LuxeSci

Hi Fancy Folks! For all the June babies out there, this week we're revisiting our episode on your birthstone, pearls. This is a LuxeSci classic episode and feature both Dr. Lex and Dr. Dimos. Join your favorite curious scientists as we explore the science behind pearls. We'll learn about how pearls are made, how they are used in cosmetics and what structural color is. So ditch the lab coat...

Hi Fancy Folks! We can't believe we're almost through 3 seasons of LuxeSci. It's been so much fun to share our love of nerdy luxury with you. We wanted to share with you the reasons why we started this podcast. Our goal has always been to increase wonder and broaden curiosity by merging together two seemingly incompatible topics, science and luxury items. We hope you enjoy this little...

Hi Fancy Folks! The weather is warming up and you know what that means: itsy, bitsy, teeny, weeny, yellow polka dot bikinis. Polka dots are a quintessential summer print. But how did they come about, why do we like them so much and are we the only animals drawn to this bold and graphic print? Join your favorite curious scientist as we explore the science behind polka dots. We'll learn about ho...

Hi Fancy Folks! We were inspired by a Met Gala look for this episode so we're throwing it back to a Season 1 episode all about emeralds. Find out how emeralds are formed, a little about their august history, and of course so cool science surrounding this gorgeous gem. Check out our featured friend's podcast: Science Night https://www.scinight.com/ If you've learned something from this...

Hi Fancy Folks! We're tackling a classic pattern this episode. It's all about stripes! Stripes have meant different things throughout the ages. Now, they symbolize anything from classic, nautical themes to something that hints of rebellion. In this episode, we learn about why zebras have stripes, what "motion dazzle" is and Dr. Lex meets her match when trying to decipher a paper...

Hi Fancy Folks! We're back to talking about the latest fashion trends. The runways this year will filled with hyper-feminine details, including bows and ribbons. There's a lot that can be said about the resurgence of feminine fashion but we're interested in the science. In this episode, we learn about ribbons in protein folding, the ribbons that help you see and of course, we had to ha...

Something old, something new, something borrowed, something blue.  This little wedding rhyme can also sum about the quintessential fabric, lace. Lace is everything from a staple of the wedding industry to a trend in the Spring and Fall 2024 runways with the continued popularity of sheer dresses.  In this episode, we take the scientific view of lace, learning how its made, the many different types...

Hi Fancy Folks, I couldn't let a fashion season go by without an episode about my absolute print, leopard print. We released this episode in Season 1 and it was so much fun to learn more about leopards and their spots that we're re-releasing it. Join me as I explore the science behind leopards, their spots and why the print has been a mainstay of fashion. Check out our featured friend'...

Hi Fancy Folks, Apologies for the episode delay. Dr. Lex has been down for the count with a cold, which you can probably tell on the audio. But this episode is worth the wait! Join Dr. Lex as she explores the world of leather, what it is, how it's made and some cool technology being used to make it more sustainable. Plus, there's even a bonus anatomy lesson. Check out our featured friend&#...

Hello Fancy Folks! I (Dr. Lex) have been looking forward to this episode since we decided to explore fashion for Season 3. I was lucky to spend an extended period of time in Cambodia during grad school and I got to see silk production live and talk to the artisans that are keeping the process alive there. It was magical. This episode we explore not only how silk is made but what is is, going down...

Last episode we tackled the science behind fashion trends and this week we're exploring the foundation of fashion...fabric. We were pleasantly surprised how much research involves fabric, from 3-D modeling draping to self-repairing fabric. Join us on a journey through nerdy and fabulous world of fabric. References : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Textile https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymer ht...

Ever scroll past something on Instagram or TikTok and get "influenced" to buy it.? Do you meticulously follow fashion magazines or celebrity style? Well, there may be a psychological reason for that. We're back! Relaunching Season 3 with a deep dive into the science behind Fashion Trends. Join Dr. Lex and she discovers why we're so drawn to trends and how AI is helping the fashio...

