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 We celebrate 50 years of Lasers on the Naked Scientists this week, by looking into the history, and future, of laser science. We'll hear how lasers have revolutionised manufacturing and could be the answer to our clean energy concerns. Also, how lasers make the most accurate measurements for high precision industries, and how laser tweezers can be used to manipulate things smaller than a red blood cell, and make tiny tools. In Kitchen Science, Dave launches his bid for world domination by building a home-made laser! Plus, how sharks sniff out a snack, the technology that keeps world cup matches safe and accessible, and how the Deepwater Horizon oil spill will affect Louisiana's wetlands. Listen Now
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Sharks are known for their ability to follow a scent in the water to their next meal – and now researchers in Florida have discovered how they do it.
It's the Homer Simpson dilemma – is it more important to eat or to sleep? New research sheds light on the genetic basis of the sleep/hunger balance...
Collecting mosquito saliva in honey can help to track the pathogens they carry, according to researchers in Australia...
Now new research from scientists in Cardiff, funded by the charities Cancer Research UK and Leukaemia & Lymphoma Research, have discovered that a certain type of leukaemia may actually develop if the protein telomerase not being active enough...
This week saw a historic moment in football, the kick-off of the First World Cup ever to be held in an African nation. Meera Senthilingam spoke to Kelvin Kemm from Pretoria in South Africa to find out what things are like over there and how science and technology is being used ...
As well as blanket football coverage, it’s been very hard to miss news about the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico. Estimates vary widely but it’s thought that millions of gallons of oil have leaked into the ocean. But what impact will this have on the local environment? Dr. Rob...
This week, we are celebrating 50 years of the laser and to fill us in on the background of the laser and some of the cutting edge applications and research that’s currently going on, we’re joined by Dr. Graeme Hirst, head of laser application at the STFC’s Central Laser Facility...
Can a laser be any spectrum of light?
Hi Chris and team,
I read an article in the local paper which is talking about using concentrated solar power (CSP) from the Sahara to power Europe. It said that Desertec would need 20 or more efficient, direct current cables each costing $1 billlion to transmit electricity n...
If you shone two lasers directly into each other, what would happen?
The field of metrology, or measurement, is something that requires a great deal of accuracy. Meera Senthilingam has been out to the National Physical Laboratory find out more about the crucial role that lasers play...
One of the many new applications of lasers is in the building of tiny, tiny machines. When handling tiny objects, you need tiny tools, and lasers make very good tweezers. To find out how they work, Ben Valsler went to Bristol University and met Physicist, Dr. David Carberry.....
46:10 - TEA Laser - How lasers work
The homemade UV TEA nitrogen laser is very dangerous, but useful to understand how a basic laser works.
Hi Chris and team,
Curtains fade because of sunlight. The world has a problem with graffiti. Has anyone tried inventing a laser light that could be used to shine on the graffiti and fade it in a hurry?
Regards
Paul
NZ
If lasers give off extreme heat and if you come into contact with them, can they be harmful?
With the best laser, how small a spot could you focus from earth to the moon?
What would happen if you were driving at light speed and you switch your headlights on? What about a lit torch being carried at light speed? What would happen then?
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