Dreaming of Wernher von Braun
A fictional diary entry to celebrate the 100th Birthday of Wernher von Braun, the father of rocket science, on March 23. Read more [...]
Tag Archives: Fun
Seán McLoone: Robot soccer
The football game starts, and the players dash across the field. With control of the ball, the striker readies to shoot and the goalkeeper tenses in anticipation. With a swift kick, the ball glides across the pitch towards the goals. These players aren’t humans though. They are two-foot tall, autonomous humanoid robots, programmed by a team of engineers and computer scientists in the National University of Ireland Maynooth to compete in the annual world cup of robot soccer, RoboCup. EuroScientist interviewed Seán McLoone, head of the Department of Electronic Engineering, about the team, and watched a game with team members Tom Whelan and Fiachra Matthews. Read more [...]
Food chemistry or food culture
As the last remnants of holiday dinners, lunches, high-teas, suppers and celebratory breakfasts are collated and one last binge with myriad mixed flavors indulged, thoughts turn to taste. Specifically flavor and the combinations thereof. We all know that celebrity chefs are gluttons for an odd mix: sweet and sour is nothing to the TV cook who garnishes peppered okra with crème Anglaise washed down with a curried champagne spritzer with a hint of flint. And there are those who wouldn't think of leaving the supermarket without a good selection of cheese and wine. Read more [...]
Looking forward to Christmas
In the West, it's relatively easy to get caught up in the euphoria of Christmas, isn't it? Regardless of one's beliefs in the origins of the Universe and humanity's place in it, countless millions of us succumb to the fake snow and the artificial sentimentality. The twinkling lights, the shops full cotton polymer resin reindeer, the children's (and adult toys), chocolate goodies, the interminable loops of festive songs on the radio, the TV shows you just know were recorded in July but have jolly tinsel and baubles nevertheless. Then there are the parties, the lunchtime "Christmas" drinks, Secret Santa, the bustling shopping centres, the ubiquitous sound of a Jingle Bells sample in every muzak track. Oh isn't it all so wonderful? Read more [...]
The hour of the amateur scientist – FTL neutrinos part 2
So. There have been lots of responses to my last article on the faster than light neutrinos. Some readers have asked me to explain to them the consequences of the measurement being correct. Others have been interested to hear more about the changing landscape of digital publishing. While a rare few were quietly satisfied with the idea that the neutrino result was well off being a ‘discovery’, and that we would have to wait patiently for a few years to find out what it might all mean. Read more [...]
Cracked conjectures
Pivot Points is a monthly column by EuroScientist writer David Bradley. As a science writer, I've probably received more than my fair share of crackpot missives over the last couple of decades. Messages from the apparently well-meaning, but often Read more [...]
Royal Wedding science
Today in the Britain and across the world, we will be celebrating the marriage of Prince William and Catherine Middleton. Despite an indifferent attitude here (bred by a ridiculous media overhype), I feel a connection of sorts after attending University with the couple in St Andrews. Read more [...]
Science Valentine
Happy Valentine's Day. Here is a comic about Valentine from one of my favourite websites xkcd. An article by Leila Sattary. Read more [...]
A chemical Christmas
The Christmas meal in Britain usually centers on turkey, in Denmark roast pork. The French penchant is for goose, while Germans may opt for suckling pig. Regardless of the fleshy focus, a feast of culinary chemistry is at play when you prepare and cook the big meal. However, if you don't get the chemistry right there's more to worry about than dry meat and vegetables when the microbiology is dished up. Read more [...]
Subatomic particle plushies – from the Standard Model and beyond
Who said physics couldn't be cute? The Particle Zoo is the brainchild of Particle Zookeeper Julie Peasley who designs and makes subatomic particle plushies for physicists and geeks around the world. Read more [...]
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