Create the Future
Create the Future is an engineering-focused podcast from the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering. Hosts Roma Agrawal, George Imafidon, and Guru Madhavan lead discussions with engineers, thinkers, and designers about how society can rebuild and improve. Topics include space travel, smart cities, and a circular economy. New episodes are released every other Friday, with transcripts available on the QEPrize website.
Episodes
Guru & Roma reflect
Two of our podcast hosts, Roma Agrawal and Guru Madhavan, sit down for a conversation about the Create The Future series.Find podcast transcripts on our website.Follow @QEPrize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Engineering For Disability
The link between disability, design and engineering tells a complex story. Host Guru Madhavan welcomes two people who have thought deeply on the subject:Dr. Ashley Shew, is associate professor of Science, Technology & Society at Virginia Tech, and specialises in disability studies and the ethics of technology.Dr. Rory A Cooper is founder and senior researcher at the University of Pittsburgh Hu
The Future of Failure
What happens when a bridge collapses? Or a space mission ends in tragedy? You call in forensic engineers to investigate.Host Anna Ploszajski contemplates the nature of failure with Dr Sean Brady, who uses scientific and engineering principles to study structural collapses around the world, and who has acted as an expert witness numerous times.New episodes - conversations about how to rebuild the w
The Future of Space Junk
Over decades of space exploration, thousands of rockets have launched, resulting in a sea of debris circling the Earth. It's estimated that there are 30,000 objects over 10 cm, 500,000 marble-sized debris, and 100 million smaller than that.Episode host Anna Ploszajski bravely goes into the unknown, in conversation with:Mike Lindsay, Chief Technology Operator at Astroscale, a start-up seeking
The Future of Coffee
When you have your morning shot of caffeine, do you stop to savour the engineering involved? Chemistry and mechanics are vital to the growing, roasting, grinding, brewing, and pouring ...Host Guru Madhavan - a tea drinker by trade - chairs a caffeinated conversation with:Professor Tonya Kuhl, chemical engineer and Co-Director of the UC David Coffee Center.Professor Jonathan Morris, author of Coffe
The Future of 3D Printing Assistive Devices
First described in sci-fi writing in the '50s, the revolutionary dream of 3D printing became a basic reality in the 1980s. One field that is truly has transformed today is that of assistive tech and prosthetics.Host Roma Agrawal is joined by:Willy Allègre, biomedical R&D engineer at Electronic Lab of Kerpape Rehabilitation Center.Enzo Romero, inventor and researcher building prosthetics that i
The Future of Engineering Election Systems
It's been a year of elections around the world. How do engineering and design choices affect the candidates running and results generated in our elections? And why do we have far more channels to rate our Uber drivers than we do our politicians?Host Guru Madhavan chairs a political summit with:Charles E. Phelps, provost emeritus of the University of Rochester and expert in health economics.Eswaran
The Future of Super Shoes
Super shoes are reshaping distance running. Thanks to innovative materials and construction, this new type of footwear is engineered to help runners go quicker with less effort. So how fast can we go in the future? And is it cheating?!Ready? Set ... Go! Host Roma Agrawal races through a fascinating conversation with:Jared Ward, long distance runner, Olympian, and BYU professor.Wouter Hoogkamer, re
The Future of Bamboo Buildings
Stronger than steel, more robust than concrete, more flexible than wood? Is bamboo the construction industry's new miracle material. And do bamboo buildings really perform better in earthquakes?Host George Imafidon constructs a fascinating conversation with Seb Kaminski, a structural engineering specialising in bamboo and seismic design.New episodes - conversations about how to rebuild the wo
The Future of Swarm Robotics
How might flocks of birds, nests of ants, and swarms of bees influence the future behaviour and self-organisation of robots? Welcome to the world of swarm engineering, where sci-fi meets bio-mimicry.George Imafidon hosts a soaring conversation with Dr. Razanne Abu-Aisheh, a robot swarms expert from Bristol University.New episodes - conversations about how to rebuild the world better - every other
