Sci Fi / Sci Fact

RNZ Originals

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).

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  1. EPISODE 1

    The Terminator | Exoskeleton

    Arnold Schwarzenegger's Terminator is a cyborg sent back in time to change the future. Duncan McGillvray discusses the metal that makes up the murderous robotic endoskeleton. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    22 min

  2. EPISODE 2

    Spiderman | Web

    Spiderman swings from the top of New York's high-rises, fighting crime and beating super-villains. But could spider silk really hold up a full-grown man? Dr Paul Hume and Bryan Crump discuss the super qualities of spiderwebs. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    17 min

  3. EPISODE 3

    Discworld | Octiron

    Kate Andrew tackles Terry Pratchett's Discworld series of books in this episode, with a particular focus on the Octiron, the element of magic which makes up the disc's hub. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    24 min

  4. EPISODE 4

    Ghostbusters | Proton Packs

    The Ghostbusters would never have caught their prey without proton packs. Emily Kendall talks to Bryan Crump about how they worked in the movies and whether they could work in real life. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    26 min

  5. EPISODE 5

    Total Recall | Turbinium

    In Total Recall Arnold Schwarzenegger plays a construction worker who recovers memories as life as secret agent trying to stop the mining of Turbinium on the planet Mars. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    25 min

  6. EPISODE 6

    Harry Potter | The Philosopher's Stone

    The Philosopher's Stone in the Harry Potter books can change metal into gold and create an elixir of life. Erin Leitao tells Bryan Crump whether either ability is within our reach. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    24 min

  7. EPISODE 7

    MacGyver | Optical Pump

    MacGyver was an 80s icon, with his mullet and ability to turn anything into a tool to save the day. Karen Thorn looks at one episode where the action hero turns some historical artifacts into a laser. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    24 min

  8. EPISODE 8

    Black Widow | Pheromones

    Scarlett Johansson's character in Black Widow has to fight pheromones in order to beat the evil villain. Anindita Sen explains how pheromones work and whether they could control humans. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    22 min

  9. EPISODE 9

    Superman | Kryptonite

    Kryptonite is a green crystal-like material found on Superman's home planet - Krypton. The radiation from the rock weakens Superman. Professor Bill Williams tells us if there are any real life equivalents to Kryptonite. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    19 min

  10. EPISODE 10

    Tinfoil Hats | Faraday Cages

    Claims that a tinfoil hat will protect the wearer from electromagnetic fields and mind control have been around for many years but do they actually work? Justin Hodgkiss joins Bryan Crump to answer that question. Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

    29 min
See All Season 6 (10)

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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).

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