Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast

Making a polymer sample is one thing, but churning out large batches of consistent product brings a host of challenges. In this episode we interview Alex Reed, CEO of Fluence Analytics, a company specializing in polymer processing data. By leveraging real-time characterization and data analysis, we can optimize materials production to reduce waste and increase output. Learn how Fluence Analytics is tackling these challenges and more! Articles for Further Reading: Manivannan, G. (1997). UV-vis spectroscopy as an analytical tool for the characterization [LINK] . Tieke, B. (2005). Makromolekulare Chemie. 2nd ed. [LINK] Kratochvil P. Notes on Differential Refractometry and Light Scattering of Polymer or Copolymer Solutions in Mixed Solvents. [LINK] Barrios VA,FTIR–An Essential Characterization Technique for Polymeric Materials. Infrared Spectroscopy-Materials Science, Engineering and Technology [LINK] Bonus Episode This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: machine learning polymers processing FTIR UV-VIS characterization Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

Soap wasn't always a household item. In this episode we dive into the history of soap, who developed it, and the materials used to make it. Throughout its history, soap underwent several changes in application and chemical formula in order to address changing purposes and environmental concerns. Today, as we are in the throws of a global pandemic, soap is getting more attention than ever before, but how effective is it against a virus? Referenced Articles: A Historical Review of Surfactants in Consumer Products [LINK] "Quality Soaps Using Different Oil Blends." Journal of Miicrobiology and Biotechnology Research [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: soap surfactant detergent history caustic Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

In this episode we dive into the science behind ultrasound characterization for flaw internal, non-destructive flaw detection. Piezoelectric materials generate electricity in response to an applied stress. Through careful tuning, these materials can detect differences in ultrasonic vibrations that allow us to identify flaws deep within materials. At the end of the episode we sit down with Dr. Jeff Bates and discuss his work on hydrogels in ultrasound applications and his experience in materials consulting. Referenced articles: Nondestructive Air-coupled Ultrasound Measurement in the Food Industries [LINK] A Study on Automatic Flaw Detection using MSSIM in Ultrasound Imaging of Steel Plate [LINK] Laser Ultrasound [LINK] Air Coupling [LINK] Defect Detection in Additively Manufactured Components [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: ultrasound hydrogels polymers flaw detection characterization piezoelectric Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

What if materials could heal like we do? In this episode, we dive in to the science behind self-healing polymer materials, explore different approaches to polymers design, and peer into what the future may hold. Whether you are interested in soft-robotics, re-useable textiles, or just curious how a material could repair itself - this is the episode for you! Articles Discussed: 2008 Ecole Supérieure de Physique et Chimie Industrielles [LINK] 2012 Chen and coworkers UC Irvine [LINK] 2013 Rahman and coworkers University of Brescia and Polytechnic of Milan [LINK] 2015 Das and coworkers Leibniz-Institut für Polymerforschung, Tampere University of Technology, Finland, & § Technische Universität Dresden [LINK] 2016 Xu and coworkers Guangxi University and South China University of Technology [LINK] 2017 Weitz group Harvard University [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! Thanks to Colobyte and Alphabot for letting us use their music in the show! If you have questions or feedback please send us emails at [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-creator, co-host, production), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, cohost, production), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing). Keywords: polymers self-healing rubber Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

Have you ever watched a blacksmith work an old railroad tie into an elaborate metal trinket and wonder "How do they do that?" or "Why are doing it that way" or "What is the purpose of that step?" In this episode, we dive into the science behind those exact questions. We talk about metal deformation, heat treatments, fracture, different steel types, and wrap up the episode interviewing Alexander Wickstrom an undergraduate in the Materials Science & Engineering Department at the University of Utah who led his "Materials Advantage Student Chapter" in their recent TMS Bladesmithing Competition with a truly one of a kind Damascus steel rapier. Check out more of Alexander's work on Facebook This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: deformation metal iron steel blacksmithing processing Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

