Chat with Greg Fridman
Science & Ideas
About
I'm Greg Fridman, a PhD in Bioengineering and an expert in non-equilibrium plasmas. This channel is a space for direct chats about the things that actually matter: the future of biotech, the fascinating physics of plasmas, and the unfiltered reality of the scientific life. No jargon, no gatekeeping—just the science. Subscribe to join the conversation as we explore how bioengineering is reshaping our world and what it’s really like to work at the edge of discovery.
Episodes
- Can Plasma Replace Laundry?
This episode discusses whether plasma can replace laundry, concluding it's unlikely for cleaning but potentially useful for disinfection. Plasma may serve as an post-wash treatment to inactivate microbes on clothing before drying.
- Is Nuclear Power Worth the Risk? A Friendly Science Chat
Greg Fridman shares his personal perspective on nuclear energy, comparing it to various other electricity sources. He discusses safety, waste, the limitations of renewables in certain locations, and the potential of small modular reactors…
- Can Plasma Cut Metal?
This episode of Chat with Greg Fridman discusses how plasma cutters work, their industrial applications, and the differences between plasma and laser cutting. The episode also explores the use of plasma on non-metals and its potential for…
- Can plasma make fertilizer?
Greg Fridman discusses the use of plasma in agriculture, focusing on plasma-activated water for nitrogen fertilizer production. He explores its potential as an alternative to the Haber-Bosch process for decentralized fertilizer creation.
- Can Plasma Wash Fresh Produce?
This episode discusses the use of plasma to disinfect fresh produce. It covers direct plasma treatment, plasma-treated water, and plasma-activated fog, examining the practicalities and challenges of these methods for cleaning produce such…
- Carbs, Calories, and the Tomato Trick That Helped Me Lose 70 Pounds
Greg Fridman shares his personal experiences with weight loss, nutrition, and digestion. He discusses a simple method that contributed to his 70-pound weight loss and his current plan to lose 20 pounds.
- The Hardest Things in Life Can Lead to Something Better
In this episode, Greg Fridman addresses a viewer's question about his life journey and adversity. He discusses how perspective can change the meaning of setbacks and why difficult experiences can lead to something better. Fridman also shar…
- One Viewer Asked 5 Plasma Questions. Here Are My Answers
In this episode, Greg Fridman responds to five viewer questions about plasma. He discusses topics such as antimicrobial coatings, plasma treatment, and material modification, emphasizing the practical considerations of plasma applications.
- Plasma TV vs LED TV: What Happened to Plasma?
This episode discusses the differences between plasma and LED TVs, addressing why plasma screens, despite their picture quality, are no longer produced. It covers the technological advancements, market factors, and historical context of di…
- Water Is Way Stranger Than Most People Realize
This episode discusses water's unusual scientific properties, including its polarity, hydrogen bonding, and high surface tension. It also examines water's significance in research, its function as a solvent, and its active role in chemistr…
- How Water Contact Angle Measurement Works
This episode explains how water contact angle measurement works. It covers what water contact angle is, why droplet shape indicates surface properties, and how goniometers are used in the plasma treatment industry.
- How Plasma Surface Treatment Works
This episode explains plasma surface modification, including its definition, how it works, and its importance in various applications. It covers how plasma interacts with surfaces, its uses in industry, and the effects of different gases,…
- Is LED the Same Thing as Plasma?
This episode of Chat with Greg Fridman clarifies the differences between LED and plasma light emission. It explains how both produce light through electronic transitions and photons, while highlighting their distinct underlying physics and…
- A Viewer Asked: Could Antimatter Power Fusion?
This episode discusses the use of antimatter to trigger nuclear fusion for energy. It covers antimatter production, handling difficulties, and its potential as a practical energy source, differentiating between scientific possibility and c…
- Are Corona Treaters Actually Plasma Treaters?
This episode discusses the differences between corona treaters and plasma treaters. Greg Fridman explains the history of corona treatment and how marketing language can affect the scientific terminology in surface treatment, printing, and…
- Is the Moon Made of Plasma?
This episode discusses the question of whether the Moon is made of plasma. It also explores the scientific process, the importance of asking basic questions, and how curiosity leads to understanding, referencing the book Artemis by Andy We…
- Is the Scientific System Broken? (An Honest Answer)
In this episode, Greg Fridman explores how the scientific system functions, addressing topics such as research incentives, funding agencies' influence, and challenges like the replication problem. He offers a perspective from both academic…
- Plasma art? (answering viewer's question)
In this episode, Greg Fridman responds to a viewer's question about transient luminous events, discussing the physics of sprites, jets, and elves. He also explains lightning, plasma colors, and the generation of plasmas on Earth and in spa…
- The Real Future of Medical Devices (Not What You Think)
This episode of Chat with Greg Fridman explores the future of medical devices. Greg Fridman examines the factors that truly drive medical device innovation and adoption, including engineering constraints, regulatory pathways, and clinical…
- How to Read a Scientific Paper Like a Real Scientist
This episode of "Chat with Greg Fridman" explains how researchers evaluate scientific papers. Topics include how to approach abstracts, figures, methods, experimental design, and the distinction between correlation and causation.
