Fusion – Ria Lina, Yasmin Andrew and Howard Wilson
From The Infinite Monkey Cage by BBC Radio 4
December 3, 2025 · 42 min
About this episode
The episode explores the complexities of nuclear fusion with experts and a comedian, discussing its potential as a clean energy source.
Robin Ince and Brian Cox get all fired up, overcome their natural repulsion and come together for this stellar episode on nuclear fusion. They’re joined by plasma physicist Yasmin Andrew, fusion scientist Howard Wilson and comedian Ria Lina to uncover the secrets of star-making here on our planet. Together the panel discovers how the sun fuses atoms to release energy and why misbehaving, jiggling plasma makes this tricky to recreate on Earth. They explore the competing technological approaches — from giant magnets to the world’s biggest lasers — and find out that the hottest place in the solar system is, in fact, in Oxfordshire. Finally, they ask whether fusion could really provide an unlimited source of clean energy, or whether the technology will forever be “just 20 years away”. Producer: Melanie Brown Executive Producer: Alexandra Feachem A BBC Studios Production
People in this episode
Hosts: Robin Ince, Brian Cox
Guests: Yasmin Andrew, Howard Wilson, Ria Lina
Topics covered
- nuclear fusion
- plasma physics
- clean energy
- star-making
- technology
Keywords
- nuclear fusion
- plasma physicist
- clean energy
- giant magnets
- lasers
- Oxford
- energy release
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: BBC Radio 4, BBC Studios
More episodes of The Infinite Monkey Cage
- The North Pole Unwrapped - Russell Kane, Felicity Aston and Lloyd Peck · December 24, 2025 · 42 min
- Monkey Business - Robin Dunbar, Dave Gorman and Jo Setchell · December 17, 2025 · 43 min
- Head in the Clouds - Owain Wyn Evans, Gavin Pretor-Pinney, Amanda Maycock · December 10, 2025 · 42 min
- What’s the deal with eels? – Lucy Porter, David Righton and Caroline Durif · November 26, 2025 · 42 min
- What’s the time? - Marcus Brigstocke, Leon Lobo, Louise Devoy · November 19, 2025 · 42 min
- Mind-reading Computers – Phil Wang, Anne Vanhoestenberghe and Luke Bashford · November 12, 2025 · 43 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Infinite Monkey Cage podcast page.