Mark Miodownik

Stuff Matters

1. IDEA 1

   Materials shape our world

   Miodownik, a materials scientist, argues that the everyday materials around us are full of hidden wonders. He explores what they are made of and why they behave as they do.

2. IDEA 2

   Steel's strength comes from structure

   Miodownik explains that steel gets its strength from the arrangement of iron and carbon atoms inside it. Small changes in how it is made produce very different properties. Steel is a good example of how structure matters as much as ingredients.

3. IDEA 3

   Paper changed civilisation

   Miodownik describes how paper, made from plant fibres, transformed writing, money and record keeping. It remains surprisingly useful in many forms. Before paper, keeping and sharing knowledge was far harder and more costly for most people.

All 8 ideas from Stuff Matters →