- The Viral Lightning Photo Is Misleading (Here’s What They Actually Measured)
Greg Fridman analyzes a Smithsonian Magazine article and the related research paper concerning ultraviolet emissions from treetops during thunderstorms. He explains the actual measurements and how media presentation can unintentionally mis…
- Am I a Scientist? (A Viewer Asked Me This…)
In this episode, Greg Fridman addresses the question of what defines a scientist, using analogies to photography and art to explore how identity and expertise are shaped. He reflects on how the understanding of science evolves and outlines…
- A Viewer Asked: Do Pressurized Plasmas Exist?
This episode addresses a viewer's question about the existence and research of pressurized plasmas. It covers how pressure impacts plasma behavior, from high vacuum to atmospheric and high-pressure plasmas, and their applications in semico…
- The Science of Sterilization: Heat, Radiation, Chemicals, and Plasma
This episode discusses the science of sterilization, exploring different technologies like heat, radiation, chemicals, and plasma. It covers what sterilization means, how various methods work, and the importance of device geometry, packagi…
- Plasma Bioengineering Myths
Greg Fridman discusses common myths in plasma bioengineering. He addresses oversimplifications in research and development, focusing on topics like dose-response and scaling challenges.
- From Lab to Prototype: The Ugly Middle of Innovation
Greg Fridman discusses the journey from lab to prototype, highlighting the obstacles faced when transforming promising research into functional technology. He covers topics such as engineering constraints, funding gaps, and the iterative p…
- Reactive Oxygen & Nitrogen Species: What They Really Are (And Why They Matter)
This episode explains Reactive Oxygen and Nitrogen Species (RONS). It covers their definition, major radicals, generation by atmospheric pressure plasma, lifetimes, dose, measurement challenges, and common misconceptions.
- 4 Plasma Questions You Should Be Asking
In this episode, Greg Fridman addresses four key questions about plasma physics, inspired by a viewer comment. He discusses whether plasma should be included on phase diagrams, its movement characteristics, and ideal elements for plasma co…
- How Science Really Gets Funded in the U.S.
In this episode, Greg Fridman explains how scientific research is funded in the United States. He discusses federal agency allocation of research funding, reviewer expectations, and the differences between academic and industry incentives.
- PFAS: What Actually Works (And What Doesn’t) — An Engineer’s Perspective
This episode features Greg Fridman, who holds a PhD in bioengineering. He discusses PFAS from an engineering perspective, explaining why carbon-fluorine bonds are difficult to break, the difference between removal and destruction, and vari…
- Bioengineering vs. Med School: Which is harder?
Greg Fridman, with a background in bioengineering, explains why he chose the lab over medical school. His decision was driven by the desire to build technologies that could empower doctors to heal conditions previously thought to be unheal…
- Atmospheric Plasma Surface Modification of Textiles Explained
This episode features Greg Fridman explaining atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma surface modification of textiles. He details how plasma modifies textile fibers at the nanometer scale to improve various properties without heat damage…
- The End of Food Recalls? Plasma-Activated Water Explained
This episode of Chat with Greg Fridman explores plasma-activated water. The discussion focuses on its potential application in improving food safety and reducing food recalls.
- The Reality of Plasma Weapons: Physics vs. Video Games
This episode discusses the reality of plasma weapons, contrasting their portrayal in video games like Final Fantasy with the actual physics involved. It covers the necessary energy, magnetic containment, and heat management for such techno…
- What is Plasma? The 4th State of Matter Explained
This episode discusses what plasma is, distinguishing it from common misconceptions. It explores plasma as a high-energy state of matter found in phenomena like lightning and the Sun.
- Advice to My 17-Year-Old Self: 3 Lessons in Engineering & Life
Greg Fridman discusses his journey in plasma physics and engineering, sharing three lessons learned with high school seniors. He emphasizes the "human" side of a technical career alongside scientific topics.
- The Molecule That Protects Your Blood and Poisons Your Air
This episode explores Peroxynitrite, a molecule that can act as a microscopic assassin within the body. The discussion delves into the characteristics of Peroxynitrite as described.
- Is the "Lightning Pen" the End of Acne?
This episode explores the "Lightning Pen" and its potential for treating acne. It discusses alternatives to traditional harsh chemicals and addresses environmental concerns regarding plastic waste in skincare routines.
- Why Physics Might Be the Future of Cancer Treatment
This episode discusses the possibility of using physics for cancer treatment, offering an alternative to traditional chemotherapy methods.
- Organ-on-a-Chip: The End of Animal Testing
This episode of "Chat with Greg Fridman" discusses Organ-on-a-Chip technology. The conversation explores its potential to eliminate animal testing by enabling drug trials on human organs without patient risk.
- The End of Chronic Wounds? Cold Plasma Explained.
This episode features Greg Fridman discussing the application of non-equilibrium plasma, referred to as "cold lightning," as a solution for chronic wounds and superbug infections. The conversation explores how this technology moves beyond…
- Physics, Biology, and the Illusion of Chaos
In this episode, Greg Fridman discusses how studying non-equilibrium plasmas, also known as "cold lightning," has influenced his view on physics, biology, and the illusion of chaos.
- The End of the Antibiotic Crisis
This episode discusses the potential consequences of antibiotics losing their effectiveness. It explores what happens when antibiotics stop working.
- I’m a Bioengineer. Let’s chat.
Greg Fridman, a bioengineer, discusses the future of biotech and non-equilibrium plasmas. He also shares insights into life in science and invites questions from the audience.