EU Science funding; Pear-shaped nuclei; Hyades
What would happen to UK scientific research in the UK were to leave the EU? Also the discovery of pear shped nuclei and the potential fate of our solar system explained.
Currently, scientific research in the UK receives an estimated 4.9 billion euro from the EU鈥檚 FP7 program, a figure that is likely to climb to as much as 8 billion euro when the current program finishes in 2013. With the possibility of a referendum on EU membership becoming more apparent, what would happen to UK scientific research if the UK were to leave the EU altogether? UKIP MEP Roger Helmer and Professor Ed Hinds of Imperial College London discuss the implications with Gareth Mitchell.
The existence of pear-shaped nuclei has long been predicted, but although some qualitative hints of this nuclear shape have been found, the quantitative information to back this up has been sparse. By using accelerated beams of heavy, radioactive ions, a team lead by researchers at the University of Liverpool recently found a clear pear shape in the nucleus of radium isotopes. As explained by Professor Jonathan Butterworth from University College London's Department of Physics and Astronomy, these findings hold huge promise in furthering our understanding of nuclear structure and also, testing the standard model of particle physics.
By examining White Dwarf stars in the nearby Hyades Cluster, Dr Jay Farihi from the University of Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy, found that these dead stars were 'polluted' by low levels of carbon and lots of silicon. Dr Farihi hopes to use these findings to gain invaluable insights into the fate of our own solar system when, as predicted, the sun ceases to exist in 5 billion years.
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EU Science Funding
Currently, scientific research in the UK receives an estimated 4.9 billion euro from the EU鈥檚 FP7 program but what would happen if the UK were to discontinue their EU membership? UKIP MEP Roger Helmer and Professor Ed Hinds of Imperial College London discuss.
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Picture Author:听Rama
Pear shaped nuclei
The classic model of spherical nuclei came into question once again this week with the identification of pear-shaped nuclei in radium isotopes. Jonathan Butterworth from University College London鈥檚 Department of Physics and Astronomy now believes these findings can be used to further our understanding of nuclear structure and also, to test the standard model of particle physics.
听
Picture Author:LP Gaffney.
Hyades
By examining White Dwarfs (or Dead Stars) in the nearby Hyades Cluster, Dr Jay Farihi from the University of Cambridge鈥檚 Institute of Astronomy, hopes to gain invaluable insight into the fate of our own solar system when, as predicted, the sun ceases to exist.
听
Picture:听Author:Todd Vance
Broadcasts
- Thu 9 May 2013 16:30麻豆官网首页入口 Radio 4
- Mon 13 May 2013 21:00麻豆官网首页入口 Radio 4