In honor of Star Wars Day, this episode explores futuristic light technologies seen in science fiction—like invisibility cloaks or powerful directed energy— and how far away we are from such innovations. In this episode, Matt Jones, a chemist at Rice University and Northwestern alum, explains how scientists are learning to control light by engineering materials at the nanoscale and why when materials are reduced to billionths of a meter, they begin to exhibit entirely new optical properties—from color-changing nanoparticles to structures that interact with light in unexpected ways. The conversation explores the emerging field of metamaterials and how curiosity-driven, fundamental science lays the groundwork for innovations that may shape the future.

The future of robotics isn't just smarter software, but smarter materials. In this episode, Northwestern University's Ryan Truby explains how his lab is designing soft, bio-inspired robots powered by artificial muscles and nanoscale engineering. From safer human-robot interaction to real-world applications like disaster response and health care, he shares how rethinking a robot's body could transform what machines can do.

Guest: Ryan Truby, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, June and Donald Brewer Junior Professor, Northwestern University

Hosts: Seth Zimmerman, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, IIN and Erin Spain, MS, Podcaster and Science Communicator

Understanding polymers at the nanoscale is helping scientists design stronger, more sustainable materials. In this episode, Cécile Chazot, the Julia Weertman Professor in Materials Science and Engineering at Northwestern University, describes her lab's mission which includes designing next-generation textiles from naturally derived polymers that maintain high performance while improving recyclability and environmental impact. She also explains how lessons from nature and advances in nanoscience could reshape how we design, manufacture, and dispose of the materials that make up everyday products.

Guest: Cécile Chazot, Assistant Professor of Materials Science and Engineering, Julia Weertman Professor in Materials Science and Engineering

Hosts: Seth Zimmerman, Associate Director of Marketing and Communications, IIN and Erin Spain, MS, Podcaster and Science Communicator