It's a Material World | Materials Science Podcast

https://feed.podbean.com/itsamaterialworld/feed.xml

100.7K

Downloads

127

Episodes

The show that uncovers why materials science will change the world.

Episodes

Monday May 22, 2023

106: The Melt-In-Your-Hand Magic of Liquid Metals (ft. Dr. Wilson Kong)

Monday May 22, 2023

In today’s episode, we welcome Dr. Wilson Kong, an expert on functional liquid metals. He is currently a National Research Council (NRC) Postdoctoral Researcher at the Air Force Research Laboratory in Ohio, where he applies his expertise to cutting-edge research of functional liquid metal nanomaterials for soft electronics. With him, we discuss:

🔹What is a liquid metal, and what unique properties / behaviors they have.

🔹️Comparison between these two material types, liquid metals vs. polymer, in terms of material property differences and applicability.

🔹️What are the general application areas of liquid metals and what key challenges need to be overcome to enable these applications?

🔹How can we establish sustainable practices in the management of liquid metal waste?

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

Join our Discord community! You can meet other passionate materials scientists and engineers from around the world, discuss the latest breakthroughs in MSE, share materials-related memes, and get career advice from experts in the field.

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

For shorter segments and full video podcasts, subscribe to our channel on YouTube. For bloopers, audiograms, and interesting materials science articles, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Feel free to message us on our social media platforms if you have any feedback or recommendations for future episodes, or email us directly at itsamaterialworldpodcast@gmail.com. Finally, reach out to David Yeh and Punith Upadhya on LinkedIn if you'd like to chat about the latest breakthroughs in MSE!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #liquidmetals #nanomaterials #electronics #polymer

Monday May 01, 2023

105: Biomaterials, Biomass, and Plants for Apparel (ft. Jason Robinson)

Monday May 01, 2023

In today’s episode, we welcome, Jason Robinson from Evoco, a Canadian-based company that creates high-quality, sustainable products with plant-based chemistry, aiming to replace oil-based materials in the footwear industry With him, we discuss:

🔹The Evoco’s FATES foam and its role in the footwear industry

🔹️How did Evoco land in the footwear space, rather than other markets like automotive or power plants

🔹️Limitations of the plant-based materials that Evoco uses

🔹Advice for students who are passionate about sustainability but are unsure about how to translate that passion into a career

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #evoco #biomaterials #biomass #apparel

Monday Apr 24, 2023

104: Creating Infinitely Recyclable Polymers (ft. Dr. Kezi Cheng)

Monday Apr 24, 2023

Recycling plastic reduces its mechanical properties, proportional to the number of recycling cycles. If recycled too much, a plastic bag may tear when filled with groceries and its color and texture may change. Making new products, rather than recycling, can be an appealing option if environmental impacts are overlooked. What if we could permanently overcome this degradation in properties of recycled plastic? What if we could make a material that can be recycled forever, at a low cost and high yield?

In today’s episode, we welcome Dr. Kezi Cheng, a recycling warrior and the CEO of Flo Materials, Inc, a startup that focuses on enabling infinitely recyclable polymers. With her, we discuss:

🔹FLO Materials’ general approach to enabling infinitely recyclable polymers, using Polydiketoenamines (PDK’s).

🔹️The cost efficiency of recycling vs. creating new plastic products.

🔹️What the global landscape of infinitely recyclable polymers looks like.

🔹How the number of women in innovation and entrepreneurship can shape fields.

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #flomaterials #technology #polymers #recycablepolymers

Monday Apr 17, 2023

103: Beyond Fossil Fuels: Concentrated Solar Energy’s Potential (ft. Steve Schell)

Monday Apr 17, 2023

Today’s guest, Steve Shell, an accomplished scientist and engineer who is the current Chief Scientist at Heliogen, a California-based clean energy company. With him, we discuss:

🔹️What is Heliogen. What material differences there are between this technology and “classical” solar power?

🔹️Challenges in operating and maintaining heliostat arrays on such a large scale.

🔹How does the use of concentrated solar technology compare to other forms of renewable energy, like wind or hydroelectric power

🔹What are some of the most promising emerging applications of concentrated solar technology, and how might they transform the energy landscape in the coming years

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #heliogen #energy #technology

Monday Apr 10, 2023

102: MSE Conferences: What They’re Like and How to Succeed (ft. Kyle Matthews)

Monday Apr 10, 2023

Our guest, our very own It’s a Material World team member, Kyle Matthews! You may know him from our Rapid Research Reviews on LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts, where he summarizes materials science research papers in 1 minute or less in an informative, easy to understand manner. With him, we discuss:

🔹️What is a materials science conference like, and why should students attend them.

🔹️What are the major well-known MSE-related conferences and what are their differences.

🔹How can a student ‘upgrade’ from simply attending a talk they think is interesting to adding the speaker of that talk to their network.

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #conferences

Monday Apr 03, 2023

101: Quantum Disruption: The Future of Materials Discovery (ft. Dr. David Muñoz Ramo)

Monday Apr 03, 2023

By leveraging the power of quantum computing (QC), scientists can quickly identify promising materials (new or existing) for ANY application. QC enables this while saving on hefty lab operation costs, enabling speedy and cheap materials discovery. In this episode, we explore this fascinating intersection of quantum computing and materials science.

Our guest, Dr. David Muñoz, shares his insights on how quantum computing can enhance many facets of science. He is an expert on quantum computing with 15 years of experience in computational science. He is the current head of Quantum Chemistry for Quantinuum, a quantum computing-based company. With him, we discuss:

🔹️What quantum computing is, and how it performs compared to classical computing.

