Sci Fi / Sci Fact

MacDiarmid Institute experts talk to Bryan Crump about an idea from science fiction, if it holds up to scientific scrutiny & if it'd work in reality. (Yeah, the Big Bang Theory guys would love this).

Hosted by Bryan Crump

A bright blue background with stars and a few graphic elements drawn in perspective. A shiny title 'Sci Fi' in the top right corner and 'Sci Fact' in the bottom left corner.

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Flubber

Season 1 / Episode 1
Flubber has been around since 1961 when the mad scientist Professor Brainard discovered the flying rubber. It got a re-vamp with Robin Williams in the late 90s, but how realistic is it?
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Star Trek | Dilithium Crystals

Season 1 / Episode 2
Dilithium Crystals have been around since the origins of Star Trek. They regulate matter and anti-matter in the Starship Enterprise's warp core. But what are they?
Star Trek McCoy

X-Men | Wolverine's Adamantium Claws

Season 1 / Episode 3
Adamantium is the indestructible material infused onto the skeleton of mutant X-Men hero - Wolverine. But what is it really?
Wolverine illustration at the Shanghai Madame Tussauds wax museum.

Back to the Future | Time travel & Hovercars

Season 1 / Episode 4
From a time-travelling DeLorean to a future where hovercars are everywhere, the movie Back to the Future is a dream for sci fi-loving petrol heads - but could it be a reality?
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Santa | Delivery Tactics

Season 1 / Episode 5
Tonight's the night the magic happens. Old St Nick sets off from the North Pole and delivers presents to children all around the world. How does he do it?
Santa Claus bring the sack with gifts for Christmas. The house is beautifully decorated for Christmas.

Marvel | Ironman's Suit

Season 1 / Episode 6
Tony Starks's Iron Man suit enables him to fly, it has weapons and it's basically indestructible. What on earth (or space) is it made of?
Iron Man

Getting to the science behind the fiction

Trailer
Listen in to hear New Zealand's brightest scientific minds discuss the merits of pop culture plot-drivers. From Wolverine's adamantium-fused skeleton to Star Trek's dilithium crystals.
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