Condensed Matter Physics podcasts

Ippei Danshita of Kindai University and Daichi Kagamihara of Chuo University explain how they used a remotely accessible Bose–Einstein condensate to investigate anomalous tunnelling. Their theoretical study became an experiment through a cloud-controlled quantum-gas platform. The conversation examines collective excitations, quantum tunnelling and the practical possibilities of remote laboratory access.

Hosted by Hamish Johnston

Margaret Harris talks with Scott Waitukaitis of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria about unresolved questions in contact electrification. The discussion connects his earlier research in granular physics with current investigations of how objects exchange charge, including the role of molecules adsorbed on their surfaces.

Hosted by Margaret Harris

Melissa and Jam explain why graphite makes pencils useful for writing. The discussion follows carbon bonding into graphene sheets, conductivity and the weak interactions between layers, then connects these structures with paper, pencil hardness and clay mixtures.

Hosted by Melissa, Jam

This episode examines water’s unusual physical properties and research testing whether liquid water can be understood through two distinct structural states. It also explores efforts to identify research misconduct, including image manipulation and fabricated publications, and the tools and post-publication review practices used by independent investigators.

Hosted by Mariana Kneppers

Melissa and Jam investigate why ice is slippery. They compare proposed explanations involving surface water, pressure and melting with experimental findings on ice surfaces, and discuss water’s unusual properties, amorphous structures and what these imply for skating and everyday slipping.

Hosted by Melissa, Jam

Heinrich Jaeger explains how granular jamming can turn a soft bag of particles into a rigid gripper capable of grasping objects with different shapes. The discussion connects the physics of interacting grains with the design of compliant robots and a universal gripper developed by an interdisciplinary research team. Andrzej Grzesiak then describes a bio-inspired manipulator developed with Festo: additive manufacturing, an elephant-trunk-like arm and a fish-fin-inspired gripping mechanism provide alternatives to conventional rigid industrial manipulators.