
    https://journals.aps.org/prl/abstract/10.1103/PhysRevLett.122.028101
    https://phys.org/news/2019-01-mechanism-ear-exquisite-sensitivity.html
    https://medicalxpress.com/news/2007-10-mit-mechanism.html#nRlv
     
    UPDATES FROM LAST EPISODE: New double-slit experiment using X-ray scattering:
    https://phys.org/news/2019-01-classic-double-slit.html
    AI to create most accurate black hole merger simulation ever:
    https://phys.org/news/2019-01-physicists-supercomputers-ai-accurate-black.html
     
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    47 min
  • E6: Quantum Entanglement and Electric Jets
    Our last episode of the year! Thanks so much for joining us during 2018 - we bring you what we think is our best episode yet. Adam talks about quantum entanglement of photons, and Dan talks about a prototype electric jet, hopefully flying soon!
    If you have any questions, queries or complaints contact us at [email protected]. Also find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sparksquarks/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/SparksQuarks)
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Dan's sources:
    https://lilium.com/
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lilium_Jet
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_aircraft
    https://www.arts.eu/journey-through-the-history-of-electric-aircraft
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_E-Fan
    https://aroundtheworld.solarimpulse.com/adventure
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ducted_fan
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Adam's sources
    Main Notes: https://phys.org/news/2018-12-quantum-entanglement-proteins.html
    Styropyro: https://www.youtube.com/user/styropyro
    Simon Raman Spectroscopy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sv1WHgVTrs&t=324s
    Young’s Double slit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-MNSLsjjdo
    Entanglement: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tafGL02EUOA
    DCQE Diagram: https://imgur.com/a/JtVkJI6
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    1 hr 5 min
  • E5: Bionic Mushrooms and a Massive Change
    We're back! We're sorry it's been so long - university and moving abroad have stopped us from recording. However, we're now here, and Dan talks about mushrooms that generate electricity, whilst Adam talk about a massive change in a physical definition (pun intended).
    If you have any questions, queries or complaints contact us at [email protected]. Also find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sparksquarks/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/SparksQuarks)
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Dan's sources:
    https://www.popularmechanics.com/science/environment/a24852429/bionic-mushrooms-electricity/
    http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/d-brief/2018/11/07/bionic-mushroom-turns-light-into-electricity/
    https://www.stevens.edu/news/bionic-mushrooms-fuse-nanotech-bacteria-and-fungi
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyanobacteria
    https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a0f6/26ac1656b606f0cd3aa31318ec68d511c7aa.pdf
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Adam's sources
    https://phys.org/news/2018-11-kilogram-redefined-physicist.html
    https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/its-a-massive-change-scientists-redefine-the-kilogram
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    1 hr 4 min
  • E4: Medical Maladies, Revolutionary RAM and Biological Batteries
    We're back! After a hiatus, we return with Episode 4. This week, we're learning about a new method for creating RAM, as well as energy storage from bacteria. 
    If you have any questions, queries or complaints contact us at [email protected]. Also find us on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sparksquarks/) and Twitter (https://twitter.com/SparksQuarks)
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Adams sources:
    https://phys.org/news/2018-08-sub-nm-memory-device-nanofabrication.html
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanolithography
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spin-transfer_torque
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetoresistive_random-access_memory
    https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/different-types-ram-random-access-memory/
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Memory_cell_(computing)#Storage
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Dans sources
    https://www.theengineer.co.uk/biobattery-bacteria-iot-sensors/
    https://www.extremetech.com/extreme/175137-sugar-powered-biobattery-has-10-times-the-energy-storage-of-lithium-your-smartphone-might-soon-run-on-enzymes
    https://www.explainthatstuff.com/how-lithium-ion-batteries-work.html
    https://electronics.howstuffworks.com/everyday-tech/blood-battery1.htm
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    1 hr 2 min
  • E3: New Artwork, GPS & Nano-optics
    Episode 3 is here! This week we're talking all about how global positioning systems work, as well as delving into some of the interesting new quantum mechanical advancements in silver nanostructures! 
     
    If you have any questions, queries or complaints (or even artwork submissions) contact us at [email protected].
     
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Please be aware that Dan is away from home and so there were a few audio issues with this one, bare with us, we should be back to top quality next time!
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Simple explanation of GPS: http://www.physics.org/article-questions.asp?id=55
    Explanation of differential GPS and Sattalite Based Augmentation Systems: https://racelogic.support/01VBOX_Automotive/01General_Information/Knowledge_Base/How_does_DGPS_(Differential_GPS)_work%3F
    Explanation of RTK GPS: https://racelogic.support/01VBOX_Automotive/01General_Information/Knowledge_Base/How_does_RTK_(Real_Time_Kinetic)_Work%3F
    Dan will update this with a link to his dissertation if he's allowed to upload it!
    ***************************************************************************************************************
    Nanocrystal light emission: https://phys.org/news/2018-07-nanocrystals-emit-efficiently-tunneling-electrons.html
     
     
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    1 hr 4 min
  • E2: Artificial Intelligence and Chocolate Printers
    We're back! This week, we're talking about advances in Artificial Intelligence for playing games and the science of chocolate printers. In addition, Dan loves musicals, and Adam is good with his hands.
    As ever, comments and suggestions to [email protected].
    Logo this week from Krys from the To Do Discord channel. ********************************************************************* DeepMind article: https://deepmind.com/blog/capture-the-flag/ Technical report on AI playing games: https://arxiv.org/abs/1807.01281 Video on the same subject: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dltN4MxV1RI&feature=youtu.be 3Blue1Brown video on Neural Networks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aircAruvnKk&feature=youtu.be ********************************************************************* History of ChocEdge (company founded out of Exeter Uni research): http://chocedge.com/news/27/68/2007-2017-10-years-of-3D-chocolate-printing/d,ChocNews_Main.html Cocoa butter crystalline form infographic: http://www.compoundchem.com/2014/04/19/the-polymorphs-of-chocolate/ Chocolate tempering graph: https://plot.ly/~cbplots/0/temperature-vs-time-melting-and-tempering-chocolate.embed Information on tempering chocolate: http://acselementsofchocolate.typepad.com/elements_of_chocolate/TEMPERINGCHOCOLATE.html
    *********************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    55 min
  • E1: Sandwiches, Rocketlab & Ultrafast Electronics!
    It's our first episode! We introduce ourselves and take you through Rocketlab and a new method for creating ultrafast electrical currents.
    Sorry about the weird audio at points! We'll get better at this, we swear...
    *****************************************************************************************************************
    Rocketlab website: https://www.rocketlabusa.com/
    The Boeing & Lockheed Martin joint spaceflight venture: https://www.ulalaunch.com/
    Ultrafast current generation: https://phys.org/news/2018-06-laser-electricity-faster-method.html
    *****************************************************************************************************************
    Credits:
    "Electrodoodle" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    "Samba Stings" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
    49 min

About Sparks and Quarks

From the publisher's feed

Physics and Engineering based podcast. Two guys, Dan and Adam, tell each other all about the newest and biggest news and ideas within their communities with the aim of informing you, the reader, while…