Cool Stuff and How It Works

Learn more about six amazing new protective technologies: a fire proof suit, iris scanner, armored car, a robot that disables bombs, liquid armor, and airport explosives detectors. Uncover how they work using special high-tech imaging techniques.

In this episode our host puts his body on the line: sticking his hand in a flame-thrower, attempting to crack a security system at Fujitzu's headquarters, getting to blow up New York's finest fireworks.

The Osprey is one of the most advanced and versatile aircraft in the American Defense Force. We explore the mechanics of wingless human flight in a giant wind tunnel.

Welcome to the world of high security and how science keeps coming up with new ways to keep us safe from personal attack, safe in high-risk jobs, and safer when we travel on airplanes.

See how 3D ultrasound has revolutionized heart surgery. Witness the incredible sci-fi world of the bionic limb and how the architecture of your veins can identify exactly who you are.

The Massachusetts bomb squad demos the Talon, a robot that can neutralize bombs while keeping people at a safe distance. Airport security scanner, Entry Scan, that detects particles on peoples clothes that could contain residues of explosives or narcotics. Finally a look at fireworks.

A look at a wave machine that can be surfed, motion capture techniques used in video games, and the space shuttle landing simulator at NASA.