Polymer Science Podcast
Two scientists from opposite ends of the Earth speak with researchers around the world to break down their fascinating work in polymer science, chemistry, material science, and engineering. Join Dr. Alicia Botes and Jacob Schekman as they break down exciting discoveries on the Polymer Science Podcast! Questions or comments? Contact us at polymersciencepodcast@gmail.com
Episodes
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Episode 25: Dr. Brooks Abel, University of California Berkeley, Polymer Recycling
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Wednesday Aug 10, 2022
Dr. Brooks Abel is an assistant professor at the University of California, Berkeley, where the Abel group conducts research at the interfaces of polymer organic chemistry, catalysis, and materials science. Dr. Brooks and his group pursue application-driven polymer chemistry, where the desired chemical identity, physical properties, and end-use of the polymer materials are used to guide the development of new polymerization methods. They also follow a methodology approach to discovering new polymerization reactions to push the field of polymer chemistry towards previously unobtainable control over polymer microstructure, architecture, and functionality.
Including the incredible research Dr. Abel has performed throughout his career, this episode focuses on new methods and materials designed to improve the recyclability of plastic materials. Tune in now to learn more!
Video reference of plastic being broken down into its starting ingredients: https://youtu.be/e_195DD-r2k
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Today we are talking to Dr Laura Frazier, Chief Scientist of TaikiUSA, and Dr Megan Coates, R&D manager at the Stellenbosch Nanofiber Company, about their collaboration and creation of Bōshi Beauty nanofiber-based product line.
Stellenbosch Nanofiber Company has been developing nanofiber-based products, including advanced wound dressings, tissue engineering scaffolds and cosmetic products. TaikiUSA is a global leader in skincare and makeup tools.
Megan received her PhD in Chemistry at the Rhodes University in South Africa and have been working at the SNC for over 8 years as Research and Development manager. Laura received her PhD in Chemistry at the University of Akron in the USA and have worked as Director at the SNS Nanofiber Technology company, an Assistant Professor of Chemistry at Malone University, a program leader at Owens Corning and now as chief scientist at TaikiUSA.
www.taikibeauty.com
www.sncfibers.com
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Hello everyone!
Alicia, here! So at the time of this recording I am approximately 38 weeks pregnant and a little sick as you could probably tell from my voice.
This means that I am now on maternity leave while you are listening to this episode and taking care of our newborn!
Nonetheless the show goes on! And I am happy to say that our Podcast team has grown. You will be introduced to our new co-host soon!
In this episode, we are speaking to Zininzi Mpafa, a Laboratory Analyst at Clariter. She is an experience scientist in the Petrochemical industry and Environment industry (Ocean and Coastal Research). She studied at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology and Walter Sisulu University in Analytical Chemistry. She also did internships as quality testing analyst at Engen and as a Marine Chemist at the Department of Environmental Affairs. She is currently working at the global cleantech company, Clariter, that focuses on upcycling plastic waste into the high-value, pure solvents, oils and waxes.
As promised here are the links to the articles and research mentioned in the episode!
Hope you find it useful!
https://clariter.com/news/
www.teijinaramid.com
Thank you for listening and for your support!
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
Wednesday Jun 01, 2022
In this episode we hear from Dr. Benjamin Alameda, a brand new PhD graduate from the University of Southern Mississippi. Dr. Alameda specializes in the design, fabrication, and characterization of polymer networks that degrade in the presence of different external stimuli. As we continue to mold the future of plastics toward more environmentally friendly designs, we need to consider the "cradle-to-grave approach" - that is, designing a polymer material with consideration of the final product's full lifecycle. Imagine tires that can be fully broken down and recycled after several years of use!
Please contact us with any questions or comments at polymersciencepodcast@gmail.com
Monday Apr 04, 2022
Monday Apr 04, 2022
In this episode we hear from Dr. Christoph Herfurth, a researcher from Fraunhofer. The Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft based in Germany is the world’s leading applied research organization. Prioritizing key future-relevant technologies and commercializing its findings in business and industry, it plays a major role in the innovation process. A trailblazer and trendsetter in innovative developments and research excellence, it is helping shape our society and our future. Founded in 1949, the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft currently operates 76 institutes and research units throughout Germany. Over 30,000 employees, predominantly scientists and engineers, work with an annual research budget of €2.9 billion. Fraunhofer generates €2.5 billion of this from contract research.
Learn more about Fraunhofer and Dr. Herfurth's exciting work in this article.
Monday Jan 31, 2022
Monday Jan 31, 2022
In this episode we are talking to Tshepo Mangoele, CEO and Founder of LignOrganic (PTY) Ltd. This company is the first in Africa to produce Sulphur-free Lignin, a natural polymer with endless possibilities and applications!
Tshepo is a Chemical Engineer with a vision to make environmentally-friendly biomaterials and sustainable products the new normal in markets for cosmetics, packaging, agriculture and biomaterials.
We also get to learn more from him about how it feels to start one's own company and the challenges that come along with such a fulfilling endeavor. I hope you enjoy listening to this inspiring and informative conversation!
