Main exhibits

Algae are hugely diverse, underappreciated and their broad potential is mostly untapped. Join researchers from the British Phycological Society as they grow algae in photobioreactors and demonstrate how algae and algal biotechnology could contribute to a more sustainable future, with seaweed-based packaging, biofuels, and even new sources of medicines.

Water pollution is at concerning levels across much of the UK. Microscopic water fleas, called Daphnia, are a natural way of monitoring levels of pollution in our rivers, lakes and ponds. Researchers from the University of Birmingham are investigating how Daphnia can be used to test toxicity in rivers, reveal the impacts of microplastics in freshwater, and even remove some pollutants.

Experience counterintuitive phenomena of quantum mechanics with EntangleCam. By creating entangled particles of light, researchers at Imperial College London have transformed a regular camera to allow it to image ‘invisible’ information hiding in the infrared. Put the camera to the test and learn how it is being used for faster, more accurate cancer diagnoses.

Antimicrobial resistance is an ever-growing global health crisis, and there is a pressing need to find alternative treatments to reduce our reliance on antibiotics. Researchers from the University of Southampton are investigating how tiny bacteria-fighting viruses, called phages, could be the key to fighting resistant bacterial infections, and are enlisting members of the public to help hunt for them.

Ultrasound waves, like those used in pregnancy scans, could transform healthcare. Meet researchers exploring the potential of using ultrasound for precise, non-invasive brain surgery and find out how it could treat disorders like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Test out the power of ultrasound for yourself by trying on a helmet that gives you the ultrasound-sensing abilities of a bat.

Meet the team at Imperial College London who are using biomaterials to develop more sustainable versions of batteries, skincare products and construction materials. Or see how coal production could be replicated in a lab to develop bio-derived coal-like products. This research aims to work in partnership with nature, using natural processes to guide the development of more sustainable technologies.

Can we use light to build a more sustainable world? The NanoGlow exhibit brings together physicists, chemists and engineers from across the UK who are harnessing energy from natural light to develop nano-scale materials that can turn water into hydrogen for fuel and break down pollutants.

Put your surgical skills to the test with sensorised surgical gloves developed by researchers at University College London that can measure the forces applied by surgeons. These technologies could be used for training surgeons more precisely, affordably, and safely.

Learn about the important sustainability work of the Surrey Circular Economy Group as they demonstrate how to innovatively reduce, reuse, and recycle our plastics. This includes exploring how to separate microplastics from wastewater and fashion them into useful nanomaterials as well as designing new products with recycled materials and creating resilient alternatives such as paper-based bottles.

From the very large to the very small, how do other animals experience the world differently to humans? Meet the team at the University of Oxford - and their eight-legged friends - to explore how elephants and spiders use seismic vibrations to help them experience their environment. Discover how detecting vibrations generated by elephants in the African savannah can help their conservation, and how spiders’ unique sensitivity could inspire new robotic systems that use vibrations as an information source.

You don’t need to be a musical genius to create a pop hit using PhotoSYNTH. Team up with friends and create this year’s song of the summer using only your facial expressions with this immersive musical instrument. Once you’ve tested your popstar powers, learn how advances in human-computer interfaces have allowed scientists to make this inclusive music-making tool and jam with a range of other accessible musical instruments.

The UK is at the forefront of the quantum revolution, leading the way in groundbreaking research and innovations that are set to transform industries and shape our future. In a special Quantum Zone, celebrating the UNESCO International Year of Quantum, join top researchers driving this transformation. Discover how cutting-edge research is turning quantum from theory into real-world impacts that are reshaping industries, solving global challenges, and revolutionising healthcare, navigation, and energy.

How the Universe around us came into being is one of many questions the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) is trying to answer. Headquartered in the UK and spanning three continents, the SKAO's two vast radio telescopes will allow us to observe, in unprecedented detail, the supernovae of exploding stars, jets expelled from super massive blackholes and ripples in the fabric of space and time.

The Young Researcher Zone, open weekdays only, showcases investigative work being undertaken by school students across the UK as part of the Royal Society’s Partnership Grants scheme. Visit the Zone to speak with the students about their work and try the exciting interactive activities they have created.

The Partnership Grants scheme funds schools up to £3000 to run investigative STEM projects in partnership with STEM professionals from academia or industry. To find out more visit the Royal Society website or email the Schools Engagement team at education@royalsociety.org.