Create the Future

Does knitting qualify as engineering? How do we break down gender barriers between 'crafts' and 'science'? What's the future of wearable technology? And how does Lady Gaga fit into all of this?Welcome to an all-new version of Create The Future from the Queen Elizabeth Prize For Engineering. In this first episode our very own "mega badass engineer" Roma Agrawal - author and structural engineer for the construction of The Shard - chairs a discussion about the innovations and ancient wisdoms to be found in Arts & Crafts. Roma's guests are materials scientist Dr Anna Ploszajski and electronic textiles researcher Irmandy Wicaksono from MIT Media Lab.New episodes - conversations about how to rebuild the world better - every other Friday.Follow @QEPrize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Roma Agrawal MBE trails a new start for the podcast from The Queen Elizabeth Prize For Engineering.Subscribe here on your podcast app and follow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for updates!www.qeprize.org/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Season 3 finale episode of the Create the Future podcast we speak to Emily Calandrelli, an MIT-engineer turned Emmy-nominated TV host and acclaimed author. Listen as we discuss the origins of her passion for engineering, reflect on the importance of representation, and learn why she’s dedicated to making STEM fun and accessible to kids—particularly young girls. We hear how her internship at NASA contributed to knowledge of water on Mars, explore why it’s important to never count yourself out, and discover how she’s using her newfound TikTok platform to spotlight important policy issues.We’ll be back in early 2023 with Season 4. In the meantime, subscribe to us here on your podcast app and follow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook for more updates!www.qeprize.org/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Khalil Ramadi is developing electronic pills that could transform how we treat some diseases. His ingestible micro-devices deliver "bionudges”—bursts of electrical or chemical stimuli—to the gut, potentially helping to control appetite, aid digestion, or regulate hormones.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we discover how Khalil’s non-invasive technology targets specific circuits in the gut to achieve brain stimulation; learn how bionudges could treat diseases such as diabetes, obesity, Parkinson’s, and Alzheimer’s; and discuss the history of the use of electricity in medicine. We explore the relatively new field of neuromodulation, discuss the challenges of applying the engineering mindset to medicine, and discover why it’s helpful to view engineering through the lens of problem-solving.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lily Hevesh is regarded as the #1 domino artist in the world.With engineering principles playing a considerable role in her 3D masterpieces, she now uses her online platform of nearly 4 million YouTube subscribers to raise the profile of science, technology, engineering, art, and maths (STEAM).In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Lily about her domino art journey; from posting her first video at just nine years old to now sharing her passion with the next generation. We hear what it was like to be filmed for three years for the 'Lily Topples the World' documentary, learn about the entrepreneurial side of her world-record-breaking career, and explore the product development journey for her best-selling domino line. We hear about the role of engineering in testing domino tricks; discuss the importance of patience, failure, and imagination; and discover what tips Lily has for entrants of the QEPrize Create the Trophy competition.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) has been making headlines around the world since the release of its first images in July. That first deep-field image was taken by combining images from two of the telescopes’ instruments, one of which is the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI). Today’s guest played a key role in building it.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Paul Eccleston—chief engineer at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory—about the engineering behind MIRI. We hear what it was like to see first images nearly 20 years after starting work on MIRI, discover its biggest design challenge, and discuss all things instrument assembly, thermal design, integration, testing, and verification. We talk about the launch of JWST, hear what Paul is working on now, and find out why he likens engineering teamwork to an orchestra.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Linda Zhang is the pioneering chief engineer behind Ford’s revolutionary new all-electric pickup truck—successfully making believers out of many truck-loving electric vehicle skeptics. For her pioneering leadership, she was named as one of USA TODAY's Women of the Year (2022) and featured on the front cover of TIME Magazine’s Climate Issue.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Linda about the vehicle electrification journey, explore her beginnings in the Ford College Graduate program, and discuss how she applies her electrical and computer engineering degrees to her work. We touch her parental engineering inspirations, hear why aspiring engineers should consider working in the automotive industry, and learn why it’s important to “be happy”.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook[Linda joins us from ‘The Engineers: The Future of Cars’ event by the BBC World Service and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition 1851]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the history of motion picture technology, few people have had a more profound effect on cinematography than today's guest, the Oscar® and Emmy®-winning Garrett Brown. Garrett invented an ingenious camera rig called the Steadicam—a stabilising system for cameras that allows smooth, wobble-free tracking shots.