Today the borders between the arts and sciences are becoming more porous. Some artists and designers are even leaving behind their studios for laboratories where they are collaborating with scientists. In this episode we venture into the mysterious borderland between these two worlds, encountering the techniques used by crystallographers to shed light on the invisible structures of matter – techniques which have inspired designers and artists for decades.

This week Emily visits the X-ray crystallographer Stephen Curry at his Imperial College lab, and speaks with the glass artist Shelley James – one of those artists who has entered the lab – about her collaboration with Kings College X-ray crystallographer Brian Sutton. See more of the works that have come out of their collaboration below.

Shelley James’ work will be on show at this summer’s Jerwood Makers exhibition, opening on the 11th of July.