A Materials World – Hacks & Gizmos with Jud Ready

About This Episode

How do you invent a new material? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson and co-hosts Gary O’Reilly and Chuck Nice discuss the science of invention, biomimicry, and answer cosmic queries about materials science from our patrons with professor Dr. Jud Ready. 

What is biomimicry? Discover how materials have encapsulated history. Are we in the silicon age? We explore some of Jud’s students’ inventions like the LZRD sleeve and how he applied his materials science knowledge to create a new tool for both industry and athletics. Find out how a fabric can be inspired by trees. What does it mean for a material to be sticky? We break down how friction impacts us all and how to create a material that is truly durable. 

Why are some sports and activities more susceptible to science innovation than others? What’s the poster child of materials innovation? How can we use 3D printing to innovate? Jud puts on his professor hat and gives us a little glimpse of what students are learning in his golf course. What is the difference between casting metal and forging it? How many factors need to be considered in designing the ultimate golf putter. Learn how academia works when it comes to intellectual property. 

We answer Cosmic Queries about materials science: how will nanotech develop to impact human health? Are people even using “nano” correctly? Could biomechatronics get advanced enough to adapt us for space? Could we build mechanisms into skin? Could biomimicry be used to combat global warming? All that and more on another StarTalk Sports Edition!

Thanks to our Patrons Austin Smith, Manushya, Robert, Chris, Steven Murphy, Melissa and Kieran Wentzel, and Mark Frieden for supporting us this week.

NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can watch or listen to this entire episode commercial-free.