New Podcast - Tofu Solar Panels vs Big Business

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Our latest podcast examines a new ‘cleaner’ method for producing solar panels and is now available to download, review and subscribe on RadioPublic, iTunes, Tunein and Blubrry.

Two years ago, physicist Dr Jon Major published research on a new method for producing solar panels in the prestigious journal Nature. His technique has a tenuous connection to tofu but that was enough to push it onto the front pages of news sites around the world. The experience taught him a lot about the value of good communication of scientific ideas.

Dr Major’s experience since the research was published has taught him even more about the structure of the modern solar industry. It may not be as nimble and quick to innovate as you might think.

In this episode Dr Major talks about:

• The value of effective communication of scientific ideas

• The importance of serendipity in scientific inquiry

• The incredible promise and surprising environmental challenges of solar power

• Big Business and solar power

• Future of solar and renewables

You can listen to the podcast here or by following the links above.

Positive change

The podcasts aim to bring listeners closer to some of the academic experts, authors and innovative thinkers from the University who, through their in-depth analyses, research and discoveries are affecting positive change in the world today.

The series, hosted by Canadian journalist and producer Neil Morrison, features in depth conversations with one or more of our academic experts discussing research in their specialist field.

The podcasts, which have been produced in collaboration with the University of Liverpool online programmes team, are intended to provide a quick route to insider knowledge on new trends and upcoming key issues.

Feedback

Other episodes available include; ‘Why respect gets results during interrogations’, ‘Help! Is my child a Psychopath?’, ‘The Business of Football’, ‘Who will tell the robots what to do?’, ‘Big Data and the search for MH370’, ‘Suzi Gage on ‘Say Why to Drugs’, ‘Nano-medicine shrinks the cost of HIV treatment’, ‘Liverpool – Cradle of the Beatles’, ‘Follow your nose’ and ‘Why do we love mermaids?’

If you would like to contact our podcast with feedback or suggestions for future recordings please e-mail news@liverpool.ac.uk