The Hyperthesis

Join the Hyperthesis team as we welcome Dr. Austin Farrell, an optometrist based out of British Columbia. Before we delve into the biology and physics of the eye, we discuss new research around a spiral lens that could replace progressive lenses with a superior design with multiple foci. For our main topic, we discuss all things optometry with Austin . Finally, we end the story with a brief histor...

Join the Hyperthesis team as we explore the depths of communication and the universe. To start us off, Liam introduces a theory that simulates the non-existence of dark matter and shows promise in maybe replacing it. As our main topic, we discuss a variety of ideas behind communication, include a glimpse into the past, how our current radio communication technologies function, and what the future...

Join the Hyperthesis team for this continuously evolving episode on evolution. To start off the topic, Pheely describes genetic algorithms and how they function. These algorithms mimic genetic evolution by taking into account mutations, cross over, and other ideas pulled directly from the theory of evolution. Speaking of which, our main topic details the history and theory behind evolution, the co...

Join Liam, Pheely, and Patrick as we welcome Nathan Eddy, a PhD student at Queen's University studying the limits of atomic thickness for nanomaterials using mechanical oscillators. Before we delve into the exciting world of very cold nanomaterials, we discuss the powerful properties of aerogels which act as incredible insulators. To wrap up the episode, Liam tells us about the history of nano...

Join the Hyperthesis team as we begin our sixth season with episode 71! In this episode, we have Dr. Wyatt Kirkby, a physicist specializing in quantum many-body systems and exotic phases of matter and their dynamics. We delve deep into his work as he works to set up a lab looking at some of the coolest matter on Earth (literally). Before then, Liam discusses the idea of second sounds, while Patric...

Join the Patrick, Pheely, and Liam for episode 70 of the Hyperthesis. In our season 5 finale, we discuss everything from supersolids to publishing and accessing the scientific body of knowledge. As an introduction, Liam discusses the idea of supersolids, quantum mechanical wonders that are both a solid and a superfluid at the same time, which means they do not have friction. In our main topic, we...

Join us as we welcome our guest David Kunar! David is a PhD candidate at Queen's University studying in the Crystalline Material Chemistry Group. His research focuses on the development of a more affordable semiconductor used for ionizing radiation detection. David also delves into the chemistry and engineering of his methods, and just how these materials actually work. Before then, Patrick ta...

Today's tasty episode of the Hyperthesis focuses on the science of food and cooking. Join us as we discuss the physics of breakfast and answer important questions like how can you avoid spilling your coffee and why should you hit your toast? Before then, we discuss the physics of frying and just what happens when water meets hot oil. Finally, we discuss a bit of biology as we journey through t...

Enjoy this episode of the Hyperthesis on a hot topic while temperatures in North America remain extremely cold. Patrick, Pheely, and Liam discuss the theory and operation behind machine learning, detailing how the computer algorithms behind such a powerful tool function. We also touch on artificial intelligence (AI) in general and delve slightly into the philosophy of intelligence itself. Before t...

Join the Hyperthesis team as we ring in the new year with exciting topics, covering the physics of champagne (but not the resulting drunkard's walk), along with quantum computers and the first computer programs written. We start with a recent pre-publication that simulates how Champagne corks are popped, and the quick and chilling solution might surprise you. Next, we delve deep into the quant...

Tune into episode 65 of the Hyperthesis podcast where the team reflects upon the 2023 year in preparation for 2024. We review some of 2023's top breakthroughs in physics and science, as well as some lesser known discoveries. Patrick talks about various climate change records which have been shattered this year, and how unfortunately are not looking good for 2024. Finally, we end the episode by...

Just in time for the start of Northern hemisphere winter, join the Hyperthesis team as we delve into the science of the season. We start our episode by talking about if the Christmas (or any other holiday) spirit exists and how it was possibly measured using fMRI. Falling into our main topic, Liam takes us through the work of Dr. Ken Libbrecht and the (magical) formation of snowflakes. Finally, Ph...

Lasers! Now that we have your attention, welcome to this episode of the Hyperthesis. Join Liam, Pheely, Patrick and our guest Troy Allen who discusses his research on laser welding. This up and coming method has many complexities, and Troy delves deep into how we can take live measurements of laser welds to improve performance and quality. Keeping with the theme of lasers, we discuss a recent pape...

