Material Minds

INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials
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Welcome to the Material Minds Podcast, brought to you by the Leibniz Institute for New Materials. Dive deep into the fascinating world of material science where innovation meets application. Each episode, we sit down with leading scientists to explore their journeys towards the creation of new materials. From nanotechnology to biomaterials and beyond, we uncover how these advancements are shaping our future. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a professional in the field, or just curious about the materials that make up our world, join us as we unravel the stories behind the science. Let's explore New Materials for a better World!

  1. JAN 27

    Life Cycle Assessment: Whats our true impact on the Planet?

    Have you ever calculated the environmental cost of every pair of socks you own or every flight you’ve taken since birth? In this episode of Material Minds, we sit down with Professor Matthias Finkbeiner, head of the Sustainable Engineering Department at TU Berlin and a world-leading researcher in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).We dive deep into the science of assessing impact "from cradle to grave," covering everything from the carbon footprint of high-altitude marble mining in Italy to the complex social impacts of lithium mining in Chile. Professor Finkbeiner also shares the fascinating story of conducting the first detailed LCA of a human being—an entrepreneur who wanted to leave the planet with zero environmental debt.00:00 – Intro: Assessing your life from cradle to grave 01:23 – What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? 02:29 – Game: Three Truths and a Lie 02:53 – Statement 1: The Pop Star Tour 09:47 – Statement 2: The High-Altitude Marble Mine 16:07 – Statement 3: The Billionaire Boardroom Training 19:44 – Statement 4: The First LCA of a Human Being 28:39 – The Reveal: Which one was the Lie? 32:32 – Object: Lithium from the Atacama Desert 35:48 – The Rise of Social LCA 41:29 – The Future of Sustainability Intelligence To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/ You can also find him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/) To get to know more about Matthias Finkbeiner:(https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Finkbeiner)(https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=axTo4J8AAAAJ&hl)To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/) Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/ Editorial work: Dr. Gun Woo Park – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/ 🎧 More Material Minds episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiQEgil14LdZnHsEL9rXEmVTOE-y805tV

    45 min

  2. 11/17/2025

    Inside the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting

    What’s it like to spend a week surrounded by over 30 Nobel Laureates? In this episode of Material Minds, host Shrikrishnan Sankaran speaks with Anna, Delvina, and Mingren, three INM researchers selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2025 for chemistry.From intense scientific debates on AI, sustainability, and green chemistry to casual dinners with Nobel winners, our guests share their firsthand experiences — the insights, the awkward moments, and the inspirations that will shape their future in science.Chapters:00:00 – Intro: Three INM Scientists at Lindau01:20 – Arriving on the Island of Nobel Laureates04:00 – First Impressions and Funny Travel Stories06:40 – Meeting the Laureates Over Coffee and Conversation08:00 – Yoga, Talks, and the Daily Rhythm of Lindau10:50 – Nobel Talks on AI, Chemistry, and Sustainability15:30 – Debates on Green Chemistry and Future Batteries17:00 – Next-Gen Energy: Lithium, Sodium, and Beyond20:00 – AI and Biology: Insights from John Jumper22:00 – How Nobel Laureates Choose Their PhD Students25:00 – Open Exchanges: Work-Life Balance and Publication Pressures30:00 – Equality, Curiosity, and the Human Side of Science34:00 – Reflections: Luck, Persistence, and the Spirit of Discovery35:45 – Closing: What Science Is Really AboutTo get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/You can also find him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/)To get to know more about M.Sc. Anna Burgstallerhttps://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/m-sc-burgstaller-anna/To get to know more about  Dr.-Ing. Mingren Liuhttps://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-ing-liu-mingren/To get to know more about Dr. Delvina Japhet Tarimohttps://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-tarimo-delvina-japhet/To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/)Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/Editorial work: Dr. Gun Woo Park – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/🎧 More Material Minds episodes:https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiQEgil14LdZnHsEL9rXEmVTOE-y805tV#SciencePodcast #LindauMeeting #NobelLaureates #GreenChemistry #AIinScience #LeibnizINM #MaterialMinds________________________________________

    36 min

  3. 07/31/2025

    Protein Sponges, Soft Robots & Espresso Science

    Join us on Material Minds as we delve into the groundbreaking world of protein-based Materials with Professor Luai R. Khoury from Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology! Discover how Professor Khoury and his team are engineering revolutionary materials, including protein sponges with catalytic activity that remain active for extended periods. Learn about the fascinating development of origami-inspired soft robots designed to deliver drugs precisely within the body, reacting to physiological triggers like acidity and enzymes. Plus, prepare to be amazed by an innovative system for synthesizing functional protein microgels, ingeniously inspired by the process of brewing espresso! Could materials one day make their own decisions? Tune in to find out! This episode is packed with insights into the future of biomaterials, from biomedical applications to potential uses in space and agriculture. Explore how advanced protein engineering, synthetic biology, and AI are converging to create truly intelligent materials.To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/ You can also find him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/) To find out more about our Guest visithttps://materials.technion.ac.il/en/team/asst-prof-luai-khoury/To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/) Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/ Editorial work: Dr. Gun Woo Park – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/ 🎧 More Material Minds episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiQEgil14LdZnHsEL9rXEmVTOE-y805tV