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Garrett about his storied career in cinema, working on iconic films including Rocky, Casino, The Shining, and Raging Bull alongside directors such as Stanley Kubrick and Martin Scorsese. We discuss how iterative engineering proved central to the Steadicam’s invention, explore the engineering challenges of the SkyCam, FlyCam, DiveCam, and MobyCam, and discuss his latest project, the Zeen ambulator.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Smart cities are well-known for integrating technology with urban environments; sensable cities use that technology to put people at the heart of the city.A prolific inventor, educator, and engineer, Carlo Ratti is the director of the Senseable City Laboratory at MIT. The lab takes an omni-disciplinary approach to cities, combining: designers, planners, engineers, physicists, biologists and social scientists to empower citizens to solve urban problems.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak with Carlo about the role of technology on architecture, planning, and design. We hear about the knowledge gained from sensors and data, discuss the challenges of updating existing cities, and discover how new technologies can be used to fundamentally change how we perceive, inhabit, and create cities.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is a renowned chemical engineer and 2015 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering Laureate, Dr Robert Langer. A pioneer in biotechnology, including large molecule controlled drug delivery and nanotechnology, Langer is also regarded as the founder of tissue engineering. His work is the basis for—among countless other innovations—long-lasting treatments for brain cancer, prostate cancer, endometriosis, schizophrenia, diabetes, and the drug-coated cardiovascular stents that alone have benefited 10 million patients.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak with Dr Langer about his engineering journey, from career setbacks to the launch of over 40 biotech companies. We hear how his 2015 QEPrize-winning technology enabled Moderna's 2020 mRNA vaccine, explore the field of tissue engineering, and discuss why multidisciplinary teams are essential for innovation.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hyperloop is a revolutionary high-speed pod-based transportation concept that can take passengers from point “A” to point “B” quicker than the speed of sound.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak with Dr Siavash Sadeghi, Propulsion and Levitation Technical Lead for Hyperloop Transportation Technologies—one of the world’s leading hyperloop companies. We discuss what makes hyperloop one of the most environmentally friendly methods of transportation, hear when the technology might be realised, and explore the engineering that underpins magnetic levitation—notably the 2022 QEPrize-winning innovation, NdFeB permanent magnets.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Clare Elwell is a professor of medical physics and director of the Near-Infrared Spectroscopy Group and Biomedical Optics Research Laboratory at University College London. Her current research combines physics and engineering to develop novel optical systems for monitoring and imaging the brain. Clare currently leads the Brain Imaging for Global HealTh (BRIGHT) research project, investigating the impact of malnutrition on early infant brain development.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak with Clare about the engineering that underpins functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS)—notably the 2019 QEPrize-winning innovation, LED lighting. We discuss the benefits of portable fNIRS equipment, hear why multidisciplinary teams are essential for innovation, and discover why Clare’s research project in The Gambia was the first study of infant brains in Africa.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Christine Bland is an aerospace electrical engineer, artist, and photographer. For over 30 years she’s worked for Lockheed Martin, designing electronics for NASA spacecraft including the Spitzer telescope, Phoenix Mars lander, Mars rovers (Spirit and Opportunity), Mars orbiters (Grail, Juno, Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter), and deep space probes (Stardust and Genesis). Since 2009, Christine has led the development of electronic hardware for NASA’s Orion spacecraft, designed to take humans farther into space than ever before. Christine is also a keen advocate for diversity and inclusion in education and STEM for trans people, with the National Organization of Gay and Lesbian Scientists and Technical Professionals naming her the LGBTQ Engineer of the Year in 2014.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak with Christine about her incredible journey from Apollo 11-inspired child to launching her own work into space. We hear how an inclusive workplace culture and pride group helped her come out as trans in 2011, how she now champions LGBTQ equality in STEM, and discuss the importance of mentoring to ensure diversity in engineering. We talk all things problem solving, collaboration, and find out what it meant to be awarded NASA's prestigious Silver Snoopy Award.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Merritt Moore is a STEM advocate, quantum physicist, and professional ballerina with a penchant for connecting technology and the arts. A robotics enthusiast who one day dreams of dancing in space, Merritt explores her dual interests by using Artificial Intelligence to choreograph routines for her dance partner, an industrial robotic arm.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we explore Merritt’s fascinating endeavour to fuse performance with collaborative robotics and hear why she believes STEM and art are inextricably linked. We learn about the importance of perseverance, discuss her work as artist-in-residence at Harvard ArtLab, and—as one of the 20 finalists for SpaceX’s dearMoon mission—why Merritt’s dream of dancing around the Moon is closer than you think.New episodes of Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we ask acclaimed biomedical engineer and policy adviser, Guru Madhavan, “how do engineers think?”Along the way, Guru tells us how he started down the path of investigating the engineering mindset, why he advocates for engineers to engage with the arts, and how he applies his systems engineering background to his work. We discuss the origins of the word “engineering”, hear about the similarities between evolution and innovation, and learn what it means to be a barefoot engineer.