Imperial News

Podcast: fuel cells, solar sails and satisfied students

by Gareth Mitchell, Sam Wong

Vice Provost Debra Humphris and Student Union president David Goldsmith discuss the National Student Survey results on the latest Imperial Podcast.

We also hear about a Nasa project to demonstrate how pressure from sunlight can power a spacecraft, and visit the Energy Futures Lab to discover new ways of powering motorbikes and guitar amps.

The podcast is presented by Gareth Mitchell, a lecturer on Imperial's Science Communication MSc course and the presenter of Click Radio on the BBC World Service, with contributors from the Communications and Public Affairs Division.

Download the complete podcast (mp3)

Or listen to individual chapters

News: losing appetite and cutting fertilisers - Gastric bypass surgery has surprising effects on the brain and Imperial researchers contemplate how to help crops thrive without nitrogen fertiliser.

National Student Survey 2012: results - Vice Provost Debra Humphris and Student Union president David Goldsmith discuss the National Student Survey results, which showed an overall satisfaction rating of 86 per cent.

Clean energy for amps and bikes – Rosemary Peters visits the Energy Futures Lab to see how students are using hydrogen fuel cells to power guitar amps and building powerful electric vehicles.

Sailing on sunlightDr Jonathan Eastwood (Physics) explains how Nasa are planning to launch a spacecraft propelled by solar pressure.