materials science Archives - The Oxford Scientist

Chalk Talks, 2nd December

Lina CoxJanuary 9, 2020January 3, 2023011 mins

Nathan Walemba The quantum computer was first theorised by Richard Feynman in 1982. Nathan Walemba, a 1st year undergraduate studying Materials Science, gave his Chalk Talk on what a quantum computer is and how far they have come since their original proposal. Feynman’s suggestion sparked a frantic race between companies such as Google, D-Wave and…

Roman Concrete: To go forward is to look back

The Oxford ScientistJuly 23, 2017April 26, 202004 mins

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but their concrete can withstand the ages: around 2 millennia to be precise. There are many intriguing stories of ancient materials with fascinating properties but long-forgotten methods of production, like Damascus steel, the supposed chromium plated blades of the terracotta army, and Roman concrete. However, more light has been shed…