| EPSRC Reference: |
GR/S19295/01 |
| Title: |
The Science and Technology of Everyday Things |
| Principal Investigator: |
Ryan, Professor AJ |
| Other Investigators: |
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| Department: |
Chemistry |
| Organisation: |
University of Sheffield |
| Scheme: |
Senior Media Fellows (Pre-FEC) |
| Starts: |
01 October 2002 |
Ends: |
30 September 2005 |
Value (£): |
77,337
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Summary on Grant Application Form |
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Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2002 will reveal the molecular miracles behind the everyday objects that define our modern world. From the planes, trains and trainers that get us from A to B, to the tasty burgers, chips and ice cream that refuel our bodies .... everything around us is the product of ingenious chemical wizardry. Through unique experiments, demonstrations and audience participation events, this lecture series reveals the secrets of how it's all done, and contemplates how it could be done even better. Each lecture starts with a single object that is iconic of the lecture's broader theme. This icon is then dissected in every way possible and connected to the bigger picture of science and technology. Taking a seemingly mundane object we will investigate a spectrum of related concepts and see how they lead to a broader view of the way the world works, for example the link between ice cream and cryogenics, or spiders webs and bridges. We will show what is going on at all levels, zooming in to see the molecules via microscopes and zooming out to see things being made in the factory/lecture theatre.Royal Institution Christmas Lectures 2002 are taken to Japan and Korea in the summer of 2003 and repeated there for broadcast on Japanese and Korean TVAfter the Christmas Lectures I will be working on proposals for 2 series of TV programmes. The first is a series on Biomimicry and will cover how science & technology uses natures' designs and processes as the inspiration for new technology and as a tool to understand existing technology. It has the working title Innovation Inspired by Nature and will cover food production, harnessing energy, engineering materials, healing, information technology and ecological business in a series of 1/2 hour programmes. The second project is a science programme loosely based on the 2 Fat Ladies format. This project uses two senior colleagues (a Chemical Engineer & a Physicist) and the each programme follows us exploring the science and technology of everyday objects. The sparky dialogue between us will provide the narrative as we explore how things are made and how they work, potential subjects are inhaled drugs, mobile phones, toiletries such as two-in-one shampoo & conditioner, running shoes and other sports equipment, spiders webs and other insects for example.I also expect to do a number of radio pieces and newspaper articles.
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Key Findings |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Potential use in non-academic contexts |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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Impacts |
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| Description |
This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk |
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Sectors submitted by the Researcher |
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This information can now be found on Gateway to Research (GtR) http://gtr.rcuk.ac.uk
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| Project URL: |
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| Further Information: |
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| Organisation Website: |
http://www.shef.ac.uk |