About this episode
Materials scientist and BBC presenter Dr. Mark Miodownik joins AMSEcast to discuss his latest book, It's a Gas. He explores the hidden world of gases, from steam's role in electricity production to methane's surprising history. The conversation spans George Washington's scientific curiosity, oxygen's life-saving importance, and the chemistry of scent. Mark also unpacks the science of hot air and hydrogen balloons, noble gases, and carbon capture technology's potential to combat climate change. Looking ahead, he envisions a future of sustainable materials and repairable goods.
Guest Bio
Dr. Mark Miodownik is a professor of materials and society at University College London where he directs the Institute of Making and founded the Plastic Waste Innovation Hub. With a PhD from Oxford in turbine jet engine alloys, he has worked as a materials engineer across the UK, US, and Ireland. A passionate science communicator, Mark presents BBC programs and podcasts, and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Awarded an MBE for his contributions to materials science and broadcasting, he's also the bestselling author of Stuff Matters, Liquid Rules, and his latest book, It's a Gas.
Show Highlights
- (2:57) Why steam gas is still important for life in the 21st century
- (4:24) What natural gas is and how it was eventually harnessed
- (8:28) George Washington's experiments with natural gas
- (10:02) The importance of oxygen and how it's produced and distributed
- (14:32) How oxygen is distributed in hospitals
- (17:47) How scented gases are created, captured and distributed as perfumes
- (23:38) How hot air ballooning got started and how it works
- (29:05) The role noble gases play in our daily lives and how they were discovered
- (32:33) Strategies for capturing carbon dioxide
- (38:36) Which form of gas technology Mark thinks has had the biggest effect on civilization
- (41:16) What Dr. Mark Miodownik is working on next
Links Referenced
- Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials that Shape Our Man-Made World: https://www.amazon.com/Stuff-Matters-Exploring-Marvelous-Materials/dp/0544483944
- Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances that Flow Through Our Lives: https://www.amazon.com/Liquid-Rules-Delightful-Dangerous-Substances/dp/0358108454
- It's a Gas: The Sublime and Elusive Elements that Expand Our World: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Gas-Sublime-Elusive-Elements/dp/0358157153
- Mark's website: https://markmiodownik.net
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