Science Friction

About Science Friction

Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything. Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine.  Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out on Wednesday, July 8th. Artemis Explained (Season 6) In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)  In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.  Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it. Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use. Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works. AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

Publisher

ABC Australia

Category

science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

28 Oct 2018

Latest episode

28 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

22 of 288 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   28 Jul 2026

   04 | Dead and Alive: Hype train

   Jacinta Bowler interviews Dr. Tara Roberson, Stela Todorovic, Gideon Lichfield, and Professor Warwick Bowen about distinguishing quantum computing hype from reality and AI's impact on its progress.

2. 

   21 Jul 2026

   03 | Dead and Alive: Plucky country

   Host Jacinta Bowler interviews Dr. Peter Thorne, Professor Michelle Simmons, Professor Robert Clark, and Professor Geoff Pryde about Australia's quantum computing journey from CSIRAC to a million-qubit future.

3. 

   14 Jul 2026

   02 | Dead and Alive: Quantum attack

   Dr. Henry Everitt, Emeritus Professor Charles Clark, and Dr. Sushmita Ruj discuss the historical impact of Shor's algorithm on quantum computing and cybersecurity, as interviewed by Jacinta Bowler.

Inside a recent episode

12 | Artemis Explained: What a ride

Published 15 Apr 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] So, the moon is quite a similar composition to what we have on Earth. Even though it does look quite different and it's a lot drier, there are quite a few similarities. So, there's minerals like magnesium and iron in small amounts. And moon missions to the surface, more specifically collecting regolith, or the soil on the moon, could tell us what's below the surface. So, we haven't been able to get that kind of dirt from the moon since those missions 50 years ago. So, being able to get more of those would be a very, very exciting part of science to be able to work out more of this. Okay, so, you just listed a few minerals there, but I wasn't hearing gold or silver of diamonds. […]

Who has been a guest on Science Friction

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Tara Roberson
• Stela Todorovic
• Gideon Lichfield
• Warwick Bowen
• Peter Thorne

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.4 / 5

64 ratings

Spotify

4.8 / 5

47 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

95

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

50

Pitching Science Friction

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting pitches.

Questions about Science Friction