    42 min

  4. 07/09/2025

    MXenes: The 2D Material Revolutionizing Energy & Medicine

    Join us on Material Minds as we delve into the fascinating world of MXenes with their inventor, Professor Michael Naguib from Tulane University. Discover how these groundbreaking 2D materials, similar to graphene but with unique properties, are set to transform everything from energy storage and batteries to stimulating nerve cells and medical applications. In this episode, Michael shares the intriguing story of how MXenes were accidentally discovered during his PhD, his bold claims about their potential to revolutionize the materials landscape, and the surprising — and quite literal — role a pasta maker plays in their scalable production! We also discuss the future of energy materials, including the shift towards sodium-ion batteries and innovative uses for MXenes in radioactive iodine adsorption and catalysis. Prepare to have your mind expanded as we explore the incredible versatility and potential of Maxines, and get a glimpse into the exciting future of materials science and sustainable energy.To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/ ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/Editorial work, Dr. Gun Woo Parkhttps://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/

    55 min

  5. 05/28/2025

    Marc Schöneich

    Dive into the fascinating world of biomimetic adhesives with Marc Schoeneich, co-founder of Innocise, as he unveils how their gecko-inspired “Gecomer” technology leverages microscopic structures and Van der Waals interactions to grip and manipulate objects—completely glue-free. In this episode, Marc shares the journey from initial research breakthroughs to overcoming scale-up challenges, revealing how Innocise is bringing sustainable, residue-free adhesives to applications ranging from soft robotics and automated assembly lines to next-generation wearable sensors.Along the way, you’ll gain entrepreneurial insights on translating advanced materials science into real-world solutions, and learn why gecko adhesive technology represents a game-changer for industries seeking clean, efficient, and high-performance bonding.To learn more about Marc, check out this webpage - https://www.innocise.com/To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/ ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/Editorial work, Dr. Gun Woo Parkhttps://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/

    56 min

  6. 04/01/2025

    Phil Egberts

    In this episode, we talk to Phil Egberts, professor at the University of Calgary and INM alumni. He shares how his journey in materials science began with experiments on salt crystals, led him to Germany, and eventually into the world of nanotribology and graphene-based lubrication.We discuss his time as the first PhD student of Roland Bennewitz, how learning to code became essential for scientific progress (and coffee breaks), and why mentoring the next generation of engineers remains one of his biggest passions.A conversation full of insights, humor, and reflections on how international experiences shape science—and scientists.Tune in to hear how one atom-thick layer of graphene can change everything.To learn more about Phil, check out this webpage - https://cispa.de/de/people/jilles.vreekenTo get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://twitter.com/Leibniz_INM ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/

    28 min

  7. 02/27/2025

    Jilles Vreeken

    In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of AI-driven scientific discovery with our guest Prof. Jilles Vreeken. We explore how machine learning is revolutionizing materials science, from predicting crystallization structures to uncovering hidden patterns in data. Discover the surprising challenges of AI in medical diagnostics, including why some COVID-detection models failed in real-world applications. We also break down the classic "shark attacks vs. ice cream sales" paradox to highlight the importance of distinguishing correlation from causation. Plus, our guest shares their favorite material—one that powers nearly all modern technology. Join us for an engaging conversation on the future of AI, scientific breakthroughs, and the tools that will shape tomorrow’s discoveries.To learn more about Jilles , check out this webpage - https://cispa.de/de/people/jilles.vreekenTo get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://twitter.com/Leibniz_INM ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/

    48 min

  8. 11/14/2024

    Lara Teruel Enrico

    Lara Teruel, PhD student, contact lens technology, futuristic contact lens, living contact lens, eye-care innovation, medical technology, wearable tech, future of healthcare, medical tech exhibition, scientific breakthrough, challenges in innovation, societal impact, cutting-edge science, vision care innovation, eye health technology In this episode, we sit down with Lara Teruel, a PhD student breaking new ground in contact lens technology. Lara shares her journey into developing a futuristic living contact lens that could revolutionize eye-care in the future. To illustrate this potential breakthrough, we start the episode with a skit set in the future at a medical tech exhibition, where Lara explains her innovation to a curious member of the public for the first time. Join us as we discuss the science behind this cutting-edge project, the challenges Lara faces, and the potential impact on society. It’s an eye-opening glimpse into the future of wearable tech! To learn more about Lara's work and the Leibniz Institute for New Materials: Visit INM: https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/Follow us on social media: X/Twitter: @leibniz_inmLinkedIn: INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials Instagram: @leibniz_inm Learn more about our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran: Website: https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/researchSocial: X/Twitter @shrikrishnans, LinkedIn Shrikrishnan Sankaran, Instagram @shirish.sankaran Tune in to discover how this next-gen contact lens could change the way we see the world — literally!

    35 min
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About

Welcome to the Material Minds Podcast, brought to you by the Leibniz Institute for New Materials. Dive deep into the fascinating world of material science where innovation meets application. Each episode, we sit down with leading scientists to explore their journeys towards the creation of new materials. From nanotechnology to biomaterials and beyond, we uncover how these advancements are shaping our future. Whether you're a science enthusiast, a professional in the field, or just curious about the materials that make up our world, join us as we unravel the stories behind the science. Let's explore New Materials for a better World!

Information

  • Creator
    INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials
  • Show Website
    Material Minds