Cross section: Mark Miodownik – Science Weekly podcast

What can a materials scientist learn from artists? How do you make robotic trousers? And what should we do about plastics? Hannah Devlin sits down with Mark Miodownik to find out

As a teenager, Mark Miodownik was stabbed with a razor blade, which penetrated his leather jacket, his school blazer and shirt before slicing his skin. The silver lining was that this harrowing event sparked a life-long fascination with materials science and engineering. A fascination that now sees him as Professor of Materials and Society, and director of the Institute of Making at University College London.

This week, Mark sits down in the studio with Hannah Devlin to walk us through his career, and why he thinks that his field now needs to open its doors to designers, architects and artists. He also shares the inspirations for his new book, Liquid, which takes a broad look at the fluids that permeate every aspect of our lives.