The Future of Space Flight
Robotic spacecrafts? Manned missions to Mars? Affordable tourist trips to the stars? New life found? What is the likely future of space flight?Host Guru Madhavan pilots a soaring, speculative conversation with:Charles F. Bolden Jr., who in 2009 was appointed NASA Administrator by President Obama, making him only the second astronaut to hold that position.Professor Dava Newman, aerospace engineer,
The Future of Reversible Glue
Could the creation of reversible glue unlock a new future for the way we recycle plastic bottles and their labels?Host George Imafidon gets stuck into a sticky conversation about glue with:Professor Mark Geoghegan, Roland Cookson Professor of Engineering Materials at Newcastle UniversityDr Adriana Sierra Romero, a nanotechnologist with a focus on polymer and polymer nanocompositesNew episodes
The Future of Concrete
Cement production creates around 7% of man-made carbon emissions. Meanwhile, in the UK crumbling concrete is forcing schools to close ...So how big a problem is concrete, exactly?! George Imafidon gets in the mixer to discuss it with:Prof. Kevin Paine, Director of the Centre for Climate Adaptation and Environment Research at the University of Bath, focussing on the development of smart and innovat
The Future of AI Music & Instrument Making
The way we make music is changing. AI songs are everywhere - even The Beatles used the technology last year. So what does a digitised, computerised future mean for the fate of artists and their acoustic instruments?Episode host Anna Ploszajski - a materials scientist and keen trumpeter - faces the music with:Lex Dromgoole, audio engineer & CEO of Bronze AI.Tom Fox, instrument maker, music
The Future of Plastic Waste
Why do we fixate on plastic as the main waste issue of our time? Is all plastic bad? Have we got Bags For Life and paper straws totally wrong?Anna Ploszajski - materials scientist and storyteller - assembles her first edition of Create The Future with:Dr Alicia Chrysostomou, polymer consultant and author of Plastics: Just A Load Of Rubbish?Dr Kat Knauer, polymer scientist and CTO of the BOTTLE Con
The Future of Fashion Tech
From AR shopping to new age sustainable materials to wearable AI, the world of fashion tech is starting to look very vibrant.Host Roma Agrawal weaves together a seamless conversation with:Louise Katzovitz, clothes designer & mechanical engineer.Tanya Saha Gupta, fashion-tech entrepreneur empowering fashion brands with access to circularity.New episodes - conversations about how to rebuild
The Future of Sanitary Engineering
What happens after we flush? Sanitary engineers might just be the unsung heroes of civilisation, ensuring the safe disposal of waste water and assuring a supply of safe drinking water.Host Guru Madhavan gets his hands dirty, discussing sanitation systems with:Pam Elardo, former Deputy Commissioner for New York's Bureau of Wastewater TreatmentAndrew Russell, science historian and Provost at Su
The Future of Graphene, the "miracle" material
Graphene is the world's thinnest, super-strong, super-flexible material. It could have dramatic applications in everything from engineering tissue to making new technological devices.George Imafidon discusses the possibilities - and the possible drawbacks - of this wonder material with James Baker, CEO of the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (GEIC) at the University of Manchester.New ep
The Future of Wind Power
In February, the 2024 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering was awarded to Andrew Garrad CBE and Henrik Stiesdal for their achievements in advancing the design, manufacture and deployment of high-performance wind turbines.Host Roma Agrawal talks to them about the political barriers they've faced, and the future of wind energy in the face of the climate crisis.New episodes - conversations
The Future of Digital Twin Hearts
In the future, virtual models of our organs could aid the development of personalised medicine. These digital twins can be experimented on to identify the best possible treatment, without you having to go near a pill or surgeon’s knife.Host Roma Agrawal gets to the heart of the matter with:Roger Highfield, Science Director at the Science Museum, and author of Virtual You: How Building Your D
The Future of Fire Safety
