861: Engineering Novel Solutions for Data Storage and Energy Management in Electronics - Dr. Eric Pop
In this episode, Dr. Eric Pop, a Stanford professor and former Intel engineer, discusses his interdisciplinary work at the nexus of nanomaterials, electronics, and energy management. He explains how phase‑change materials enable low‑power data storage by toggling between amorphous and crystalline states, and how novel thermal‑management materials can dissipate heat from devices like phones and laptops. Pop emphasizes the blend of curiosity‑driven fundamental research with practical engineering goals, drawing inspiration from pioneers like Enrico Fermi and highlighting his transition from industry back to academia.
Episode 147: Miniature Living Robots - Maria Guix
In this episode, host Claire Asher talks with Maria Guix, a senior researcher at the University of Barcelona, about bio‑hybrid robotics that combine living cells—such as muscle tissue or sperm—with synthetic scaffolds to create miniature robots. Guix explains how these...
292: Move Over Perovskite - There’s a New Solar Kid in Town
In this episode, Matt and Sean Ferrell shift focus from perovskite to kesterite, a newer solar‑cell material that could become a cheaper, less toxic alternative to current technologies. They explain kesterite’s historical roots, its manufacturing challenges, and why it may...
Megan Engel: Harnessing Machine Learning to Build Better Molecular Models
In this episode, Professor Megan Engel discusses how machine learning and modern optimization techniques can streamline the creation of coarse‑grained molecular models, building on the challenges faced by the original oxDNA developers. She explains shortcuts that reduce the labor‑intensive parameterization...
844: Applying Physics and Nanotechnology to Understand Mechanics and Shape in Biological Systems - Dr. Sonia Contera
In this episode, Dr. Sonia Contera discusses how physics and nanotechnology can illuminate the mechanics and shape of biological systems, from molecular assemblies to whole organs. She explains her interdisciplinary approaches—such as nanoscale imaging and mechanical probing—to study pancreatic tumors,...