About half of the solid wastes produced each year end up in a landfill. A quarter gets recycled, 10% is composted, and the rest is burned. Why isn't more being recycled? Is this trend going to change? What will be the impact of China's new policy regarding impurities? This episode dives into recycling and we interview Dr. James Nagel of EDX Magnetics, a company with an innovative new tool for separating metals that could transform the recycling landscape. References For Further Reading: EDX Magnetics Website [LINK] How China’s Ban on Importing Waste Has Stalled Global Recycling [LINK] Getting to zero: the Japan town trying to recycle all its waste [LINK] Floating Frog [LINK] Thanks to listener Chris Sparks who pointed us to the "planned obselescence" wiki which talks about designing for failure in business. [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: polymer plastic recycling magnetic magnetism metals electrodynamic sorting Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

A great empire demands an equally great building material. In this episode, we cover the development and implementation of cement and concrete throughout human history. We are joined by Marie Jackson, a research associate professor of geology and geophysics at the University of Utah, and an expert on Roman concrete. She explains how Romans were able to develop concrete and why Roman concrete is able to endure for thousands of years. Finally, we cover some new and exciting concrete technologies that are being developed including self-healing and self-cleaning materials. If you want to learn even more, consider reading Marie's blog about making Roman concrete from minerals found the Surtsey volcano [LINK] . Also consider reading her article on what makes Roman concrete so special [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: cement concrete romans self-healing Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

The optical microscope was discovered in the 17th century and ever since has been a staple of scientific discovery. It uncovered germs and let humanity investigate the microscopic world. However, optical microscopes face a limit to their resolution since they rely on visible light. If materials scientists were going to ever probe atoms, grains, domains, and other features smaller than a few hundred nanometers, it would be necessary to fundamentally change the way we see matter. In this episode we talk about electron microscopes. Their history, how they work, and some of the incredible advantages and features they offer to scientists. There are some great papers out there we pulled from to make this episode. Like this one highlighting the key events in the History of Electron Microscopy [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: SEM environmental scanning electron microscope characterization electrons Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

Imagine stepping on your favorite glasses and bending the frame horribly out of shape. Now imagine immersing these glasses in boiling water and seeing them snap back into their original shape with no evidence of ever being deformed. Shape memory alloys are as close to real-life science fiction materials as it gets! In this episode, we dive into what the materials are, their discovery, how they work, and lots of cool applications. Referenced Articles: Shape memory alloys: a state of art review [LINK] A review of shape memory alloy research, applications and opportunities [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: shape memory alloys metals Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

Did you know that chocolate has a crystal structure? We all think of metals, ceramics, polymers, electronic materials, composites and so forth as materials. But what else? Is chocolate an engineering material? In this episode we dive into this amazing substance and describe the critical processing steps that makes it a unique including regional differences in cocoa, chocolate tempering and more. Along the way we'll cover the fundamental materials science topic of crystallization and solidification. Referenced Articles: Beckett's Industrial Chocolate Manufacture and Use, Fifth Edition [LINK] “Fat bloom in chocolate and compound coatings” by Lonchampt and Hartel [LINK]. Stuff Matters by Mark Miodownik [LINK] Harvard University has an excellent YouTube series on cooking science [LINK] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: chocolate tempering processing phase crystal structures Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

Can you structure a company like a material? In this episode we cover the fascinating discovery of Gore-Tex, and the equally fascinating company that created it. First, we delve in the materials science that allows Gore-Tex to repel water, while remaining breathable. We then, discuss the unique, non-hierarchical structure of W.L. Gore and Associates that has allowed them to continuously innovate over the past 60 years. Referenced Articles: Innovation Democracy: W.L. Gore's Original Management Model, Scientists You Must Know: Robert Gore 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: deformation DIC digital image correlation strain correlated solutions Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

What role do materials play in artificial organs? Are there materials that body simply won't accept? In this episode we talk about the birth of artificial organs as we describe the history of hemodialysis which is critical for treating chronic kidney disease. We introduce materials science fundamentals associated with mass transport across semi-permeable membranes such as Ficks First Law. We then tell the story of Willem Kolff and others who pioneered the invention of hemodialysis and describe the role that materials played in that process then as well as now. Referenced Articles: Overview on membranes Bowry, S. K. "Dialysis membranes today." "Reverse epidemiology of cardiovascular risk factors in maintenance dialysis patients." Impact of protein energy wasting: Bonanni et al. 2011 Protein loss vs flux of treatment: Gil et al. 2007 Altering fluid transport to retain proteins: Meyer et al. 2004 Am. Soc. Neph. Personal account of doctor turned patient: Laird et al. 2011 Am J Kidney Dis. 2011 Protein replacement treatment effectiveness: Hynote et al. 1995 J Parenter Enteral Nutr. Membrane adsorption of proteins: Ishikawa et al. 2006 Am J Nephrol. Current PVC tubing used in dialyzers: Chawla et al. 1991 Image taken from Wikimedia Commons with filters applied in Adobe Illustrator. 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: polymers biomedical bio diffusion filter biocompatibility Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

