PODCAST

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast

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

science chemistry

All Episodes

00:27:46

Episode 53: μ: The Science of Ski Wax

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2022/02/28

Does ski wax harm the ecosystem? What can we do to create a more eco friendly solution? Ramsey and Professor Jeff Bates of the University of Utah chat about some exciting materials engineering going into ski wax. Articles Discussed: Carlson, Ski wax use contributes to environmental contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also

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Episode 52: μ: Storing Nuclear Waste

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2022/02/03

How do you contain waste that remains hazardous for more than 100,000 years? For decades, the question of what to do with high-level nuclear waste has been put on the back-burner. However, as next generation reactors come online and old ones are retired, the problems of disposal become inevitable. In this episode we investigate the materials challenges of immobilizing and protecting radioactive waste for several millennia. Articles Discussed: King, Container materials for the storage and disposal

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Episode 51: Reverse Engineering Nature's Peel

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2022/01/14

We all have experienced the pain of buying produce only for it to spoil before we can finish eating all of it. Apeel Sciences seeks to remedy this by creating a coating to help increase the longevity of fruit. We sit down with Lou Perez to discuss some of the science behind the company. This episode is sponsored Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also sponsored by Materials Today, an Elsevier community dedicated to

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00:43:01

Episode 50: Materialism Retrospective

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/12/20

A slightly different take on the podcast. Join the gang as we celebrate 50 episodes and dive back through the history of how it all started. Learn the backstories of how we all got involved and where we see it heading. Plus join us for some fun stories of the mistakes we have made along the way. Thanks to Kolobyte and Alphabot for letting us use their music in the show! If you have questions or feedback please send us emails at materialism.podcast@gmail.com or connect with us on social media:

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00:32:11

Episode 49: μ: Securing Metals Supply

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/11/10

A recent report in the Wall Street Journal pointed out that building one wind turbine requires 900 tons of steel, 2,500 tons of concrete and 45 tons of plastic and a single electric vehicle will require the digging up, moving, and processing of over 500,000 pounds of raw materials! As we transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy and storage we will need to drastically increase the production and availability of metals including lithium, rare-earth elements, nickel, tin, tungsten and more

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00:35:58

Episode 48: Thermal Barrier Coatings

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/10/25

Did you know turbine blades operate in environments above their melting temperature? The secret is a barrier, no thicker than your fingernail, that insulates, protects, and prevents the nickel superalloy blade from melting. In this episode we discuss the materials science that makes low thermal conductivity, high compliance thermal barrier coatings possible. Towards the end we peer into what the future might hold as we push operating temperatures higher. Articles Discussed: 2019, Smil, Gas

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Episode 47: μ: Better Polystyrene Recycling

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/10/08

Taylor and Andrew sit down with Cassie Bradley of INEOS Styrolution to talk about improving polystyrene and reducing its ecological footprint. Articles Discussed: Video overview of the depolymerization of polystyrene Link 2019 Goldsberry, Ineos Styrolution announces breakthrough in chemical recycling of polystyrene Link This episode is sponsored by INEOS Styrolution. Check them out at https://www.ineos-styrolution.com/index.html and https://styrolution-eco.com/ This episode is also sponsored by

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Episode 46: Better Nuclear Fuel

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/09/13

Are materials the solution to better, safer nuclear fuels? The tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particle is the product of a variety of materials innovations and is the most promising fuel form to date. Find out all about it in this episode where we cover the challenges and intricacies of designing materials for nuclear reactors! Articles Discussed: 2015 CRUD: Another Acronym Bites the Dust Link 2010 Materials challenges for nuclear systems Link 2019 Historical perspectives and current

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00:20:49

Episode 45: μ: Was the Challenger an engineering...

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/08/25

The Space Shuttle Challengers Explosion rocked America to its core. Was this issue actually caused by engineering or was it a management mistake. Delve into the story of the Rogers Commission and their findings on Morton Thiokols Solid Rocket Boosters and O-Ring. Articles Discussed: 2006 Challenger: Reporting a Disaster's Cold, Hard Fact LINK 2019 Challenger: The shuttle disaster that changed NASALINK 2016 A famous physicist’s simple experiment showed the inevitability of the Challenger

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00:54:06

Episode 44: Digital Image Correlation

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/08/12

Imagine mounting a pair of cameras to watch your sample as it's deformed and recovering microscale information about the strain! That is exactly what digital image correlation has to offer. In this episode we describe the technique and chat with the inventor, Dr. Sutton from Correlated Solutions Inc. Learn all about the history from DaVinci to present! Articles Discussed: Textbook written by Dr. Sutton on the technique [LINK] 2010 McCormick and Lord, Digital Image Correlation. Open Access provided

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00:35:52

Episode 43: Geopolymers

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/07/15

Geopolymers are a unique class of materials that may offer a solution to environmental issues in the industrial sector including cement substitutes that produce only one-ninth of the CO2 as Portland cement. In this episode we talk about how they work and what, if anything, they have to do with the ancient pyramids. Articles Discussed: 2007 Khale and Chaudhary, Mechanism of geopolymerization and factors influencing its development: a review [LINK] 2013 Olawale, Syntheses, Characterization and

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00:17:52

Episode 42: μ: What Really Sunk the Titanic?

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/06/18

The sinking of the Titanic is one of the great catastrophes of the modern era. In this latest mini-series on failure of materials, we ask the question what really caused the sinking of the Titanic? Was it unavoidable? Was it ductile to brittle transition due to the cold ocean? Was it impurities in the rivets? Tune in and learn the materials science behind this titanic materials failure. Articles Discussed: 2018 Cain, Titanic's Sinking Was Eerily Predicted by Two Books [LINK] 2013 Felkins and

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Episode 41: 3D Printing Case Studies

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast ·

2021/06/08

After the popular 3D printing episode the gang dives into a conversation about what 3D printing can be used for. Ranging from Aerospace to organs to edible water bottles this technology is creeping its way into every facet of our life. Learn about the technology that makes this advanced kind of 3D printing possible from the powders that line the bed to the science behind the lasers. Articles Discussed: 2020 Farber and coworkers, A review of NiTi shape memory alloy as a smart material produced by

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