What does the UK national anthem have to do with fire safety? And who is responsible for preventing fires of the future?Guru Madhavan - senior director of programs of the US National Academy of Engineering - chairs his first edition of Create The Future. His red hot guests are structural fire engineering expert Professor Luke Bisby, and fire safety engineer Professor Jose Torero Cullen.F
The Future Of Sports Engineering
Have you ever paused to think about the maths, physics, and engineering behind your favourite piece of sporting equipment? Be it BMX, football boot, shuttlecock, or snowboard?Could engineers be the driving force behind the new sports of the future? What is Sports Engineering anyway?!George Imafidon - Extreme E race engineer - kicks-off a conversation with:Godfather of Sports Engineering Steve Haak
The Future of Space Telescopes
Space telescopes don't just observe space, they’re located in space. The Hubble Telescope (1990) and the James Webb Space Telescope (2021) marked major turning points in our quest to unravel the mysteries of the universe. So just how big, how far, how powerful can the next telescopes go?Host Roma Agrawal zooms into this topic with the help of:Garth Illingworth, recipient of the 2016 Amer
The Future of Cameras
Cameras are so integrated into our existence - via smart phones - that it's easy these days to give them little thought. But the technology is changing - and fast. From AI-powered cameras to 3D imaging and virtual reality experiences, the possibilities are endless.Roma Agrawal hosts a snappy conversation to get a snapshot of the future with:Geoff Belknap, historian of photography and Keeper of Sci
The Future of Repairs
Do you know how to fix a kettle? Or your smartphone? Or a lightsaber, for that matter?Professor Mark Miodownik (UCL Mechanical Engineering) believes we urgently need a "repairability revolution" to reduce the vast quantities of electrical and electronic waste produced each year. He chats to host Roma Agrawal MBE.Follow @QEPrize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more info.New episodes - conve
The Future (& History) of Time & Watchmaking
The invention of timepieces was arguably more significant for humanity than the printing press or the wheel. So, how has timekeeping evolved over 40,000 years? How has it shaped society? And how will we keep track of time when our species starts to live on Mars?Do make time for this whistle-stop journey through the evolution of time-telling. Watchmaker and historian Rebecca Struthers, author of 'H
The Future Of Motorsports Engineering
What innovations from F1 impact our daily lives? Just how far can engineers push race cars? Is the motorsport industry the fastest and most effective R&D lab in the world?Our podcast host George Imafidon is a Performance Engineer with Team X44, Sir Lewis Hamilton's electric race team, as well as a board member at The Hamilton Commission.Joining George for a pitstop and a chat are:Wavey Dynamic
The Future Of Green Hydrogen
Made exclusively with renewable power, green hydrogen is emerging as a promising alternative to polluting fossil fuels. Is green hydrogen the fuel of the future? And what are the potential pitfalls?Joining host George Imafidon are:Caroline Hargrove, CTO for Ceres Power, who were awarded the 2023 MacRobert Award by the Royal Academy of Engineering for "ground-breaking fuel cell techn
The Future Of Airports
Is there a foolproof way of ensuring your checked baggage doesn't get lost in transit? How might drones revolutionise air travel? How long until the UK embraces Vertiports for electrical vertical take-off?Mohammad Taher aka Mo T aka The Airport Guy is an Aerodrome Systems Engineer at Heathrow. He discloses some airport secrets to host George Imafidon. Fasten your seatbelts, sit back, and enjoy the
The Future Of Musical Cities
How does listening to the rhythms of a city improve urban design and planning? Is music as important a resource as clean water or electricity? And what exactly is a Musical City?Tuning-up for a fascinating conversation with host Roma Agrawal are:Shain Shapiro, founder of the nonprofit Center for Music Ecosystems, and author of 'This Must Be The Place: How Music Can Make Your City Better'.Dr Sara A
Chocolate, Toothbrush, Spoon: Everyday Engineering
We often think of engineering as buildings, bridges, boats ... but what can the ordinary small objects that we put in our mouths teach us about an engineer's process? And why is breaking things just as important as making?British artist and materials engineer Zoe Laughlin opens up the doors to her Institute Of Making, a research club for those interested in the made world.Roma Agrawal M.B.E hosts.
