Catalyst
Season 14
TV-G
Exploring the forefront of science and technology, Catalyst brings you compelling stories looking at the latest in science from health and medical breakthroughs to astronomy, environment, and agriculture.
Where to Watch Season 14
25 Episodes
- Electric Cars Part One - Land Speed Record - Electric Cars Part Two - Leaning Tower - Future FarmE1
Electric Cars Part One - Land Speed Record - Electric Cars Part Two - Leaning Tower - Future FarmElectric Cars Part One The team kick off their scientific trek with an electric car trial out of Perth. Land Speed Record Dr Derek Muller ditches electric cars in favour of a rocket vehicle. Electric Cars Part Two Simon Pampena discovers his sporty electric Lotus can't quite go the distance. Leaning Tower Dr Derek Muller turns watermelons into fruit salad in the name of physics. Future Farm Our trio measure how much methane sheep actually burp and a clever way to reduce their emissions. - Part 1: Blasting for Gold - Part 2: Comedy Gold - Part 3: Salt SatellitesE2
Part 1: Blasting for Gold - Part 2: Comedy Gold - Part 3: Salt SatellitesPart 1: Blasting for Gold The team go underground gold mining in Kalgoorlie. Part 2: Comedy Gold Simon Pampena performs comedy using mathematics in Kalgoorlie, but will his numbers add up? Part 3: Salt Satellites The trio "sail" on Lake Lefroy and meet scientists using the salt lakes to keep satellites accurate. - Part 1: Weebubbie Cave - School of the Air - Part 2: Weebubbie Cave - Eucla Sand HillsE3
Part 1: Weebubbie Cave - School of the Air - Part 2: Weebubbie Cave - Eucla Sand HillsPart 1: Weebubbie Cave After a quick round of golf, Anja Taylor joins a team of scientists for a spell-binding diving expedition into the Nullarbor's deepest cave. School of the Air Derek and Simon stage a physics and maths roadshow for School of the Air students who live on the Nullarbor. Part 2: Weebubbie Cave On her second dive, Anja teams up with Dr Stefan Eberhard to discover the microscopic crustacea that inhabit the cave. Eucla Sand Hills The team reveal the surprising origin of the sandhills using just a touch of vinegar. - Nullarbor safari - Measuring Our Coastline - Yalata Mulloway - Diprotodon DigE4
Nullarbor safari - Measuring Our Coastline - Yalata Mulloway - Diprotodon DigNullarbor safari Anja,Derek and Simon join critter-wrangler, Harald Ehmann and find more Nullarbor wildlife than they bargained for. Measuring Our Coastline Derek and Simon unpack the "coastline paradox" as they gaze out over the stunning Bunda Cliffs. Yalata Mulloway The team go fishing for Mulloway and discover a satellite tagging project aimed at protecting this iconic fish. Diprotodon Dig The team join a fossil dig in the badlands of South Australia and discover the world's largest marsupial. - Coorong Wetlands - Technoviticulture - Penguin PatrolE5
Coorong Wetlands - Technoviticulture - Penguin PatrolCoorong Wetlands The team check on the health of the Lower Lakes and Coorong following the Big Dry. Technoviticulture Technology has become indispensable to modern wine making. Penguin Patrol In a world first, Maremma sheepdogs are protecting penguins from hungry foxes. - Mapping Underwater Victoria - Cape Otway Lighthouse - Koalas - Hot Air Balloon FinaleE6
Mapping Underwater Victoria - Cape Otway Lighthouse - Koalas - Hot Air Balloon FinaleMapping Underwater Victoria Anja and Derek hit the high seas to find out what lies beneath Victoria's coastal waters. Cape Otway Lighthouse Koalas In the Great Otway National Park and surrounding private land, there are as many as 18 koalas per hectare – the highest density ever recorded. Hot Air Balloon Finale Our On the Road team head to the Melbourne skies on a Hot Air Balloon. - Fire Tornado - Flies for Food - Dog EmpathyE7
Fire Tornado - Flies for Food - Dog EmpathyFire Tornado How does a bushfire turn into a fire tornado? Flies for Food Maggots…they make you squirm…but what a healthy meal of pure protein they’d be! Graham Phillips explores a scheme to supply fly feed to agriculture and aquaculture. Dog Empathy Do dogs really care? - Sustainable Fishing - Cyber Attack - Smart ArmE8
