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THE MATERIAL WORLD
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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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| Map showing the epicentre of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake and itsÌýextent ... |
Predicting Natural Disasters
On Sunday 11th May an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale devastated much of Sichuan province in China.
A week before a fierce tropical cyclone hit Burma (Myanmar).
Hundreds of thousands of lives were lost and many more are in peril from the after effects.
Can scienceÌýtell us if natural disasters like these are on the increase?
Do they come in clusters?
Quentin Cooper is joined byÌýJulian Heming, UK Metrological Office, Exeter, ProfessorÌýBill McGuire, Hazard Research Centre, University CollegeÌýLondon, and Dr. Paul Burton, Geophysical Sciences, University of East Anglia.
Forensic Engineering
Quentin finds out how a unique collaboration between scientists at Leicester University and Northamptonshire Police has come up with ingenious new techniques in the fight against crime.
These include the detecting of previously undetectable fingerprints, and the creation of a lead chemical database of lead samples from churches across the country.
ItÌýcould help tackle the increase in theft of lead from church roofs which costs millions of pounds year to ecclesial insurers.
Quentin is joined by Dr. John Bond, Scientific Support Manager, Northamptonshire Police and Dr. Sarah Hainsworth, Materials Mechanics, University of Leicester.
Next week:ÌýScience v.The Rest Of The World ... in Hay-on-Wye.
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