Hidden Flow

How do you cool a nuclear fusion reactor when it's trying to recreate the energy of the Sun? And how can scientists study the movement of liquid metal when they can't see through it?

Nuclear fusion could one day provide a powerful new source of energy. But producing that energy involves extreme heat, and finding ways to keep reactors cool is a major challenge. Researchers are exploring how liquid metals could help, using computer simulations to understand how they flow and behave under strong magnetic fields.

In this podcast, University of Sheffield PhD researcher Lawrence Jones joins fine artist Maria Marinou to discuss Hidden Flow, a creative collaboration exploring the science of nuclear fusion and fluid dynamics through abstract art for Festival of the Mind 2026.

Together, they explore how turbulence, heat and magnetic fields affect the movement of liquid metals, and why understanding these forces could help scientists develop future fusion energy technology.

They also discuss how Maria transformed complex scientific research into a series of paintings. Through bold colours, shapes and textures, the artwork offers a different way to understand the invisible movement of liquid metals inside fusion reactors.

Listen to discover how art and physics can help us understand the science behind nuclear fusion, the challenges of developing new energy technologies and why research happening in Sheffield could help shape the future of energy.