Nature Podcast

In this episode:0:46 Turning a toxic by-product into ironRed mud is a toxic by-product of aluminium manufacture, and millions of tonnes of it is produced each year. The majority ends up in landfills, pumped into vast lakes or stored in dried mounds, posing a serious environmental risk. This week, researchers demonstrate how red mud can be reused to make iron, a vital component in the production of steel. As their method uses hydrogen plasma rather than fossil fuels, they suggest it could be a way to reduce the carbon emissions associated with the steelmaking industry.Research article: Jovičević-Klug et al.News and Views: Iron extracted from hazardous waste of aluminium production09:36 Research HighlightsThe economics of next-generation geothermal power plants, and the folded-fabric robot that crawls like a snake.Research Highlight: Flexible geothermal power makes it easier to harness Earth’s inner heatResearch Highlight: Origami fabric robot slithers like a snake20:53 Briefing ChatA computational model that p