Nanovation comes to an end. In a fitting farewell, Charlie Bennett returns to interview Mike. They talk about what Mike originally set out to do, what worked, what didn't work, what surprised him along the way, and what may be on the horizon. Thank you to the show’s listeners for their curiosity and kindness. Thank you to the show’s guests for their selflessness and passion for science and engineering. And a special thank you to the show’s editor, Andrew Cannon, without whom the podcast would...

The ability to coat large quantities of small particles — powders — via atomic layer deposition (ALD) has opened new vistas for battery materials, chemical catalysis, 3-D printing, and more. On this episode of the Nanovation podcast, Ruud van Ommen from TU Delft talks everything powder ALD. In this context, Ruud and Mike focus on the why and how of process scale-up. Listeners of the show won’t be surprised to learn that there’s much more to scale-up than increasing the size of the tank! Ruud...

The ability to coat large quantities of small particles — powders — via atomic layer deposition (ALD) has opened new vistas for battery materials, chemical catalysis, 3-D printing, and more. On this episode of the Nanovation podcast, Ruud van Ommen from TU Delft talks everything powder ALD. In this context, Ruud and Mike focus on the why and how of process scale-up. Listeners of the show won’t be surprised to learn that there’s much more to scale-up than increasing the size of the tank! Ruud...

Malancha Gupta from the University of Southern California gives a primer on initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). iCVD is a relatively new processing technique for the deposition of functional polymer thin films. Because polymer properties are readily tunable, iCVD can impart a nearly limitless number of surface functionalities. Perhaps most importantly, the mild nature of iCVD makes it compatible with delicate substrates such as paper, cells, and even liquids! In addition to talking...

Malancha Gupta from the University of Southern California gives a primer on initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). iCVD is a relatively new processing technique for the deposition of functional polymer thin films. Because polymer properties are readily tunable, iCVD can impart a nearly limitless number of surface functionalities. Perhaps most importantly, the mild nature of iCVD makes it compatible with delicate substrates such as paper, cells, and even liquids! In addition to talking...

Sang Han from the University of New Mexico has spent his career developing advanced electronic and photonic materials. In this episode of the Nanovation podcast, Sang and Mike discuss radiative cooling technology, which promises to cool surfaces, such as the exteriors of homes and buildings, even in direct sunlight. They talk about the physics of radiative cooling, different methods for its implementation, and the challenge of developing a manufacturing process suitable for coating entire...

Sang Han from the University of New Mexico has spent his career developing advanced electronic and photonic materials. In this episode of the Nanovation podcast, Sang and Mike discuss radiative cooling technology, which promises to cool surfaces, such as the exteriors of homes and buildings, even in direct sunlight. They talk about the physics of radiative cooling, different methods for its implementation, and the challenge of developing a manufacturing process suitable for coating entire...

Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, joins Mike to talk about complex oxides. Complex oxides are multi-component materials that yield a bevy of exotic properties. Much of the podcast centers on ferroelectricity, the ability of certain materials to exhibit an internal polarization that can be switched with an external electric field. Nazanin and Mike talk about the current use of ferroelectrics in technologies from ultrasound imaging to data storage, as...

Nazanin Bassiri-Gharb, a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Georgia Tech, joins Mike to talk about complex oxides. Complex oxides are multi-component materials that yield a bevy of exotic properties. Much of the podcast centers on ferroelectricity, the ability of certain materials to exhibit an internal polarization that can be switched with an external electric field. Nazanin and Mike talk about the current use of ferroelectrics in technologies from ultrasound imaging to data storage, as...

What if every seed you planted could include a sensor to monitor moisture and nutrients? What if every tissue had nanoscale electronics to check for viruses when you blew your nose? In this bonus episode from the Sustainable Nano podcast (an outstanding production of the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison), Mike talks with host Miriam Krause about his lab's push toward ‘hyper-scalable’ electronics and what technologies might be enabled by such a...

What if every seed you planted could include a sensor to monitor moisture and nutrients? What if every tissue had nanoscale electronics to check for viruses when you blew your nose? In this bonus episode from the Sustainable Nano podcast (an outstanding production of the Center for Sustainable Nanotechnology at the University of Wisconsin - Madison), Mike talks with host Miriam Krause about his lab's push toward ‘hyper-scalable’ electronics and what technologies might be enabled by such a...

If you’ve ever thought about starting a nanotech company, this is the episode for you! Andrew Hunt tells the story of Engi-Mat (formerly nGimat), the nanomaterials company he founded in 1993. Andrew and Mike discuss Engi-Mat’s core manufacturing technology, what motivated Andrew to start the company, the pros and cons of the U.S. patent system, and how the nanotechnology landscape has changed in the past two and half decades. Andrew has seen it all: from the early optimism to the stock market...

