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Science, Maths & Technology
Solving the perplexing mathematicians' problem of the spectre
In 2023, a UK maths enthusiast called David Smith discovered a shape that had one incredibly special property. Using copies of this shape, nicknamed ‘the spectre’, one can cover a flat surface forever – without the pattern repeating itself. This special property is called aperiodicity, and David’s discovery solved a problem that had been ...
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Science, Maths & Technology
Planetary Protection of Icy Worlds
As our understanding of life and its potential beyond Earth improves, attention is moving towards smaller bodies, including moons and dwarf planets in the outer regions of our Solar System. But how can we strike a balance between exploring these new worlds and ensuring they remain unspoilt?
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Science, Maths & Technology
Planetary Protection of Mars
Mars continues to be at the forefront of international space exploration programmes, but as plans to bring samples back from the red planet and perhaps even send humans there edge closer, how can we ensure we do not contaminate the very environment we’re interested in understanding more about?
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Science, Maths & Technology
What is Planetary Protection?
As we explore the Solar System, it is important that we do not accidentally contaminate untouched and unspoilt extraterrestrial environments in any way. This is especially true when searching for evidence of life. This article explores the concept of ‘Planetary Protection’ and why it is critical for the future of space exploration.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Mycoprotein - could this meat alternative be a food for the future?
How do we feed a growing global population? James McCarron compares the production of mycoprotein to meat. With significantly less impact on the environment than meat, does mycoprotein deserve more recognition?
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Science, Maths & Technology
Food, shelter and re-designing home as a living system
Housing has become the most valuable asset on Earth while people are increasingly going without food and shelter. How can we design for people to have a home, while also regenerating the living systems on which we depend?
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Science, Maths & Technology
Brain Awareness Week
11-17 March is Brain Awareness Week. From our OU PhD students' fascinating research into the brain to new articles with mind-blowing facts, we've got a host of FREE brainy learning materials.
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Science, Maths & Technology
The selective breeding of dogs
How does the selective breeding of dogs work? Why are poodles and German Shepherds different? What about designer dogs? This science article explores.
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Science, Maths & Technology
Co-design approaches
There are many different approaches, methods and tools that can be used to enable co-design at different stages in the process.
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Science, Maths & Technology
A brief introduction to co-design
Co-design is becoming important in the face of complex social, political, environmental, educational and technological issues.
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Science, Maths & Technology
About the Design Hub
Welcome to the Design Hub where you can find out more about design and innovation at The Open University.
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Science, Maths & Technology
British Science Week
Celebrate all things science with British Science Week! We've got free courses, games, animations and more...