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Susan McDonald is an award-winning mechanical and electrical engineer with over 10 years’ experience in overseeing major programmes in the power, utilities and renewables sector. Having previously led on the coordination of 12 offshore wind projects, Susan recently took a career break to help reimagine at-home COVID tests. She now applies her broad engineering and industry experience to help clients shape their net zero strategies.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, Susan tells us about her net zero mission and what it takes to design renewable energy solutions. We hear about her recent award-winning work to make COVID-19 testing fair and inclusive, discuss what it means to be a “human engineer”, and—being from a family of engineers herself—the importance of role models.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data-centric engineering is nothing new, but digital twins open up a whole new world.Digital twins use real-time data from sensors to provide a virtual representation of a physical object or system that engineers can use to monitor real-time performance, reduce maintenance costs, and predict future malfunctions.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Mark Girolami, Chief Scientist at The Alan Turing Institute, about his work on the world’s first 3D printed pedestrian bridge, described as a “living laboratory”. We discuss why data-centric engineers are able to make more informed decisions, hear why digital twinning will soon likely be the biggest use-case for artificial intelligence and machine learning, and hear why the best engineers are often multidisciplinary.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An inventor, robotics enthusiast, and internet creator, Simone Giertz gained popularity with her early viral YouTube videos—employing humour and creativity to make complex engineering principles approachable for all. Originally designing “useless” robots, a brain tumour in 2018 encouraged Simone to shift her focus towards creating unique solutions to everyday problems.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Simone about her "make your own" engineering journey, from flickering an LED using an Arduino board to converting a Tesla into a pickup truck. We find out why viewing engineering as play allowed Simone to overcome performance anxiety, discuss the challenges of the product development journey, and learn about the best fabrication tools for Makers.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Professor Pamela Ronald studies the genes that control resistance to disease and tolerance to environmental stress in plants, with the goal of improving food security globally. With enough rice to feed 30 million people lost to flooding every year, together with her collaborators, she has been instrumental in the development of rice that is both disease-resistant and flood-tolerant.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Pamela about the 10,000-year-old history of modifying plants, from the early domestication of crops to recent developments in genomic editing. We explore why genetic modifications against environmental stressors will become more important as the climate changes, hear why engineered plants will help contribute towards chemical-free farming, and discuss the exciting future of perennial plants in biofuel production.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leslie Gaston-Bird is a re-recording mixer and sound editor with over 30 years of audio engineering experience.Currently specialising in mixing feature-length films, she is also a voting member of The Recording Academy (Grammys), was previously Governor-at-Large for the Audio Engineering Society, and is a member of the Association of Motion Picture Sound and Motion Picture Sound Editors. Her book, Women in Audio, features almost 100 profiles and stories of female audio engineers throughout history.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Leslie about her audio engineering journey through to her recent PhD, entitled Immersive & Inclusive, which seeks to understand and address the lack of representation in immersive audio. Leslie shares tales from her Women In Audio book, and we hear how—as a classically trained pianist and electric bassist herself—creativity is at the heart of everything she does.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode, we speak to 2022 QEPrize winner, Dr Masato Sagawa, who received the award in recognition for his work in the discovery, development and global commercialisation of the world’s most powerful permanent magnet— the sintered neodymium-iron-boron (Nd-Fe-B) magnet.Dr Sagawa’s innovation has been transformational in its contribution to multiple applications globally, including: medical imaging; electric vehicles; wind turbines; audio systems; spacecraft; robots and computers.Sagawa’s breakthrough was the creation of a new compound formed by replacing the scarce and expensive elements used in previous permanent magnets, with more abundant and cheaper elements—iron and neodymium. By introducing boron and dysprosium to improve the magnetic properties and heat resistance, the resulting material was a new high-performance magnet ready for the mass market that almost doubled the performance of the previous best and successfully turned Nd-Fe-B magnets into a viable industrial material with countless applications.To learn more about the 2022 QEPrize winning innovation, visit https://qeprize.org/winners/the-worlds-strongest-permanent-magnetNew episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookInterpretation provided by Yosuke Shinokubo. