Stacey Bent from Stanford University joins the podcast to talk about Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD), a technique used to modify the composition and properties of surfaces. Since a large fraction of the atoms in nanostructures exist on the surface, ALD has become a quintessential tool for nanotechnologists. In this micro-episode, Stacey explains how ALD got its start, how it works, how the semiconductor industry accelerated its development, and what opportunities lie ahead. (Recorded on October 25, 2017. Edited by Andrew Cannon)
31: John Randall - The way I ended up being a nanofabricator
John Randall, the President of Zyvex Labs, joins the podcast to discuss his far reaching vision for nanotechnology and nanomanufacturing. We discuss what he calls Digital Atomic Scale Fabrication, the future products it might enable, the critical need for error correction, and why today's semiconductor manufacturers are unlikely to lead the way. John also shares a number of captivating stories from his career. (Recorded on September 14, 2017. Edited by Andrew Cannon)
30: Eric Furst - A crystalline solid of yummy, delicious chocolate
Eric Furst from the University of Delaware is an expert in self-assembly -- the Harry Potter-esque ability of materials to assemble themselves into well-defined structures. We talk about where we are, where we are going, and what makes controlling self-assembly so hard. A variety of topics make cameos, including M&Ms, NASA's Vomit Comet, flying solar cells, and more. (Recorded on April 19, 2017. Edited by Andrew Cannon)
29: Lynn Loo - You've just stepped on my soapbox
Lynn Loo from Princeton University joins the podcast to talk about organic semiconductors -- Si and GaAs's far more tunable and flexible siblings -- and the applications where they shine. We also touch on the value of industry/academic partnerships and the challenges faced by minorities in technical fields. (Recorded on February 16, 2017. Edited by Andrew Cannon.)
28: Dennis Hess - That's a big big number
Dennis Hess from the School of Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering at Georgia Tech joins the podcast to talk about the early days of the semiconductor industry. We discuss the birth of Fairchild Semiconductor, the so-called "traitorous eight," and their groundbreaking process innovations that still underlie integrated circuit manufacturing. (Recorded on January 31, 2017. Edited by Andrew Cannon.)
27: Bara Cola - Naive is not a strong enough word
Bara Cola makes an encore appearance on the podcast to chat about Carbice, a company he founded to commercialize next generation heat transfer materials for cooling electronic devices. We discuss the value and challenge of maintaining business relationships, how competition from abroad is changing the playing field for technology start-ups, and the excitement surrounding a number of carbon nanotube-based products now making their way to the market. (Recorded on January 26, 2017)
26: Jen Dionne - The light at the end of the tunnel
Jen Dionne from Stanford University is the first guest of 2017! We focus on optical metamaterials -- engineered materials whose nanoscale architecture enables exotic interactions with light. We explore technological possibilities ranging from improved drug manufacturing to computing with photons (instead of electrons). We also learn what motivates Jen, how she picks scientific problems, and whether or not she's a superhero. (Recorded on December 8, 2016)
Show Notes:
Neil Savage - "Intel Brings Integrated Silicon Optics Closer"
Computer History Museum - "Invention of the 'Planar' Manufacturing Process"
IBM Research – "Zurich Uses Nanowires to Build Transistors of the Future"
Thomas Vandervelde - "Beyond Invisibility: Engineering Light with Metamaterials"
Wikipedia - Enantiomers, homochirality
Wikipedia - Photolithography, e-beam lithography, focused ion beam, nanoimprint lithography
25: Vivian Ferry - What constraints are really constraints?
On this quadranscentennial episode of Nanovation, Vivian Ferry from the University of Minnesota joins the podcast to talk about nanophotonics -- the ability to squeeze light into and manipulate it with nanoscale objects. We talk about the use of nanophotonics in applications ranging from solar energy harvesting to catalysis and cover the litany of materials and manufacturing challenges. (Recorded on November 17, 2016)
Show Notes:
24: Jim Pfaendtner - Our science is at HD
Jim Pfaendtner is a chemical engineer at the University of Washington in Seattle. He joined the podcast to talk about data — the flood of it from modern experiments and simulations, the challenge of dealing with it, and its potential to transform the practice of science and engineering. Other critical topics include the Tacoma Aroma, Swiss army knives, the meaning of life, the dangers of Microsoft Excel, and SkyNet. (Recorded on November 15, 2016 from the Annual Meeting of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers)
Show Notes:
Stacy Conradt - "The Aroma of Tacoma: Why One Washington City is Known for its Stench"
Thomas Hermann et al - "Sound and Meaning in Auditory Data Display"
The Economist - "After Moore's Law: The Future of Computing"
James Urton - "Graduate Education in Clean Energy Due for ‘Big Data’ Overhaul"
Bruce Finlayson - "Introduction to Chemical Engineering Computing"
23: Eray Aydil - Go to the lab and make "accidents" happen
Eray Aydil from the University of Minnesota joins the podcast to discuss surfaces — the boundaries between two phases. We talk about what they are, how they're interrogated, and why they’re important. Along the way, we also touch on the changing relationship between academia and industry, the importance of serendipity in scientific discovery, and how maintaining enthusiasm during early college courses is surprisingly indicative of future success in science and engineering. (Recorded on November 10, 2016 from the 63rd AVS Symposium and Exhibition in Nashville, Tennessee)