Monthly focus

This month, Horizon looks at science underground and underwater. Image credit: Pixabay

03 April 2017

Under the surface

This month, Horizon goes underground and underwater to find out about the clean-energy promise of the world's longest well, pollution in the deepest place on earth, and how the noise of ships is turning harmony under the sea into a cacophony.

Artificial intelligence and behavioural analysis are helping to keep us safe from hackers. Credit: Pixabay/ StockSnap

monthly focus

02 March 2017

The next level of cyber defence

As our reliance on the internet continues to expand into every area of our lives, the threat from cyber attacks and hacking are never far from the headlines. This month, Horizon looks at how Europe can keep its digital borders intact. We find out how artificial intelligence is learning on the job to better detect security breaches and how the unique way that you interact with your phone or computer could be used to verify your digital identity. Plus, we find out what the EU is doing to protect critical infrastructure such as power grids from an increased threat of attack.

This month, Horizon looks at innovations that could lead to a low-carbon future. Credit: PublicDomainPictures/Lynn Greyling

monthly focus

01 February 2017

Welcome to the post-carbon future

Europe has set a course for a low-carbon economy, but what does this mean in practice? This month, Horizon looks at the carbon-free innovations set to change our lives, from neighbourhoods that can produce more energy than they consume, to Europe's renewable energy cooperatives. We also explore new technologies to minimise the risk of nuclear meltdown, and find out how a tie-up between researchers in the EU and North Africa could help bring renewable energy innovations to the Mediterranean region.

As the Euro turns 15, Horizon looks at the future of finance. Image credit: Pixabay

monthly focus

04 January 2017

The future of finance

It's been 15 years since the euro came into circulation and to mark the occasion Horizon is looking at what the future could have in store for finance. We talk to one economist who says the way to avoid another crisis is to keep banks small and boring, and we explore the effect of alternative local currencies on supporting small businesses. We also delve into some of the technology that could enable us to move to a cashless society, and we look at the growth of the so-called sharing economy, in which people share access to resources.

World leaders met in Paris, France, last year at COP21 and agreed to keep global warming under 2 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial times. Image credit: U.S. Department of State/ public domain

monthly focus

05 December 2016

One year on

This December marks one year on from the Paris agreement, where world governments agreed to keep global warming to within 2 degrees Celsius of the average pre-industrial temperature. To mark the occasion, Horizon takes stock of the situation and examines the challenges ahead. We speak to scientists who are mapping a pathway for governments to cut back on emissions, we host a debate on steel - one of Europe’s most polluting industries, and we look the progress of carbon capture and storage. We also interview Professor Hans Joachim Schellnhuber, founder of the Potsdam Institute in Germany, who was the first to propose that 2 degrees should be set as a limit for global warming.

Genetically altered photosynthetic bacteria can convert sunlight into fuel three times as effectively as plants. Image: ‘Clyndrospermum (Cyanobacteria)’ by Matthewjparker is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0

monthly focus

01 November 2016

The power of bacteria

Bacteria may be some of the oldest organisms in the evolutionary tree, but, as Horizon discovers this month, they are inspiring new technologies, from turning sunlight into car fuel to creating building blocks that can repair themselves when cracked. We also hear from scientists using these single-celled organisms to heat our homes, and others who are using them to help trees clean up contaminated soil.

Horizon takes a look at the biological clocks in people, animals and plants this October. Image credit: Flickr/ Ross2085

monthly focus

03 October 2016

The 24-hour rhythms that govern life

As the clocks go back this October, Horizon takes a moment to look at the 24-hour rhythms that govern life. We talk to scientists trying to alter the internal clocks of our cells to help fight obesity and diabetes, and others working out the best time for each patient to take medicines. We also learn how tobacco plants can change their body clocks in a last-ditch attempt to survive when they’re threatened by predators or food scarcity.

2D materials are opening up a whole world of possibilities for scientists.

monthly focus

01 September 2016

Tales of the second dimension

This month, Horizon explores the weird and wonderful world of 2D materials. We talk to researchers revving up for a nano car race on a track the size of a flu virus, and others who are splicing atom-thick layers to create materials with on-demand properties. We find out how one scientist is bending and stretching 2D materials to create ultra-small sensors, and discover some of the other potential applications creating a buzz, including energy storage and high-power computing.

The Rio 2016 Olympic Games will run from 5 to 21 August. Image credit: Shutterstock/ lazyllama

monthly focus

01 August 2016

Science on the starting blocks

In August, we look at the social impact of mega events such as the Olympic Games, the links between sports and society, the benefits of high-intensity interval training, and how, one day, part of your football boots could have scored a winning goal at the World Cup, if shoemaker adidas gets its way.

Off-grid technology in Africa can help households access power after sunset. Image courtesy of Off:Grid:Electric

monthly focus

04 July 2016

Turning on the power, off the grid

This month Horizon looks at the latest technology to turn on power in places which are off the grid. We learn about solar power tech that's being used to clean water, bring internet to mobile phones and even sustain temporary housing pods after a disaster. We also hear from Michael Gera, who’s investing in off-grid energy companies in Africa, so that businesses can stay open and children can study after the sun goes down.