Podcasts and Vodcasts by Topic

Robots and snakes
June 27, 2012
Mechanical engineers mimic snakes to build better robots.

Sound Ecology
February 27, 2012
Landscape ecologists are studying what sounds can tell them about a specific ecosystem. Researchers have found that certain sounds or lack thereof can be an important indicator of environmental changes. By recording the sounds in a particular area, scientists can track the typical patterns and note any changes and investigate the causes.

Earthquake! What's Your Risk?
February 20, 2012
Geologists, computer scientists and engineers designed a website to incorporate data from around the world in a real-time assessment that shows each individual’s risk of experiencing an earthquake and the subsequent damage. The assessment helps people decide if the property insurance they have for earthquake coverage is adequate.

Electric Fish Orchestra
November 14, 2011
Biological Engineers, Visual Artists and Composers Make Beautiful Music Using a Choir of Fish

Treating Tremors with Ultrasound
October 24, 2011
Neurosurgeons are using a new, non-invasive procedure using ultrasound to help stop certain types of tremors that impede their patients everyday lives.

Smart Stethoscope
August 01, 2011
Engineers and doctors help medical students train their ears to catch abnormal heartbeats with a special stethoscope.

Computer Concerts
July 04, 2011
Software engineers re-invent classic music performances using artificial intelligence.

Engineering For Earthquakes
May 16, 2011
Structural engineers designed a building foundation that can help to minimize damage when an earthquake strikes.

Ocean Energy
May 02, 2011
Environmental scientists are evaluating the Gulf Stream as a source of renewable energy. Scientists are using sound to measure the speed and power of the current at different times. The hope is that one day, different types of energy-generating equipment could be stationed to turn the power of the ocean into electricity.

Surviving A Tsunami
January 31, 2011
Civil engineers are using a wave machine to simulate large waves in order to study the impact of tsunamis and learn ways to defend against their destruction.

Helping to Hear: Cochlear Implants
November 29, 2010
Hearing scientists found that for a child who is hearing impaired, placing a cochlear implant in each ear is more beneficial than one implant alone. The researchers found that having both implants improved a child's ability to determine the direction of a sound's source.

Rev Up Your Electric Engines!
November 22, 2010
Bioscientists and electrical engineers are making quiet, ecofriendly electric and hybrid cars more pedestrian-friendly by adding an artificial sound. These vehicles can be a hazard to pedestrians, bikers and the visually or hearing impaired. Researchers added a computer inside the engine and several speakers around the car to emit a fake engine noise, warning passersby through the compression waves from the speaker. As their efforts continue, scientists hope to make a variety of engine sounds available to drivers, from a Corvette to a Harley.<br /><br />

Geophysicists Explain the Science Behind Surfing
October 09, 2009
Geophysicists are able to explain the science of surfing by running experiments while riding the waves.

Doppler Radar Tracking Babies
April 10, 2009
Electrical and computer engineers monitor baby's breathing with Doppler radar.

Dolphins, Bats and Scientists Help the Blind
March 27, 2009
Cognitive scientists and artificial intelligence experts constructed a device that may help the visually impaired by using ultrasonic sounds.

Big Quakes Trigger Small Quakes
February 06, 2009
Seismologists find large earthquakes can trigger smaller ones in unlikely locations.

The Plane Truth about Birds
January 16, 2009
A radar system that alerts birds can help prevent collisions.

Predicting When Tornadoes Will Strike
November 10, 2008
Meteorologists examined relationship of El Nino and winter tornadoes in the U.S.

Making Waves
August 01, 2007
Scientists gives us a sneak peek into the world of wave pools, and explain how these huge pools make constant waves. Waves are made by a huge compressor that feeds four gigantic air blowers. Then a computer controls chambers that generate the waves. When the chamber lids are closed, air from the blowers pushes the water out and makes a wave. When the valve is open, the balance tank fills with water, getting ready to make the next wave. It works just like a toddler pushing a cup upside-down onto water in a bathtub.

Rip Current Secrets Revealed
August 01, 2006
Rip currents flow in very erratic patterns, not in steady courses as previously believed -- which may help explain why they can be so dangerous even for experienced swimmers. Oceanographers have discovered the behavior by tracking the motion of colored dye added to a wave pool generating rip currents.

Sonic Golf Club
July 01, 2005
A new golf club uses motion-detection sensors and wireless technology to coach players through the use of sound. A golfer can "hear" the speed of the swing in wireless headphones, and adjust swings accordingly. Professional golfers generate the loudest, highest-pitch sounds. Most golfers say they see improvements within 15 minutes.

New Combat Helmet
July 01, 2005
Wearing a helmet can make it hard to figure which direction sounds -- such as gunfire -- is coming from. Soldiers in Iraq are using a new helmet, called the Advanced Combat Helmet, which is padded internally to prevent sound from reverberating and masking its direction of origin.