Podcast Summary
Materials Science: Shaping Our History and Future: Materials science has transformed our history through various materials like bronze, iron, silicon, and titanium, and continues to shape our future in the 'age of information'.
Materials science, an often uncelebrated branch of physics and engineering, has significantly influenced our world, especially in the realm of sports. From the stone age to the present day, materials have shaped our history and continue to progress our society. Materials like bronze, iron, silicon, and titanium have transitioned from military uses to everyday applications. We are currently in the "age of information" or the "silicon age," but it's important to remember that not all materials are synthetic. Materials science keeps us on our toes with constant advancements, and it's essential to recognize the importance of this field in our daily lives. Our guest, Dr. Judd Reedy, has dedicated his career to materials research at Georgia Tech, contributing to the institute's progress for nearly a decade.
Applying Material Science to Sports at Georgia Tech: Georgia Tech's material science research in sports leads to rim rebound elasticity discussions and innovative ideas like the lizard sleeve compression garment, resulting in successful companies and student-CEOs.
Georgia Tech is pioneering the field of material science and engineering applied to sports, covering various aspects like shoes, uniforms, and equipment. During a recent basketball lesson, they discussed rim rebound elasticity, with the NCAA requiring a coefficient of restitution between 0.35 and 0.5 for basketball rims. Georgia Tech's unique approach to teaching material science involves going to athletic facilities and collaborating with coaches. A student from one of these classes came up with the idea for a lizard sleeve compression garment, now a successful company, and the student, who was once the teacher's student, is now the CEO. This story highlights the innovative spirit of Georgia Tech and the practical applications of material science in sports.
New athletic sleeve with slippery exterior and sticky interior: Athletes can now use a new type of sleeve with a slippery exterior for shedding defenders and a sticky interior for better ball grip, inspired by nature's capillary action.
A new type of compressive sleeve has been developed for athletes, featuring a warp knit material with a slippery exterior and a sticky, higher coefficient of friction interior. This design allows athletes to shed defenders while maintaining a better grip on the ball. The technology, which is open to everyone, uses biomimicry on the outside for moisture wicking and is not considered an unfair advantage as long as it doesn't break any rules. The sleeves are made from a combination of polyester, nylon, and polyurethane fibers, with the sticky spandex fiber on the inside. Despite initial concerns about the legality of the sleeves, they are not considered a violation of any rules as long as they don't cover large areas of the body. The sleeves are being sold online and have already been adopted by some athletes. The material's ability to combine slipperiness and stickiness makes it an innovative solution for athletes, drawing inspiration from nature's capillary action in trees.
New fabric with increased friction for better grip approved in NCAA: A new fabric with spandex fibers woven in for increased friction is approved in NCAA for better grip in various industries, but concerns about durability persist due to higher wear and tear
A new type of fabric with spandex fibers brought to the surface for increased friction, allowing for better grip in various industries like delivery and farming, has been approved in NCAA but not yet in the NFL. The fabric, which is not an add-on material but a part of the weave itself, provides a higher coefficient of friction on the outside without affecting the inside, enabling users to slide it on and off easily. However, concerns have been raised about its durability due to the high friction leading to a higher rate of wear and tear. The fabric has undergone industrial laundering tests and has survived thousands of cycles, but the logo tends to peel off after a certain number of uses. The fabric is commercially viable due to large-scale production and is currently available for high school and college players.
Golf: A Sport of Continuous Materials Innovation: From traditional methods to additive manufacturing, golf continually pushes the boundaries of materials science and engineering for unique designs, reduced waste, and increased customization.
Golf, a seemingly simple and calm sport, has been a leader in sports materials innovation throughout history. From rocks and feathers to advanced 5-piece balls, and from wooden clubs to titanium and carbon fiber ones, golf has continually pushed the boundaries of materials science and engineering. A recent example comes from a collaboration between a material scientist and a student at Georgia Tech, who approached Bobby Jones Golf Course with the idea of using additive manufacturing to create putters instead of the traditional casting or forging methods. This not only results in unique designs but also potentially reduces waste and increases customization. This is just one example of how golf continues to benefit from scientific and engineering innovations.
3D Printing Transforms Golf Industry with Gradient Putters and Adjustable Hosels: 3D printing technology enables the creation of gradient putters with varying densities and weights, influencing ball roll and preventing skidding. Adjustable hosels offer customized fits based on golfer's swing.
