

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast
Taylor Sparks and Andrew Falkowski
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 5, 2021 • 41min
Episode 39: Reshaping Energy Storage
Taylor and Jared give a brief overview of current energy storage devices and the materials that makes them work. Then they dive into an interview with Joe Sleppy CEO of Capacitech to discuss what his company is doing to revolutionize supercapacitors and their form factor.
Articles Discussed:
2021 Leif E. Asp, A Structural Battery and its Multifunctional Performance
2021 Nick Lavars, "Massless" carbon fiber battery doubles as a structural component
Thanks to Capacitech for sponsoring this episode you can find out more about them here.
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-creator, co-host), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator and editing assistance), Jared Duffy (co-host, production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (co-host and editing assistance).
Keywords: energy storage batteries materials science engineering chemistry physics battery device
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Apr 27, 2021 • 17min
Episode 38: μ: Silicon Chip Shortage
Join Jared, Ramsey, and Andrew in a new type of Micro for a more laidback conversation about the silicon chip shortage plaguing the global economy. Learn about the perfect storm of factors that's lead to car and tech companies around the world halting production.
Articles Discussed:
2020 Stephen Nellis, Phoenix okays development deal with TSMC for $12 billion chip factory
2021 Debby Wu, Taiwan Cuts Water Supply for Chipmakers as Drought Threatens to Dry Up Reserves
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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. Also a special thanks to ACerS Energy Materials and Systems Division sponsoring this episode.
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 (co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, editing assistance, co-host), Jared Duffy (co-host, production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (co-host, editing assistance).
Keywords: shortage chip silicon materials science engineering chemistry physics global trade
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Apr 6, 2021 • 54min
Episode 37: 3D Printing Deep Dive
We finally get to our most requested topic, 3D-printing! This is the first episode in a two part series on 3D printing. This will cover the science and engineering that makes the various methods possible. We also look into the interesting history of companies almost creating 3d printing only to be stopped by a lack of interest.
Articles Discussed:
2021 Samir Jaber, Everything about 3d-printing the ultimate guide.
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-creator, co-host, editing assistance), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, editing assistance), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (co-host, editing assistance).
Keywords: metals plastics printing 3D materials science engineering chemistry physics
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Mar 27, 2021 • 21min
Episode 36: μ: Magnetocaloric Materials
Taylor and Ramsey look into the future of refrigeration and how magnetocaloric materials will drive a more efficient system. How soon will you be replacing your fridge with these and what exactly makes them tick?
Articles Discussed:
2020 E. Levin, Structural coupling and magnetic tuning in Mn2−xCoxP magnetocalorics for thermomagnetic power generation
2018 Alexander Funk, Getting magnetocaloric materials into good shape: Cold-working of La(Fe, Co, Si)13 by powder-in-tube-processing
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-creator, co-host, production), Ramsey Issa (co-host, production, editing assistance), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, co-host, production), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing).
Keywords: entropy magnet refrigeration materials science engineering chemistry physics
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Mar 1, 2021 • 37min
Episode 35: Spark Plasma Sintering
A look into Spark "Plasma" Sintering and why the name is a misnomer. Follow the history as it goes from Mayan jewelry making all the way to Dr. Sparks building one in his lab at the University of Utah. Finally, dive into its current applications and possibilities in the future.
Articles Discussed:
2006 Z. A. Munir, The effect of electric field and pressure on the synthesis and consolidation of materials: A review of the spark plasma sintering method.
1912 G. Weintraub, Process and Apparatus for sintering refractory materials [LINK]
2014 Olivier Guillon, Field-Assisted Sintering Technology/Spark Plasma Sintering: Mechanisms, Materials, and Technology Developments [LINK]
2005 Annika Pettersson, Titanium–titanium diboride composites as part of a gradient armour material [LINK]
2005 C. Shearwood, Spark plasma sintering of TiNi nano-powder [LINK]
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, co-host, production), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (co-host, production, editing assistance).
Keywords: sintering plasma electric pressure materials science engineering chemistry physics
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Feb 24, 2021 • 0sec
Episode 34: μ: Cookware
Ramsey and Andrew take a look into the surprising science that helps make cooking as easy as can be. They explain the dangers that cooking with some of these materials can create and how to avoid it.
