Material World - 11/03/2010

Science and the recession: can blue skies research help rebuild our economy, as the Royal Society suggests? Quentin Cooper hears from the author of the report, Martin Taylor of Manchester University, and from academic and entrepreneur David May of Bristol University's computer science department. Also: we can do it, even educated rats can do it. Now smart oil drops can do it as well - navigate their way unaided round complex mazes. Quentin hears how it may lead to drugs that can home in on their targets. And the big turn off. Researchers in Bristol have been finding out if turning off traffic lights can actually improve traffic flow, and if there are any untoward consequences.