The Material World

X-rays enable us to see inside things: the human body, luggage or materials. We use a computer to construct a 3D image of a material from 100s of radiographs. Because the technique is non-destructive, we can image the same object many times; this way we can see the steps leading up to failure of a wide range of materials from the oxidation of coated superalloy turbine blades to composite wind turbines, from the fatigue of 3D printed materials to fractured elephant tusk. I will explain how we do this and how these insights help us to improve the performance of materials and prevent failure.

Most of us would say we are familiar with our nervous system: the way our bodies take a stimulus, compute it in the brain or spinal cord, and deliver a ‘message’ to another part of the body. The human body can provide diagnosis and often treatment when we are wounded. This talk explores how we can apply the concept of a central nervous system to the autonomous world. How can we use the tools our human body comprises to build self-monitoring, self-sustaining, and self-healing materials? Where could they lead us in our future? Image credit: Women of Science.