🔹️A discussion of the fields, topics of research, and applications that can best benefit from quantum computing.

🔹The major drawbacks of quantum computers, and the innovations that will be needed to overcome them.

🔹Advice and ways that students can get good at quantum computing.

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #nanotechnology #neuromorphiccomputing #technology

Monday Mar 27, 2023

100: Nanotechnology and the Brain: Fundamentals of Neuromorphic Computing (ft. Dr. Jean Anne Incorvia)

Monday Mar 27, 2023

Biological brains can accomplish more than modern computing systems while using much less power. However, computers are much better at dealing with computation, while brains are (unsurprisingly) much better at interacting with ever-changing environments. What if we were able to design a computing system with interconnecting neurons and synapses to get the best of both worlds?

In today’s episode, we welcome Dr. Jean Anne Incorvia. She is a current Assistant Professor at the University of Texas at Austin, and a leading expert on the research of neuromorphic computing systems. With her, we discuss:

🔹️How neuromorphic computing works and what distinguishes it over traditional computing.

🔹️What materials science can do to relate brain processes to computing systems.

🔹The role of of 2D materials, spintronics, synapses, neurons, and more in neuromorphic computing.

🔹Advice to a student who is interested in the materials science behind neuromorphic computing.

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #nanotechnology #neuromorphiccomputing #technology

Monday Mar 20, 2023

99: The State of MSE: The CHIPS and Science Act (ft. Dr. Ming Zhang)

Monday Mar 20, 2023

🚨Are you an MSE interested in landing a semiconductor-based job? Do you want to hear how the field may develop over the next five years? Are you curious about the steps that the United States is taking to increase domestic semiconductor manufacturing capabilities?

🚨This new episode type, with the title “The State of MSE,” is centered around topical, present-day events that have large implications for materials science & engineering.

🚨In this episode, we welcome Dr. Ming Zhang, an expert electrical engineer with nearly 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry. Ming was co-founder and CEO of zGlue, Inc., a startup pioneer in chiplets. He also held various engineering and strategy roles at Synopsys, Samsung Foundry, and Intel.

🚨Together, we explore the definition, scope, and impact of the CHIPS and Science Act, as well as the career opportunities it brings to MSE students. Specifically, we discuss:

🔹️What the CHIPS act entails for semiconductors made in the United States.
🔹The new actions the CHIPS act prompts large companies and start-ups to take.
🔹️ How current semiconductor-based research will be affected by the CHIPS act.
🔹Advice for current MSE students about how to score a semiconductor-based job.
🔹And much more!

We hope you enjoy the episode! And as always, let us know what topics you’d like us to cover next!

#materialsscience #semiconductors #electronics #microelectronics #chips #science #chipsact

🎥 YouTube Video
https://lnkd.in/g6P4XFVc

Monday Mar 13, 2023

98: Revolutionizing Semiconductor Manufacturing with “Bottom-Up” AM (ft. Dr. Ahmed Busnaina)

Monday Mar 13, 2023

Watch the full video here:

https://youtu.be/bZOMFkZR_Uc

Fast-hitting chip shortages have a plethora of causes, many of which could be alleviated by drastically reducing semiconductor manufacturing prices. Current manufacturing techniques entail a repeating cycle of material deposition and the etching away of excess material, which can quickly rack up cost and energy requirements. Today’s guest is looking to flip current semiconductor manufacturing processes on its head.

In today’s episode, we welcome Dr. Ahmed Busnaina, an expert in all things semiconductor. He is a long-serving professor who founded Nano OPS, Inc., a new company focusing on printed micro-and nano-electronic devices. With him, we discuss:

🔹️How he tailored his career path from academia to industry to founding Nano OPS.

🔹How he is working to improve upon current semiconductor manufacturing processes with his “bottom-up” approach.

🔹️How much smaller current semiconductors can physically get.

🔹Advice for students that are interested in a career in semiconductors or electronics, such as classes to take, habits to build, or technologies to research.

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #semiconductors #electronics #semiconductorchip

Monday Mar 06, 2023

97: From The Mandalorian’s Beskar to Thor’s Hammer: MSE in Pop Culture (ft. Dr Suveen Mathaudhu)

Monday Mar 06, 2023

In today’s episode, we welcome Dr Suveen Mathaudhu, an expert metallurgist with nearly 20 years of metals processing experience. With him, we discuss:

🔹️An important material in the show is beskar, which is described as a super-strong and lightweight metal for armor or weapons. Describe the other ties that beskar has to historic real-life materials (cultural, scientific, etc.)?

🔹️Break down how these three aspects:(1) difficulty in processing such a strong material, (2) the idea that a pure metal is stronger than an alloy, and (3) its resistance to lightsabers & blaster bolts, could be explained using materials science.

🔹What sort of impact The Armorer character will have in both media and STEM itself?

🔹Advice for students that want to improve their ability to use pop culture to disseminate / teach materials science to diverse crowds.

🔹And much more!

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.

https://www.mseacademy.com/courses/students-tier-2

https://discord.gg/49dCV3W4eN

Check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!

https://www.itsamaterialworldpodcast.com/shop

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpUXt6ui8iC5npSizlfIJ2A

https://www.instagram.com/itsamaterialworldpodcast/

http://linkedin.com/company/it-s-a-material-world-podcast/

https://twitter.com/ItsAMatWorldPod

Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.

#materialsscience #beskar #thor #popculture #thorshammer