Undercooled: A Materials Education Podcast

Steve Yalisove and Tim Chambers

A look into active learning, flipped teaching, team based/project based learning and much more.  Everything related to teaching materials science and engineering will be covered. Kindly sponsored by the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering Department

  1. APR 19

    Ashwin Shahani and teaching Kinetics with Vibe Coding

    Steve and Tim talk with Professor Ashwin Shahani about his role as undergraduate chair, how he approaches teaching kinetics with ChatGPT and vibe coding, as well as his research in solidification science.  Professor Shahani also talks about how he is incorporating his work with Hydro, an Al production company, to help them upcycle post-consumer scrap Al into high-quality products.  Short Bio:Shahani is an Associate Professor of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Michigan. His group specializes in the application of advanced characterization methods for the study of phase and structural transformations in metallic materials. In support of his research pursuits, Shahani has won the AFOSR YIP award in 2017, ARO YIP in 2018, and NSF CAREER in 2019.  Recently, in 2025, he won PECASE, the highest honor bestowed by the federal government to young scientists beginning their academic careers.  Learn more about his teaching and research activities at:  https://www.ashwinshahani.com/ The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/PGPM47J8qWc Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the TMS Foundation (https://www.tms.org/TMSFoundation/TMSFoundation/Default.aspx), The Electric Vehicle Center (EVC) at the University of Michigan (https://evc.engin.umich.edu/), and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    1h 3m

  2. MAR 24

    Avi Bregman

    Tim and Steve caught up with Dr. Avi Bregman at the TMS meeting.  Avi is at the Applied Physics Lab at Johns Hopkins University. He is the section supervisor for Materials Discovery there.  He talked about his journey to Materials Science and his career path after getting his PhD.  He talked about the work he is currently doing.  Avi also told us about his company that helps smaller universities get research funding, especially those that do not have the administrative staff to handle the details of actually getting the funds to the University. You can learn more about Avi's company, E4 Power, here:http://e4power.org/ You can contact Avi here:Avi.bregman@e4power.org or avi.g.brgeman@gmail.com Short Bio:  Dr. Avi Bregman currently serves as a senior staff scientist and section supervisor for Materials Discovery at the Applied Physics Lab at Johns Hopkins University (APL/JHU). In this role his recent work and interests span a variety of disciplines including composites (ceramic and polymer), nanoparticle synthesis and characterization, EMI shielding, green H2 generation, high temperature systems, FEM modeling in COMSOL, and additive manufacturing. Prior to APL/JHU, Dr. Bregman spent time at Sandia National Labs studying the resiliency of novel composite systems in extreme radiation environments. Dr. Bregman earned his undergraduate degree in Chemistry from Haverford College and his Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from The University of Michigan. Additionally, Dr. Bregman serves as the Director of Pre-Award Services at E4 Power inc. The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/AFzNJAjCr8o Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the TMS Foundation and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    54 min

  3. MAR 8

    Steve and Tim talk sustainabilty stories

    Steve and Tim talk about how to use stories of successful sustainability projects in the curriculum of second to fourth year engineering courses.  They explain how they will use several of the future podcasts to collect these stories.  They also talk about how these stories may end up framing an open source "textbook" for introductory materials science and engineering and complement higher level classes up to the graduate level.  Joel McDonald sent us some background links that explain more about how Dow Chemical Co developed the methods to recycle polyurethanes.  These could be used in a polymers course, a chemical engineering course, or a sustainability course.  Joel also suggested having students learn about the patent process by having them look up the related patents and talk about how this will protect Dow's IP.  This is an often under valued part of the sustainability process. Links:https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/news/press-releases/dow-jlr-and-adient-develop-industry-first-breakthrough-circularity-automotive-seating.html https://www.dow.com/en-us/product-technology/pt-polyurethanes/sustainability/polyurethanes/depolymerization.html https://corporate.dow.com/en-us/news/press-releases/dow-and-gruppo-fiori-develop-breakthrough-recycling-process.htmlhttps://www.linkedin.com/posts/dow-polyurethanes_dow-x-gruppo-fiori-video-1-activity-7373731403550863360-u-Ob The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/hFbXyDyGzag Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the TMS Foundation and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    43 min

  4. MAR 1

    Joel McDonald: What Dow Chemical Co. looks for in MS&E hires and how they approach sustainability

    Steve and Tim talk with Dr. Joel McDonald, the Technical Director for Mobility products at Dow Chemical company.  Joel was Steve's PhD student and an Applied Physics graduate at U. Michigan.  He talks about how he first worked at Sandia National Labs before transitioning to Dow Corning, and later Dow.  He explains how he was able to perform well in a chemical company even though his background was in optics.  He has leveraged his Applied Physics and Materials skills learned in grad school to rise to a very high level at Dow and bring the right products to customers and help Dow make money.  He talks at length about some of the very successful recycling efforts at Dow, specifically about how Dow has found a way to recover critical chemical components from polyurethane products in automobiles.  Using their separation and chemical techniques they are able to create products from recycled vehicles that make mattresses or even seats for brand new luxury cars. The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/sHoE_wJ54-k Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the TMS Foundation and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    51 min

