NASA’s Astrophysics Division Director Mark Clampin shares his experiences designing the James Webb Space Telescope, and what the future of astrophysics has in store. The James Webb Space Telescope ...

In the 2023 CHRISTMAS LECTURES, Mike Wooldridge tackles the most important and rapidly evolving field of science today – Artificial Intelligence (AI). Watch the lectures on iPlayer here (if you're in ...

From the first electrical transformer to the tube that told us why the sky is blue, view the actual objects scientists of the Royal Institution built in some of the world's most famous experiments.

These liquids are some of the first examples of metallic gold colloids, made by Michael Faraday over 150 years ago. These liquids are the first examples of metallic gold colloids. They were made, ...

Faraday created the first transformer in August 1831. A few months later he designed and made this simple piece of apparatus based on his ring, developing the first-ever electric generator. This is ...

The Royal Institution was founded to 'introduce new technologies and teach science to the general public through lectures and demonstrations'. We've been connecting people to science for over 200 ...

The first ever prototype of Davy’s miner’s safety lamp. Created in 1815, it prevented the methane gas present in the depths of the mines from reacting with the flame and exploding. Following a number ...

Plastics are a messy problem, highlighted by the extent of their use across different sectors and their value at end of life. But is eliminating single-use plastic enough to solve this problem? Join ...

The fact that sodium could have been named Sodarchium, the moment when self-experimentation revealed nitrous oxide alleviated pain, and the pioneering 19th Century scientist whose contribution to the ...

Why join the Royal Institution as a member? The Ri is a charity that brings the public and scientists together to share their interest and passion for science. We empower people to explore and get ...

Ada Lovelace Day Live is back! The annual ‘science cabaret’ returns with a fantastic line-up of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM), who will share their experiences, insights ...

Humphry Davy was a chemist and inventor who invented the Davy lamp and a very early form of arc lamp. He was director of the Ri from 1801–1825. Born in Penzance, Sir Humphry Davy attended Truro ...