The fusion of atoms to create energy is actively being researched as a future, low carbon technology. It also features in the Spider-man films. Antonia, Laura and Aneeqa discuss the portayal of this technology in the movies and how this compares to real life. Aneeqa explains what a self-sustaining fusion reaction is and what the challenges are to achieving one. The team also discusses the scale of the technology and how the very energetic neutrons (14 MeV means they're moving at about 17% of the speed of light) that are produced as a by-product of the fusion reaction can lead to extra challenges for this, ahem, hot topic.

Read an article based on this episode which sumarises the conversation and gives some extra information.

The last James Bond film to star Daniel Craig centred around the villain using nanobots to harm very specific people. Scary stuff! Although the film made them seem terrifying they can be used in medicine to do loads of helpful things. Emma S, Hara and Priyanka share their knowledge of biochemistry and pharmaceutical production with Aneeqa to explain what this technology is and what it can do for us.

Read an article based on this conversation.

Coding helps make so many complex tasks in science and engineering easy. Laura, and Ghinwa are joined by Emma and Clea from The University of Manchester's society for Women in Science and Engineering to talk about how they learned to code. They discuss some coding skills as well as how they use coding in chemical engineering, computational chemistry, physics and robotics. They also discuss how coding gave them confidence in their work, how they built up their own confidence in coding, and how it helped them in their careers.

Read an article based on this episode by Laura Leay on medium.com

Decades of climate science have led to a critical moment where decisions must be made at COP26. Laura and Rwayda are joined by Rebecca, who will be an official observer at the conference. Rebecca explains how COP26 will run, and how it is influenced by science and engineering as well as by society, politics and economics. The team also talks about how science might feature in the negotiations, how it can be part of the actions that are agreed at the climate conference, and how you can become an influencer too.

Read a brilliant summary of this conversation on medium.com

We've heard a lot about single use plastic and pollution from microplastics but are there any benefits to this material? Laura, Ghalia, Antonia and Ghinwa discuss plastic in the water industry, some chemistry and plastic engineering, and recycling.

Read a summary of this episode. 

Questions? Comments? Email us [email protected] 

We may have stopped hearing about the carbon dioxide shortage, but its not gone away and its curiously at odds with what we hear about having too much of it in the atmosphere. Laura, Antonia and Ghinwa discuss some chemistry behind separating carbon dioxide from other gases, some industries that produce carbon dioxide and why they don't make use of it, buses that run on methane, home-brewed beer and popping candy(!)

Read an article based on this episode, by Laura Leay on medium.

Continuing from the previous episode, Laura, Cara and Antonia discuss zero waste as one idea behind a concept known as the circular economy. The discussion dives straight into what might happen to a product once its no longer useful and then broadens out to talk about the need for a profound shift in how we do things. Are businesses and policy makers asking the right questions of scientists and engineers?

Read an article based on this two part episode on medium.com

In a ideal world, everything that is no longer useful is given a new life. Laura, Cara and Antonia discuss this as one idea behind a concept known as the circular economy. In this two part episode, we introduce some ways in which we see waste being repurposed and talk about the first two stages in the life of a product: manufacture (and resource gathering), and; product use by the consumer. Can something be infinitely recycled? What is recyling anyway? How is our behaviour as consumers influenced by design, marketing, and  science?

Read an article based on this two part episode on medium.com

Why should you believe a scientist when they talk about climate or sustainability and how should they convey their expertise in a way that makes sense to you? Laura, Aneeqa and Rwayda discuss some aspects of science and engineering that you can't see with your own eyes and therefore can be difficult to describe.

Recorded over zoom with an audience from The University Of Manchester's Dalton Nuclear Institute supplying comments via the chat function, the team also come up with some ideas for how science communication could be improved. They don't have all of the answers, but its an interesting conversation.

Read the article based on this conversation on medium.com

Transport has shaped society, and society has shaped how we travel and connect with each other. In this chicken-and-egg story Laura, Rwayda, Amina, Cara and Antonia share stories about what transport means to them and look at how our transport options have evolved since ancient times. They look at some history and decision making, how atoms feature in materials science and engineering, and consider the future of space travel.

This special episode was recorded with an audience from the Engineering Development Trust's Insight into University summer programme.

Read a summary of this conversation on medium.com