Articles Discussed:
1993 Nese O. AK, Cutting Boards of Plastic and Wood Contaminated Experimentality with Bacteria
2005 Annett Milling, Survival of bacteria on wood and plastic particles: Dependence on wood species and environmental conditions
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-creator), Ramsey Issa (co-host, production, editing assistance), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, co-host, production), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing).
Keywords: cooking cook metals ceramics cookware chemicals materials science engineering plastic wood knife pan pot
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Feb 1, 2021 • 0sec
Episode 33: Photography
The development of photography is inextricably linked to the development of advanced materials and chemicals. In this episode, Andrew and Jared discuss the science that makes photography possible. The episode includes everything from the structure of film, to digital sensors, to radioactive elements in glass.
Articles Discussed:
2018 Schneider, Rare Earth Glass Leica Lenses: A Quick and Quirky Overview [LINK]
1990 Ła̧czka M, Rare earth elements as components of special glasses. Journal of the Less Common Metals.
2012 Chiu CP, Liquid lenses and driving mechanisms: a review. Journal of Adhesion Science and Technology.
1958 Kodak - How film is made.
2007 Rogers D, The chemistry of photography: from classical to digital technologies.
2010 Shu-wei H, Photographic Film Structure [LINK]
2013 Link A, How Photos Were Edited in the Darkroom Days [LINK]
2016 Witten, The Chemistry of Photography
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-host, co-creator), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (co-host and editing assistance).
Keywords: film chemicals photography materials science kodak chemistry glass
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Jan 16, 2021 • 18min
Episode 32: μ: The Elixir of Civilization
A review of the book "Scientific Freedom: The Elixir of Civilization" by Donald Braben. Taylor and Andrew dive into the radical ideas Braben implemented in his role as Director of Venture Research at BP. They examine the principles behind Venture Research and the potential for this approach to revolutionize scientific discovery by increasing freedom and creativity. Who knows? Maybe this approach would discover this century's Einsteins, Plancks, Rutherfords and more!
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-creator, co-host, production), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, co-host, production), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing), Ramsey Issa (co-host and production).
Keywords: scientific freedom elixir civilization book review braben
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Jan 4, 2021 • 0sec
Episode 31: Ionic Conduction
Diffusion is when atoms move through a material in response to a concentration gradient. However, some ions can move through a material in response to an electric field and can do so very quickly! Even more remarkable, the motion of ions can be restricted to ions of a certain type such as O2-, H+, Na+, Li+ etc. What is required of a material in order for it to be an ionic conductor? What technologies do ionic conductors make possible? Why are they necessary for batteries, fuel cells, sensors, electrolyzer, and more? We answer these questions and dive into the exciting recent news of solid-state batteries in this episode. We cover some of the key fast ion conductors like YSZ, BASE, LSGM, Nafion, LLZO, and NaSiCON.
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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. Also a special thanks to ACerS Energy Materials and Systems Division sponsoring this episode.
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 (co-host, co-creator), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator), Jared Duffy (production and editing), Ramsey Issa (co-host and editing assistance).
Keywords: ionic ions conductor electrical current electron electrolytes fuel cells holes conductivity batteries solid-state
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism

Dec 18, 2020 • 18min
Episode 30: μ: Engineering a Better Skateboard
Skateboards have some cutting edge polymers, ceramics, metals, & composites. Wood vs carbon-fiber composite lay-ups? Silicon nitride vs steel ball bearings? Titanium vs magnesium light-weight metal alloy trucks? High hardness vs soft & grippy urethane wheels? In this episode, we chat with Norman Woods, a professional skateboarder who helps us figure out if all the advanced materials translate to dramatically improved performance.
This episode is sponsored by Matmatch. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also 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 (co-creator, co-host, production), Ramsey Issa (co-host, production), Andrew Falkowski (co-creator, co-host, production), Jared Duffy (production, marketing, and editing)
Keywords: skateboard materials decks wheels trucks composites bearings professional sports equipment
Support Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast by contributing to their tip jar: https://tips.pinecast.com/jar/materialism