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The show that uncovers why materials science will change the world.
Episodes
Monday Feb 07, 2022
Monday Feb 07, 2022
It’s an outstanding achievement for students to finish their courses and get a degree in college. However, there is one question ahead that comes to mind: Should you go to industry or grad school?
Check out our MSE Company Database and free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guests are Lily Turaski, a Ph.D. student in MSE at Stanford University, and Sam Williams, a Senior Associate Electrical Engineer at L3 Harris Technologies. In this episode, they discuss a dilemma that many students have taken years to decide and give actionable advice on which path to choose: Industry or Grad School.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- The driving factors behind one’s own decision to go to industry and grad school.
- The benefits and disadvantages of each chosen path.
- How academic research differs from industry.
- How can it affect one’s physical, mental, and financial health when they’re in the industry versus grad school?
- The words of encouragement and advice for MSE students that may help them make their decision more confidently.
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
While the world remains excited for the conceivable outcomes of graphene, another 2D material can possibly change the world close by it. MXenes have unimaginable versatility, from supercapacitors to dialysis therapies to malignant growth treatments.
Check out our MSE Company Database and free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Yury Gogotsi, a distinguished University Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Drexel University, as well as the Director of the A.J. Drexel Nanomaterials Institute. In today’s episode, he discussed the materials science behind MXenes and the immense impact this can potentially have on our world.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- What are MXenes, and how were they discovered?
- How MXenes can replace existing materials in supercapacitors
- What advantages do 2D materials have over their 3D equivalent?
- How do MXenes compare and contrast to other 2D materials like graphene?
- The unique application of MXenes in dialysis
- Advice for MSEs interested in doing research with these materials
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Monday Jan 24, 2022
Ancient civilizations have built incredible monuments and artifacts which are the subject of intense research and study to this day. Their use of cement and rubber tells a lot about their culture and is a source of inspiration to modern scientists that hope to create materials that can last for millennia to come.
Check out our MSE Company Database and free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Michael Tarkanian, a Research Affiliate in the Center for Materials Research in Archeology and Ethnology as well as a Senior Lecturer in MIT’s Department of MSE. In today’s episode, he discusses how the materials used in ancient civilizations can reveal a lot about their culture.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- The intersection between materials science and archeology
- The archeological fieldwork
- Learning materials and history from the rubber ball
- Processing methods used by ancient civilizations
- The nanotechnology in ancient artifacts
In 7th grade, our host, Punith, made a presentation about the Hero Twins. Check it out: https://www.slideshare.net/la6stewart/the-story-of-the-hero-twins-2275576
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Jan 17, 2022
Monday Jan 17, 2022
The early career of an engineer is often stressful because acquiring experience in the field seems like an impossible challenge. However, there are many opportunities for MSE students to develop their skills aside from internships, such as in research and academic clubs. These experiences add to any person’s portfolio, and some companies look exactly for this kind of background in a new intern.
Check out our MSE Company Database and free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
In today’s episode, our hosts Punith and David answer a few of our listeners' questions about the job market for MSEs, and their personal experiences in research and internships.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- Landing your first internship
- Do you need higher education to achieve your career goals?
- Finding your passion as an MSE
- What does it take to be a co-author in a paper?
- How clubs and makerspaces can give you experience
- Working for Tesla
- Expectations vs Reality of your first job
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Jan 10, 2022
Monday Jan 10, 2022
While there is a great deal of interesting research that gives a glimpse of what the technologies of the future will be, many challenges we face today go unnoticed by the scientific community. Thus, the communication between policy makers and the scientific community is essential in tackling these challenges and finding the existing technologies that will solve those problems.
Before we introduce our guest, check out our MSE Company Database and free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Zina Cinker, the Chief Creator of PUZZLE X and the Director General at AMPT, the Advanced Material Future Preparedness Taskforce. In this episode, she dives into bridging materials science and policy.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- What factors played a role in her decision to follow an untraditional path after school
- How Puzzle X connects frontier materials with entrepreneurship and UN Sustainable Development Goals
- The importance of bridging communication between scientists and policymakers
- Graphene’s properties and future applications
- Advice for MSEs who want to follow a path less traveled in their career
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Dec 20, 2021
Monday Dec 20, 2021
The Curie brothers discovered a class of materials that, with an asymmetrical crystal structure, could produce an electric potential upon mechanical deformation. These piezoelectric materials are now widely used in the medical, naval, and space industries.
