Lagrange Point

Episode 259 - Quantum Computing - Australian of the Year - Prof Michelle Simmons

We celebrate the Australian of Year for 2017, Professor Michelle Yvonne Simmons, by examining the groundbreaking work in Quantum Computing that she has pioneered across Australia. This includes a deep dive into how Quantum Computing works, what it can help with and what makes the Australia approach, led by Prof. Simmons, so special. ​ ​

Episode 258 - Australian biomedical science from labs on a chip to stopping biofilms

We find out about some amazing Australian biotechnology inventions from an efficient lab-on-a-chip, to boosting our immune systems and stopping bio-films in their tracks.

Episode 257 - Tracking creatures from the deep with social media and NASA

Mysterious creatures roam the depths of the ocean, from turtles to whale sharks. Studying their journeys shed light on the way our oceans are interlinked and the impact of climate change on the whole ecosystem.

Episode 256 - Learning from primates about human culture

Forget gorilla channel, Bonobos are a better mirror to human behaviour. We check out some interesting studies which reveal some of human kinds unique traits in behaviour compared to our closet primate cousins.

Episode 255 - Taking the pain out of needles

Taking the pain out of injections and needles by using micro-needle patches. This can help deliver flu vaccines and help diabetics without the need for painful injections.

Episode 254 - Heavy metal stars and interstellar forges

Heavy metal stars often go out in spectacular blaze of glory, where as other more mellow blackholes will just forge even more rare material. We check in on some interstellar antics that help produce the most unusual metal.

Episode 253 - Smarter food packaging to cut down on waste

How can we cut down on waste from everything coffee to packaging? What new materials, processes and technology can help us eliminate waste and recycle more? Are there ways to turn food waste into food valued added products?

Episode 252 - Dinosaurs gliding and swimming like birds

Dinosaurs take to the air or the water, much like a swan or a duck, but the feathers are quite different to what you imagine.

Episode 251 - Mysterious underwater worlds and oceans trapped in time

Mysterious underwater caverns teeming with unusual life, and oceans trapped in time. We dive into the mysteries of oceans, caves and their hidden ecosystems.

Episode 250 - Mysterious objects from inside and outside the solar system

Mysterious objects from inside and outside the solar system from an interstellar interloper to a fiery crash landing in the Australian outback.

Episode 249 - Unexpected journeys in science from spider silk to quantum proteins

Unexpected journeys in science from a link between quantum mechanics and proteins, to spider silk hearing aides. We hear how scientific research can start in one place and end far far away.

Episode 248 - Printing with more colours of the rainbow, solar panel printing and hidden messages

How can we make printers more realistic and life like? How can we push the limits of printing and make hidden messages cheaply and efficiently? How do we turn printed advertisements into productive energy efficient solar cells?

Episode 247 - New techniques for non invasive imaging

How can we improve our medical imaging technology? What can be used to scan bacteria in action without a biopsy? What about ways to known what needs fixing in an emergency department without having to go all the way to an MRI?

Episode 246 - Lessons on resilience from our insect friends

What lessons in resilience to fires, climate change, epidemics and sudden shocks from insects can be adapted to help humans adjust to change.

Episode 245 - Making diesel less harmful to our lungs, farms and planet

What damage does diesel do to our planet, cities and lungs? Is there a way we can make it cleaner that helps not only the atmosphere but also our farms? We find out what is being done across the world to clean up our diesel engines.

Episode 244 - Can humour help save lives?

Can humour help save lives? Or do you need to be gritty and realistic to change behaviours? We look at examples of safety, advertising and psychology from Australia.

Episode 243 - Missed Nobel Prizes 2017

We celebrate the winners of this years Nobel Prizes, but we also ask important questions like - just how representative are the Nobel Prizes? Do people miss out? How do the Nobel Prizes measure up in equality and gender balance compared to other major prizes?

Episode 242 - Detecting epidemics like Zika and Ebola faster

Detecting an epidemic before it spreads and becomes a pandemic is hard in a globablly connected world. However new cheap and efficient tests for Zika and Ebola can help us be better prepared for the next outbreak.

Episode 241 - What does climate change have in store for our oceans?

What does climate change have in store for our oceans? What happens to fish when their reefs become full of pollution? All this and more.

Episode 240 - Avoiding spilling coffee - Ignobel Prize '12 and 17 (Fluid Dynamics)

How do you avoid spilling your coffee? Well different solutions have won the Ignobel prize not once but twice! We find out on this groundbreaking research that makes you laugh and then think.