Robert Rosner and Paul Wilson on Oppenheimer

July 25, 2023 00:32:24
Robert Rosner and Paul Wilson on Oppenheimer
Carry the Two
Robert Rosner and Paul Wilson on Oppenheimer

Jul 25 2023 | 00:32:24

/

Show Notes

The world, and the US in particular, have a complicated history with nuclear fission. Splitting atoms led to both the development of nuclear energy and weapons with catastrophic power. In the film Oppenheimer, director Christopher Nolan explores these issues.

Here we expand this examination to the seminal work done in the Midwest. In this episode of Carry the Two, we speak with nuclear engineer from the University of Wisconsin, Paul Wilson, and University of Chicago physicist, Robert Rosner. They unveil how the University of Chicago was a key research site that tested theories of Oppenheimer and his colleagues, allowing the United States to win the race in building a nuclear weapon.

Find our transcript here: LINK

Curious to learn more? Check out these additional links:

The first nuclear reactor, explained: https://news.uchicago.edu/explainer/first-nuclear-reactor-explained

American Prometheus (novel that Oppenheimer is based on): https://www.pulitzer.org/winners/kai-bird-and-martin-j-sherwin

Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists: https://thebulletin.org/doomsday-clock/current-time/

Nuclear energy and cutting carbon emissions: https://www.wpr.org/nuclear-key-key-cutting-carbon-emissions-combat-climate-change

Rosner elected president of American Physical Society: https://chicagomaroon.com/28020/news/theoretical-physicist-robert-rosner-elected-presid/

Follow more of IMSI’s work: www.IMSI.institute, (twitter) @IMSI_institute, (mastodon) https://sciencemastodon.com/@IMSI, (instagram) IMSI.institute

Follow Robert Rosner: https://astro.uchicago.edu/people/robert-rosner.php

Follow Paul Wilson: https://directory.engr.wisc.edu/neep/faculty/wilson_paul

The Science and Entertainment Exchange: scienceandentertainmentexchange.org

This episode was audio engineered by Tyler Damme. 

Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

The Institute for Mathematical and Statistical Innovation (IMSI) is funded by NSF grant DMS-1929348.

Other Episodes

Episode 0

August 30, 2022 00:23:18
Episode Cover

Ben Reuveni on Statistical Learning

Even if you don’t think you’re good at math, it turns out that our brains are basically little statistical machines. Learning a new language,...

Listen

Episode 0

April 25, 2023 00:27:09
Episode Cover

Kathryn Leonard and Axel Carlier on Crowdsourcing for Math Research

We’re still celebrating Mathematical and Statistical Awareness Month here at Carry the Two. This time, we’re taking a look at how anyone can get...

Listen

Episode 0

March 14, 2023 00:31:50
Episode Cover

Jude Higdon on Small Town Policing

We have another guest host this episode, with Jude Higdon. Jude is the Chief Information Officer at Bennington College and co-founder of the QSIDE...

Listen