Researchers and staff at the Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University
of Houston (TcSUH) recently contributed to an upcoming installment of the award-winning
PBS television series, “NOVA.”
In June, a “NOVA” production team, including host and New York Times technology columnist
David Pogue, visited TcSUH and interviewed TcSUH researchers and staff, shot video
of cutting-edge technology and documented scientific demonstrations and experiments
in support of a four-part “NOVA” special airing this fall, “Making More Stuff with
David Pogue.”
TcSUH was selected for an episode entitled, “Making Stuff Colder.” It focuses on
innovative inventions and scientific ideas, including how lowering temperatures can
improve efficiency and combat global warming.
“Cold is the new hot in this brave new world. For centuries we've fought it, shunned
it, and huddled against it. Cold has always been the enemy of life, but now it may
hold the key to a new generation of science and technology that will improve our lives,”
said producers. “In ‘Making Stuff Colder,’ David Pogue explores the frontiers of
cold science from saving the lives of severe trauma patients to ultra-cold physics,
where bizarre new properties of matter are the norm and the basis of new technologies
like levitating trains and quantum computers.”
At TcSUH, Pogue and his team talked with the center’s founder, superconductivity pioneer
and UH physics Professor Paul Chu. They interviewed Melissa Gooch, a research associate
with Chu’s group who appears in the episode, and worked with Alan Lauder, executive
director of the national Coalition for the Commercial Application of Superconductors.
Lauder is also TcSUH’s associate director of business development.
“In this four-part special, technology columnist and best-selling author David Pogue
takes a wild ride through the cutting-edge science that is powering a next wave of
technological innovation,” said producers. “Pogue meets the scientists and engineers
who are plunging to the bottom of the temperature scale, finding design inspiration
in nature, and breaking every speed limit to make tomorrow's ‘stuff’ ‘Colder,’ ‘Faster,’
‘Safer,’ and ‘Wilder.’”
The episode, “Making Stuff Colder,” featuring the University of Houston is set to
air on PBS stations, Wednesday, October 30. It will air locally on HoustonPBS (KUHT-TV
Channel 8) at 8pm.
LINKS:
Texas Center for Superconductivity at the University of Houston: http://www.tcsuh.com/
PBS’ “NOVA”: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/
“NOVA” series video: http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2365016541/?w=768
“NOVA” episode video: http://video.pbs.org/widget/partnerplayer/2365090098/?w=768