This time we are focussing on the world of sensor technology that allows us to collect information at an atomic level. Improvements in quantum sensors are changing how we can detect all sorts of tiny changes in the world around us, revolutionising medical diagnostics, resource extraction and even letting us see around corners… Britain's first astronaut, Helen Sharman, is joined by Professor Sir Peter Knight. Sir Peter is an internationally renowned academic in the field of quantum optics...

In today's discussion, we're delving into the transformative world of drones. From their pioneering potential in healthcare, other delivery services, disaster relief and agriculture, to disrupting defence and security, the ways drones are used are revolutionizing several sectors at an incredible rate. Much of the drone technology is not in itself revolutionary. Rather, it's the way this technology is harnessed that's helping to change the world around us. Helen Sharman is joined by...

Kevin Czinger joins Helen to kick off the third season of Zero Pressure. Kevin is the founder, lead inventor and CEO of Divergent 3D, a company that uses some of the world's most advanced methods of design and additive manufacturing (that's 3D printing) to build vehicle structures. The Zero Pressure podcast series looks at how science and technology positively can contribute to solving complex, interrelated global challenges of today and tomorrow. We look at pioneering technologies and...

In this special edition of the Zero Pressure podcast, we will be discussing the mapping of the Earth’s oceans. It’s been said that the ocean is the Earth’s final frontier for good reason. With telescopes, scientists can see objects in space that are 30 billion light years away from Earth. Closer to home, 90% of Mars and the entire Moon’s surface has been mapped. Yet only a quarter of Earth’s oceans have been mapped. How can detailed ocean maps be used to solve problems as wide-ranging as...

This time we are discussing emerging and disruptive technologies. From artificial intelligence to genome editing and quantum computing, industries are being reshaped and traditional norms challenged. How can policymakers stay ahead of the game in an ever-changing world? In this episode, we discuss strategies for policymakers to encourage and support as well as effectively track and regulate these emerging and disruptive technologies. Our guest is Professor Deeph Chana. Deeph is Managing...

This time we're talking about microchips and the world of microelectronics. Microchips are the bedrock of modern technology and are vital in everything from fighter jets to mobile phones. The United States and more recently, Taiwan have been dominant leaders in the global markets of new chip technology. But massive investment in China might change all this. Our guest today is Dr Chris Miller. Chris is an associate professor of international history at the Fletcher School of Law and...

This time, we're delving into the world of materials science. In the English-speaking world, the word 'material' is often confused with 'cloth', but in the context of material science, and this podcast, we mean any physical substance. And as one set of chemical elements can be combined in multiple ways to produce quite different materials, there is a huge number of possible new materials yet to be made. New materials and processes to make them, from printed electronics to biological hybrids...

This time we are talking about the future of speed in the air. What is the difference between supersonic and hypersonic travel, what speeds might we reach in the future and how can engines achieve this? Since the grounding of Concorde there has been no supersonic commercial air travel – but with new start-ups appearing globally, is that all about to change?  And what are the implications of hypersonic speeds for global security? Helen is joined by Conrad Banks. Conrad is the Chief Engineer...

In this episode, we are talking about connectivity, in particular 5G and 6G technology. How will these upcoming new technology standards for cellular networks transform the way we live and work? What are the implications for aerospace, defence and security? How will the technology affect positioning, navigation and timing services on which we are becoming increasingly reliant? We are very pleased to be joined on Zero Pressure by our guest, Dr Magnus Frodigh. Magnus is Vice President and Head...

In this episode we are talking about PNT – that’s Positioning, Navigation, and Timing – systems, their use within many aspects of critical national infrastructure, and their extensive impact on our daily lives. We are joined by Professor Washington Ochieng, Head of the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, as well as Chair in Positioning and Navigation Systems at Imperial College London. He is also the Senior Security Science Fellow at the Institute for Security Science and...

In this episode we are talking about ‘moving to a hydrogen society.’ We will discuss the role hydrogen has to play in generating clean energy, as well as potential challenges and misconceptions around hydrogen production. This time we are joined by Dr Andy Palmer, an automotive executive and engineer who is currently CEO of electric vehicle manufacturer Switch Mobility, and has previously served as CEO of Aston Martin and COO of Nissan. Andy has been described as ‘the godfather of EVs’...

In the second episode of Season 2, Helen Sharman, Britain's first astronaut, explores how science and technology help us plan for and mitigate Black Sky Events. Modern day systems are so interdependent that serious disruption of any major service or supply network could cascade into them all and create a so-called Black Sky Event. So how can science and technology make our infrastructure more resilient in the face of these challenges?  Helen is joined by Avi Schnurr, the CEO and President...

In the first episode of Season 2, Helen Sharman, Britain's first astronaut, explores how science and technology can help us to manage the polar regions, as melting ice due to climate change opens up shipping lanes, makes resource extraction increasingly viable and throws up environmental and geopolitical issues that affect the whole planet. Helen is joined by Professor Klaus Dodds, Executive Dean for the School of Life Sciences and the Environment at Royal Holloway, University of London....

In this episode, Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, explores the New Space Economy. But what exactly is "New Space"? To find out, Helen is joined by Professor Andy Koronios, CEO and Managing Director of the Australian SmartSat Co-operative Research Centre, and Pekka Laurila, co-founder of Finnish New Space satellite technology company ICEYE. The Zero Pressure podcast series will be looking at how science and technology positively can contribute to solving complex, interrelated global...

Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, explores how humans are building working relationships and trust with machines. From the oceans to the skies, this episode considers the current capabilities and potential future applications of human-machining teaming. Helen is joined by Captain Michael Brasser, commander of the 59th task force and air traffic management expert Associate Professor Sameer Alam. Zero Pressure is a podcast from Imperial College London and Saab. A relaxed conversation...

Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, explores quantum computing. What are these machines, how are they created and how can their calculations potentially change the world? Helen is joined by quantum computing experts professor John M. Martinis from University of California, Santa Barbara and Provost of Imperial College London, Professor Ian Walmsley. Zero Pressure is a podcast from Imperial College London and Saab. A relaxed conversation with those on the cutting edge of science and...

Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, discusses the future of AI, its uses in today’s world and the ethics surrounding its ever-expanding applications. Helen is joined by Finnish AI expert Tero Ojanpehra and Dr Karen Haigh an expert in AI and machine learning. Zero Pressure is a podcast from Imperial College London and Saab. A relaxed conversation with those on the cutting edge of science and technology - hosted by Britain's first astronaut Helen Sharman - Presented by Imperial College...

Helen Sharman, Britain’s first astronaut, hosts an expert-led discussion on autonomous systems and the ethics surrounding their use and development. How can autonomous systems help not just with dull or dangerous tasks but also improving decision-making? What about the serious ethical questions related to some of the decision making in autonomous systems? Helen’s guests this week are Virginia Dignum, Professor at the Department of Computing Science at Umeå University, Sweden and Denise...

30 years after becoming the first Briton in space, Helen sits down with Christer Fuglesang, the first Swedish astronaut. The two pioneers discuss their experiences in space, how humans will live on Mars, the potential threats we face from space, and what the future of space exploration may look like in the year 2050. Zero Pressure is a podcast from Imperial College London and Saab. A relaxed conversation with those on the cutting edge of science and technology - hosted by Britain's first...

Introducing Our Host - Britain's First Astronaut Helen Sharman

A relaxed conversation with those on the cutting edge of science and technology - hosted by Britain's first astronaut Helen Sharman - Presented by Imperial College London and Saab