Balancing The Future

METTLER TOLEDO
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Technology
  • Updated Biweekly

Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges. We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology. Like how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI could help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs. Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a difference in their fields. Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.

  1. 17h ago

    Mushroom Boxes: The Nature-Inspired Solution Making Cold Chain Sustainable

    The cold chain industry helps move food, vaccines, and other perishable goods around the world. But it also has a big carbon footprint, so finding cleaner, smarter ways to improve the system is really important.    In this episode of Balancing the Future, Chai and Micah sit down with Tapasvi Bhatt, a PhD scholar from Nanyang Technological University in Singapore and winner of the 2026 METTLER TOLEDO Innovator Award. Along with his peer researchers, he built a way to lower the cold chain’s carbon footprint: a box made from mushrooms.    Tapasvi explains that cold chain boxes are often insulated with non-recyclable materials like petrochemical foams or polyurethane, which take a long time to break down. On top of that, it is usually cheaper to make a new box than to return and reuse the original, adding even more carbon emissions to the supply chain.    That’s why Tapasvi and his team developed a box made from a mycelium composite, which is a mix of mycelium, oats, and other biodegradable materials. These boxes insulate well, can be reused several times, and break down easily in soil. If widely adopted, this technology could significantly reduce the cold chain industry’s carbon footprint.    Micah and Chai also discuss other possible uses for mycelium composite, including building materials, furniture, and even coffins.     LINKS:  Tapasvi Bhatt on LinkedIn METTLER TOLEDO Website METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn EPISODE SOURCES:  METTLER TOLEDO Innovator Award The Growing Pavillion, Amsterdam, The Netherlands The Hy Fi Pavillion, New York City, USA 7 Unexpected Uses Of Mycelium Composites You’ll Love Knowing – Bina Biox  ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:   Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.      We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.      Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.       Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.    ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO: Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

  2. Aug 24

    Out of Thin Air: The New Device Reinventing Water Production

    According to the World Health Organization and UNICEF, one in four people around the world lack access to drinking water. Many people also spend over thirty minutes each day just collecting it. Meanwhile, the growth of data centers for AI is putting more pressure on water and land resources. Is it possible that a small device could help solve these big problems?  In this episode of Balancing the Future, Chai sits down with Dr. Carlos Diaz-Marin, Assistant Professor of Energy Science and Engineering at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and winner of the 2026 METTLER TOLEDO Innovator Award.   They discuss Carlos and his team’s invention, a small box that uses the same technology found in diapers and other absorbent materials. It pulls moisture from the air and stores it as drinking water. The device runs on solar power, so it works reliably and sustainably. While the basic technology has been around for a while, what sets this device apart is that it can operate even in very low humidity, which has been a challenge for similar products.     Carlos and his team have tested the device in extreme environments, including the rainforest and the world's driest desert. They found that it worked well in all these places. This means the device could be used in homes to provide enough drinking water for a family each day. Its ability to use waste heat could also make it useful for cooling AI data centers.    LINKS:  Dr. Carlos Diaz-Marin Bio METTLER TOLEDO Website METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn   EPISODE SOURCES:  METTLER TOLEDO Innovator Award Solar-driven atmospheric water harvesting in the Atacama Desert through physics-based optimization of a hygroscopic hydrogel device – Device Journal 1 in 4 people globally still lack access to safe drinking water – WHO, UNICEFRising Emissions, Depleting Water and Vanishing Land—UN Scientists: AI Is Threatening Natural Resources for Billions – United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health UN World Water Development Report 2026 – United Nations ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:  Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.      We explore a wide range of creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.      Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.       Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.    ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO:Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

  3. Aug 10

    Treatable by Design: Rethinking How We Make Chemicals

    It’s widely recognized that many persistent chemicals pose risks to both environmental and human health. Addressing this significant global challenge requires innovative solutions. One of these is the groundbreaking concept of ‘Treatable by Design’.   In this episode of Balancing the Future, Chai and Micah sit down with Dr. Gabriel Sigmund, Associate Professor at Wageningen University & Research to discuss his approach for developing safer chemicals that are intentionally designed to degrade rapidly and exhibit low toxicity.   His strategy targets substances such as PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances), which are commonly used for their water- and oil-resistant properties but are, as a result, extremely hard to break down. Gabriel describes this as a cascade: if a chemical cannot be made safe by design, the first step is to look for a safer alternative. If no alternative exists, the chemical should be made treatable by design. Failing that, the search returns to finding an alternative that is treatable. This cycle repeats through several stages before arriving at the final case, one where the chemical simply cannot be dealt with. At that point, Gabriel argues, the real question becomes whether the chemical is necessary at all. More often than not, he suggests, the answer is no.    A second line of defense for addressing toxic chemicals involves removing them from the environment through techniques such as water filtration and incineration. Although remediation efforts are underway, their pace remains insufficient. Gabriel emphasizes that even if affluent nations allocated all available resources, it would still be impossible to eliminate every hazardous chemical from the environment.    Overall, Gabriel advocates for a pragmatic approach: reducing the production of harmful chemicals now will decrease the need for future remediation.    LINKS:  Dr. Gabriel Sigmund Bio METTLER TOLEDO Website METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn EPISODE SOURCES:  A concept for the molecular design of readily treatable chemicals – Royal Society of Chemistry With over 100 new alternatives to PFAS, ChemSec Marketplace becomes key industry resource – ChemSec  Persistence Assessment of Chemicals: Trajectories toward New Approach Methodologies (P-NAMs) – ACS Publications  Support for EU-wide PFAS restriction with targeted derogations: what happens next? – CMS Law  Europe’s PFAS restriction proposal is moving forward – White and Case    ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:  Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.    We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.      Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.       Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.    ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner. METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

