Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast
Science & Ideas
About
In this podcast, Taylor and Andrew investigate the past, present, and future of materials science and engineering. Topic areas ranging from cutting edge materials technology, the history of different materials, the commercialization of new materials, and exciting advances in processing and characterization are all covered in detail. Our episodes include things like the unlikely discovery of superglue or teflon, the fascinating backstories about modern biomaterials like dialysis filters, and updates on new technologies including wearable electronics, next generation batteries, and nanomaterials. In short, we hope to help listeners understand the critical role that materials have played in society and even...
Episodes
- Episode 117: Textiles in Space
This episode explores space textiles with Kate Winning from Oxford Space Systems. Topics include gold-plated mesh antennas, spacesuits, tungsten yarn, and the application of ancient crafts in high-tech manufacturing.
- Episode 116: Textile Materials
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast discusses textile materials with Kate Winning. The conversation covers various types of textiles, their conversion from fiber to usable materials, and their applications.
- Episode 115: Phase Field Modeling
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast discusses phase field modeling, how it works, and its history. Dr. Jake Bair explains this approach to simulating material changes, including applications like crack growth and dendr…
- Episode 114: Synchrotron XRD on Demand
This episode features a discussion with Dr. Maxwell Terban, co-founder of Momentum Transfer. The conversation covers the technology offered by Momentum Transfer, which provides mail-in access to synchrotron X-ray powder diffraction and sca…
- Episode 113: Metal Organic Frameworks
This episode explores Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) and their significance, featuring a discussion with Dr. Matthew J. Cliffe from the University of Cambridge. The conversation covers MOFs' potential in CO₂ capture and the methods used f…
- Episode 112: Merging 3D Printing and SPS
This episode discusses the combination of 3D printing and Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) techniques. Christopher Melnyk, Director of Business Development at CalNano, explains how these methods are merged and explores their potential applicat…
- Episode 111: The Science of Gemstones
In this episode, Andrew and Taylor speak with Mubashir Mansoor, a gemologist and PhD candidate in Materials Science. They discuss the science behind gemstones, their rich history, and how they are shaping the future, including potential ap…
- Episode 110: LionGlass
This episode discusses LionGlass, a new phosphate-based glass developed by Penn State. It offers benefits like lower forming temperatures and reduced CO2 emissions in comparison to traditional glass production methods.
- Episode 109: Operando Transmission Electron Microscopy
This episode discusses operando Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), a technique that enables scientists to observe materials in real-time as they undergo reactions. The discussion includes the science behind this technique and features…
- Episode 108: The History of Food Packaging
On this episode of the Materialism Podcast, Taylor and Andrew discuss the history of food packaging. They explore how food packaging evolved, touching on topics from Napoleon's influence to patent theft.
- Episode 107: Glass Science with Schott
This episode explores the history and advancements of glass with guests Colin Schmucker and Dr. Sebastian Leukel from SCHOTT AG. The discussion covers naturally occurring glass, its historical uses, and modern applications in cookware and…
- Episode 106: Photoluminescent Materials
Andrew and Taylor discuss the science of photoluminescence. They explore the physics behind how materials glow in the dark, focusing on phosphorescence and fluorescence.
- Episode 105: Cooling Paints
Jared and Andrew discuss how cooling paints can reduce temperatures. They explore the physics and materials behind these paints, including common pigments, VOCs, and nanoparticles.
- Episode 104: The Winding Path to Materials Discovery
Paul Canfield, a physicist from Ames Laboratory, discusses materials discovery and the creative language he uses to describe his work. He joins hosts Taylor and Andrew on this episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast.
- Episode 103: MatterGen
This episode features a discussion with Tian Xie from Microsoft about MatterGen, a new AI tool designed to find materials with tailored properties. They also discuss its validation process and future interaction with MatterSim on the Azure…
- Episode 102: Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation
This episode explores the journal Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation (IMMI). The discussion covers the journal's history, its use cases, and how it differentiates itself from other scientific journals.
- Episode 101: All About Biomatter
This episode explores biomatter, focusing on how plants can be transformed into bioplastics and biopolymers. It features a discussion with Eleftheria Roumeli about her research into creating strong shapes from bacteria and seaweed, and the…
- Episode 100: Materials for Bikes
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast explores the materials science behind bicycles. It covers the historical use of materials like wood, steel, aluminum, and bamboo, as well as future materials such as titanium and car…
- Episode 99: Bulk Metallic Glasses
Jan Schroers, a professor of engineering at Yale, discusses bulk metallic glasses. He explains how these materials are versatile, strong, and can be formed into complex shapes using thermoplastic forming.
- Episode 98: Accelerating Catalyst Research with Meta
This episode explores the collaboration between Meta's Fundamental AI Research and VSParticle in developing OCx24, an open catalysis materials database. It details the challenges of creating an experimental database and how autonomous spar…
- Episode 97: Titanium
This episode of the Materialism Podcast explores titanium, including its origins in Greek mythology, its use in aerospace and hip replacements, and challenges and research in its development.
- Episode 96: Spark Ablation with VSParticle
In this episode, Aaike van Vugt, co-founder of VSParticle, explains spark ablation, a physics-based process for creating nanomaterials. He discusses how materials are coated in nanoparticles, the suitable materials for this method, and the…
- Episode 95: You Don't Know Anything About Steel
This episode of the Materialism Podcast features Caelan Kennedy from the Steel Founders’ Society of America, who discusses the complexities of steel. Topics include how different elements affect alloy properties and the various naming conv…
- Episode 94: An Introduction to Quantum Materials
This episode introduces quantum materials. Jason Khoury explains the key concepts needed to understand the basics of quantum materials, including the origin of quantum behavior and emerging technologies.