If you’ve ever thought about starting a nanotech company, this is the episode for you! Andrew Hunt tells the story of Engi-Mat (formerly nGimat), the nanomaterials company he founded in 1993. Andrew and Mike discuss Engi-Mat’s core manufacturing technology, what motivated Andrew to start the company, the pros and cons of the U.S. patent system, and how the nanotechnology landscape has changed in the past two and half decades. Andrew has seen it all: from the early optimism to the stock market...

What do you get when you combine politics and nanotechnology? NanoBama, a carbon nanotube based picture of the 44th President of the United States. John Hart, the leader of the Mechanosynthesis Group at MIT, joins the podcast to talk about his love of nanomanufacturing and science communication. We talk about the challenge of developing “code” for nanomanufacturing processes and how nanomanufacturing is in a (sometimes frustrating) adolescent phase. John also shares his experience preparing...

What do you get when you combine politics and nanotechnology? NanoBama, a carbon nanotube based picture of the 44th President of the United States. John Hart, the leader of the Mechanosynthesis Group at MIT, joins the podcast to talk about his love of nanomanufacturing and science communication. We talk about the challenge of developing “code” for nanomanufacturing processes and how nanomanufacturing is in a (sometimes frustrating) adolescent phase. John also shares his experience preparing...

Bob Sutor, the Vice President of IBM Q Strategy and Ecosystem, talks about IBM's unique approach to quantum computing. With the IBM Q Experience, they allow anyone on the Internet to access and program a quantum computer. Bob and Mike also discuss how to build a quantum computer, when quantum computers might be better than classical computers, where nanotechnology plays a role, and what we can expect further in the future. Bob is very clear about two things: quantum computers are coming and...

Bob Sutor, the Vice President of IBM Q Strategy and Ecosystem, talks about IBM's unique approach to quantum computing. With the IBM Q Experience, they allow anyone on the Internet to access and program a quantum computer. Bob and Mike also discuss how to build a quantum computer, when quantum computers might be better than classical computers, where nanotechnology plays a role, and what we can expect further in the future. Bob is very clear about two things: quantum computers are coming and...

The modern story of technological innovation is usually told as a story of scientific discovery followed by translation and commercialization. What if there is a broad class of technological innovations that do not follow this narrative? What if, despite being frequently overlooked or misunderstood, these innovations have revolutionized society in domains as diverse as materials, energy, electronics, and healthcare? On this episode of the Nanovation podcast, Matthew Realff returns to the show...

The modern story of technological innovation is usually told as a story of scientific discovery followed by translation and commercialization. What if there is a broad class of technological innovations that do not follow this narrative? What if, despite being frequently overlooked or misunderstood, these innovations have revolutionized society in domains as diverse as materials, energy, electronics, and healthcare? On this episode of the Nanovation podcast, Matthew Realff returns to the show...

Daniel Whiteson, a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UC Irvine, is the guest on this fun, free-wheeling 50th episode of the Nanovation podcast. Daniel talks about the connection between Lego and particle physics, how a cell phone can detect high energy particles physicists don't think should exist, and the role of nanotechnology in the discovery of the Higgs Boson. Be sure not to miss Daniel’s outreach and communication efforts, especially those in collaboration with his friend and...

Daniel Whiteson, a Professor of Physics and Astronomy at UC Irvine, is the guest on this fun, free-wheeling 50th episode of the Nanovation podcast. Daniel talks about the connection between Lego and particle physics, how a cell phone can detect high energy particles physicists don't think should exist, and the role of nanotechnology in the discovery of the Higgs Boson. Be sure not to miss Daniel’s outreach and communication efforts, especially those in collaboration with his friend and...

Kate Plass is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Franklin and Marshall College where her lab specializes in the synthesis of nanoparticles, especially those with unique near-infrared optical properties. On this episode of Nanovation, Kate not only discusses her lab’s research but also talks about life at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) like Franklin and Marshall. She explains the basics of PUIs, how they view the world and their place in it, and what opportunities they offer...

Kate Plass is an Associate Professor of Chemistry at Franklin and Marshall College where her lab specializes in the synthesis of nanoparticles, especially those with unique near-infrared optical properties. On this episode of Nanovation, Kate not only discusses her lab’s research but also talks about life at primarily undergraduate institutions (PUIs) like Franklin and Marshall. She explains the basics of PUIs, how they view the world and their place in it, and what opportunities they offer...

Josh Caldwell from Vanderbilt University, and formerly the United States Naval Research Laboratory, talks about his pioneering work in infrared polaritonics. Polaritons are quasiparticles that couple photons to the motion of electrons or atoms in a material, and allow you to squeeze and manipulate light in nanoscale volumes. In the infrared, this capability may one day allow, for example, the roof of your home to cool even when in direct sunlight. Josh and Mike get a little 'in the weeds,'...