Liquid Power Guest: Mark Miodownik, author, "Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives" Whether it’s the milk in your bowl of cereal, the toothpaste on your toothbrush, or the gas in your car—liquids make up a huge part of our daily lives. Strangely, scientists have spent far less time studying them than either gases or solids. In his new book, author and engineer Mark Miodownik frames this discussion by taking us on a journey across the ocean, analyzing the liquids that make that flight possible. Rivers of Mercury Guest: Philip Ball, author, "The Water Kingdom: A Secret History of China" China’s first emperor created many of China’s magnificent monuments. Perhaps the most magnificent has not yet been uncovered. But we do know that his fascination with mercury as an elixer of life may have killed him.