First Principles with Christian Keil

Latest Episodes:

Is It Possible to Build SAFE Nuclear Reactors? | Matt Loszak, Aalo Atomics Nov 24, 2024

Show notes

Matt Loszak is building a nuclear reactor factory for a new kind of reactor: one that is almost impossible to melt down.

The World's Safest Humanoid Robots Sep 02, 2024

Show notes

1X Technologies is building the world's safest autonomous, humanoid robots.

And they want to start selling robots into consumer homes next year.

How do you make a robot safe for humans? The answer is complicated — so I went to 1X HQ in Sunnyvale, CA to find out.

The World's Quietest Electric Engine | Ian Villa, Whisper Aero Aug 29, 2024

Show notes

Engines are loud — Whisper Aero is changing that.

How To Build a 1-Terawatt, 600,000 Amp Pulsed Power Generator | JC Btaiche, Fuse Energy Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

Season 2, Episode 1: JC Btaiche, Fuse Energy

======

Links:
ElectroBOOM: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PcBgym21TA
Fuse's Paper in Nature: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-67774-4
Fuse — https://www.f.energy

People:
JC Btaiche — https://x.com/JCBtaiche10
Christian Keil — https://x.com/pronounced_kyle

#15: The First Principles Approach to Not Dying | Bryan Johnson Jun 19, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode is brought to you by Strata. Modernize your IAM with Identity Orchestration. Visit https://strata.io/firstprinciples to learn more!

======

Episode 15: Bryan Johnson spends $2m/year to not die. But this is more than just a health craze — it’s the birth of a new, secular religious movement. Here’s what Bryan believes.

======

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:13) - Zeroth Principles Thinking: Going Beyond First Principles
(04:05) - The Journey to "Don't Die": Bryan's Thought Experiments and Realizations
(07:28) - Is "Don't Die" a Religion? Examining the Parallels
(10:40) - Bryan's Roles in "Don't Die": Philosopher, Embodiment, Message Bearer
(13:05) - Sponsor Break
(14:08) - Quantifying Death: Introducing "Die Scores" for Behaviors and Choices
(17:03) - What is Death and What is Aging? A First Principles Perspective
(19:40) - Measuring Biological Age: Organ by Organ Analysis of Bryan's Body
(23:48) - The Penis as a Marker of Overall Health and Vitality
(26:33) - Epigenetic Clocks and the Pace of Aging Calculated Tests
(30:18) - Bryan's Experience with Follistatin Gene Therapy
(32:25) - Kernel: Building a Mass Market Brain Interface with Time-Domain FNIRS
(36:48) - The Power Law Interventions: Identifying the Most Effective Longevity Levers
(39:22) - Assembling a Team of Scientific Misfits to Tackle Aging
(41:05) - Dreaming Up Ideas: Bryan's Nocturnal Creativity
(42:15) - Telomeres and the Risks of Telomerase Gene Therapy
(44:38) - Reflections on the Challenges of Commercializing Deep Tech
(46:29) - Conclusion: Banding Together to Build an Amazing Future

======

Links:

Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle
Bryan Johnson - https://x.com/bryan_johnson
Bryan Johnson Personal Website - https://www.bryanjohnson.com/
Blueprint - https://blueprint.bryanjohnson.com/

======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

======

Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9

🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads

#14: Quantum Computing Isn’t Dead Yet | César Rodríguez, Commutator Studios Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode is brought to you by Coda.

If you want a platform that empowers your team to collaborate effectively and focus on shared goals, you can get started with Coda today for FREE. Head over to https://coda.io/fp

======

Episode 14: César Rodríguez has dedicated his career to quantum computing. Why? Because they have incredible potential — but that potential has not yet been unlocked.

======

(00:00) - Introduction: Meeting a Quantum Computing Visionary
(02:45) - Quantum Computing 101: Harnessing the Weird World of Quantum Mechanics
(06:00) - The No-Cloning Theorem: Why Quantum Information is So Fragile
(08:50) - Schrödinger's Universe: Bridging the Quantum-Classical Divide
(12:17) - Sponsor Break: Keeping Your Data Secure in a Quantum World
(13:18) - Quantum Gates and Algorithms: Building Blocks of a Quantum Revolution
(17:36) - The Race for Quantum Supremacy: Milestone or Mirage?
(21:25) - Physical vs Logical Qubits: Quality, Quantity, and Qubit Scaling
(23:12) - Fighting Decoherence: The Art of Quantum Error Correction
(27:00) - Pulse-Level Tactics: Error Mitigation on the Frontlines
(30:02) - Computator's Secret Weapon: Outwitting Emergent Algorithmic Errors
(36:03) - Quantum Error Management: A Multi-Pronged, Collaborative Approach
(38:11) - Beyond Bits: The Pros and Cons of Probabilistic Computing
(41:08) - Why Quantum Matters: Cesar's Case for the Next Computing Revolution
(43:40) - Riding the Hype Cycle: Navigating Quantum Winters and Summers
(46:15) - The Quantum Computing Menagerie: Atoms, Ions, and Superconductors
(49:33) - Scaling the Quantum Heights: Engineering Challenges and Triumphs
(54:15) - Killer Apps: From Quantum Search and Factoring to Exotic Chemistry
(59:02) - Quantum Now: A Global Snapshot of the Current Computing Landscape
(1:03:40) - Quantum Leap: Visions of a World Transformed by Quantum Computers
(1:09:40) - Quantum Development, Reimagined: New Paradigms, Tools, and Workflows
(1:12:40) - Conclusion: Cesar's Call to Join the Quantum Revolution

