³ÉÈËÂÛ̳

Explore the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳
This page has been archived and is no longer updated. Find out more about page archiving.


Accessibility help
Text only
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Homepage
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio
³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ Radio 4 - 92 to 94 FM and 198 Long WaveListen to Digital Radio, Digital TV and OnlineListen on Digital Radio, Digital TV and Online

PROGRAMME FINDER:
Programmes
Podcasts
Presenters
PROGRAMME GENRES:
News
Drama
Comedy
Science
Religion|Ethics
History
Factual
Messageboards
Radio 4 Tickets
RadioÌý4 Help

Contact Us

Like this page?
Send it to a friend!

Ìý

Science
THE MATERIAL WORLD
MISSED A PROGRAMME?
Go to the Listen Again page
PROGRAMME INFO
Thursday 16:30-17:00
Quentin Cooper reports on developments across the sciences. Each week scientists describe their work, conveying the excitement they feel for their research projects.
Contact Material World
LISTEN AGAINListenÌý30 min
Listen to 29ÌýNovember
PRESENTER
SUE NELSON
Sue Nelson
PROGRAMME DETAILS
ThursdayÌý29ÌýNovemberÌý2007
Hydrophobicity in action ...
Hydrophobicity in action ...

Material World: Science Q&A
Do you have a science question you’re burning to have answered?
– hear the answers on a special Q&AÌýedition on the 27th December 2007.

Hydrophobicity – or fear of water

Birds, insects and even humans have developed ways to repel water. But what happens when it happens to large areas of soil?

Sue Nelson finds out what makes a surface waterproof and why hydrophobic soil in some parts of the country contributed to the effects of this year’s summer floods.

Sue talks to Stefan Doerr from the University of Wales in Swansea and GlenMcHale from Nottingham Trent University about water and getting wet and why soil that shrugs off water can cause flooding, loss of fertility and massive soil erosion.

Intelligent agents

A new breed of intelligent agents could soon be saving our cities and negotiating crucial deals on the Stock Exchange.

But this is no army of James Bonds – Sue talks to Nick Jennings from the University of Southampton and Steve Osborn from Lostwax about a new generation of computer robots who can make their own decisions and even outperform humans.

They can negotiate, co operate and even cheat on the money markets and could soon be helping to coordinate rapid responses to major disasters like earthquakes or terrorist attacks.

NEXT WEEK:ÌýÌýÌýBeing brighter & whiter with LEDS ...
Listen Live
Audio Help
[an error occurred while processing this directive]
DON'T MISS
Leading Edge
The Material World

Previous Programmes
Science, Nature & Environment Programmes

Archived Programmes

News & Current Affairs | Arts & Drama | Comedy & Quizzes | Science | Religion & Ethics | History | Factual

Back to top


About the ³ÉÈËÂÛ̳ | Help | Terms of Use | Privacy & Cookies Policy
Ìý