  4. Jul 27

    Space Economy: A New Frontier for Future Medicine

    By 2026 80% of the 500 pharmaceutical and industrial crystals produced in space exhibited better structure, greater consistency, and fewer defects. So, what does that tell us about the rapidly growing space economy — and how far could microgravity take manufacturing?    In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah sits down with Mari Anne Snow, CEO and Co-Founder of Eascra Biotech. Eascra is a US-based company developing delivery technology for a wide range of therapeutic payloads — from mRNA and siRNA to proteins and peptides. Their technology is especially effective at penetrating very dense tissues such as cartilage, kidneys, and solid tumors.    Mari Anne shares the story of how her co-founder was given the chance and the funding by NASA to turn their work into a so-called “space product.” After sending it to the International Space Station, they discovered that the microgravity environment boosted the product’s effectiveness by an impressive 40–50%.    But that breakthrough also came with a new set of challenges. How do you build a supply chain that reaches 250 miles above Earth? How do you scale production in a place where creating new manufacturing space isn’t as simple as putting up a few extra walls? And what happens when regulations and governance on Earth collide with those in space?    Mari Anne believes we’re only at the very tip of the iceberg when it comes to what can be invented and produced off planet. From colonizing the Moon to space tourism, she argues that manufacturing in space won’t just support those ambitions; it could become the slingshot that propels us to the stars.  LINKS:  Eascra Biotech Website Mari Anne Snow on LinkedIn METTLER TOLEDO Website METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn   EPISODE SOURCES:  20 Inventions We Wouldn't Have Without Space Travel – The Jet Propulsion Laboratory at California Institute of Technology  In Space for Earth: Breakthroughs from the ISS – The National Space Society (NSS)  Optical Fiber Production – NASA  NASA’s new superalloy – Aerospace America    ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:  Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.      We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.      Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.       Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.   ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO  Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

  5. Jul 13

    The Road to Market: How Regulations Shape the Future of Medical Devices

    Medical devices range from simple fillings to highly sophisticated robotics, with more than half a million available in the EU alone. However, regulations differ widely across regions and countries. What does this mean for medical device development around the world?  In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai interview Dr. Dominik Lysek, Executive Board Member and CEO of PharmaTrail, a software company that helps pharmaceutical, biotech, and medtech companies manage clinical trial data with blockchain technology. Dominik has worked with medical devices throughout his career and has closely followed both the EU and US markets.  Dominik explains how the EU and the US each regulate their medical device markets. One key difference is that the US provides clear timelines for approvals, while Europe does not set specific deadlines. In the EU, even a modified version of an already approved and safe product still needs to go through regulatory approval. However, new Medical Device Regulation 2.0 legislation now being considered by the EU parliament could change this by introducing clear deadlines and reducing bureaucracy.  Even with these possible changes, both the EU and US still require strong and reliable data to approve new products. MDR 2.0 will allow different types of clinical data, like in vitro and model data, to be included in applications. Dominik emphasizes that a rigorous process is important so patients can trust and benefit from the medical devices they use. He believes the industry should always put patients first.    LINKS:  PharmaTrail Website Dominik Lysek on LinkedIn METTLER TOLEDO Website METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn EPISODE SOURCES:  Premarket Review: Laboratory Developed Tests FAQs – U.S. Food and Drug Administration Navigating the NMPA Registration Process: Timelines, Costs, and Considerations – Medtech Chopsticks The EU’s 2025 proposal to simplify the Medical and In-Vitro-Diagnostic Devices Regulations (MDR/IVDR) - Healthcare & Life Sciences Blog EU Device Reform Package: Fee Relief, Down-Classification, and More – Cacus Consulting   ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:   Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.      We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.    Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.       Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.    ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy and accuracy matters. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