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Faced with retreating glaciers high in the Himalaya, engineer Sonam Wangchuk invented a way to store winter water for irrigation—a 78-foot-tall “ice stupa”. Built in one of the most arid regions of northern India, these artificial glaciers delay the release of meltwater by freezing it into a cone of ice shaped like a stupa—a Buddhist structure which represents enlightenment.In this Season 3 premiere episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Sonam about the origins of the Ice Stupa project and his ongoing mission to inspire global change. We discuss the importance of connecting technology with tradition to inspire local communities, hear how he resolved the issue of Ladakh’s cold school buildings using mud and the sun, and find out how his 1.6 million-strong social media following helped bring about local governmental action.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Season 2 finale episode of the Create the Future podcast we speak to Stephen Rouatt, CEO of the UK & Ireland markets for Signify (formerly Philips Lighting) about innovations in LED lighting. We discuss the innovative ways in which the 2021 QEPrize winning technology is being used today, consider the future uses of LED lighting, and Stephen tells us why engineers often make great entrepreneurs.We’ll be back in January 2022 with Season 3. In the meantime, subscribe to us here on your podcast app and follow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook so you don’t miss us when we come back!www.qeprize.org/podcasts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mischa Dohler is a telecommunications innovator known for his pioneering work on 5G wireless communications, the Internet of Skills, and Smart Cities.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Mischa about what 5G is and how might improve our lives. We discuss the improvements made to cellular networks since the days of 2G, why collaboration in telecommunications and engineering is becoming increasingly important, and how Mischa managed to combine his love for music and technology in the world’s first 5G concert.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Gladys West is a pioneer in the use of complex mathematics and efficient programming to generate accurate, repeatable and global models of the Earth’s geoid that were eventually incorporated into the mapping functions of the Global Positioning System (GPS). This work required her to process early satellite data and use complex algorithms to account for variations in gravitational, tidal, and other forces that distort Earth's shape.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Dr West about the methods she employed to calculate an accurate geodetic earth model using a room-sized computer. We discuss her early career, hear what it meant to be awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Prince Philip Medal in 2021, touch on her continued passion for education, and ask whether she uses GPS today.To hear more about the engineering behind the Global Positioning System, check out our episode with the winners of the 2019 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Dr Margaret Liu, known as The Mother of DNA Vaccines, is President Emeritus of the International Society for Vaccines and scientific lead for the World Health Organisation drafting group writing guidelines on mRNA vaccines.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Margaret about all things mRNA vaccines and how they came to play a role in the largest immunisation programme in recent times. We discuss vaccine manufacture and clinical trials, explore the advantages of mRNA vaccines, and find out about the well-timed biotechnology and engineering breakthroughs behind them.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Charlette N’Guessan is the technology entrepreneur behind BACE API, a software that uses facial recognition and artificial intelligence to verify identities remotely. In 2020 Charlette was awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Africa Prize, Africa’s largest prize dedicated to engineering innovation.While facial recognition software isn’t new, BACE API uses live images or short videos taken on in-built phone cameras to detect whether a person is real, or just photo. During the global pandemic, BACE API emerged as a viable and secure solution to the “know your customer” (KYC) challenge faced by financial institutions.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and FacebookView Episode Transcript Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Guido de Croon is an engineer and Professor of Micro Air Vehicles (MAVs) at TU Delft who combines computer vision and robotics to create the world’s smallest flapping wing autonomous flying robots.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Guido about the challenges of miniaturising insect-sized MAVs, and explore the role drones could play in the future of spaceflight, emergency rescue, and—considering the uncertain future of pollinators—precision horticulture. We delve into the world of vision based navigation and obstacle avoidance, discuss the challenges of swarm robotics, and contemplate what roboticists can learn from insect intelligence.To hear more about bio-inspired engineering innovations, check out our recent episode with biomimicry expert, Janine Benyus.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Naadiya Moosajee is a civil engineer and entrepreneur on a mission to fast-track gender parity in STEM. In 2005 she co-founded WomEng, a global non-profit organisation that aims to attract, develop, and nurture the next generation of women engineering leaders in an effort to foster growth in emerging economies and engineer a more inclusive world.In this episode of Create the Future, Naadiya explains her goal to get #1MillionGirlsInSTEM and how—through WomEng—incredible progress is already being made. We explore the right to equal and inclusive transport, hear how Naadiya’s transportation engineering degree led her to the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and find out why Google inspired her to become an engineer.