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Science In Action: Making Metallic Hydrogen

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Making Metallic Hydrogen

26/01/2017 GMT

BBC World Service - Science In Action, Making Metallic Hydrogen

It’s taken 80 years, but metallic hydrogen has finally been made in the lab

Metallic hydrogen made in the lab. Also, what are the implications of human-animal chimeras? The Falklands Island Wolf and custom MEG helmet gives better readings of brain currents

For more than 80 years, it has been predicted that hydrogen will adopt metallic properties under certain conditions, and now researchers have successfully demonstrated this phenomenon. Theoretically, metallic hydrogen will have many qualities important in the realm of physics, including high temperature superconductivity and super-fluidity, which could hold valuable implications for solving energy problems.

Human/Animal Chimeras
Efforts to grow the first embryos containing cells from humans and pigs are proving more challenging than anticipated. Human/animal chimeras are not without controversy. However, supporters say they can offer insights into early human development and disease onset and provide a realistic drug-testing platform. And they may also someday provide a means of growing human cells, tissues, and organs for regenerative medicine. 

Quantum Brain Sensors 
Roland sees the new laser-based sensors that can peer into the electrical activity of the brain.

The Falklands Island Wolf
Scientists unravel the mysterious natural history of the Falklands Island Wolf. It was first spotted and described by Charles Darwin. The now extinct ‘wolf’ is thought to be an ancestor of a jackal-like creature which crossed the shallow, sometimes frozen sea from South America.

Image of diamond anvils compressing molecular hydrogen. At higher pressure the sample converts to atomic hydrogen, as shown on the right.
[Credit: R. Dias and I.F. Silvera]

Presenter: Roland Pease
Producer: Fiona Roberts

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