European Parliament - EPRS Science and Technology podcasts

Quantum mechanics is the physics of the small, and has some weird consequences, such as particles sometimes being in different places at once. These effects could be used to develop new technologies in the areas of sensing, cryptography, and computing. However, a lot of work remains to be done on developing useful devices, and their powerful new applications could have unintended consequences for society.

Quantum mechanics is the physics of the small, and has some weird consequences, such as particles sometimes being in different places at once. These effects could be used to develop new technologies in the areas of sensing, cryptography, and computing. However, a lot of work remains to be done on developing useful devices, and their powerful new applications could have unintended consequences for society.

Electric cars are projected to become cheaper than equivalent gasoline cars by 2025, when accounting for their lower running costs. Their widespread adoption would be a big help for the EU in meeting its targets on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality. However, there could be challenges ahead for our electricity grid, the automobile industry, and our supply of lithium, which is currently important for the manufacture of batteries.

Electric cars are projected to become cheaper than equivalent gasoline cars by 2025, when accounting for their lower running costs. Their widespread adoption would be a big help for the EU in meeting its targets on greenhouse gas emissions and air quality. However, there could be challenges ahead for our electricity grid, the automobile industry, and our supply of lithium, which is currently important for the manufacture of batteries.

Will intelligent robots bring us benefits in relation to security and safety, or will the vulnerabilities within these systems mean that they cause more problems than they solve?

Will intelligent robots bring us benefits in relation to security and safety, or will the vulnerabilities within these systems mean that they cause more problems than they solve?

We could use blockchain, the same technology that makes Bitcoin work, for e-voting. Elections are usually managed by the authorities in a black-boxed, centralised and top-down process, but blockchain elections would be run by the people in a transparent, decentralised and bottom-up process. While blockchain technology could be the breakthrough in security that is needed to enable e-voting, its success also depends upon the values and politics that it represents.

Imagine a car capable of driving you home safely while you're comfortably sitting in the back? With the progress in smart transportation, we may see this within our lifetimes! So fasten your seat belts and let us take you on a ride into the future of smart transportation! Find out more in this EPRS Science and Technology Podcast.

Ever felt like vanishing after a “faux pas” at a party? Or listen in to conversations without being seen? Be reassured, it's not only boy wizards who dream about invisibility cloaks! And thanks to scientific advances, we may soon be able to throw on our magical garment and see our dreams come true! Find out more about the invisibility powers of metamaterials in this Science and Technology podcast.

What if your shopping was delivered by drones? Your post? With drones becoming more common place and affordable, the list of tasks they could fulfil is only getting bigger! Discover with us some of the incredible ways in which drones are overcoming their bad reputation and finding a place in our societies. Find out more in this EPRS Science and Technology podcast.