  6. Jun 29

    The Bioreactor Breakthrough: Crafting Coffee and Cocoa in the Lab

    Around 2 billion people enjoy chocolate and coffee every single day. But growing enough of these crops uses a huge number of resources. For example, making just one cup of coffee takes about 140 litres of water. In West Africa, an estimated 70% of illegal deforestation is linked to cocoa farming. And with demand only expected to rise, the question is: what can we do to stop the environmental impact of these crops?  In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai talk to Dr. Steven Lang, Vice President of Science and Technology at California Cultured, a US startup that makes chocolate and coffee using bioreactors.    Steven explains that the team starts by taking a small sample from a plant. They then grow this sample in a bioreactor to create a plant cell culture. Because they have more control over the plant’s genetics, they can make it healthier or give it new traits. Right now, Steven’s team is working on cocoa that’s rich in flavanols, powerful compounds that act as antioxidants.    California Cultured has also developed a new plastic bioreactor that could bring costs down compared to the stainless-steel systems used for cultivated meat. Steven expects that by around 2028, their coffee and cocoa will cost roughly the same as conventional products.  As with cultivated meat, though, these new products will need to win over consumers before they can really take off. To help with this, Steven’s team has worked with analytical chemists to fine-tune flavors, so they’re essentially interchangeable with traditional coffee and cocoa.    Steven was the first-ever guest on Balancing the Future. Back then, he worked in cultivated meat, which remains one of the most visible -- and most debated -- areas of lab-grown food. Today, he believes cultivated plants may have greater potential for faster progress and easier consumer acceptance, especially in areas where cultivated meat still faces big hurdles.  LINKS:  California Cultured Website Steven Lang on LinkedIn METTLER TOLEDO Website METTLER TOLEDO on LinkedIn Balancing The Future Podcast Website Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:  Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.      We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.      Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.       Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.   ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

  7. Jun 15

    Democratizing Global Science: The Power of Redistributing Lab Equipment

    Roughly 80% of funding, research, and equipment ends up in the 10 wealthiest countries. This means most people around the world have fewer opportunities to work on scientific problems. It affects which issues get attention and which don’t. So, how can we make access to science fairer?    In the first episode of Season 3 of Balancing the Future, hosts Micah and Chai talk with Dr. Melissa Wu, CEO of Seeding Labs. This nonprofit works to close global gaps in science by donating extra lab equipment to institutions in developing countries. Melissa explains how the current imbalance affects which research gets priority, which diseases and problems are studied, and how it leads to workforce shortages, brain drain, and ongoing inequalities in science.   They discuss how Seeding Labs tackles these challenges with a clear process. First, they find institutions that have the basics in place. Then, they collect extra equipment from companies and universities and match each partner with 100 to 200 key items that fit their needs. Seeding Labs also handles the complicated shipping process and makes sure the recipient institutions take full responsibility for the equipment and can use it in a lasting way.    Melissa highlights real-world impact stories, including Malawi University of Science and Technology’s rapid cholera surveillance response following Cyclone Idai, and a Colombian university launching a nanotechnology program focused on energy storage using treated coffee-bag waste fibers. She also discusses the environmental benefits of equipment reuse, growing institutional funding opportunities, and plans to scale Seeding Labs’ model internationally, including expansion into the EU, alongside a call for greater awareness and support from people just like you!  LINKS:  Seeding Labs’ Website  Seeing Labs’ Research  Dr. Melissa Wu on LinkedIn  METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website  METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn  Balancing The Future Podcast Website  Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn  Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn  ABOUT BALANCING THE FUTURE:    Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges.      We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology, such as, how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI might help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs.      Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders and communicators who are making a difference in their fields.    Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.  ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO: Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

  8. Season 3, Episode 1 Trailer

    Season 3 of Balancing the Future is Coming Soon!

    Join Chai Nussbaumer and Micah Schweizer on June 16th for a brand-new season of Balancing the Future. This time, we’re exploring the science and technology innovations and solutions that are changing the world today.     Everything from the global lab equipment program that's tackling scientific access disparity to lab-grown coffee and cocoa that could positively impact the environment.    In every episode, you’ll hear inspiring conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a real difference.    Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to never miss an episode.    LINKS:  METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website  METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn  Balancing The Future Podcast Website  Micah Schweizer on LinkedIn  Chai Nussbaumer on LinkedIn    ABOUT METTLER TOLEDO:  Whether ensuring food safety, developing life-saving medicines, or advancing new technologies, precision, efficacy, and accuracy matter. Meeting customers’ expectations takes more than effort; it requires the right partner.  METTLER TOLEDO supports with trusted tools, expertise, and knowledge. Together, we help our clients work more efficiently, stay compliant, and drive innovation, building a safer and more sustainable future for everyone.

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Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges. We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology. Like how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI could help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs. Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a difference in their fields. Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.

Information

  • Creator
    METTLER TOLEDO
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 METTLER TOLEDO
  • Show Website
    Balancing The Future

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