Sustainable Fishing - Cyber Attack - Smart ArmSustainable Fishing A look at the science involved in managing Australia's largest fishery. Cyber Attack How vulnerable is critical infrastructure to cyber attacks? Smart Arm A Smart Arm is helping stroke patients recover mobility. - Dengue Fever - Scramspace - VoyagerE9
Dengue Fever - Scramspace - VoyagerDengue Fever Dr Maryanne Demasi reveals Australian research which may help to eliminate Dengue Fever. Scramspace A world leading Australian research team is preparing to launch a hypersonic scramjet. Voyager What has Voyager 1, the most distant human-made object, discovered? - Extreme Weather - Underwater OpticsE11
Extreme Weather - Underwater OpticsExtreme Weather This special report looks at the domino effect of environmental and atmospheric factors that drive the globe to wetter, hotter, drier and colder extremes. Underwater Optics Cinematographer Pawel Achtel has developed a camera housing that brings ultra high definition underwater images to the big screen. - Rainbow Children - Sundrop Farm - Air Operations Simulator Research Centre - Algorithm of LoveE13
Rainbow Children - Sundrop Farm - Air Operations Simulator Research Centre - Algorithm of LoveRainbow Children Mark examines the evidence from social scientists and whether more research matters to the growing numbers of children from same sex couples. Sundrop Farm Anja and Simon visit an unlikely location for a sustainable energy world first, a huge greenhouse on the edge of the desert in South Australia. Air Operations Simulator Research Centre Ruben takes flight at the Air Operations Simulator Centre in Melbourne. Algorithm of Love Simon takes a look at how dating websites use complex maths to find you your perfect match. - Southern Surveyor - Ancient Teeth - Future MusicE15
Southern Surveyor - Ancient Teeth - Future MusicSouthern Surveyor Join Mark Horstman aboard the Southern Surveyor as she embarks on her last science voyage. Ancient Teeth Dr Graham Phillips looks at what ancient teeth reveal about our dental health today. Future Music How are computers changing the composition of music? - Energy Drinks - 3D Virus - Military UniformE17
Energy Drinks - 3D Virus - Military UniformEnergy Drinks Anja Taylor reveals the hidden dangers of energy drinks. 3D Virus Simon Pampena explores how a supercomputer can help researchers to better understand the poliovirus at an atomic level. Military Uniform Dr Graham Phillips goes deep inside a climate controlled defence chamber to test chemical warfare suits. - Coal Dust - Quantum Computing
E18Coal Dust - Quantum ComputingCoal Dust Mark Horstman heads to Newcastle to reveal the efforts that are underway to identify potentially harmful concentrations of coal dust particulates. Quantum Computing Dr Graham Phillips delves into the world of the very very small to reveal the huge potential of quantum computing. - Wings of Wonder - Fossils Exposed - Australian Museum Eureka PrizesE20
Wings of Wonder - Fossils Exposed - Australian Museum Eureka PrizesFossils Exposed Engineers unearthed a remarkable treasure trove of fossils beneath Brisbane. Wings of Wonder Anja Taylor reports on how the amazing properties of insect wings could offer new hope for surgical implants. Eureka Prizes Interviews Catalyst asks some of our eminent scientists about the most important scientific issues facing Australia. - Conservation Hunting - Shark Behaviour - Sexy GuitarsE21
Conservation Hunting - Shark Behaviour - Sexy GuitarsAnja Taylor looks at the controversial issue of recreational hunters shooting feral animals as an effective management technique; do sharks choose their friends? And do men look sexier with a guitar? - Heart Of The Matter - Part 2: Cholesterol Drug WarE25
Heart Of The Matter - Part 2: Cholesterol Drug WarIn the second episode of this two-part Catalyst special, Dr Maryanne Demasi uncovers the tactics used by drug companies to distort the data to make cholesterol lowering medications seem more effective than they are.