Hi Fancy Folks! We're back from our mini break to celebrate the holidays in our LuxeSci way...breaking down a holiday luxury. This year it's all about Legos! These little colored bricks have become a global phenomenon, including having their own reality show. They are small but mighty and it's absolutely amazing how they bring out creativity and help people understand scientific concep...

Hello Fancy Folks! Luxury items can be beautiful to look at, delicious to eat, or fun to experience. They can also help us explore the science that is responsible for the world around us. Join a scientifically nerdy couple for stories that take the lab to the luxury. If you like us, please subscribe and leave a review, wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also follow us on social media at: htt...

Hi Fancy Folks! We know it's been a bit since we launched Season 3 and to be honest, we're still adjusting to a new city, new jobs and new schedules. We've also entered in to Advent, which is a time of more quiet and contemplation. While we will be posting new episodes (including a really fun holiday one!) we will take the time we think is necessary. We won't be on social media as...

Hello Fancy Folks! We made it to the end of the interviews. While it's sad that we're done talking to great people (for now), it does mean that Season 3 is almost here! Make sure you're subscribed now. For our final conversation of our summer interview series, we're bringing it a little closer to home and talking about the art of podcasting. While some might debate whether this is...

Hello Fancy Folks! Another week, another interesting and informative interview with a scientific artist. This week we're talking with the artist behind Fuzzy Otter. Andrea has been interested in art and science since a young age and her work in natural illustration is beautiful. We what it takes to illustrate nature. How to stay true to the animal or plant and incorporate the art and lots more...

And we're back! We have a new cool and interesting interview to share with you. This time we're jumping into the world of electron microscopy and how those images can be turned into art! We talk with microscopist, artist and poet, and funder of Kissed by Electrons, Stephan about his work and why being able to see things at the atomic level is so amazingly cool. You can find Kissed by Elect...

New Interview Alert!! We're so excited to release our interview with Brendan from Banshee Forge. Banshee Forge produces unique and beautiful metalworks from an island in the Pacific North West. We have a great conversation around what it takes to work with metal, how Brendan got started and the relatively low cost of entry to making your own forge. See Banshee Forge's work: https://www.ins...

New Interview Alert!! We're so excited to release our interview with Dr. Elisabeth Kugler from Zeeks Art for Geeks. Dr. Kugler researches zebrafish, is a data genius and turns amazing microscopic images into art. She is the founder of a science communication and data services company and has displayed her art in galleries. Join us for a conversation about microscopy, zebrafish and how art and...

Hi Fancy Folks! We're back with our second (at last) interview re-release. This time we're talking to artist and friend/brother of the podcast, Sam Boyd. We discuss everything from the science of perspective in drawing to Vermeer's use of a camera obscura. Make sure you also check out Sam's work (links below) and if you're in the Newcastle, Australia area, check out his latest...

Hi Fancy Folks! We've wrapped up our second season focusing on the science of art. But we decided that we're not quite done yet. We were so inspired by all the art and science that we explored this season that we wanted to keep the fun going. So we reached out to some amazing creators, artists, scientists to talk about what they do, why they do it and the intersection of art and science. O...

Hello! This week we're taking a deep dive into the shiny world of metals. Dr. Lex tries to define a metal and takes on a tour of their internal structures. Dr. Dimos talks all things iron, including why iron deposits indicate life on Mars. Join us for the all the nerdy fun! 1:31: Dr Lex introduces what smithing is and what metals are. Can you define a metal? Did you know that many elements are...

Hi Again! Dr. Dimos took the reigns on this episode. He is very interested in glassblowing and he's even tried it a few times! So learn along with us as we discover the history and the science behind this ancient and beautiful art form. Art from this episode: - Glass making recipe: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Synchronistic_History_K.4401.jpg - Early Egyptian glass: https://www.scie...

Hello again! Since we skipped last week due to a vacation, we thought a little bonus episode would be fun. This is a quick and fun look into the science behind tattoos and removing them. What does recycling have to do with tattoos? Can you remove a tattoo with a lemon? Listen in to find out! Don't forget to subscribe and leave us a review where ever you listen. It's the best way to support...