NOVA

Numbering no more than a few thousand, tiny groups of intrepid humans began to move out of Africa-eventually dominating the planet. How did these early humans acquire the skills, technology, and talent to thrive in every environment on earth?

Follow an army of engineers and designers as they tackle the complex challenge of building Crossrail, a massive new subterranean railway deep beneath the streets of London.

Their beauty has captivated us for millennia. Their cost can be extraordinary-some are even considered priceless. Precious gems like diamonds, rubies, emeralds, opal, and jade are the ultimate treasures of the earth, and each one is made from a specific-and often torturous-recipe of chemistry, pressure, and heat.

The enduring luster of gold, the conductivity of copper, the strength of steel-the special properties of metals have reshaped societies and defined eras; they have such an important role in human history that entire ages have been named after them.

Drill down to discover the treasures beneath our feet that power our world. Fossil fuels-coal, oil, and natural gas-powered the industrial revolution and allowed us to build a way of life that many cherish today. Personal cars, planes, lights, hot showers-all of these are gifts from our fossil fuels... but they have a dirty dark side in that they are polluting the planet.

The Himalayas were among the last places on Earth that homo sapiens came to inhabit. Now, join an international team of scientists as they climb to the world's highest tombs to unearth secrets of the people who settled these extreme environments.

Five years after the Fukushima disaster, the future of nuclear power is in question. Join engineers as they embark on an unprecedented cleanup and investigate new nuclear technologies that would prevent future meltdowns.

Join renowned gadget geek and host David Pogue as he sets out on a quest to discover how batteries work, and uncover what the future has in store for our gadgets, our lives, and even our planet.

Weighing 54,000 gross tons and stretching over two football fields, the Seven Seas Explorer is no ordinary boat. Join pioneering shipbuilders as they endeavor to build the ultimate luxury cruise ship.

The century old tradition of paper folding is now at the heart of a scientific revolution. Scientists are discovering that folding is a powerful tool to explore the limits of science. Engineers and designers are now adopting origami designs to conquer space or reshape the world around us.

Deadly train accidents claim dozens of lives each year. But just how unsafe are the railroads? NOVA investigates recent tragedies and advances in train tech that could usher in a new era of safer, faster, more modern train travel.