When Jurby prison opened the then home affairs minister said he hoped the new building would design out undesirable behaviour.

BBC: Isle of Man prisoners 'making own alcohol'

Understanding such social behaviour may hint at ways to design other sorts of superconducting material or even, paradoxically, better insulators.

ECONOMIST: Magnetism

If the aesthetics of house design can be improved then a vicious circle currently depressing our house building behaviour can be disrupted.

BBC: Could better-looking homes solve housing shortage?