Taylor Sparks and Andrew Falkowski

Materialism: A Materials Science Podcast

Science EN ↓ 121 episodes

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...

Author

Taylor Sparks and Andrew Falkowski

Category

Science

Podcast website

materialismpodcast.com

Latest episode

Jun 30, 2026

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Episodes

Episode 69: Manufacturing Monitoring at Gefran, Inc. 27.07.2023

Manufacturing mistakes can be costly to both time and money but a large one can even injure or kill workers. The bets way to combat mistakes is to monitors every step of the process but when it comes to creating complex materials this isn't always so easy. Learn how the sensors used work and why they are so important to the process. This episode is sponsored by Gefran, to learn more about their pr...

Episode 68: Thermal Spray Coatings at General Electric 21.06.2023

Learn what Thermal Spray is and how GE is leveraging it in their new projects. From the various types of ignition and feed material to new ways of bonding the coating this technology is constantly evolving at GE. This episode is sponsored by GE, a leading company in a multitude of fields. Check out their research homepage here . Take a look at jobs here This episode is sponsored by Materials Today...

Episode 67: Additive Manufacturing at General Electric 30.05.2023

Additive manufacturing is spreading to every industry and is evolving way past the stringy plastic prints of the past. Learn how GE is utilizing this technology to print some things you may not expect such as ceramic components for airplane engines. Learn how they cut down on failures for the prints that take months by leveraging new technologies and some old ones too. This episode is sponsored by...

Episode 66: Ceramic Matrix Composites at General Electric 03.05.2023

Ceramics are an incredibly useful yet notoriously difficult material to work with. Learn how the researches at GE are utilizing CMCs to help increase the usability and applications of ceramics while still keeping many of the beneficial properties. This episode is sponsored by GE, a leading company in a multitude of fields. Check out their research homepage here . Take a look at jobs here This epis...

Episode 65: Fusion Reactor Materials 31.03.2023

In light of the recent breakthrough we sit down to discuss the state of fusion as it relates to the materials that makes it possible. From the harsh environments of the reactor the irradiated byproducts they produce materials are in every aspect of the process and drive forward the path to cleaner energy. Later we are joined by Claire Saunders from Helion Energy to discuss her experience working i...

Episode 64: Bulletproof Materials 10.03.2023

Andrew and Jared are back! After inspiration from the documentary known as Mad Max: Fury Road and The Dark Knight Trilogy we are taking a look at materials that are used to stop ballistic impacts. From the race tire material we wear as vests to the futuristic magnetorheological fluid soaked fabrics. Sources: Body Armor Materials Overview How Stuff Works: Liquid Body Armor Ballistic Performance of...

Episode 63: Spark Plasma Sintering at Cal Nano 06.02.2023

We partnered with the CalNano to revisit Spark Plasma Sintering. How has the industry changed since we last discussed it? What is CalNano doing specifically to fuel that change? Take a listen and find out. Articles: A general method to synthesize and sinter bulk ceramics in seconds This episode is sponsored by CalNano. Check out their homepage here . This episode is sponsored by Materials Today ,...

Episode 62: Publishing in Scientific Journals 18.01.2023

In this special out of studio episode, Taylor sits down with Marlene Silva(publisher for Materials Today) and Susan Sinnott(department head and professor of Materials Science at Penn State) to discuss all the ins and outs of publishing. What are some good tips for first time publishers? What is an impact factor and is it even that useful? Take a listen and find out. This episode is sponsored by Ma...

Episode 61: Catalysis at the Toyota Research Institute 28.11.2022

We partnered with the Toyota Research Institute to take a dive into the science behind catalysis with researcher Joseph Montoya. Learn how catalytic converters drastically change the makeup of your car's exhaust and help create cleaner air for us all.   Articles:   The tough calculus of emissions and the future of EVs   MOF-derived carbonaceous materials enriched with nitrogen: Preparation and app...

Episode 60: Materials Modeling at General Electric 03.10.2022

At a time where longevity and product life cycle is becoming increasingly important, learn how materials life can be modeled well before the production line. In this episode of our GE sponsored series we explore materials modeling and using tools such as Finite Element Analysis to save both money and materials.    This episode is sponsored by GE, a leading company in a multitude of fields. Check o...

Episode 59: Photovoltaic Materials 29.08.2022

We all know that solar panels take heat from the sun and turn it into energy/ What you may not know is the science behind that process and the materials that make it possible. Taylor sits down with his adventure buddy/photovoltaics expert Mike Scarpulla from the University of Utah. This episode is sponsored by Materials Today , an Elsevier community dedicated to the creation and sharing of materia...

Episode 58: Materials Informatics at General Electric 15.07.2022

How does a company like GE use machine learning to further their research into new materials and technology? Find out in the first episode of our General Electric sponsored series where we sit down with two experts at GE Andrew Detor and Kareem Aggour. This episode is sponsored by GE, a leading company in a multitude of fields. Check out their research homepage here . Take a look at jobs here This...

