Sci Fi / Sci Fact

MacDiarmid Institute experts talk to Bryan Crump about an idea from science fiction, if it holds up to scientific scrutiny & if it'd work in reality. (Yeah, the Big Bang Theory guys would love this).

Hosted by Bryan Crump

A bright blue background with stars and a few graphic elements drawn in perspective. A shiny title 'Sci Fi' in the top right corner and 'Sci Fact' in the bottom left corner.

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Futurama | Jumbonium

Season 2 / Episode 1
Good news, everyone! Dr Nate Davis, Associate Investigator and Senior Lecturer in Physical Chemistry at Victoria University of Wellington brings us the science - or lack of it - behind Jumbonium from Futurama.
Jumbonium from Futurama

Star Wars | Lightsabers

Season 2 / Episode 2
In this episode, Professor Justin Hodgkiss, Co-Director of the MacDiarmid Institute talks to Bryan Crump about the scientific feasability of Star Wars' lightsabers. The ubiquitous, Jedi weapon from a galaxy far, far away...
Weekly they train duels with lightsabers, like in the world-famous "Star Wars" movies. (for dpa: "Protective armour instead of Jedi Robe - Training for fight with lightsaber") Photo: Sebastian Gollnow/dpa

Star Wars | Mandalorian Iron

Season 2 / Episode 3
In this episode, we welcome Dr Catherine Whitby, Senior Chemistry Lecturer at Massey University, and MacDiarmid Institute Associate Investigator, to talk about Mandalorian, the super light and super strong material in Star Wars, and its equivalent in this galaxy, Kevlar.
No caption

Lord of The Rings | Mithril

Season 2 / Episode 4
In this episode, our heroes dig deep into the Mines of Moria. Dr Chris Bumby, MacDiarmid Institute Associate Investigator and Senior Scientist at the Robinson Research Institute of Victoria University of Wellington regales Bryan with scientific tales of Mithril from Lord of the Rings.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
Year : 2001 USA / New Zealand
Director : Peter Jackson
Ian Holm

Dune | Stillsuit

Season 2 / Episode 5
Associate Professor Geoff Willmott, MacDiarmid Institute Deputy Director for Commercialisation and Industry Engagement and Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland speaks to Bryan Crump on the stillsuits from Dune; the water-saving suit that recycles sweat and other fluids for survival in the Deep Deserts of Arrakis.
Dune

Brothers Grimm | Rumplestiltskin

Season 2 / Episode 6
In this whimsical episode, MacDiarmid Institute Principal Investigator and Professor of Chemistry at the University of Auckland, Duncan McGillivray tries to work out how Rumpelstiltskin made straw into gold.
Old, Old Fairy Tales: "Rumplestiltskin" by Anne Anderson

Dragonriders of Pern | Genetically-engineered Dragons

Season 2 / Episode 7
Professor Nicola Gaston, MacDiarmid Institute Co-Director and Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland talks about the Dragonriders of Pern science fantasy series written by American author Anne McCaffrey.
Dragon, illustration. (Photo by VICTOR HABBICK VISIONS/SCIENCE P / VHB / Science Photo Library via AFP)

Star Trek | Turnabout Intruder

Season 2 / Episode 8
Jan Eldridge, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland on the facts behind the fiction of the Star Trek mind-swap episode - Turnabout Intruder.
Captain James T. Kirk and Doctor Janice Lester in 2269. (TOS season 3 episode: "Turnabout Intruder")

Magic | Wands

Season 2 / Episode 9
Dr Natalie Plank, MacDiarmid Institute Principal Investigator and Senior Lecturer in Physics at Victoria University of Wellington investigates the power of the magic wand and we learn some great tricks to try at home.
Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone 2001. 
Collection Christophel © Warner Bros. / Heyday Films

Space Sci Fi | Supernovae

Season 2 / Episode 10
Jan Eldridge, Associate Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland, explores the use of supernovae (or exploding/dying stars) in fiction.
Episode image

The Multiverse

Season 2 / Episode 11
Professor Nicola Gaston, MacDiarmid Institute Co-Director and Professor of Physics at the University of Auckland, explores the science behind the multiverse.
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE
2022
de Daniel Scheinert et Daniel Kwan
Michelle Yeoh.
COLLECTION CHRISTOPHEL © AGBO - Hotdog Hands - Ley Line Entertainment - Year of The Rat (Photo by AGBO - Hotdog Hands - Ley Line E / Collection ChristopheL via AFP)