
Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast
In this podcast, Taylor and Andrew investigate the past, present, and future of materials science and engineering. Topic areas ranging from cutting edge materials technology, the history of different materials, the commercialization of new materials, and exciting advances in processing and characterization are all covered in detail. Our episodes include things like the unlikely discovery of superglue or teflon, the fascinating backstories about modern biomaterials like dialysis filters, and updates on new technologies including wearable electronics, next generation batteries, and nanomaterials. In short, we hope to help listeners understand the critical role that materials have played in society and even glimpse into what the future may hold for new materials.
Latest episodes

May 8, 2025 • 1h 4min
Episode 104: The Winding Path to Materials Discovery
Few things in materials science are more interesting and rewarding than discovering new materials. In this episode, Taylor and Andrew sit down with Paul Canfield, a physicist from Ames Laboratory to discuss materials discovery—and the creative ways he writes about it. From cooking metaphors to "shaving the dice" to beat nature, they dive into the colorful word choice he uses to bring his work to life..
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.

Apr 24, 2025 • 47min
Episode 103: MatterGen
What if you could find materials with tailored properties without ever entering the lab? We sit down with Tian Xie from Microsoft to discuss their new AI tool MatterGen. We learn all about what the tool does and the tests they put it through to validate the output. We also discuss the new Azure AI Foundry where they plan to have MatterSim and MatterGen interact and support each other.
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
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.
MatterSim page on Azure AI Foundry
Azure AI Foundry Labs
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.
Keywords: Microsoft MatterSim MatterGen

Mar 21, 2025 • 37min
Episode 102: Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation
Have you ever read a published paper and wished you had access to the raw data? The journal Integrating Materials and Manufacturing Innovation (IMMI) seeks to solve that issue. Taylor, the current Editor-in-Chief, sits down with Chuck Ward( Previously Chief of Manufacturing and Industrial Technologies at AFRL and outgoing Editor-in-Chief at IMMI) to discuss how IMMI is different from other journals. They cover the history of IMMI, the use cases of the journal, and also some exciting news about Taylor and his position with the journal.
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
You can find out more about IMMI by clicking here.
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.
Keywords: Manufacturing Publishing Scientific Journals

Feb 26, 2025 • 50min
Episode 101: All About Biomatter
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.

Feb 4, 2025 • 34min
Episode 100: Materials for Bikes
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!

Jan 10, 2025 • 54min
Episode 99: Bulk Metallic Glasses
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.

Dec 11, 2024 • 52min
Episode 98: Accelerating Catalyst Research with Meta
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.

5 snips
Nov 18, 2024 • 40min
Episode 97: Titanium
Dive into the world of titanium, a remarkable material linked to both Mach-3 aircraft and hip replacements. Discover its fascinating historical journey, from 18th-century discovery to military aviation breakthroughs. The hosts discuss unexpected challenges in aerospace manufacturing, including the risks posed by cadmium-plated tools. Explore the complexities of titanium alloys, their diverse applications in industries like aerospace and medicine, and innovations like the Aerosynth machine that aim to overcome processing hurdles.

Oct 31, 2024 • 47min
Episode 96: Spark Ablation with VSParticle
Aaike van Vugt, co-founder of VSParticle and a chemical engineer from Delft University of Technology, dives into the captivating world of spark ablation technology. He explains how this process surpasses traditional methods to create nanoparticles without chemicals. Learn about its revolutionary applications in energy storage and catalysis, the journey from academic invention to commercial success, and the innovative creation of nanoporous films. With exciting insights on AI's role in advancing material science, this discussion is both enlightening and inspiring.

Oct 9, 2024 • 56min
Episode 95: You Don't Know Anything About Steel
In this engaging discussion, Caelan Kennedy from the Steel Founders’ Society of America shares his extensive knowledge on steel. He reveals the complexities of alloying elements like manganese and silicon, demonstrating how they enhance strength and corrosion resistance. The conversation dives into martensitic structures and the crucial role of heat treatment in steel processing. Kennedy also highlights advancements in stainless steel grades used by companies like Tesla, emphasizing the balance between cost and performance. Plus, exciting educational initiatives are inspiring the next generation of manufacturers.
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