Before we introduce our guest, check out our free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Susan Trolier-McKinstry. She is a Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at Penn State, where she is the Director of The Center for Dielectrics and Piezoelectrics as well as the Center for Three Dimensional Ferroelectric Microelectronics. In this episode, she dives into the working principles and applications of piezoelectric materials.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- What are piezoelectric materials
- The asymmetric crystal structure of piezoelectronics
- The intersection between ultrasound and sonar technology
- Correcting the lenses of telescopes
- Miniaturized ultrasound
- Piezoelectric materials used in computing devices
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Monday Dec 13, 2021
Although not initially obvious, there is a significant overlap between what an artist does and what a “traditional” materials engineer does. Both experiment with different materials or iterations of the same material to identify the best fit, making continuous adjustments and using our creativity until the final product is just right. This episode uncovers the vast overlap between materials science and art as well as the importance of using art to develop your creativity and problem solving mindset.
Before we introduce our guest, check out our free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Jane Cook, an artist and educator in MSE and art, with experiences as a Museum Director at Penn State and Chief Scientist at the Corning Museum of Glass. In this episode, she dives into the evolution of materials selection in different phases of art, from paintings to glassblowing to statues.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- The deep intersection of materials science and art
- Similarities between traditional materials engineers and artists
- Polymer vehicles as vehicles for pigments in paintings
- The materials science behind glassblowing and stained glass
- Metals processing for the Statue of Liberty and the Charging Bull on Wall Street
- How carbon nanotubes make up the darkest pigment in the world (Vantablack)
- Why it’s important for all MSEs to incorporate art into their lifestyle
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Nov 29, 2021
Monday Nov 29, 2021
In recent years there has been a big push for renewable energy sources and electric vehicles, but one aspect that is essential in fully implementing these technologies is the energy storage required at a large scale. Li-ion batteries are everywhere in our mobile devices, allowing great performance at more affordable prices year after year. However, there are a lot of issues with Li-ion, and researchers are studying alternatives that will allow us to live in a cleaner world.
Before we introduce our guest, check out our free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Rachel Carter, a Research Engineer at the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory. In this episode she dives into the history of Li-ion batteries and its promising future.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- How does a battery work?
- The battery that won a Nobel prize
- Why is Li-ion special?
- The safety issues in batteries and solid state electrolytes
- How is software used to improve battery performance?
- Battery behavior in different weathers
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Monday Nov 15, 2021
Cars have traditionally been made out of steel, because of its low cost and high performance. However, other materials like aluminum, carbon fibers, and magnesium alloys are being used because of their unique properties such as low weights and high corrosion resistance. In a few years you might find yourself driving a car that is mostly magnesium and aluminum.
Before we introduce our guest, check out our free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Dikai Guan, a Materials Science and Engineering Fellow at the University of Sheffield, as well as a UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellow. In this episode he discusses what materials we use to build our cars.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- The materials in everyday cars versus a racecar
- What determines the price of metals
- Overcoming the drawbacks of steel in car manufacturing
- The use of carbon fiber in car frames
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Monday Nov 08, 2021
Your smartphone is so essential to your everyday life that the complexity behind its design might go unnoticed. You carry billions of transistors and about 38 elements in your pocket every day. This technology is a culmination of decades of computing and materials advancements, and it evolves every day, becoming even more impressive than it already is.
Before we introduce our guest, check out our free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Marty Jopson, a science TV presenter, communicator, and self-proclaimed science geek. In this episode he uncovers the materials that make up our smartphones.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
- How to be an effective science communicator
- Gorilla glass and touchscreen technology
- Liquid crystal displays in phone screens
- Rare earth elements for inner electronics
- What makes silicon special?
- Advantages of neodymium magnets in phone cameras, vibration mode, microphones, etc.
- Plastic components in phone casing
Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice.
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
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.
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!
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.
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