Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 8h

By the way if you are a new student or staff member at UCL you have FREE access to all Institute of Making facilities. That includes our experimental kitchen, metals, textiles, ceramics, electronics, workshops ect.. We teach you how to use them all. "What? No". YES! share.google/Hy3wMLdAQtOz...

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 8h

We are running another repair cafe on 7th Nov. FREE to all. Learn how to mend your favourite objects for free, get involved in the repair and reuse process, and gain advice on the steps needed to bring your beloved belongings back to full working order. share.google/76mO7KzxbyiE...

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Reposted by Mark Miodownik

robynhitchcock.bsky.social @robynhitchcock.bsky.social · 1d

There is free shipping for the UK and the USA this weekend in the Soft Boys online store.

Use the code SOFTBOY at the check out!

thesoftboys.shop

Love on ya,

RH HQ

mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=...

The Soft Boys

thesoftboys.shop

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Reposted by Mark Miodownik

Royal Institution @rigb.org · 2d

We often see art and mathematics as opposites, emotion versus logic.

Join former Christmas Lecturer @marcusdusautoy.bsky.social as he reveals a deep and surprising connection between them.

Discourse: How mathematics shapes creativity

Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy uncovers the deep connection between mathematics and the arts, featuring a live musical perfor

www.rigb.org

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 2d

Good to know. Thanks

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

Dont know. Fascinating puzzle though.

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

Apparently lower gluten content in bread products in Europe

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

You're right we do import high gluten wheat from USA. So that probably scuppers my theory.

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

I will throw in another theory of why European bread is better for gut health than USA bread. The highly toxic herbicide paraquat is banned in Europe. But it is used in USA on wheat crops. www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/w...

Is the Bread in Europe Better for You?

www.nytimes.com

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Reposted by Mark Miodownik

Leon Black @drleonblack.bsky.social · 3d

Exporting our waste plastic is wasting a valuable resource and immoral.

www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Britain missing out on potential £2bn recycling industry by exporting plastic waste

Exclusive: Government failure to close loophole allows 600,000 tonnes to be shipped elsewhere each year

www.theguardian.com

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Reposted by Mark Miodownik

Richard Jones @richardaljones.bsky.social · 3d

To state what should be painfully obvious, if you want to increase productivity in an environment that's close to full employment, you need fewer people working in hospitality, not more

Plot showing relative productivity of various industries. Accommodation and food is at the bottom. From J. Martin, C. Taylor (2025) Labour productivity estimates for detailed industries in the UK, 2009 to 2023.
https://www.productivity.ac.uk/research/labour-productivity-estimates-for-detailed-industries-in-the-uk-2009-to-2023/

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

Yes. Ditto. My kids wont let me throw out the non-stick pançake pan.

Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

Yes you're right. End of life rarely discussed

Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

Stretchy jeans might be recyclable using enzymes. Our work is showing some promise. Led by Silvia Anselmi, Jack Jeffries and Helen Hailes we show that enzymes can biodegrade spandex in lab conditions. Full paper here: share.google/gdpM87tlnZsj...

The discovery of new metagenomic urethanases utilising a novel colorimetric assay for applications in the biodegradation of polyurethanes

The enzymatic molecular recycling of plastics is of increasing interest, where polymers are converted into monomers for reuse or upcycled into value added chemicals. Polyurethanes are an important cla...

share.google

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Reposted by Mark Miodownik

Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

If you want to know more about the metal organic frameworks that won the Chemistry Nobel prize today. I go into them in my book It's a Gas. They are at the heart of oxygen concentrators that kept people alive during Covid.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Chemistry Nobel awarded to three scientists for their work on metal organic frameworks

The winners of the prestigious science prize were announced by the Nobel committee in Sweden.

www.bbc.com

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

Will California ban non-stick pans? Chefs are divided on whether protecting human health or frying an egg without butter is more important. www.nytimes.com/2025/10/08/o...

Opinion | Relax, America, There Is Life After Nonstick Pans

www.nytimes.com

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 3d

Yes, MOFs are incredible stuff

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

If you want to know more about the metal organic frameworks that won the Chemistry Nobel prize today. I go into them in my book It's a Gas. They are at the heart of oxygen concentrators that kept people alive during Covid.
www.bbc.com/news/article...

Chemistry Nobel awarded to three scientists for their work on metal organic frameworks

The winners of the prestigious science prize were announced by the Nobel committee in Sweden.

www.bbc.com

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

Dave Peck from TUDelft reminds us that there are lots of 2030 deadlines to hit sustainability targets enshrined in legislation. There are only 800 working days to achieve them.

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

Teaching Circularity for building and construction. This is for you - FREE Home - Circularity for Educators share.google/h7jVOpUB4rvG...

Home - Circularity for Educators

share.google

Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

Interested in glass? You need GLASSroom. Its FREE share.google/PgJR2xIP3kzt...

Open GLASSroom | The Go-To place for students, lecturers, researchers and professionals interested in glass

share.google

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 4d

Am giving talk at TU Delft today at their Green Village which is an innovation centre where they can build experimental structures without having to conform to building regulations. Pretty cool.

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 6d

"With power comes responsibility" - the footballer who cycles to work - www.bbc.com/sport/footba...

'With power comes responsibility' - Hector Bellerin wins BBC Green Sports Award

Former Arsenal defender Hector Bellerin talks about his attempts to live a more sustainable life as he wins the BBC Green Sports Award.

www.bbc.com

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 7d

Reread Fahrenheit 451 this weekend. Written in the era of the Un-American Activities Committee when the enemy was communism. Censorship, repression, the "righteous" fight, its all there. Books burn at 415F.

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Mark Miodownik @markmiodownik.bsky.social · 8d

Agree. But...https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/28/opinion/air-travel-airlines-carbon-capture-climate-change.html?smid=nytcore-android-share