Problem of the Week
The evening after national lockdown was lifted, a couple decided to celebrate their newfound freedom at a bar down the street. Much to their surprise, they find four other couples there who had the same idea. Eager for social contact, every person in the five couples enthusiastically hugs each perso
Talking Engineering
Talking Engineering 10: Dr Simon Thomas The Revolutionary Potential of Graphene in Electronics Conducted by Max Hersov, December 2022 A University of Cambridge spin-off founded in 2017, Paragraf is the first company in the world to mass produce Graphene-based electronic devices using standard semiconductor processes. Their patented contamination-free deposition technology,
Problem of the Week
You want to create a family tree, but you are having trouble tracking down your grandmother’s birthdate. The only clue you found was a letter written from your great grandfather to your great grandmother on the day you grandmother was born. Unfortunately, some of the characters were smudged out, rep
Biotechnology
Unlocking the secrets of DNA, AlphaFold revolutionises the world of protein structures, dramatically enhancing our understanding of diseases. This AI breakthrough paves the way for unprecedented advancements in life sciences and medicine, redefining scientific exploration.
Computer Science
(Warning: Maths ahead.) A quantum computer uses phenomena unique to the quantum world, such as the strange idea that something can be in two different states simultaneously. In this article, we’ll start with the smallest unit of quantum computing, the qubit, and work up towards a simple quantum algo
Talking Engineering
Every year, Europe alone releases into the environment the microplastic equivalent of 10bn plastic bottles. Much of this ends up in the ocean, where they are ingested by marine life, blocking digestion and affecting nutrition as they work their way up the food chain. Xampla (a spin out from the Univ
Physics
Waves in the ocean are mediated by water molecules oscillation. Sound waves propagate through the medium that is air particles. What is the medium of light and other electromagnetic waves?
Medicine
Proteins are absolutely fundamental and essential to life - not least that of humans. Yet when polypeptides misfold - generating "prions" - the consequences can be devastating, and raise numerous questions and concerns.
Science
It sounds absurd that jellyfish - the aquatic animals that live in the deepest and darkest parts of the world could be the solution for lengthening the lives of humans. After all, jellyfish are fish, whereas humans are humans. But in reality, the genome of the jellyfish is more alike to humans than
Talking Engineering
Jean founded Echion in 2017 as a spin-out from the University of Cambridge. In this interview, he explains how the company supplies high-power Li-ion battery anode materials that enable superfast charging for a range of applications. Batteries made using Echion’s advanced materials can charge 10x fa
Engineering
Thirty-six years after the Chernobyl disaster, the chilling tale of the world's worst nuclear catastrophe continues to haunt us. Human error, Cold War secrecy, and flawed Soviet reactor design converged to unleash an unprecedented disaster. The harrowing aftermath – radioactive fallout, long-term he
Physics
There is one great question which almost everyone has pondered – one which, if answered, would change our perception of ourselves forever. Are we alone? Read more to understand how to rationalise the irrational, how to quantify the unquantifiable, and how to estimate scientifically.