Random Molecule Podcasts

How – and why – would you build a machine 10,000 times thinner than a human hair? This album features experts discussing the paradigm shift that is occurring in science. Scientists are learning to manipulate atoms on the scale of a billionth of a metre and control them to perform specific tasks. They can emulate biological and chemical systems to fabricate machines that will destroy cancer cells in the body, giving us nano-drugs of the future; and IBM is using nano-technology for information storage on a molecular scale. There are many other applications which will have a significant impact on the way we live. This album also provides an introduction to quantum computing and quantum mechanics. The material forms part of The Open University course S250 Science in context.

Categories: Education

Tags: atomic, biology, biomimicry, chemistry, clusters, Dobson, engineering, Gymzeski, Harry, Jacqueline, Jim, Kroto, McGlade, Medicine, meter, micro, microscope, molecule, nano, nano-technology, peter, scale

Do you think about where your water comes from? In the UK each of us uses an average of about 150 litres of water per day! The seven video tracks in this album consider issues of demand and quality in water supply as well as treatment processes. They give information on methods of minimising waste, emergency water treatment and effluent control. This material forms part of T308 Environmental monitoring, modelling and control.

Categories: Education

Tags: bacteria, discharge, effluent, environment, filtration, molecule, particle, pollutant, recycle, river, sustainable, waste