g7uk » Science

The Independent newspaper premieres Alan Turing radio drama

GS — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 01:18:20 +0000

This weekend The Independent will premiere a new radio play about scientist Alan Turing on its website. More details can be found in this LGF news article.

Scientists turn water into rocket fuel using solar panels

GS — Fri, 01 Aug 2008 01:34:39 +0000

‘Scientists have devised a cheap and simple method of turning water into rocket fuel using solar power in a development that could generate a new source of green energy for the home and workplace.’

The Independent.

Global warming has passed the tipping point, and catastrophe is unstoppable says James Lovelock

GS — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 01:12:50 +0000

Climate science maverick James Lovelock believes catastrophe is inevitable.

‘Planet’ steam locomotive (video)

GS — Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:41:12 +0000

On Sunday, after seeing the Chinese dragon, I went to The Museum of Science and Industry, where I shot this short video. On certain dates and holidays they have steam train rides.

Timeslip

GS — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 00:10:26 +0000

In 1970, Britain was suffering power cuts across the country, caused by industrial action. The days and times of the cuts varied each week. I remember having to do my homework by candlelight.

Red Squirrel Week

GS — Thu, 21 Sep 2006 18:27:10 +0000

Excited to see a red squirrel in the garden this morning. It was being chased by more than a dozen sparrows. They have made the overgrown clematis their base and I expect they saw the squirrel as a predator.

From 30th September to 8th October 2006 it’s Red Squirrel Week. This one was nine days early!

Northumberland is one of the last strongholds for the red squirrel, which has been driven out of most of England over the past 100 years by the grey squirrel.

These stills are from some video that will be up on the site in a few days as part of a longer film.

More about red squirrels:

Red Alert

BBC Radio 4

Northumberland National Park

British Rail planned nuclear-powered flying saucer

GS — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 06:14:58 +0000

The Guardian reports that British Rail patented plans for a nuclear-powered flying saucer in 1973.

‘Charles Osmond Frederick, patented the design for a craft powered by laser-controlled thermonuclear fusion. Designed to reach high speeds in space, it was meant to move us around the globe and even to other planets.

Its “lifting platform” was designed for the British Railways Board and the patent was filed under the name of Jensen and Son.’

A bizarre and rather funny story. 1970′s British Rail staff being in charge of nuclear-powered vehicles just doesn’t bear thinking about. Although it could have made their limp sandwiches a bit more crispy!