This Week in Startups

LK-99 breakthrough with Varda’s Delian Asparouhov & Andrew McCalip | E1788

Aug 4, 2023

Delian Asparouhov, CEO of Varda, and Andrew McCalip, their R&D head, dive into the LK-99 room-temperature superconductor replication. They discuss groundbreaking breakthroughs in material science and the potential impact on technology and energy solutions. The conversation explores the challenges in sourcing materials and highlights the supportive community within the tech industry. Also joining is Liam Gerada from Krepling, who shares insights on empowering merchants in the e-commerce landscape using innovative, no-code solutions.

50:02

Creator website

Episode guests

Liam Gerada

Andrew McCalip

Delian Asparouhov

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

SuperSIDE: Hassle-Free Design Services for Startups and Brands

01:09

The Shift in Silicon Valley: From Software to Real Tech

01:15

Intro

3min

Breakthroughs in Material Science

7min

Exploring the Revival of Superconductor Research and Business Communication Solutions

3min

Innovations and Community in Science

11min

Accelerating Startup Success Through Product Velocity

3min

Revolutionizing Science: The New Era of Superconductors

7min

Revolutionizing Design for Startups with Creative as a Service

2min

Innovations in E-Commerce and Superconductors

11min

Navigating the E-commerce Landscape: Merchant Challenges and the Role of AI

3min

This Week in Startups is brought to you by…

OpenPhone. Create business phone numbers for you and your team that work through an app on your smartphone or desktop. TWiST listeners can get an extra 20% off any plan for your first 6 months at openphone.com/twist

Crowdbotics. Great ideas can change the world, and Crowdbotics is the fastest way to turn those ideas into code. Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist

Superside. Design and creative are crucial for growth. Tech companies like Shopify, Amazon, and Meta have found the perfect solution: Superside. Get $2000 off with Superside's Startup Accelerator package superside.com/TWIST

Today’s show:

Varda CEO Delian Asparouhov and R&D head Andrew McCalip join Jason to break down their recent experiment in replicating the LK-99 room-temp superconductor (4:19), the current state of material science (18;52), what the world would look like if this works (26:34), and more. Then, Krepling’s Liam Gerada joins Jason for an update on his business! (40:46)

Time stamps:

(00:00) Varda CEO Delian Asparouhov and R&D head Andrew McCalip join Jason

(1:21) The LK-99 superconductor and how Varda is involved

(4:19) Varda’s latest achievements in replicating the LK-99 superconductor

(8:05) Is this the real deal or just a strong diamagnetic effect

(11:00) OpenPhone - Get 20% off your first six months at https://openphone.com/twist

(12:30) Securing the material needed to run these experiments

(14:06) The increased interest in Varda and feedback from the community

(18:52) The culture shift in the tech industry

(25:06) Crowdbotics - Get a free scoping session for your next big app idea at crowdbotics.com/twist

(26:34) Brute force science: How innovation emerges and receives funding

(30:17) How the venture model has continued to evolve