Making and breaking

Being able to detect damage in structures early decreases the chance of catastrophic failure. This is especially important in structures such as bridges and aeroplanes. Much like an unexpected ache or pain could mean a trip to the doctor’s, unexpected changes in how a structure vibrates tell us that it’s time for an inspection. The question is: can we use data from other similar structures to spot a problem before it’s too late? And how do we define similarity?

3D Printing has made headlines in all manner of areas, from personalised chocolates through to space exploration. This is exciting of course, but 3D Printing also has a part to play on a very personal level. Candice will highlight some of the many ways it's being used now, and may be use in the future, to keep us all feeling human.

In the pitch black, a bat speeds through the air and swoops around a tree to eat a tasty insect snack in mid-air. Bats avoid trees and find snacks just by using sound. Scientists have taken this further and are using sound to detect cracks in the walls of nuclear power-plants and leaks in the ancient UK sewage system! Can you recognise the sound of a crack in a wall? How about a blocked sewage pipe?