How do green algae manage a perfect breaststroke even though they haven't got a brain? Enter the maths of synchronisation.

The Millennium Bridge across the Thames opened in June 2000 and was subsequently closed two days later because of the now-famous "wobbles". Given that, at any instant, two thousand people were suspended above a very dangerous river, this presented a serious problem.

In the first of two articles, David Henwood discusses the vibrations that can be harnessed by musical instrument makers.