Our Changing World

There’s a lot of chat about solar panels for our rooftops, but where else might it make sense to put them? Claire Concannon visits the University of Canterbury’s Electric Power Engineering Centre to learn about their involvement in a big European project exploring the use of solar panels on vehicles and in car parks. Plus, she speaks to one researcher who is focused on planning for global catastrophes.
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At the Robinson Research Institute in Wellington, researchers are developing powerful superconducting magnets for space, fusion and MRI applications. Claire Concannon visits the labs to learn about a small magnet’s trip to the International Space Station, and how much bigger magnets are powering nuclear fusion research. She also meets the team working on a hydrogen-based way to make iron from New Zealand iron sand, removing carbon dioxide emissions from the first step of steelmaking.

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In this episode:
(00:00) Professor Nick Long on watching the Hēki magnet arrive at the International Space Station
(04:20) Dr Nick Strickland on making superconducting magnets robust and useful
(08:38) Fusion magnets and future research questions for Open Star Technologies
(11:05) Professor Chris Bumby on why steelmaking produces carbon dioxide
(15:20) Ben Rumsey on hydrogen reactors and producing direct reduced iron
(19:50) Cullbeck Limited and plans to scale up the process
(23:10) How the New Zealand Institute for Advanced Technology works…
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To get electric passenger planes in the skies requires powerful electric motors, but they must also be small and light. Some kiwi scientists think they could have a solution. Claire Concannon heads to a warehouse in Petone to learn about the promise of high temperature superconducting magnets to make electric motors for airplanes.
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In this episode:
00:00 - Where are our electric planes?
01:00 - The challenge of aviation electrification.
02:48 - The history of the Robinson Research Institute and useful properties of superconductors.
07:00 - The establishment of the New Zealand Institute of Advanced Technology
08:30 - The advantage of superconducting motors for aviation.
11:15 - Airbus’ plans for a future electric plane
12:05 - Warehouse tour and levitation bearings for future motors
14:04 - Basic motor design and characterising AC losses in superconductors.
21:26 - Testing a superconducting generator with Air New Zealand…
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Join a group of young explorers as they journey to Antarctica to return a copy of The Count of Monte Cristo to Discovery Hut. Along the way they visit other historic huts to learn about triumphs and tragedies of the 'Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration'. This is an edit of the Antarctic Heritage Trust's '77 Degrees South' podcast.
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Learn more:
The full Antarctic Heritage Trust 77 Degrees South podcast can be found on their website.
The AHT also previously made a podcast about restoring Scott's Terra Nova Hut, and an edit of that was also aired on Our Changing World.
Guests:
Producer: Maia Ingoe
Narrator: Jake Bailey
Sound design and music: Calum Turner
Inspiring explorers: Kitiona Pelasio, Louise Piggin, Lucy Hayes-Stevenson, Ngaiwai Clendon, Daniel Bornstein
Guest contributor: Al Fastier
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Every 90 minutes a New Zealander dies from heart disease. Liz Garton meets the team at the Institute of Biomedical Technologies is developing new products to help monitor heart health in the home to try to change those terrible statistics.
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Learn more:
The Detail recently looked into the deadly heart disease that creeps up on you.
In March, Guyon Espiner spoke with Dr Philip Shirely about how an annual flu vaccine can reduce the risk of heart issues.
Kate Green’s investigation into health insurance in May, showed heart disease is one of the biggest drivers of claims.
Dr Claire Concannon visited the CoRE Pūtahi Manawa to find out what they’re doing to address heart health inequities, in 2022.
Guests:
Professor Andrew Lowe, Dr Tet Chuan Lee, Matin Khalili, Institute of Biomedical Technologies, Auckland University of Technology.
Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details