- Episode 93: An Introduction to Pyrometallurgy
This episode introduces pyrometallurgy, covering its evolution from ancient techniques to modern applications such as battery recycling. It discusses the process of transforming ore into metals and the future of the field.
- Episode 92: The Quest for Pure Uranium
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast discusses Harley Wilhelm and the Ames Process, which was crucial for producing pure uranium metal for the Manhattan Project. It also covers uranium enrichment challenges and the uses…
- Episode 91: High Entropy Alloys
This episode explores the discovery and properties of high entropy alloys, highlighting their composition, strength, hardness, thermal stability, and resistance to corrosion and wear. It also discusses their impact on the materials industr…
- Episode 90: The Big Dig Incident
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast examines the Big Dig incident, focusing on how the incorrect choice of epoxy led to a catastrophic failure. The discussion covers the decisions made, the lessons learned, and the cha…
- Episode 89: Special Applications of Microscopy Technologies
This episode discusses the special applications of microscopy technologies, including atom-by-atom materials fabrication using electron microscopy and its combination with machine learning. The episode features Professor Sergei Kalinin fro…
- Episode 88: Accelerating Materials Discovery with Microsoft
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast discusses Microsoft's machine learning-assisted approach to materials discovery, focusing on lithium-ion battery electrolytes. They partnered with PNNL to synthesize identified compo…
- Episode 87: Stories of a Materials Salesman
This episode features Dan Wilson discussing the world of materials sales and the challenges of marketing materials solutions. The conversation covers the process of selling new materials after their design.
- Episode 86: PHAs and Biodegradable Plastic
This episode explores PHAs and biodegradable plastics as a solution to plastic pollution. It discusses the origins and decomposition of PHAs and their potential impact on the plastics industry.
- Episode 85: Electron Backscatter Diffraction
This episode of the Materialism Podcast discusses Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD) characterization. It covers important properties measurable with EBSD, such as grain size, phase distribution, and texture.
- Episode 84: The ICME Method with QuesTek
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast explores the Integrated Computational Materials Engineering (ICME) method. Jason Sebastian from QuesTek discusses how they use this approach, including their ICMD® software, for desi…
- Episode 83: Computed Tomography at Zeiss
This episode explores how computed tomography (CT) is revolutionizing materials science by providing non-destructive, high-resolution three-dimensional reconstructions of materials. William Harris from Zeiss Microscopy shares his expertise…
- Episode 82: Radar Absorbing Materials
This episode explores the history of radar absorbing materials and their application in stealth technology. The discussion includes early stealth endeavors and the materials that contribute to modern stealth aircraft.
- Episode 81: New Materials for Carbon Capture
Dr. Hayden Evans and Sir Dr. Anthony Cheetham join the podcast to discuss their research into new materials designed for carbon capture. They detail specific characteristics that make these materials suitable for CO2 capture and sequestrat…
- Episode 80: Ceramic Innovation with Delta Faucet
This episode features a discussion with Delta Faucet about a new ceramic processing method. The hosts explore how the process works and the reasons behind its current halted development.
- Episode 79: Cryogenic Milling at Cal Nano
This episode explores cryogenic milling with Eric Eyerman, CEO of Cal Nano. Discussions include the process, its applications at Cal Nano, and its engineering benefits.
- Episode 78: Flash Sintering at Lucideon
This episode explores flash sintering and its relation to Spark Plasma Sintering. It also provides a historical overview of ceramic production in the UK.
- Episode 77: Circular Construction Economy
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast explores the concept of a circular economy within the construction industry. It addresses the unsustainable use of resources and the potential for circularity to create a more sustai…
- Episode 76: Industrial Symbiosis
This episode explores industrial symbiosis as a method for sustainable industry. It details how organizations can collaborate to use waste from one industry as raw materials for another and provides examples of successful applications.
- Episode 75: Large Language Models in Materials Science
This episode explores the application of large language models and AI in materials science. It discusses whether these technologies offer a significant future for the field or are a temporary trend.
- Episode 74: Digital Tools for MSE
This episode discusses the use of digital tools, such as machine learning, in materials production and development. It explores the current state and future potential of these technologies in the field.
- Episode 73: Bio-Inspired Concrete
This episode discusses how biological systems are inspiring solutions to reduce the environmental impact of the cement industry. It features two innovators who are developing materials for sustainable construction.
- Episode 72: Importance of Cross-Sector Collaboration
This episode explores the importance of cross-sector collaboration within the UK foundation industries. It highlights how different sectors are working together to address common challenges and innovate for a more sustainable future, citin…
- Episode 71: Automating Materials Discovery
This episode discusses the revolution of materials and chemistry research through autonomous labs. It features a conversation with Andy Cooper from the University of Liverpool, exploring current advancements and future expectations in the…
- Episode 70: Nickel Superalloys at General Electric
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast discusses nickel superalloys, which are designed to withstand incredibly high temperatures. The episode explores their history and how they are used to advance innovation.
- Episode 69: Manufacturing Monitoring at Gefran, Inc.
This episode discusses manufacturing monitoring, focusing on the use and importance of sensors in the process of creating complex materials. It highlights the work of Gefran, Inc. Inc., a company specializing in this field.
- Episode 68: Thermal Spray Coatings at General Electric
This episode of Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast discusses thermal spray coatings and their application and development at General Electric. The conversation covers various aspects of the technology, such as ignition types, feed ma…