Sci Fi / Sci Fact: Recent Episodes
RNZ
Experts from the MacDiarmid Institute take an idea from fiction and see how it stands up to scientific scrutiny.
ZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINTZERO POINT
Professor Nicola Gaston, MacDiarmid Institute Co-Director and Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland explores the science behind the multiverse.
Jan Eldridge, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland explores the use of supernovae (or exploding/dying stars) in fiction.
Dr Natalie Plank, MacDiarmid Institute Principal Investigator and Senior Lecturer in Physics at Victoria University of Wellington investigates the power of the magic wand and we learn some great tricks to try at home.
Jan Eldridge, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland on the facts behind the fiction of the Star Trek mind-swap episode - Turnabout Intruder.
Professor Nicola Gaston, MacDiarmid Institute Co-Director and Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland talks about Dragonriders of Pern science fantasy series written by American author Anne McCaffrey.
In this whimsical episode, MacDiarmid Institute Principal Investigator and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Auckland, Duncan McGillivray tries to work out how Rumpelstiltskin made straw into gold.
Associate Professor Geoff Willmott, MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director for Commercialisation and Industry Engagement and Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland speaks to Bryan Crump on the stillsuits from Dune; the water-saving suit that recycles sweat and other fluids for survival in the Deep Deserts of Arrakis.
In this episode, our heroes dig deep into the Mines of Moria. Dr Chris Bumby, MacDiarmid Institute Associate Investigator and Senior Scientist at the Robinson Research Institute of Victoria University of Wellington regales Bryan with scientific tales of Mithril from Lord of the Rings.
In this episode, we welcome Dr Catherine Whitby, Senior Chemistry Lecturer at Massey University, and MacDiarmid Institute Associate Investigator, to talk about Mandalorian, the super light and super strong material in Star Wars, and its equivalent in this galaxy, Kevlar.
In this episode, Professor Justin Hodgkiss, Co-Director of the MacDiarmid Institute talks to Bryan Crump about the scientific feasability of Star Wars' lightsabers. The ubiquitous, Jedi weapon from a galaxy far, far away...
Good news, everyone! Dr Nate Davis, Associate Investigator and Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at Victoria University of Wellington brings us the science - or lack of it - behind Jumbonium from Futurama.
Tony Starks's Iron Man suit enables him to fly, it has weapons and it's basically indestructible. What on earth (or space) is it made of?
Tonight's the night the magic happens. Old St Nick sets off from the North Pole and delivers presents to children all around the world. How does he do it?
From a time-travelling DeLorean to a future where hovercars are everywhere, the movie Back to the Future is a dream for sci fi-loving petrol heads - but could it be a reality?
Adamantium is the indestructible material infused onto the skeleton of mutant X-men hero - Wolverine. But what is it really?
Flubber has been around since 1961 when the mad scientist Professor Brainard discovered the flying rubber. It got a re-vamp with Robin Williams in the late 90s, but how realistic is it?
Dilithium Crystals have been around since the origins of Star Trek. They regulate matter and anti-matter in the Starship Enterprise's warp core. But what are they?
Listen in to hear New Zealand's brightest scientific minds discuss the merits of pop culture plot-drivers. From Wolverine's adamantium-fused skeleton to Star Trek's dilithium crystals.