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kari Byron is a television host and STEAM communicator (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics) best known as one of the presenters of the popular science entertainment show “Mythbusters” which, over the course of 248 episodes and 2,950 separate experiments, helped inspire an entire generation of young engineers and scientists. Its combination of smart entertainment and accessible educational content proved immensely popular, garnering an international audience while demonstrating that STEAM can be for everyone. In this episode of Create the Future, we delve into the exciting and creative world of science communication: everything from designing experiments to being a human test dummy. Kari shares how she now puts the ‘A’ into STEAM using explosives, we discuss the importance of creating opportunities for yourself, and we learn why Kari believes “failure is always an option” when it comes to busting myths.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What if we could grow our own clothes?Suzanne Lee is a fashion designer who works closely with engineers, biologists, and material scientists to do just that.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Suzanne about biofabrication, a process that creates sustainable alternatives to materials like plastic and leather by engineering with life, not taking from it. We hypothesise the future applications of biofabrication in the construction of Mars habitats, discuss the ecological benefits of the technology, and explore the challenges of using bacteria, fungi, cellulose, and silk in the creation of everything from biodegradable packaging to artificial tissue.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hugh Herr is an engineer, biophysicist, and pioneer in the field of biomechatronics - technology that marries human physiology and electromechanics to provide greater mobility for those with physical disabilities. A double amputee himself, Hugh has made breakthrough advances in bionic limbs and prostheses that interface with neurology, allowing both control by thought and sensory feedback.In this episode of Create the Future, we discuss the technologies employed in biomechatronics and explore the implications of Hugh’s work in everything from regenerative medicine and surgery to elderly mobility. We discuss the rise of robotic exoskeletons, explore the challenges of product commercialisation, and Hugh shares some personal highlights from his journey to end disability.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A software engineer at Apple for over 16 years, Ken Kocienda was deeply involved with the development of the iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and Safari web browser. From the design of the first software keyboard to the invention of autocorrect, this episode is an insider’s account of the creative decision-making process at the forefront of technological innovation.In this episode of Create the Future, we delve into the fast-paced world of software engineering, as Ken shares a glimpse into Apple’s secretive creative process and demo-driven culture. We discuss his pioneering work designing novel user interfaces for the iPhone, learn what it was like to pitch for Steve Jobs, and explore how his passion for the humanities continually influences his work.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Janine Benyus has a message for engineers: Look to nature for inspiration.Biomimicry is the practice of learning from and replicating nature's forms, processes, and ecosystems to help solve some of the world’s most complex design challenges. By looking to the natural world and its extensive database of evolutionary solutions, we can improve the way we engineer everything from skyscrapers to solar panels.In this episode of Create the Future, Janine explains how she has helped some of the most successful companies draw inspiration from 3.8 billion years of evolution (or “R&D”). We explore the unexpected and everyday applications of biomimicry, discuss the important role of biomimicry in slowing climate change, and Janine encourages engineers to discover how their design challenges may have already been solved by nature.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shah Selbe is a conservationist, engineer, explorer, and entrepreneur developing technology-based solutions to solve some of the planet’s biggest conservation challenges.A satellite propulsions engineer by training, Shah’s low-cost, often open-source solutions have been implemented in some of the harshest environments here on Earth, including oceans, deserts, glaciers and rainforests. His technologies have monitored species ranging from Sri-Lankan blue whales to Congo’s lowland gorillas.In this episode of Create the Future, Shah explains his passion for ‘wild engineering’, exploring, and all the ways in which GPS trackers, drones, camera traps, sensors, satellites, and open-source solutions can help conserve threatened species, populations, and environments.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Chris Toumazou is one of the world’s leading medical engineers, recognised for his ingenious electronic medical diagnosis and therapy devices.His latest device is an innovative, lab-free, cartridge-based PCR test that combines advances in microfluidics, biochemistry, and electronic engineering to deliver test results in just over an hour, dramatically accelerating testing workflows. The same cartridge can simultaneously test for FluA, FluB and RSV. But how does it work?In this episode of Create the Future, we speak to Chris about the engineering behind his inventions and hear how an entirely different epidemic informed his rapid pandemic response. We unpack the close-to-home inspiration for his work, discuss the future of modern healthcare, and hear why Chris’ mobile phone miniaturisation background applies perfectly to medicine.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

