Our sixth episode of "STEMTalk With STEMEncounters" brings exciting topics of how "Researchers 3D print lifelike heart valve models" and the 3D printing process. We go on to talk about the reason researchers from the University of Minnesota developed this groundbreaking process for multi-material 3D printing of lifelike hearts and their intended use, ultimately helping patients and doctors through their procedures. We then discuss the researchers' ultimate goals in the development of 3D printing in electronics and circuit boards in which we discuss Nanolithography and the innovation of the fantastic technique in printing circuit boards and transistors in integrated circuits. How the technique's process has led to so many advancements in society, but due to Moore's law, how long will it help us?

We then dive into researchers at the Tokyo Institute of Technology using artificial intelligence (AI) to predict the degree of water repulsion and protein adsorption by ultra-thin organic materials. How "A leap forward for biomaterials design using AI" will ultimately enable accurate water repulsion predictions and protein adsorption with hypothetical materials. We then dive into how they did their research with machine learning using an artificial neural network (ANN) to predict the properties mentioned above (degree of water repulsion and affinity to protein molecules) of self-assembled monolayers (SAMS). We talk about what this means and how biomaterials are becoming more integrated with AI.

Finally, we discuss a scorching topic in the world of science and technology: Neuralink. We discuss how Elon Musk's company has been developing implantable brain-machine interfaces (BMIs) to ultimately better humanity and their biological problems (paralysis, hearing, blindness, etc.). We discuss the recent presentation and what it means for the world. Then we dive into the Materials Science and Engineering aspect of Neuralink; how this is created with sensors and electrodes, though, there is still so much to discuss about Neuralink.

For our fifth episode of “STEMTalk With STEMEncounters,” Professor Farrauto comes on and talks about his work in Environmental Engineering through Materials Science and Engineering at his time in Columbia and Industry. We first discuss his background in Materials Science through Environmental Engineering from his major in college, his background in higher education, and why he packed the field of Earth and Environmental Engineering while integrating it with Materials Science and Engineering.

We discuss his prior work in Industry in which he worked extensively on Automobile Exhaust Catalysts for abating toxic emissions (Carbon Monoxide, Hydrocarbons, Oxides of Nitrogen, and Particulate Matter). Then we understand his work as a Professor of Professional Practice in the Earth and Environmental Engineering Department at Columbia University; he goes in-depth on how his research includes capturing CO2 from power plant Flue Gas and converting it to CH4 fuel that is recycled and reused. The main goal of this is to minimize greenhouse emissions and decrease natural gas production (from fracking).

Professor Farrauto and I go into papers he wrote discussing dual-function materials and how it can be used to capture CO2 from an emission source. The main problem he is trying to fix from this paper and others after is how to capture CO2 emissions while making the process less energy-intensive. After, we share our opinions on the hydrogen economy and why vehicles and residential systems are moving towards that with fuel cells. Finally, we discuss his accolades in his field and new research on gas membranes being used to decrease carbon emissions, and how gas membranes correlate with his research and what he thinks of it.

Professor Farrauto encourages everyone to pursue STEM fields or become policymakers because our earth needs to be protected, and it is only the next generation of scientists, innovators, and leaders who can do it.

It was a delightful and phenomenal interview with Professor Farrauto. We talked about his past, research, Materials Science and Engineering in the environment, new research in the field, and what he wants to see in his field for the future. I am ecstatic to see his new research/publications moving forward.

In our fourth episode of “STEMTalk With STEMEncounters,” we look at the publication regarding Metallic Nanocrystals with Low Angle Grain Boundary for Controllable Plastic Reversibility. The paper discusses that if we harness a material condition, we can allow for materials, specifically metallic nanocrystals, to be recycled repeatedly, quickly, and efficiently. We discuss what grain boundaries are and what this publication aims to do with them. Then, we dive into what the publication concept would mean if applied to the real world.

We then dive into our second publication about Magnetic Field-Assisted High-capacity Durable Li-ion Battery using Magnetic α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles Decorated Expired Drug Derived N-doped Carbon Anode. We discuss the publication, what the magnetic field allows for the Li-ion (Lithium-ion) battery, and what the drug derived N-doped carbon anode allows for the battery while learning new concepts like ferromagnetism and X-Ray Diffraction. Then, we discuss our recent blog post on if Li-ion based batteries are viable or are Na-ion (Sodium-ion) batteries better relating to the topics in the publication and what each battery if appropriately applied, would mean for the world.

In our third episode of “STEMTalk With STEMEncounters,” we talk with Dr. Yuan Yang. An associate professor of Materials Science and Engineering in the department of applied physics and applied mathematics. We talk about his history coming into Materials Science and Engineering, where he studied. Then, we move into how he got into the research; he works mostly on batteries. We dive into what he does with batteries, why it is useful, and what it means for the world.

Then, we explore his background in M.S.E., his publications, awards, and wonders within the field. We talk about M.S.E. and Artificial Intelligence, innovations in M.S.E., and where the field is going/where he would like it to go. Finally, he advises both the people listening about the field of M.S.E. and me and what is necessary to go into the field.

It was a great interview. Dr. Yang talked about research, topics, and innovations within Materials Science and Engineering that I am excited to see his new research/publications moving forward.

In our second episode of “STEMTalk With STEMEncounters,” we venture into the world of Microstructure. Specifically, there is an approach to grain refinement theory and isotropy (processes that allow for uniformity and materials) with laser irradiance that allows for better materials like wires. Using lasers, ultrasonic waves, and electromagnetic forces, we can have uniformity among materials for better durability. We understand laser irradiance, what that is, what it allows, and what these more durable and more robust materials mean for the world.

We then learn about a new ‘whirling’ state of matter in an element in the periodic table: neodymium. Looking at the fantastic properties of neodymium as it behaves like a ‘self-induced spin glass,’ meaning it is composed of a rippled sea of many tiny whirling magnets circulating at different speeds and continually evolving. Understanding why it spins and behaves as it does could pave the way for new materials and advancements in artificial intelligence, with neodymium possibly being able to harness AI so that this material can perform brain-like tasks.

Finally, we discuss what the innovations in Materials Science and Engineering could mean for the world. How Materials Science and Engineering in objects, like the Neuralink, could revolutionize the modern world.

In our first episode of “STEMTalk With STEMEncounters,” we dive into Quantum Entanglement and how it offers an unprecedented precision for GPS. We look at how GPS signals work and how using photonics sensing and quantum metrology with Quantum Entanglement, we can obtain more precise locations. We talk about how this happens through Materials Science and Engineering and what this could mean for the world.

We, then, understand the opioid epidemic and its history of how it originated from trade and transportation throughout Chinese history—then, in modern times, relating how the opioid epidemic has been affected through STEM, specifically Materials Science and Engineering. How analyzing the composition of opium can allow us to decrease the opioid epidemic overall.

Thanks for listening!

To learn more about STEMEncounters:

Website: stemencounters.com