Learn more about Lignin here:
https://lignorganic.co.za/
And as promised, check out the affordable and clean skincare range launching soon:
https://ophyll.co.za/
Thank you for listening!
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Episode 19: Talking to Hyunwoo Yuk about barnicle-inspired surgical glue
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Friday Dec 24, 2021
Hello and welcome, everyone, to the Polymer Science Podcast's last episode for 2021!
In this episode we’ll be listening to my interview with Dr. Hyunwoo Yuk, an outstanding research scientist of mechanical and biomedical engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. I reached out to Dr. Yuk after finding his work on the development of a particularly interesting surgical glue – this glue can close and COMPLETELY seal an open wound in seconds… SECONDS! And the way they came up with this idea is absolutely barnacles… no really, the whole project was actually inspired by sea barnacles! Mother Nature has always been a powerful inspiration for scientific progress, so when Dr. Yuk and his team were tasked with designing a surgical glue that could surpass existing products, they recognized the robustly “sticky” nature of barnacles could provide valuable insight toward their cause. Tune in now to learn about how Dr. Yuk was able to accomplish this incredible task."
Link to article: https://www.wired.com/story/this-barnacle-inspired-glue-seals-bleeding-organs-in-seconds/
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy new Year!
Thank you for listening
Saturday Nov 27, 2021
Saturday Nov 27, 2021
My co-host Jacob Schekman and I had our very first interview as a duo!
Together, we had a very enlightening conversation with Dr Monika Snowdon about her PhD work, the projects she is currently busy with, and we learned more about her very own Podcast show, called the IMNano podcast, which she hosts with her co-host, Irfani!
Monika obtained her doctorate in chemistry from the University of Waterloo. Part of her doctoral research was pursued at the National Institute for Material Science in Japan at the soft materials chemistry group under the supervision of Dr. Dai-Ming Tang. She is passionate about making nanoscience and technology more accessible to a wider audience; this drive led to the creation of the nanotechnology podcast which is all about translating cutting-edge research and its applications to society.
Please follow the links below to find out more about Monica and her work:
Podcast Website: https://www.imnano.org/about
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monikasnow/
Thank you for listening!
Sunday Oct 31, 2021
Episode 17: Talking to Dr. John Pojman about QuickCure Clay
Sunday Oct 31, 2021
Sunday Oct 31, 2021
In this episode, Dr. Pojman talks with Jacob about the unique reaction properties of frontal polymerization and the serendipity within his research that led to his production and international distribution of QuickCure Clay. Pojman Polymer Products, LLC, licensed QuickCure Clay to Ranger industries, which produces and distributes the material around the world. No mixing, no kiln… just mold and heat a part of your beautiful sculpture to begin the cure process, wait a few minutes a then get to painting! Dr. John Pojman is also a professor of chemistry at Louisiana State University. Tune in now for a fun conversation on polymers in art and some fascinating lessons in art history.
Please click on the links below to find out more:
Pojman Polymer Products: http://pojman.com/3pllc/3pllc.html
Examples of artist’s creations using Pojman’s “QuickCure Clay”:
https://rangerink.com/blogs/projects/tagged/quickcure-clay
A brief how-to on working with “Quick-cure clay”
https://rangerink.com/blogs/blog/ranger-101-quickcure-clay
Let us know what you think of this episode by emailing to polymersciencepodcast@gmail.com.
Check out our website:
https://polymersciencepodcast.podbean.com/
Thank you for listening!!
Friday Sep 24, 2021
Friday Sep 24, 2021
Today is a special episode where I catch up with an old Stellenbosch University colleague of mine, Dr Jacquin October. He is a very impressive and dedicated Postdoctoral Researcher at Max Planck Institute for Chemical Energy Conversion. We talked about his move from South Africa to Germany and what that entails. We also discussed the applications and necessity for studies from his previous Ph.D. work concerning Alkylation of amines and the synthesis and characterization of novel rhodium and ruthenium-based iminopyridyl complexes.
You can learn more about his work in the links below:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquin-october-9462b1b1/
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jacquin-October
https://www.cec.mpg.de/de/mpi-fuer-chemische-energiekonversion
Thank you for listening!!
POLYMER SCIENCE PODCAST
Here to break down the science so you don't have to are your hosts, Dr. Alicia Botes and Jacob Schekman. Alicia received her PhD in Chemistry and Polymer Science at the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, and is currently working as an electron microscope analyst at the Central Analytical Facility. Jacob is a PhD candidate in Polymer Science and Engineering at the University of Southern Mississippi, United States.
Do you enjoy learning about science? Then this podcast is just for you! Polymers are a unique category of molecules, special for their large size and seemingly endless potential for application in our world. In fact, polymers already have HUGE impacts on our lives... Can you guess which of your household items are made from polymers? Shoes? Made from polymers. Paper? That's a polymer. Spaghetti? Yeah, that too. Literally ALL types of paint? You got it, all polymers!
Of course, polymer research is pertinent to far more than just household products. On this show you'll hear from scientists whose research contributes to improved recycling, aerospace materials, soft robotics, medical equipment, biocompatible plastics, biodegradable plastics, textiles, packaging, and so much more!
We hope you enjoy listening and learning with us!