In this episode we cover the history and development of crystallography, the study of the structures that make up the materials around us. The history of this field is filled with accidental discoveries, ingenious inventions, and drama between those who study it. One of the most important discoveries to come out of this field is x-ray diffraction. This important characterization technique allowed scientists to delve deeper into crystal structures than ever before. We discuss new advances in x-ray diffraction with Ben Frandsen, an assistant professor of physics at Brigham Young University. Ben utilizes x-ray and neutron diffraction techniques to study super conductors and magnets. We only scratch the surface of the fascinating history of crystallography in this episode. If you want to learn even more, check out Nature's Milestones in Crystallography. 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: XRD x-ray diffraction characterization structure crystallography Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

In this episode we talk about thermoelectrics, which are materials that can convert heat into electricity or vice versa. Since their inception almost 200 years ago there have been major advances in thermoelectric efficiency and they have found their way into some amazing applications such as NASA’s deep space probes or the Mars rover Curiosity. For the latter half of the 20th century, thermoelectric materials research was relatively stagnant with little improvement in materials. However, in the last two decades there has been a resurgence of interest in these materials and efficiencies have doubled. For this episode we talk about these recent advances with Paul Slusser who founded Power Practical, a company that commercialized a camping stove with a built-in thermoelectric generator. We describe some of the techniques that have been employed to create this efficiency gains and ask whether or not these materials are likely to make it out of the laboratory and into the market. Referenced Articles: Northwestern Thermoelectrics Research Group [LINK] New and Old Concepts in Thermoelectric Materials [LINK] The panoscopic approach to high performance thermoelectrics [LINK] Complex thermoelectric materials [LINK] 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: thermoelectric ceramics energy thermal heat Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

In this episode we learn about an unexpected approach to processing materials: the common kitchen microwave. While most people only think about the microwave when it’s time to reheat some leftovers, there has been a surprising scientific interest from materials researchers in the last few decades. In fact, microwave processing can achieve pretty remarkable feats such as extremely rapid sintering and heat treatment of materials as well as providing a means for microstructural control in alloys. There have even been cases where people have used it to weld and join materials together. In this episode we explain how microwave heating works in the first place, some of the past successes with this technique and we interview Dr. Christina Birkel who uses this as a critical component to her lab dedicated to the synthesis of novel new materials. Articles for further reading: “Microwave Processing of Materials and Applications in Manufacturing Industries: A Review” [LINK] “Non-conventional synthesis and magnetic properties of MAX phases (Cr/Mn)2AlC and (Cr/Fe)2AlC” [LINK] 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: microwave MAX phase processing synthesis Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

In this episode we sit down with Dr. Chett Boxley, the co-founder of Glycosurf LLC and Batch 21. Chett is a serial entrepreneur with a PhD in chemistry from the University of Utah and a long history of bringing products out of the laboratory and into the market. Chett describes the unique challenge of both developing a new materials-based product and also selling it and running a young startup. You can learn more about Batch 21 and their green skin care products by visiting batch-21.com. For those interested in learning more about startups, we recommend these books: “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries “Zero to One” by Peter Thiel. 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: polymers commercialization skincare market development Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism Find out more at https://materialism.pinecast.co

Welcome to the inaugural episode of the Materialism Podcast! In this episode we cover the most ubiquitous and important engineering material of all time: steel. The story of steel is fascinating and ties into the history of the Industrial Revolution, the birth of capitalism, and so much more. It would be hard to think of another material that did more to change society. 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 [email protected] or connect with us on social media: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (editing assistance). Keywords: steel iron carbon metal history Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

What is materials science? What is the Materialism Podcast? Find the answers to these questions and more in this trailer for what is to come! Each episode includes a brief general introduction to the topic so that any listener can understand the subject matter. We hope you’ll enjoy the podcast. Feel free to connect with us on instagram at @Materialism.podcast. You can also send us questions or suggested podcast topics at [email protected].