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Material World

Factual: Science & Nature

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines

Science programme reporting on developments across the disciplines. Each week, scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects

Material World: 13/05/2010

13/05/2010

BBC Radio 4 - Material World, 13/05/2010

Deep water exploration, the maths of electoral reform, snail trails and lasers turn 50.

Quentin Cooper dissects the latest science. Deep water exploration, the maths of electoral reform, snail trails and lasers turn 50.

Quentin Cooper presents his weekly digest of science in and behind the headlines. This week the dangers of deep water exploration. How do engineers drill wells into the rock below the sea bed? How do they overcome the different currents that drag the mile long steel tube in different directions? 

The maths behind electoral reform - is there such a thing as a fair voting system?

The fourth of our finalists from our science talent search "So you want to be a scientist?" meets her mentor and decides on how best to track snails from her garden.

And fifty years of the laser - what will be next fifty bring - we find out if nuclear fusion is a reality? 

The producer is Ania Lichtarowicz.

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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13/05/2010

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