Hulking Biology
from Ask A Biologist Podcast Hosted by Dr. Biology Talks With Gerry McDermott
When you think of the comic character, the Hulk, you think BIG—and that's what Dr. Biology does in this episode. He learns about a building-sized instrument being used by a group of scientists. This monster instrument is called a synchrotron and is an important part of the XM2 microscope that is being built to look inside cells in a new way. Find out how biophysicist Gerry McDermott connected to the project, and even a bit about what happened when the Hulk paid a visit to the giant monster. It kind of makes you think about what happens when two monsters meet—I'm sure there's a joke in there. If you have not already, please subscribe to the podcast so you can be notified about new episodes.
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What this episode covers
When you think of the comic character, the Hulk, you think BIG—and that's what Dr. Biology does in this episode. He learns about a building-sized instrument being used by a group of scientists. This monster instrument is called a synchrotron and is an important part of the XM2 microscope that is being built to look inside cells in a new way. Find out how biophysicist Gerry McDermott connected to the project, and even a bit about what happened when the Hulk paid a visit to the giant monster. I...
Chapters
- 0:00 Introduction
- 2:17 What is the difference between a cyclotrons and synchrotrons?
- 3:05 What particles are being accelerated?
- 4:22 Research at the speed of light.
- 4:30 How synchrotrons work.
- 5:01 How do you separate electrons from the atoms?
- 6:25 From a linear to a circular accelerator.
- 8:02 The work of magnets with some interesting names.
- 8:52 The world for subatomic particles smaller than electrons - let's talk about quarks.
- 9:23 What is an x-ray?
- 10:25 What do we use x-rays for at the synchrotron?
- 11:37 Projection images.
- 12:56 What can we do inside cells using this new microscope?
- 14:43 Learning more about the synchrotron - like how much did it cost?
- 17:42 Are there other types of light besides x-rays being used by scientists?
- 18:32 Has there ever been some unusual things occur at the synchrotron?
- 20:00 What's that sound we hear in the background?
- 20:38 What's up with all the aluminum foil?
- 22:29 Why are there two rings at the synchrotron?
- 24:27 So why are there flashing red warning lights on?
- 25:49 When did you first know you wanted to be a scientist?
- 26:45 What would you be if you could not be a scientist?
- 27:07 What advice do you have for future scientists?
- 29:03 Simple questions are not always as simple as they appear.
- 30:25 Sign-off
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