Advancements in 3D printing technology are revolutionizing the golf industry by allowing for the creation of gradient putters, which can have varying densities and weights throughout the club. This innovation enables manufacturers to influence the ball's roll and prevent skidding, making putters less susceptible to technological advancements. The process of 3D printing also allows for the creation of adjustable hosels, providing a customized fit for each golfer based on their unique swing. Despite golf's strict rules, these advancements are gaining approval and are expected to significantly impact the game.
Modular Putter with Changeable Face Insert and Horizontal Grooves: Georgia Tech developed a modular putter with a changeable face insert to reduce clacking sounds and horizontal grooves for improved ball control.
Chuck and his team at Georgia Tech have developed a modular putter with an innovative all-in-one design that can be customized to suit different swing styles and skill levels. The putter features a changeable face insert to reduce unpleasant clacking sounds during putting, achieved by altering the polymer in the face using a variety of compounds. The team also explored horizontal grooves on the putter face to promote immediate ball rolling and control, addressing the issue of varying grass heights on golf greens. Georgia Tech Research Corporation owns the intellectual property for these innovations.
IP Rights for Student Creations at Georgia Tech: Students keep IP rights for creations not made with university resources, but those using institute's tools may result in institute ownership.
At Georgia Tech, students retain full intellectual property rights to their creations that were not developed using university resources. For instance, Mike's arm sleeve was his sole property since it was not made using Georgia Tech facilities or resources. However, when they used the expensive 3D printing tools at the institute, the intellectual property for the resulting putter was released to Caroline, who has filed for a patent. The patent process takes roughly 5 years to complete. The discussion then moved on to materials and how to find Judd Reedy's creations, which can be found on the Materials website at gatech.edu. In response to a question from a Patreon member, the topic shifted to biomimicry and its application in space exploration, specifically in creating tiny drones. The concept of Syzygy, an astronomical term for when three celestial bodies align, was explained. The future impact of nanotechnology on human health and abilities was also discussed, emphasizing that nanotechnology refers to items at a scale of 1 billionth of a meter, and its potential to create tiny medical devices or enhance human abilities.
Exploring the interface between nanotech and our bodies: Nanotechnology's importance lies in controlling structures at the nanometer scale, used in medical applications like implants, and advancing tools can lead to atom manipulation and DNA alteration.
Nanotechnology, which deals with structures at the nanometer scale, is becoming increasingly important in various fields due to the natural interface between our nanostructured bodies and engineered nanoscale structures. Nanotechnology is already being used in medical applications such as titanium implants and polymeric implants, which are engineered at the micro level. The size of the tools used in nanotechnology must match the scale of what is being assembled to have control over the process. Biological tools, such as enzymes, are often co-opted to build or destroy cells that are smaller than the size of the tools used. The challenges with long-term space flight depend on the specific environment, with Earth's magnetic field protecting us from radiation in low Earth orbit. As tools for nanotechnology continue to advance, we may be able to physically manipulate individual atoms and alter aspects of DNA. The potential for biomechatronics to help us adapt to zero gravity environments is a topic for future exploration.
Managing Radiation for Space Exploration and Carbon Emissions for Climate Change: To ensure human survival in space, we need to address radiation through advanced shielding or genetic engineering. For climate change, capturing and storing carbon is important but reducing greenhouse gas production is the most effective solution.
The major challenges for sustaining human life in space and addressing climate change lie in managing radiation and carbon emissions, respectively. Regarding space exploration, the primary concern is protecting humans from cosmic rays and other forms of radiation. This could involve developing advanced shielding technologies or even genetically engineering organisms to better withstand radiation. In the context of climate change, the focus is on finding ways to capture and store carbon dioxide to prevent further warming. However, it's crucial to acknowledge that reducing the production of greenhouse gases is the most effective long-term solution. Robert Bork's shift in perspective towards climate change is a reminder that everyone, including former conservative Supreme Court nominees, can evolve their beliefs and prioritize scientific solutions to pressing global issues.
Engineers transform resources into valuable materials and fuels: Engineers play a vital role in converting resources into beneficial materials and fuels, enabling innovation, progress, and improving the quality of life.
The role of engineers, like Judd, is essential to various aspects of our civilization, including sports, space exploration, and even our daily lives. Engineers contribute by finding ways to convert resources, such as carbon dioxide, into beneficial materials or fuels. For instance, in space exploration, carbon dioxide can be converted into rocket fuel. Similarly, in our everyday lives, materials like glasses, metals, polymers, and even wood, have been engineered to improve their properties or functions. The importance of engineers is evident in our constant need for innovation and progress. Their work enables us to overcome challenges, reach new heights, and improve the quality of life for people around the world. So the next time you look around and see the many engineered materials that make up your world, remember the crucial role that engineers like Judd play in shaping our civilization.