TIME Magazine’s first-ever ‘Kid of the Year’, Gitanjali Rao, is on a mission to create a global community of young innovators.At just 15 years old, Gitanjali has already invented an impressive number of life-changing tools. From a portable device that speeds up the process of lead detection in drinking water to an early prescription opioid addiction diagnosis tool, Gitanjali is no stranger to using science and engineering for global good.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak to Gitanjali about the origins of her passion for STEM and discuss her ongoing mission to inspire others worldwide – she’s already mentored an incredible 40,000 students! We explore the engineering behind her innovations, find out where she draws her inspiration, and hear why baking is an essential tool for any engineer.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Petroski is interested in engineering when it succeeds, but more so when it fails.A distinguished author and professor of both civil engineering and history, Petroski has authored 19 books and written hundreds of articles on the subject of engineering for newspapers, trade journals, and magazines. His books can often be found at the top of engineering ‘must read’ lists.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Petroski about the importance of failure in successful engineering and discuss what we can learn from previous mistakes. We unpack the differences between scientists and engineers, explore how writing can help solve complex design problems, and hear why the best students are often those who can think outside the box.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Direct air capture (DAC) technology has been in the news a lot recently following the announcement of Elon Musk’s one-hundred million dollar carbon sequestration competition, but how does the technology work?In this episode of Create the Future, we are joined by Nathalie Casas, a chemical engineer and Head of Research and Design at Climeworks, the world leader in carbon dioxide DAC technology.Climeworks’ innovative modular carbon capture technology is powered by renewable energy and has the smallest land and water requirement of all carbon dioxide removal techniques – including afforestation. Though DAC is no silver bullet to the climate problem, we hear how the air-captured CO2 can be permanently stored underground or recycled into climate-friendly products such as renewable fuels, fertiliser, or the bubbles in your favourite soft drink. Nathalie also shares her experiences working for a start-up, imparts advice to budding engineers, and describes her weekend penchant for sailing on Lake Zurich.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode of Create the Future we speak to the winners of the 2021 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, the creators of LED lighting.Solid state lighting technology has changed how we illuminate our world. It can be found everywhere from digital displays and computer screens to handheld laser pointers, automobile headlights and traffic lights. Today’s high-performance LEDs are used in efficient solid state lighting products across the world and are contributing to the sustainable development of world economies by reducing energy consumption.Hear Nick Holonyak Jr, M. George Craford, Russell Dupuis, and Shuji Nakamura recount tales from the 60-year LED lighting development story, reflect on their individual contributions (and that of fellow winner Isamu Akasaki), and discuss the truly remarkable engineering behind LEDs.To learn more about the winners and the history of LED lighting, visit: https://qeprize.org/winners/led-lightingNew episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Veena Sahajwalla is revolutionising recycling.As the engineering brains behind “green steel” and the world’s first e-waste microfactory, she is leading the way on “green materials” – products and resources made entirely, or primarily, from waste. From plastic bottle derived furniture to steel made from old tires, her goal is for people to see waste not as a problem, but as a useful resource.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with Veena about the limitations of conventional recycling and discuss the engineering required to disrupt the status quo. We unpack the environmental and economic benefits of her work, explore the troubling rise of e-waste, and hear how growing up in Mumbai fuelled her lifelong passion for repairing.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For Yewande Akinola MBE, engineering is all about staying curious, expressing creativity, and imagining the impossible.Yewande Akinola is an award-winning chartered engineer, communicator, and role model. In 2020, she received an MBE in the Queen’s New Year Honour’s list for services to Engineering Innovation and Diversity in STEM.Inspired to become an engineer owing to the intermittent water supply she experienced growing up in Nigeria, she now specialises in sustainable water management, working on projects in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.In this episode of Create the Future, we explore Yewande’s varied career, from sustainable waterparks to television presenting on National Geographic. We discuss the importance of engineering mentors, her passion for communication, and how creativity (embracing culture, art, and music) is an essential tool for any engineer.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With approximately 71 per cent of the Earth’s surface covered in water, the predictable and consistent electricity-generating potential of the oceans remains a largely untapped resource.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak to Sam Etherington, the engineer and entrepreneur behind Aqua Power Technologies Limited’s innovative wave energy generators.Inspired by the wingspan of a manta ray, Sam’s new four-metre tall submersible, MANTA, is currently being put to use in offshore fish-farms and aquaculture. Unlike expensive and polluting diesel generators, these devices work instead by simply harnessing the rise and fall of ocean waves.We explore Sam’s entrepreneurial journey from design and development to manufacturing, unpack how kitesurfing – or more specifically, being buffeted off the board – inspired his work, and learn about the search for simplicity in commercial product design.