Join the Hyperthesis team as we welcome our guest Hannah Krivic. Hannah is a PhD student at McMaster University studying biological membranes and protein dynamics. Her research focuses on using red blood cell membranes to deliver molecules to different parts of the body. Before speaking with Hannah, we discuss the controversial physics of curling with our curling expert Patrick. Liam wraps up this...

Join the Hyperthesis team as we welcome our special guest Alex Kayssi who will explore the beginnings of the universe as he talks about his research. Alex's research focuses on cosmology, and is studying how matter is distributed throughout the universe. Before delving deep into life, the universe, and everything, we discuss some technical details about reference frames and orders of magnitude...

Join the Hyperthesis team as we speak with our guest Tahya Weiss-Gibbons! Tahya is a PhD student at the University of Alberta modelling Arctic ocean atmospheric interactions to determine how climate change will affect this sensitive region. Before delving into everything from modelling fluids to forming policy, Patrick discusses how environmental DNA is being used to map all of the species globall...

Join Patrick, Pheely, and Liam for the 59th episode of the Hyperthesis podcast! We start the episode by discussing recent James Webb telescope data which may hint at the universe being older than we thought, and transition to the main topic of false vacuum decay: a theory which could result in the end of the universe and even physics as we know it! Finally, we end the episode with a story on the h...

Join our stirring episode of the Hyperthesis as we discuss vortices, the atmosphere, and the legendary Edmund Halley. Liam starts us out with a fun paper that discusses the effect of swirling water in a bottle on its bounce height. Afterwards, Patrick guides us through some complexities of the atmosphere, discussing large scale phenomena from the Polar Vortex to the El Nino Southern Oscillation. F...

Join the Hyperthesis team for the start of our fifth season! In this episode, we start by discussing this year's Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, and Physiology and Medicine. In a bold move for this season (and specifically this episode), we switch our main topic and story. In our story, we discuss three main interpretations of quantum mechanics. This leads into our main topic, discussing B...

Welcome to the season 4 finale of the Hyperthesis! Join Liam, Patrick, and Pheely for our extended ultimate chill episode as we talk over wide range of topics from the new Moon landings, our passion and frustration with physics, Oppenheimer, quirkiness of scientists, to our reflections on our past experiences. Brace yourself for a wild ride of dialogues as we dive deep into the episode. SPOILER AL...

Join Pheely, Liam, and Patrick for this 55th episode of the Hyperthesis podcast. In this episode we discuss the nature and importance of quasiparticles; they are the very reason our computers can function and are very important in many other different fields. We start the episode by discussing two separate pieces of news: the recent detection of quantum entanglement waves, and the recent muon g-2...

Join Pheely, Liam, and special guest Edward Dewit for episode 54 of The Hyperthesis podcast (Patrick was unfortunately unable to attend the live recording)! Edward is a plasma/nuclear physicist and engineer who is working on nuclear fusion energy. We discuss his work and experiences in his field surrounding nuclear energy, how rotating plasmas can be used to study the accretion disks of black hole...

Join Patrick, Liam, and Pheely as we discuss superconductors and the recent news surrounding them. We mention the controversy of the newly discovered LK99 room temperature and just what the implications are should they be proven true. We delve into the properties of superconductors and the mechanisms behind both conventional and unconventional superconductors. We wrap up the episode by telling a s...

Join the Hyperthesis hosts as we speak with our guest Emma MacNeil, an air quality scientist measuring point source emissions in Nova Scotia. Before we delve into air quality monitoring, we discuss the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle, which is currently leading to record high global temperatures. Before ending with a story about the discovery of oxygen, we take an in-depth discussion wit...

This episode of the Hyperthesis features Denise Kamp, a PhD student in theoretical physics at McMaster University who studies dynamical instabilities in Bose-Enstein Condensates (BECs). These instabilities in form when a BEC is trapped in a double-well potential barrier and when a BEC is rotated in a donut shaped toroidal trap. We start the episode by discussing a proposal to use BECs as gravitati...