Technically Speaking | a science and engineering discussion

By TechspeakingComedy Science Education

Technically Speaking | a science and engineering discussion episodes

March 05Can we make cars lighter?
The battery in electric vehicles makes them much heavier than traditional vehicles. Laura and Jasmin discuss how steel car components can be made lighter to offset this increased weight, what implications that has for other industries, and whether this would make the steel industry more sustainable.
Fact check:
Some ways that steel car components are made lighter
Stats about the Nissan Leaf and how it compares to a similar spec car with an internal combustion engine
How steel makers can use maths to understand how the microstructure affects mechanical properties
Research using AI to predict mechanical properties based on composition
More research using AI, this time looking at processing variables during manufacture
Different generations of high strength steel
19 min
February 12What are the pros and cons of cold water therapy?
Ellie, Antonia and Emma discuss their personal experiences with cold water and the science behind whether there is any benefit in dunking yourself in a chilly loch. They also discuss studies related to sauna usage, if cold showers make any difference, and if the Nordic countries have got the right idea 💡
Fact check:
Research shows that cold plunges can lead to heart attacks
A scientific review of winter swimming
Research on the ideal sauna temperature
A news article about Wimhoff breathing
A review of research on saunas and ageing showing that 4-7 saunas a week can decreased the risk of developing Alzheimer's disease
34 min
January 22How can you tell the value of gems?
Some gemstones are desired for their sparkle and rarity while others have practical applications in engineering and electronic components. Laura and Antonia look at different ways gems can be made in the lab, how valuable they are and consider how you could potentially make a lot of money from them.
Fact check:
The composition of sapphire and ruby
A list of valuable diamonds
The most expensive lab grow gems
News about growing bigger gems from small ones already used as jewellery
A research article on the same thing as above
Synthetic sapphire
More on synthetic sapphire
Yet more on synthetic sapphire, in a YouTube video
25 min
December 04, 2025Why have scientists sent moss into space?
Researchers were surprised to find that moss spores germinated after nine months hanging out on the outside of the International Space Station. Ellie and Laura dive into their research and go beyond it to look at why some things survive in space, the benefits of doing this sort of research and what it might mean for a more resilient ecosystem here on Earth.
Fact check:
News about the space moss
More news
The original research article on the space moss
The basics about radiation in space
Tardigrades can survive some types of UV radiation
How tardigrades have a genetic response to repair radiation damage
The BBC Future article Laura mentions about various experiments on tardigrades
24 min
November 20, 2025What if all chemicals had been tested for safety from the start?
Different nations have different approaches to testing and using chemicals to see how they can cause diseases. Antonia, Laura and Jasmin look at how chemicals are tested for toxicity, how harmful substances are controlled, and whether dose limits are important. They look at asbestos, radioactive substances, and more.
Fact check:
Manufactured chemicals have led to an increase in childhood disease and shouldn’t automatically be presumed safe
Safety data sheets for waterproofing spray and household bleach
A history of bioaccumulation of mercury in fish
News about banning and restricting sales of fish in some nations in relation to wastewater discharge from the Fukushima-Daichii site
Statistics on global deaths per year due to asbestos exposure
Statistics on deaths in the UK from asbestos exposure
26 min
November 06, 2025What is agrovoltaics?
And is it a good idea? Laura, Jasmin and Antonia look at various scientific studies on growing crops and raising livestock in fields of solar panels to see what the effects are. They also look at some solar farms that are used in arid regions and the benefits they can have for crops and the environment.
Fact check:
The random broccoli study
A study of crop growing in arid regions
One of the review articles/papers
The other review article, this one on small ruminants
The study that reported an improvement in the quality of sheep’s wool
21 min
October 23, 2025 What is aging?
And can we learn to live longer? Ellie, Jasmin and Emma discuss telomeres that form the ends of DNA strands, the long-lived members of the animal world, supplements and products to fight the signs of aging, and even the idea of living forever.
36 min
October 09, 2025How is the safety of drugs determined?
It takes a long time for medicines to be developed. Looking at drugs used in women's health and more, Laura and Ellie look at what goes into their development, how the risks are weighed against the benefits, and how the known benefits of a drug can change as we learn more about them.
Fact check:
A review of paracetamol/Tylenol development
Statistics on drug development
How much paracetamol is consumed in the UK in a year
Thalidomide is still in use, but not for treating morning sickness
Quinine for leg cramps should maybe be a last resort
Statistics on use of the contraceptive pill
Side effects of the contraceptive pill
32 min
September 25, 2025How does cloning improve diversity?
Saving endangered species is vital for a healthy planet and cloning individual animals can help. Ellie and Laura look at the black-footed ferret, discuss some other endangered species that cloning is helping to save, and look at the history and challenges of cloning.
Fact check:
Cloning the black-footed ferret
Prairie dogs
A history of cloning
Controversy around claims of human cloning
Dolly the sheep
Endangered wild sheep in the Mediterranean
23 min
September 11, 2025What would we do with infinite research funding?
When you care about sustainability, you can bet that becomes your focus. Laura and Antonia look at how to solve climate change through social engineering and behavioural science that involves brain chemistry as well as solving the problem of having finite resources that create inequality.
Fact check:
MRI scans can lead to better understanding of the brain
One gene variation can affect serotonin signalling in the brain
23 min

About Technically Speaking | a science and engineering discussion

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Dive deep into the world of science and engineering with engaging discussions and thought provoking debates. The team share insights from careers in science and engineering, combining expert knowledge and scientific thinking with a touch of humour to make even the most complex topics accessible and entertaining for both enthusiasts and casual listeners.