The Future Of Coastal Engineering
How should we re-engineer our coastlines and oceans to boost marine biodiversity?Dive into this deep discussion between host Roma Agrawal and Jaime Ascencio, Coastal Engineer and CEO of Reefy, a startup focused on innovations for the blue economy.Follow @QEPrize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more info.New episodes - conversations about how to rebuild the world better - every other Friday
The Future Of Living & Sensing Cities
What's the role of microbes in urban design? How can biology dictate buildings of the future? Should a city have senses?Avowed concrete lover Roma Agrawal constructs a fascinating conversation with two experts on Urban Ecology:Carlo Ratti is an architect, engineer, inventor, educator and activist. He's a professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology where he directs his MIT Senseable
The Future Of Life On Mars
Is there life on Mars? And why is it so vital for the future of humanity to find out the answer to that question? What are the ethical implications of the Mars Rover?Roma Agrawal hosts a rocket-fuelled conversation with two stellar experts:Dr. Jim Green, physicist and retired chief scientist for NASA.Abbie Hutty, who worked as lead structures engineer on the 2020 ExoMars rover, and was the younges
Disability & Neurodiversity In Engineering
How can engineering become more inclusive for disabled and neurodivergent people? And what are the engineering innovations that might make the workplace more accessible in the future? Lara Suzuki and Vint Cerf share their experiences and insights.Larissa Suzuki is a computer scientist, inventor, Chartered Engineer, and entrepreneur, who works with Google, NASA, UCL and the Queen Elizabeth Prize fo
The Future Of Water
What engineering solutions should we be using on water scarcity, flood, and drought? Do we value our water enough? What is the Slow Water Movement?Host Roma Agrawal hosts two H2O experts:Erica Geis, independent journalist and author of 'Water Always Wins: Thriving in an Age of Drought and Deluge'.Yewande Akinola, a chartered engineer who specialises in sustainable water supplies.Follow @QEPrize on
The Future Of A.I. Art
There has been an explosion of interest in ‘creative AI’, but does this mean that artists will be replaced by machines? What are the ethics of computer generated art? What are the exciting possibilities?George Imafidon - Young Engineer Of The Year 2022 - speaks to some real humans about artificial artistry: Michael A Osbourne is Professor of Machine Learning at Oxford University, and Briana Brown
The Future Of Lab Grown Meat
Might laboratory grown meats be the answer to cutting our greenhouse gas and energy emissions? If they are on the menu, will people choose to eat them? And what do these cultivated meats taste like anyway?!George Imafidon - Young Engineer Of The Year 2022 - host a meaty conversation with David Hunt from the Good Food Institute and Graihagh Jackson, host of The Climate Question on the BBC.New episo
The Future Of Batteries
Believe it or not, the world of batteries is far more magical than you might imagine! George Imafidon - Young Engineer Of The Year 2022 - chairs his first edition of Create The Future to ask how powerful can the lithium-ion battery become, and what are the environmental and human costs involved in their manufacture? George's guests for this conversation are Dr. Samuel J Cooper of the Dyson Sc
The Future Of Smart Tech
How dangerous is Big Data? Should we be scared of the Internet Of Things? How much of our lives will we soon be handing over to smart technology?Roma Agrawal hosts a debate between two opposing views on this most contemporary of subjects:Mischa Dohler, VP Emerging Technologies at EricssonversusBrett Frischmann, the Villanova University professor and author who specialises in Internet law, and 
Optimism Is The New Punk
Lord Browne puts forward some reasons to be cheerful in the face of discrimination, eco-anxiety, and gloomy predictions about the future of A.I.John Browne (Lord Browne of Madingley) is Chairman of climate growth equity venture BeyondNetZero, and former Chief Executive of energy company BP. He has been a global thought leader in climate change response since the nineties. He is also is Chairm
The Future Of Gardening ...
Summer's here! Time to get out in the garden. Join Roma Agrawal as she explores Sussex's wild botanical paradise Wakehurst (Kew Gardens) to discuss the science behind biodiversity, carbon capture, and the healing power of nature.Ed Ikin, Wakehurst's Director, and Lorraine Lecourtois, Head of Public Programmes, guide us around the 500 acres of diverse landscape, which houses the world's larges
A Heavyweight Clash: Scientist vs Engineer
Do science differently! That's the message from Nobel Prize-winning geneticist Sir Paul Nurse, who believes that all the sciences should be more connected and respectful as we look to rebuild our world better. Nurse was co-awarded the 2001 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of protein molecules that control the division of cells. His recent book 'What Is Life?' illum
The Future Of Healthcare Engineering ...
How might engineering improve cancer outcomes in the next decade? What's the future of tech in hospitals? Why did fellow scientists laugh derisively when Moderna was developing their COVID-19 vaccine?Roma Agrawal hosts two engineers have been key in fighting back against the recent pandemic: Professor Rebecca Shipley, and Dr. Robert Langer, co-founder of Moderna and recipient of the Queen Elizabet
The Future Of Ethical Engineering ...