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The heart of the biotechnology revolution, biochemical engineering has seen the launch of entire industries. Biochemical engineers work to develop sustainable solutions to some of our greatest challenges – whether that’s creating better biofuels and biodegradable plastics, or advancing large-scale pharmaceutical manufacturing during pandemics. From the discovery and manufacture of penicillin in 1918, the extraction of nature's undiscovered potential is no less important today, sitting at the intersection of engineering, maths, biology, and chemistry. The problem, however, comes when applying traditional engineering principles and practices to biology. Unlike the underlying principles building something more static like a bridge, nature rarely offers a consistent framework to build upon; it changes, ever evolving. Applying engineering to nature requires a shift in thinking. Synthetic biology is all about learning from nature, and adapting that to create solutions for the benefit of humanity.In this episode of the Create the Future podcast, we speak to Kristala Prather, the Arthur D. Little Professor of Chemical Engineering at MIT and Principle Investigator of the Prather Research Group.We unpack Kristala's work in biochemical engineering and synthetic biology and her route into the profession, explore why nature throws out the traditional rulebooks of engineering, and discuss ways to make STEM more accessible to future generations.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Standing a staggering 828 metres tall, comprised of more than 4,000 tonnes of structural steel, and setting nearly a dozen world records with its construction, the Burj Khalifa is immense. Not only is it a leviathan amid Dubai’s cityscape, but it currently dwarfs every other building on the planet as well. Even during the design process, the building grew from the initial proposal by almost the height of the Eiffel Tower.Just over a decade since it opened, the Burj Khalifa is today iconic. It has been photographed by millions of people travelling from around the world, and it also played a key role in one of the most gripping stunt acts in recent years alongside Tom Cruise in Mission Impossible.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak with the structural engineer behind the world’s tallest building: William F. Baker. We speak with Bill about his extensive career working on large scale structures and the technical challenges he’s found that come with them. We explore the relationship between architecture and engineering and the role of design in the construction process, unpack Baker’s “top five” projects to date, and hear his advice for students looking to study structural engineering in an increasingly digital age.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Just as internet pioneer Vint Cerf is known for donning a three-piece suit, so too is this week’s guest known for their accoutrement of choice: a bow tie.Whether you grew up in the US or not, chances are you’ve heard of Bill Nye. His titular show, Bill Nye the Science Guy, ran for five years in the mid-1990s, winning 19 of the 23 Emmys it was nominated for. Its combination of comedy and accessible educational content proved immensely popular, garnering an international audience while demonstrating that science can be for everyone. Not only did the show inspire a generation to study STEM, but its long-term success is now inspiring new generations as well.Since the show’s conclusion in 1998, Nye has continued to promote science around the world – holding public lectures, hosting new shows, writing books, presenting podcasts, as well as doing the odd film and television cameo. So while many of us have grown up associating Nye with science, it might come as a shock to some to learn that he's also a mechanical engineer.In this episode of Create the Future, we explore Nye’s exciting career as a scientist and engineer. We learn the origins of his iconic attire and his debut on television, discuss the impact of a career in engineering, and hear how he successfully campaigned to get sundials installed on both the Spirit and Opportunity Mars rovers.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s technologies would be considered magic to people just a few decades past, but the ideas behind them are often far from new. The promise of a driverless future, for example, may seem to many like it arrived in the last decade, but it’s been both “just around the corner” and symbolic of the future for the past century.The first driverless ground vehicle technically appeared in 1904, a radio-controlled tricycle developed by Leonardo Torres-Quevedo. In the 1920s, remote-controlled “phantom autos” drove through Ohio that could reportedly be operated from up to five miles away. The concept of a self-driving or ‘autonomous’ car then entered the mainstream in 1939, in an exhibit at New York World’s Fair that predicted America’s future in 1960.After early prototypes debuted in the 1960s and 70s, the capability of autonomous vehicles has slowly improved alongside developments in parallel technologies. Today, the basic hardware is well established – almost all vehicles come with a combination of radar, cameras, LIDAR, GPS, and so on – and rapid advances in computing power have significantly improved the software side by making deep neural networks much more practical.When the driverless future does become a reality, then it could cause paradigm shifts at multiple levels of society. It’s more than just a source for convenience, it could democratize transportation, reduce emissions, help to improve agricultural yield, and more.The barrier to getting there is safety. One of the main reasons why it’s so difficult to build a commercial product is that it's no longer about just demonstrating that it works – it’s about guaranteeing that it works safely, and reliably. This isn’t even just in terms of the driving itself; the surrounding infrastructure, and potential problems with hacking and privacy breaches, are equally important factors.So how long will it be until we get this peace of mind and, when we do, will people still retain some level of control? How do self-driving cars even work, for that matter?In this episode, we discuss all of this and more with a “rockstar” of autonomous vehicles: Nvidia’s Justyna Zander. We explore why the driverless future has been slower to arrive than expected, the future of autonomous transport and its benefits, and the differences between a machine-based driver and a human.