Resources by TED

Adam Spencer: Why I Fell in Love with Monster Prime Numbers

In this video, courtesy of TED, Adam Spencer describes his love of mathematics and takes a humorous look at the topic of prime numbers and in particular looks at the largest prime number known which is over 17000 digits long.

Adam explains how computers have sped up the search for primes, analyse data...

Arthur Benjamin Does Mathemagic

In this video, courtesy of TED, Arthur Benjamin performs amazing feats of 'mathemagic'. Beginning by multiplying two 2 digit numbers he continues by mentally squaring two digit numbers and three digit numbers more quickly that the calculations can be performed using a calculator.

The performance...

Arthur Benjamin: the Magic of Fibonacci Numbers

In this video, courtesy of TED, Arthur Benjamin asks the question why do we teach mathematics in school? He suggests that the reasons are for calculation, application and to a lesser extent inspiration. The Fibonacci numbers are explored as an example of how mathematics can be inspirational and not just studied...

Benoit Mandelbrot: Fractals the Art of Roughness

In this video, courtesy of TED, Benoit Mandlebrot talks about fractals. Beginning by looking at a cauliflower, how each floret is an exact replica of the whole cauliflower, but smaller. By considering the surface area of the cauliflower, the conversation moves on to describe what is termed as the 'roughness' of a...

Boaz Almog Levitates a Superconductor

In this talk, courtesy of TED, Boaz Almog shows how a phenomenon known as quantum locking allows a superconductor disk to float over a magnetic rail — with no friction and with zero energy loss. The super-thin 3-inch disk can support 70,000 times its own weight whilst levitating.

In the talk, Almog...

Bonnie Bassler on How Bacteria Communicate

In this talk, courtesy of TED, Bonnie Bassler explains her research into how bacteria "talk" to each other, using a chemical language that lets them coordinate defence and mount attacks. The find has stunning implications for medicine in the development of new antibiotics.

The research team worked with...

Brian Cox on Cern's Supercollider

Professor Brian Cox describes the Large Hadron Collider, at CERN, and the ATLAS particle detector at the time when the construction of the detector was nearing completion. He explores the reasons why the detector was built – to investigate the conditions in the very early Universe.

The 12 elementary...

Carolyn Porco: Could a Saturn Moon Harbor Life

In this talk, courtesy of TED, Carolyn Porco shares exciting new findings from the Cassini spacecraft's recent sweep of one of Saturn's moons, Enceladus.

Samples gathered from the moon's icy geysers hint that an ocean under its surface could harbour life. Scientists were initially excited by the discovery...

Doris Kim Sung: Metal that Breathes

This talk, courtesy of TED, looks at energy efficient design. Modern buildings with floor-to-ceiling windows give spectacular views, but they require a lot of energy to cool. Doris Kim Sung works with thermo-bimetals, smart materials that act more like human skin. In her dynamic and responsive designs, she uses...

Ed Yong: Suicidal Wasps, Zombie Roaches and Other Tales of Parasites

In this film, courtesy of TED, Ed Yong talks about how parasites can control the behaviour of their hosts.

He begins by looking at a tapeworm which lives in brine shrimp. The tapeworm castrates the shrimp, causes it to turn bright red, makes it live longer and causes it to swim in groups. This is due to...