Engineering can be a force for good. It can build our homes, create energy efficient solutions, and improve our world in innumerable ways. But there's a darker side as well, from weapons manufacture to deforestation.To discuss the ethical quandaries that engineers encounter on a daily basis, Roma Agrawal hosts Dr. Stuart Parkinson, Executive Director at Scientists for Global Responsibility, and Ya
The Future Of Solar Energy ...
How should countries work together to solve global warming? How easily could the UK convert to solar energy ? If we already have all the tools we need, what is holding us back from embracing renewable energy systems?Throwing some light onto this hugely important topic are regular host Roma Agrawal with Professor Andrew Blakers, one of the 2023 winners of the Queen Elizabeth Prize For Engineering f
Backstage at the Prize Ceremony
The QEPrize for Engineering is the world's leading award for engineers. The annual £500,000 prize promotes excellence and celebrates visionaries. But what goes on backstage?Roma Agrawal hears from the great and the good of engineering: Yewande AkinolaProfessor Andrew Blakers Professor Martin GreenDr. Nikita Hari Vinita Marwaha Madill Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBEProfessor Jez
The Future of Design ...
Is there a secret to beautiful design? How do you marry style and function? And what is the role of human emotion in this process?Designing the perfect conversation for this episode are regular host Roma Agrawal and architect-artist-designer Rebeca Ramos.New episodes of Create The Future - conversations about how to rebuild the world better - every other Friday.Follow Queen Elizabeth Prize For Eng
The Future of Cakes & Bakineering ...
How is a Baked Alaska like a Space Shuttle? Can cakes teach us about engineering? What is 'Bakineering' anyway?Whipping up a treat of a conversation today are Roma Agrawal and Andrew Smyth, an aerospace engineer who reached the final of The Great British Bake Off in 2016. Sara Schonour, a contestant on Netflix show Baking Impossible, also joins the chat.New episodes of Create The Future - conversa
The Future of Sustainable Cities ...
By 2050, two out of every three people are likely to be living in cities, according to the UN. Sustainable urban planning is therefore essential to the future of humanity. But how easy is it to create the dream city?"Mega badass engineer" Roma Agrawal hosts this discussion, covering the hot topic of The 15 Minute City and the question of how to bring joy back into our environments. Roma's guests a
The Future of Knitting & Crafting ...
Does knitting qualify as engineering? How do we break down gender barriers between 'crafts' and 'science'? What's the future of wearable technology? And how does Lady Gaga fit into all of this?Welcome to an all-new version of Create The Future from the Queen Elizabeth Prize For Engineering. In this first episode our very own "mega badass engineer" Roma Agrawal - author and structural engineer for
Revamped podcast
Roma Agrawal MBE trails a new start for the podcast from The Queen Elizabeth Prize For Engineering.Subscribe here on your podcast app and follow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates!www.qeprize.org/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Emily Calandrelli: Embrace Your Passion in Engineering
In this Season 3 finale episode of the Create the Future podcast we speak to Emily Calandrelli, an MIT-engineer turned Emmy-nominated TV host and acclaimed author. Listen as we discuss the origins of her passion for engineering, reflect on the importance of representation, and learn why she’s dedicated to making STEM fun and accessible to kids—particularly young girls. We hear how her internship a
Hacking the Brain via the Stomach
Khalil Ramadi is developing electronic pills that could transform how we treat some diseases. His ingestible micro-devices deliver "bionudges”—bursts of electrical or chemical stimuli—to the gut, potentially helping to control appetite, aid digestion, or regulate hormones.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we discover how Khalil’s non-invasive technology targets specific circuits in
The Domino Effect: Lily Hevesh
Lily Hevesh is regarded as the #1 domino artist in the world.With engineering principles playing a considerable role in her 3D masterpieces, she now uses her online platform of nearly 4 million YouTube subscribers to raise the profile of science, technology, engineering, art, and maths (STEAM).In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Lily about her domino art journey; from pos
The James Webb Space Telescope
The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been making headlines around the world since the release of its first images in July. That first deep-field image was taken by combining images from two of the telescopes’ instruments, one of which is the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Today’s guest played a key role in building it.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Paul Ecclest
Electrifying the Pickup Truck
Linda Zhang is the pioneering chief engineer behind Ford’s revolutionary new all-electric pickup truck—successfully making believers out of many truck-loving electric vehicle skeptics. For her pioneering leadership, she was named as one of USA TODAY's Women of the Year (2022) and featured on the front cover of TIME Magazine’s Climate Issue.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak
