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THE MATERIAL WORLD
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MISSED A PROGRAMME?
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PROGRAMME INFO |
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Quentin Cooper reports on developments across the sciences. Each week scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects.
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Contact Material World |
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LISTEN AGAIN Ìý30 min |
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PRESENTER |
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"For me science isn't a subject, it's a perspective. There are fascinating scientific aspects to everything from ancient history to the latest gadgets, outer space to interior decorating; and each week on The Material World we try to reflect the excitement, ideas, uncertainties, collisions and collaborations as science continues its never-ending voyage into the unknown".
Quentin Cooper |
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PROGRAMME DETAILS |
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The H5N1 strain of the influenza virus, shown in gold
(CDC/C. Goldsmith, J. Katz, and S. Zaki) |
Audience Debates - click here for tickets.
Explore The Material World with the
Flu Vaccines
The way that vaccines are made has remained largely unchanged for the past 50 years. This year's flu jab comes from last season's flu strains.
At present flu vaccine development involves playing catch up with the virus as it mutates and develops into new strains.
Material World explores the potential solutions to the current bird flu threat. We look at the state of our defences - antiviral drugs and vaccines.
Joining Quentin will be virology Professor Ian Jones, from the University of Reading and Jim Robertson from the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control.
They'll be explaining why we beat smallpox but can't yet cure flu and whether new technologies can help prevent a pandemic.
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Wood is wonderful
In this age of concrete and glass buildings mans oldest construction material is having something of a Renaissance thanks to modern science.
Wood scientists DrÌýJim CoulsonÌýand Dr Richard Murphy discuss the merging of timber and technology.
New innovations include Laminated Veneer Lumber which offers ways of recombining wood waste to create strong beams of virtually unlimited size and span which are also light in weight.
Controlled baking of timber modifies the cell constituents of wood, creating a natural plastic which resists decay, so your wooden garden furniture should now last forever.Ìý
And popping your wood in a microwave could make it stronger still.
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