Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast

Diamonds aren't forever. They are a metastable phase of carbon that is slowly reverting to graphite. But before that happens it has proven an invaluable tool in industry for cutting through metals and boring miles into the earth. In this episode, we sit down with Colton Fox, a research engineer at US Synthetic, and discuss the process of manufacturing artificial, polycrystalline diamonds for drilling applications. From their dramatic history to present challenges, this episode is a great primer for anyone interested in learning more about PCD manufacturing. http://pdc-guru.com/uploads/2/8/7/9/2879895/daw_d-scott_history-and-impact-of-synthetic-diamond-cutters-in-og.pdf https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9781845695620500157 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 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 (editing assistance). Keywords: polycrystalline diamond PCD PDC drilling oil carbon high temperature high pressure 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

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 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 (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 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 (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 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 (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 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, 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 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 (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 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 (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 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 (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 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 (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 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 (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