Inventing the Steadicam: Garrett Brown
In the history of motion picture technology, few people have had a more profound effect on cinematography than today's guest, the Oscar® and Emmy®-winning Garrett Brown. Garrett invented an ingenious camera rig called the Steadicam—a stabilising system for cameras that allows smooth, wobble-free tracking shots.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Garrett about his storied
The Senseable City
Smart cities are well-known for integrating technology with urban environments; sensable cities use that technology to put people at the heart of the city.A prolific inventor, educator, and engineer, Carlo Ratti is the director of the Senseable City Laboratory at MIT. The lab takes an omni-disciplinary approach to cities, combining: designers, planners, engineers, physicists, biologists and socia
The World's Most Cited Engineer: Dr Robert Langer
Today’s guest is a renowned chemical engineer and 2015 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Laureate, Dr Robert Langer. A pioneer in biotechnology, including large molecule controlled drug delivery and nanotechnology, Langer is also regarded as the founder of tissue engineering. His work is the basis for—among countless other innovations—long-lasting treatments for brain cancer, prostate cancer,
Hyperloop
Hyperloop is a revolutionary high-speed pod-based transportation concept that can take passengers from point “A” to point “B” quicker than the speed of sound.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak with Dr Siavash Sadeghi, Propulsion and Levitation Technical Lead for Hyperloop Transportation Technologies—one of the world’s leading hyperloop companies. We discuss what makes hyper
The Future of Brain Imaging
Clare Elwell is a professor of medical physics and director of the Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Group and Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory at University College London. Her current research combines physics and engineering to develop novel optical systems for monitoring and imaging the brain. Clare currently leads the Brain Imaging for Global HealTh (BRIGHT) research project, investigating the
Christine Bland: Lift-off
Christine Bland is an aerospace electrical engineer, artist, and photographer. For over 30 years she’s worked for Lockheed Martin, designing electronics for NASA spacecraft including the Spitzer telescope, Phoenix Mars lander, Mars rovers (Spirit and Opportunity), Mars orbiters (Grail, Juno, Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter), and deep space probes (Stardust and Genesis). Since 2009, Christi
The Quantum Ballerina
Dr Merritt Moore is a STEM advocate, quantum physicist, and professional ballerina with a penchant for connecting technology and the arts. A robotics enthusiast who one day dreams of dancing in space, Merritt explores her dual interests by using Artificial Intelligence to choreograph routines for her dance partner, an industrial robotic arm.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we expl
How Do Engineers Think?
In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we ask acclaimed biomedical engineer and policy adviser, Guru Madhavan, “how do engineers think?”Along the way, Guru tells us how he started down the path of investigating the engineering mindset, why he advocates for engineers to engage with the arts, and how he applies his systems engineering background to his work. We discuss the origins of the
Systems Engineering: Towards Net Zero
Susan McDonald is an award-winning mechanical and electrical engineer with over 10 years’ experience in overseeing major programmes in the power, utilities and renewables sector. Having previously led on the coordination of 12 offshore wind projects, Susan recently took a career break to help reimagine at-home COVID tests. She now applies her broad engineering and industry experience to help clien
Digital Twins
Data-centric engineering is nothing new, but digital twins open up a whole new world.Digital twins use real-time data from sensors to provide a virtual representation of a physical object or system that engineers can use to monitor real-time performance, reduce maintenance costs, and predict future malfunctions.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Mark Girolami, Chief Scie
Simone Giertz: Make Your Own
An inventor, robotics enthusiast, and internet creator, Simone Giertz gained popularity with her early viral YouTube videos—employing humour and creativity to make complex engineering principles approachable for all. Originally designing “useless” robots, a brain tumour in 2018 encouraged Simone to shift her focus towards creating unique solutions to everyday problems.In this episode of the Create
Engineering the Future of Food
Professor Pamela Ronald studies the genes that control resistance to disease and tolerance to environmental stress in plants, with the goal of improving food security globally. With enough rice to feed 30 million people lost to flooding every year, together with her collaborators, she has been instrumental in the development of rice that is both disease-resistant and flood-tolerant.In this episode
