Sci Fi/Sci Fact podcast takes off - Annual Report 2023

14 April, 2024

A further six episodes of our Sci Fi/Sci Fact podcast have gone to air. The podcast, which was a collaboration between the MacDiarmid Institute and RNZ Nights, is a series of light-hearted episodes recorded with then host of Nights Bryan Crump.

And the podcast has literally taken off. As of 2023 you can now listen to Sci Fi/ Sci Fact on Air New Zealand's international Inflight entertainment.

Left to right (top): Professor Cather Simpson, Professor Jan Eldridge, Professor Bill Williams.
Left to right (bottom): Professor Penny Brothers, Dr Krista Steenbergen, Dr Mike Price

Zero Point Energy

Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland-based Emeritus Investigator Professor Cather Simpson discussed Zero Point Energy from The Incredibles.

Listen to the Zero Point Energy episode on the RNZ website

Neutronium

Professor Jan Eldridge from Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland gave us her scientific take on Neutronium, a material widely written about in fiction.

Listen to the Neutronium episode on the RNZ website

Axonite

Principal Investigator based at Te Kunenga ki Pūrehuroa Massey University, Professor Bill Williams, talked about Axonite from Dr Who, a 'thinking' material that can replicate any substance and spread itself.

Listen to the Axonite episode on the RNZ website

Nth Metal

Emeritus Investigator and Waipapa Taumata Rau University of Auckland Professor Penny Brothers spoke about Nth Metal from DC Comics.

Listen to the Nth Metal episode on the RNZ website

Philote

Dr Krista Steenbergen, Associate Investigator and Senior Lecturer at Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington, talked about Philote from the Ender's Game.

Listen to the Philote episode on the RNZ website

Antman

MacDiarmid Institute alumnus and former Rutherford Discovery Fellow at Te Herenga Victoria University of Wellington, Dr Mike Price, discussed Antman's suit.

Listen to the Antman episode on the RNZ website

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