  5. FEB 22

    Patrick Shamberger and MS&E at Texas A&M

    Steve and Tim talk to Prof. Patrick Shamberger from the MS&E department at Texas A&M.  He tells us the story of how he helped build a new materials department and create a new curriculum for their students.  He also talks about his research in phase change materials and how they may be one of the keys to a sustainable energy future. You can learn more about Patrick here:   https://engineering.tamu.edu/materials/profiles/pshamberger.html You can learn more about Patrick’s research here: https://phate.tamu.edu/ You can learn more about the Texas A&M Materials Science and Engineering department here: https://engineering.tamu.edu/materials/index.html Patrick also runs an REU program that is still recruiting!https://engineering.tamu.edu/materials/undergraduate-research/index.html  Bio:  Dr. Patrick Shamberger has a background in functional inorganic materials, including interests in phase transformations, crystal structure/property relationships, and thermodynamics. These have been applied to a range of problems on both natural (geological) and engineered systems. Currently, he is an associate professor with the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at Texas A&M University, College Station. Prior to this, he served as a materials research engineer for the Air Force Research Lab in the Nanoelectronic Materials Branch (AFRL/RXAN) and Thermal Sciences and Materials Branch (AFRL/RXBT). His areas of focus at AFRL were in the areas of plasma-assisted deposition processes for high-mobility nanocrystalline oxide films, and in reducing the variability of oxide-based resistance switches. Previous efforts have included development of rapid, low-temperature thermal storage based on phase change, physisorption, and chemical dissociation processes. Patrick Shamberger received his Ph.D. in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Washington in 2010, an M.S. in Geology & Geophysics from the University of Hawaii in 2004, and a B.S.E. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Princeton University. The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/wcNyzSuRbiY Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the TMS Foundation and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    1h 1m

  6. FEB 8

    Dr. Paul Krajewski: Sustainability, Manufacturing, and more at General Motors

    Tim and Steve talked with Dr. Paul Krajewski, the Director of Materials and Manufacturing Research at the General Motors Global Research and Development Center, about sustainability at GM, his work, what he looks for in hiring, and much more.  He even talks to us about his STEAM interests and the books he has written for kids. BIO Dr. Paul E. Krajewski is the Director of Materials and Manufacturing Research at the General Motors Global Research and Development Center.  Paul also represents GM as the USCAR Council Member and as the Technical Director for HRL Laboratories. Dr. Krajewski is a global expert in vehicle lightweighting and lightweight materials and manufacturing. He received his Bachelors and Doctorate in Materials Science and Engineering from the University of Michigan. He has led production implementations with aluminum, magnesium, and carbon fiber composites including body panels on the 2014 Corvette Stingray. Dr. Krajewski has 80 publications and has been awarded 81 US Patents. He has been recognized by Fortune Magazine (40 under 40) and MIT’s Technology Review (TR100) as a leading innovator, and is a Fellow of ASM International. He has appeared as a subject matter expert on the History Channel's Modern Marvels Aluminum Program and won numerous automotive industry innovation awards. He was inducted into the National Academy of Engineering in 2020. Paul has also published three children’s STEM / STEAM books entitled “What's In Your Car”, " What's In Your Body", and "What's In Your Plane".   Book Website -   https://periodictablebooks.com/   Link to GMR&D’s website   https://www.gm.com/research   Link to job openings at GM   https://search-careers.gm.com/en/jobs/ The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/y75UqJXN1ds Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the TMS Foundation and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    55 min

  7. JAN 11

    Rob Beck - Materials and Archaeology

    Steve and Tim talk with Professor Rob Beck at the University of Michigan.  Rob and Steve teach a joint course combining MSE with Archaeology & Anthropology to teach materials engineering students about the humanities and to teach humanities students about engineering.  The course is called "Making Things: Three Million Years of Materials and Culture".  It is based on work that Kevin Jones (see podcast episode S1E8) did in his Impact of Materials on Society project.  This version was reworked with Archaeology instead of the Sociology. We discuss all aspects of the course, including many tangents into the wild world of materials history and culture! You can find our more about Rob here:https://lsa.umich.edu/anthro/people/faculty/archaeological-faculty/rabeck.html The article about Rob's work in Cahokia that he talks about at the end of the podcast can be found here (highly recommended reading):https://lsa.umich.edu/lsa/news-events/lsa-magazine/lsa-magazine-archive/spring-2025/notes-from-underground.html Rob is also Curator of the UM Museum of Anthropological Archaeology: https://lsa.umich.edu/ummaa You can find a video where Rob and Steve talk about the course for a virtual talk they presented on the meaning of social learning here:https://youtu.be/osBdpU5VA_s A video introducing the course from a few years ago can be found here:https://youtu.be/e82iosMorBo The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/nxeVc67cLkk Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the TMS Foundation and the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    1h 22m

  8. 12/28/2025

    Tricia Nguyen-Embroidery and Materials Science

    Tim and Steve interview Dr. Tricia Nguyen about her career in textiles that evolved from her degrees in Materials Science & Engineering.  She currently owns and operates a historical embroidery company, Thistle Threads: https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/pages/about-us . If you're interested in learning more, you can even take classes in historical needlework projects at her online university! https://thistle-threads.thinkific.com/ .  We also discuss the implications of her research for STEM education and how we can engage more women in STEM careers. The YouTube video can be found here:https://youtu.be/BkTVetZBhv0 Our YouTube channel can be found here:http://www.youtube.com/@Undercooled.Materials This episode is sponsored by the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering department (https://mse.engin.umich.edu).

    1h 13m
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A look into active learning, flipped teaching, team based/project based learning and much more.  Everything related to teaching materials science and engineering will be covered. Kindly sponsored by the University of Michigan Materials Science and Engineering Department

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