Making Sound: Audio Engineering
Leslie Gaston-Bird is a re-recording mixer and sound editor with over 30 years of audio engineering experience.Currently specialising in mixing feature-length films, she is also a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammys), was previously Governor-at-Large for the Audio Engineering Society, and is a member of the Association of Motion Picture Sound and Motion Picture Sound Editors. Her book,
The World’s Strongest Permanent Magnet
In this special episode, we speak to 2022 QEPrize winner, Dr Masato Sagawa, who received the award in recognition for his work in the discovery, development and global commercialisation of the world’s most powerful permanent magnet— the sintered neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnet.Dr Sagawa’s innovation has been transformational in its contribution to multiple applications globally, including: m
Building Artificial Glaciers in Ladakh: Sonam Wangchuk
Faced with retreating glaciers high in the Himalaya, engineer Sonam Wangchuk invented a way to store winter water for irrigation—a 78-foot-tall “ice stupa”. Built in one of the most arid regions of northern India, these artificial glaciers delay the release of meltwater by freezing it into a cone of ice shaped like a stupa—a Buddhist structure which represents enlightenment.In this Season 3 premie
The Future of LED Lighting
In this Season 2 finale episode of the Create the Future podcast we speak to Stephen Rouatt, CEO of the UK & Ireland markets for Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) about innovations in LED lighting. We discuss the innovative ways in which the 2021 QEPrize winning technology is being used today, consider the future uses of LED lighting, and Stephen tells us why engineers often make great entre
5G and The Internet of Skills
Mischa Dohler is a telecommunications innovator known for his pioneering work on 5G wireless communications, the Internet of Skills, and Smart Cities.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Mischa about what 5G is and how might improve our lives. We discuss the improvements made to cellular networks since the days of 2G, why collaboration in telecommunications and engineering is becomi
The Mathematics Behind GPS: Dr Gladys West
Dr Gladys West is a pioneer in the use of complex mathematics and efficient programming to generate accurate, repeatable and global models of the Earth’s geoid that were eventually incorporated into the mapping functions of the Global Positioning System (GPS). This work required her to process early satellite data and use complex algorithms to account for variations in gravitational, tidal, and ot
Engineering mRNA Vaccines
Dr Margaret Liu, known as The Mother of DNA Vaccines, is President Emeritus of the International Society for Vaccines and scientific lead for the World Health Organisation drafting group writing guidelines on mRNA vaccines.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Margaret about all things mRNA vaccines and how they came to play a role in the largest immunisation programme in recent time
Facial Recognition
Charlette N’Guessan is the technology entrepreneur behind BACE API, a software that uses facial recognition and artificial intelligence to verify identities remotely. In 2020 Charlette was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize, Africa’s largest prize dedicated to engineering innovation.While facial recognition software isn’t new, BACE API uses live images or short videos taken on
Autonomous Robotic Insects
Guido de Croon is an engineer and Professor of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) at TU Delft who combines computer vision and robotics to create the world’s smallest flapping wing autonomous flying robots.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Guido about the challenges of miniaturising insect-sized MAVs, and explore the role drones could play in the future of spaceflight, emergency rescue, a
Engineering an Inclusive World
Naadiya Moosajee is a civil engineer and entrepreneur on a mission to fast-track gender parity in STEM. In 2005 she co-founded WomEng, a global non-profit organisation that aims to attract, develop, and nurture the next generation of women engineering leaders in an effort to foster growth in emerging economies and engineer a more inclusive world.In this episode of Create the Future, Naadiya explai
Communicating STEAM With Kari Byron
Kari Byron is a television host and STEAM communicator (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) best known as one of the presenters of the popular science entertainment show “Mythbusters” which, over the course of 248 episodes and 2,950 separate experiments, helped inspire an entire generation of young engineers and scientists. Its combination of smart entertainment and accessible
Recommended
CAA on General Aviation
Nick Ferrari - The Whole Show
World Questions
InsideAIR
Off Court With Greg Rusedski
IELTS, OET and UKMLA PLAB 2 Made Easy Podcast For Medical Professionals
The Systemic Way
Trauma Bonding to Secure Relationship
Golden's Oldies
Lucy & Sam's Perfect Brains
The ADHD Adults Podcast
RHISE: Real History in Simple English (B2-C1, British)
