Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast

Glass is all around us but you may not spend much time thinking about it's history and advancements. In this episode we sit down with Colin Schmucker and Dr. Sebastian Leukel from SCHOTT AG to discuss this common but fascinating material. From naturally occurring glass formed by lightning to stained glass windows in cathedrals, glass has been apart of human history forever. We explore some of the advancements that helped make glass more versatile for use in cookware and cell phones. This episode was sponsored by SCHOTT AG, you can find more about their products at this link [HERE]. The Materialism Podcast is sponsored by the American Ceramics Society. Visit them, at this link [HERE] to unlock full access to the Bulletin with a free ACerS membership. This Materialism Podcast is sponsored by Materials Today, an Elsevier community dedicated to the creation and sharing of materials science knowledge and experience through their peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, educational webinars, and more. 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: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks, Andrew Falkowski, & Jared Duffy.

From glowing plastic stars on bedroom ceilings to quirky novelty items, most of us have encountered the magic of things that shine in the dark but what’s really behind the glow? Andrew and Taylor dive into the science of photoluminescence, breaking down the physics of how it works and the materials that make it possible. Join them as they explore the two main glow-in-the-dark methods—phosphorescence and fluorescence—and reveal what makes each one shine. This episode of the Materialism Podcast is sponsored by the American Ceramics Society. Check out the ACerS learning center with over 20+ On-Demand Courses on topics such as the fundamentals, research, manufacturing, and more. Visit them, at this link [HERE] for $100 off your next On-Demand course registration with the ACerS Learning Center. The Materialism Podcast is sponsored by Materials Today, an Elsevier community dedicated to the creation and sharing of materials science knowledge and experience through their peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, educational webinars, and more 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: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks, Andrew Falkowski, & Jared Duffy.

Just because the temperature is rising doesn’t mean your electric bill has to. Introducing cooling paints: Jared and Andrew discuss how painting your house with specialized coatings can noticeably reduce the temperature. We dive into the physics behind these paints and the materials that make them possible. We explore topics ranging from common pigments to health concerns over VOCs and Nanoparticle inclusion. The Materialism Podcast is sponsored by the American Ceramics Society. Visit them, at this link [HERE] to unlock full access to the Bulletin with a free ACerS membership. This Materialism Podcast is sponsored by Materials Today, an Elsevier community dedicated to the creation and sharing of materials science knowledge and experience through their peer-reviewed journals, academic conferences, educational webinars, and more. For this episode we read through [this article] in our research. 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: Instagram, Twitter. Materialism Team: Taylor Sparks, Andrew Falkowski, & Jared Duffy.

In this discussion, physicist Paul Canfield from Ames Laboratory shares his adventurous journey in materials discovery. He draws creative parallels between cooking and science, emphasizing the importance of quality ingredients and collaborative mentorship. Paul delves into the complexity of synthesizing new materials, explores the latest in high-temperature ferromagnets, and highlights the challenges of funding in research. He also stresses the fusion of human and machine learning in tackling solid-state chemistry, revealing the exciting potential of innovative materials.

Tian Xie, a principal researcher at Microsoft Research AI for Science, joins the conversation to unveil the groundbreaking AI tool, MatterGen, designed to revolutionize materials discovery. They discuss how MatterGen can identify materials with bespoke properties without lab experiments. The duo also explores the Azure AI Foundry, emphasizing the synergy between MatterSim and MatterGen. With insights into generative models and data-driven techniques, Xie highlights the transformative potential of AI in enhancing material science and addressing global challenges.

In this discussion, Chuck Ward, former Chief of Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies at AFRL, shares his extensive experience in materials science accumulated over 36 years in the Air Force. He delves into the innovative aims of the Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation journal, spotlighting its role in open science and data publishing. Chuck emphasizes the importance of dynamic methods in materials research and advocates for transformative practices in academic publishing, ultimately pushing for more collaborative efforts in the research community.

In this chat, Eleftheria Roumeli, an assistant professor at the University of Washington, delves into the fascinating world of biomatter and sustainable polymers. She shares how 'gross' bacteria from fish tanks can transform into strong plastic shapes and discusses foraging for seaweed to source biological materials. The conversation also touches on the environmental impact of these innovative plastics and the importance of sustainability in materials science. Eleftheria's insights illuminate the promising future of bioengineering in the realm of materials.

Discover the captivating history and evolution of bicycles, from primitive wooden frames to cutting-edge carbon fiber designs. Explore how materials like steel and aluminum have shaped performance and safety in biking. Delve into the strengths and limitations of various materials, including titanium and the ongoing debates over traditional versus modern options. The science behind bicycle components like tires and brakes is also unraveled, showcasing the complexities that enhance various biking disciplines. It's a fascinating ride through materials science!

Join Jan Schroers, a Yale professor and expert in bulk metallic glasses, as he dives into the transformative world of these revolutionary materials. Discover how rapid cooling can turn liquid metals into glassy materials with remarkable strength, rivaling ceramics. Jan reveals the potential of bulk metallic glasses in innovative applications, from sports equipment to advanced robotics. He also discusses the intriguing physics behind their properties, including the significance of cooling rates and atomic arrangements, highlighting their game-changing capabilities.

Larry Zitnick, Research Director at Meta's AI team, and Aaike van Vught from VSParticle dive into the intriguing intersection of machine learning and materials science. They discuss the creation of OCx24, an open catalysis database, revealing the challenges of building it from scratch. The guests also explore how autonomous spark ablation techniques streamline materials synthesis. With a holistic look at reproducibility and data-sharing across the community, they illustrate how tech can drive sustainable innovations in catalyst research.