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Danielle George is a Professor of Microwave Communication Engineering at the University of Manchester and the incoming President of the Institution of Engineering and technology.Starting her career as a scientist, Danielle studied astrophysics at university. However, she quickly discovered the allure of engineering and, after choosing the more practical subjects during her studies, secured her very first job as a junior engineer working on the Planck satellite.Today, Danielle’s research is largely dedicated to engineering the tools of scientific discovery – one of the 14 grand challenges for engineering in the 21st century. She is the UK lead for amplifiers in the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project and has worked with NASA and the European Space Agency to further our exploration of the Big Bang.Danielle is just as likely to be seen in the mainstream media. She makes regular appearances on TV programmes and podcasts, raising public awareness of the global positive impact of engineering and informing the next generation of the myriad opportunities a career in STEM can offer. In 2014, she became the sixth woman to deliver the Royal Institution Christmas Lecture since its inception in 1825. She was honoured with an MBE and awarded the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Rooke Award for the Public Promotion of Engineering in 2016, and the Michael Faraday Prize by the Royal Society in 2018.In this episode of Create the Future, we explore Danielle’s varied career from her work on the Planck satellite through to her current projects such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope. We discuss the importance of science communication in the mainstream media, her reflections on International Women in Engineering Day, and what it was like to co-found the world’s first recycled robot orchestra.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Often considered to be the world’s first skyscraper, the Home Insurance Building was completed on 1 March 1885, on the corner of Adams and LaSalle Street in Chicago. At 138 feet (42m) high, it wasn’t the tallest building in Chicago at the time – but its historical significance stems not from its height, but its engineering.Made possible by several technological breakthroughs at the time, the Home Insurance Building differed from traditional construction methods by using a structure made from iron and, more importantly, steel. This gave it a unique architecture and weight-bearing frame. Compared to previous building designs – which had reached a practical height limit to avoid their weight-bearing masonry walls getting too thick and heavy – this new design proved lighter, stronger, and a more practical way to increase height.Though there is debate over whether the Home Insurance Building was “the first skyscraper”, or indeed the first to use a steel frame, a combination of other factors helped it to popularize the idea. It provided a template for the second and third generation skyscrapers surrounding us today; it enabled, over a century later, the myriad of unique city skylines we now see around the world.London’s skyline, in particular, has seen immense change over the centuries. Today, you need only turn your head to see yet another iconic structure towering above you: the “Walkie-Talkie”, “Gherkin”, or “Cheesegrater” for example. But with the number of skyscrapers continuing to grow, how do we future proof them to account for people’s needs decades or centuries into the future? How do we ensure that they complement their surroundings while still encouraging innovation? On what metrics do we define a good or successful structure?We answer these questions in this episode of Create the Future with Roma Agrawal, a structural engineer who spent six years working on one of London’s most recent and distinctive additions: the Shard. We also speak to Roma about her work promoting engineering as a career, why female representation in engineering varies so significantly around the world, and what it was like to be photographed by Annie Leibovitz alongside Emma Thompson and Rita Ora.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fold by fold, engineers have begun to recognise the innovative potential of origami beyond the traditional paper cranes and flowers. With its applications ranging from ingestible robots to deployable shelters, it is easy to see why the ancient art form has many excited for the future of robotics, medicine, and spaceflight.Inspired by unfurling insect wings, foldable structures have been used for their space-saving benefits in spaceflight for some time; the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) used the Miura fold for their 1995 Space Flyer Unit, and NASA is following suit in their upcoming James Webb Space Telescope. Increasingly, the mathematical laws of origami are being applied to engineering – helping to create tools without the need for complex internal mechanisms.In this episode of Create the Future, we speak to Dr Mark Schenk, an aerospace engineer whose childhood interest in origami led to his innovative work on morphable and deployable structures that might – one day – lead to a future without hinges or springs. We learn how to save weight when building aeroplanes, discuss the implication of ‘soft robotics’ in factories and warehouses, and hear why Mark insists on showing his engineering students an Anglepoise lamp during their first lecture.* This episode was recorded early in 2020 before any lockdown measures were implemented.New episodes of ‘Create the Future: An Engineering Podcast’ every other Tuesday. www.qeprize.org/podcastsFollow @qeprize on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.