Bonus: Why is Materials Science Important? 13.06.2022

In this bonus episode Taylor is interviewed by the "Breaking Math" podcast about why he is so passionate about the study of materials. You can find more about them here: Breaking Math Podcast 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 medi...

Episode 57: Paper's Possibilities 26.05.2022

Papers future is not written in stone. Taylor sits down with Phil Wild of James Cropper to discuss the past of the company as well as the future and in turn of paper. Learn all of the science that goes into nailing the perfect color as well as the expansion into other areas of the market. This episode is sponsored by Materials Today , an Elsevier community dedicated to the creation and sharing of...

Episode 56: Ceramic Dental Composites 03.05.2022

Taylor and Ramsey take you on a journey through the world of modern dentistry. Learn how we evolved from honey to complex composites for teeth repair. Also get a glimpse into the research Ramsey is doing in pursuit of his PHD. 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 p...

Episode 55: Ceramics in Real Time 11.04.2022

Anyone who has worked with ceramics knows that they are notoriously difficult to work with and gain data on. We sit down with Daniele Paganelli to discuss their current measurement devices and how they work. We also look to the future as Daniele explains their plans for a new online ceramics database and marketplace. This episode is sponsored by Expert Lab Service , if you need devices to get real...

Episode 54: μ: Getting The Most Out Of Conferences 15.03.2022

Andrew and Taylor come to you from a garage in sunny California to tell you all about conferences. What should you do there? How do you handle hard questions at a talk you're giving? Why is there random car noises in the background of this episode? Get all the answers here. Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next engineering project! This episode is also sponsored b...

Episode 53: μ: The Science of Ski Wax 28.02.2022

Does ski wax harm the ecosystem? What can we do to create a more eco friendly solution? Ramsey and Professor Jeff Bates of the University of Utah chat about some exciting materials engineering going into ski wax.     Articles Discussed:   Carlson, Ski wax use contributes to environmental contamination by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances [ LINK ] This episode is sponsored by Matmatch . Check out...

Episode 52: μ: Storing Nuclear Waste 03.02.2022

How do you contain waste that remains hazardous for more than 100,000 years? For decades, the question of what to do with high-level nuclear waste has been put on the back-burner. However, as next generation reactors come online and old ones are retired, the problems of disposal become inevitable. In this episode we investigate the materials challenges of immobilizing and protecting radioactive wa...

Episode 51: Reverse Engineering Nature's Peel 14.01.2022

We all have experienced the pain of buying produce only for it to spoil before we can finish eating all of it. Apeel Sciences seeks to remedy this by creating a coating to help increase the longevity of fruit. We sit down with Lou Perez to discuss some of the science behind the company. This episode is sponsored Matmatch . Check out how they can help you find the perfect material for your next eng...

Episode 50: Materialism Retrospective 20.12.2021

A slightly different take on the podcast. Join the gang as we celebrate 50 episodes and dive back through the history of how it all started. Learn the backstories of how we all got involved and where we see it heading. Plus join us for some fun stories of the mistakes we have made along the way. Thanks to Kolobyte and Alphabot for letting us use their music in the show! If you have questions or fe...

Episode 49: μ: Securing Metals Supply 10.11.2021

A recent report in the Wall Street Journal pointed out that building one wind turbine requires 900 tons of steel, 2,500 tons of concrete and 45 tons of plastic and a single electric vehicle will require the digging up, moving, and processing of over 500,000 pounds of raw materials! As we transition to electric vehicles and renewable energy and storage we will need to drastically increase the produ...

Episode 48: Thermal Barrier Coatings 25.10.2021

Did you know turbine blades operate in environments above their melting temperature? The secret is a barrier, no thicker than your fingernail, that insulates, protects, and prevents the nickel superalloy blade from melting. In this episode we discuss the materials science that makes low thermal conductivity, high compliance thermal barrier coatings possible. Towards the end we peer into what the f...

Episode 47: μ: Better Polystyrene Recycling 08.10.2021

Taylor and Andrew sit down with Cassie Bradley of INEOS Styrolution to talk about improving polystyrene and reducing its ecological footprint. Articles Discussed: Video overview of the depolymerization of polystyrene Link 2019 Goldsberry, Ineos Styrolution announces breakthrough in chemical recycling of polystyrene Link This episode is sponsored by INEOS Styrolution. Check them out at https://www....

Episode 46: Better Nuclear Fuel 13.09.2021

Are materials the solution to better, safer nuclear fuels? The tri-structural isotropic (TRISO) fuel particle is the product of a variety of materials innovations and is the most promising fuel form to date. Find out all about it in this episode where we cover the challenges and intricacies of designing materials for nuclear reactors! Articles Discussed: 2015 CRUD: Another Acronym Bites the Dust L...

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