======

Links:

Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle
César Rodríguez - https://twitter.com/cesarquantum
Commutator Studios - https://www.commutatorstudios.com/

======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

======

Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9

🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads

#13: Simon Pickup - Exploring Use Cases for Hydrogen Fuel | Teralta Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode is brought to you by Strata.

Elevate your enterprise identity with Strata today. Visit https://strata.io/firstprinciples to learn more!

======

Episode 13: The most abundant element in the universe also has the highest energy content of any common fuel by mass. Teralta helps industrial buyers get hydrogen when and where they need it.

======

(00:00) - Introduction
(01:08) - What Teralta Does: Making Hydrogen Simple for Industrial Customers
(03:10) - Why Simon Became Passionate About Hydrogen's Potential
(04:42) - What is Hydrogen and How is it Produced Today?
(06:50) - The Difference Between Clean and Dirty Hydrogen Production Methods
(09:38) - Hydrogen's Volumetric Density Challenge and Storage Methods
(11:57) - The Mental Model for When to Use Hydrogen vs Alternatives
(14:36) - Transportation Use Cases: Hydrogen Unlikely to Beat Batteries for Cars
(16:40) - Using Hydrogen for Synthetic Fuels to Enable Faster Decarbonization
(20:02) - Financing Hydrogen Projects: The Importance of Offtake Agreements
(23:37) - The Challenge of Lining Up All the Pieces for Hydrogen Project FID
(25:30) - Only 4% of Announced Hydrogen Projects Reach Final Investment Decision
(27:50) - Other Major Hydrogen Applications: Chemicals, Heating, Transportation
(29:27) - Common Misconceptions About Hydrogen: Hindenburg, Water, Free Energy
(32:50) - Example Project: Delivering Pure Hydrogen to a Pulp Mill via Pipeline
(35:08) - Technologies to Accelerate Hydrogen Adoption: Storage and Grid Capacity
(37:04) - Why Now is a Unique Moment for Hydrogen to Finally Take Off
(39:58) - The Hydrogen Rainbow: Moving Beyond Color Labels to Carbon Intensity
(42:11) - How Policy Support like the Inflation Reduction Act Changes the Game
(44:38) - Hydrogen Use in Ammonia Production and Its Importance for Agriculture
(46:24) - The Hydrogen Ladder: Ranking Applications by Substitution Potential
(48:35) - Teralta's Focus on Vertically Integrating to Speed Up Project Delivery
(51:08) - The Existence of an Actual Hydrogen Council of Industry Players
(53:12) - Conclusion: Supply and Demand Factors Finally Aligning for Hydroge

======

Links:

Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle
Simon Pickup - https://x.com/pickupsimon
Teralta - https://teralta.com/

======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

======

Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9

🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads

#12: Deep Prasad - How to Build a Physics-Fluent AI System May 29, 2024

Show notes

Brought to you by NordVPN. EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/firstprinciples. Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

======

Episode 12: Discovering new materials is how we unlock new branches of the tech tree. But there is no way for the world’s most powerful AI tools to help us do that discovery – until now.

======

(00:00) - Intro

(01:08) - GenMat's Goal: Building an AI System Smarter Than Humans at Physics

(02:17) - Why It's Hard for AI to Understand Physics Like Humans Do

(05:39) - How GenMat Models Atomic Level Activity to Optimize Materials

(09:35) - The Trial and Error Process of Traditional Materials Discovery

(11:28) - Materials Science 101: What Makes a Material and Its Key Properties

(15:00) - Perovskites: A Promising and Complex Material Family

(17:37) - How GenMat Helps Labs Discover and Optimize New Materials

(19:43) - The Challenges of Data, Representations and Feedback in Physics AI

(23:18) - Why GenMat Chose a Broad vs Narrow Focus Across Materials Domains

(25:32) - Expanding Into Geophysics to Find Critical Materials Using Satellites

(28:48) - The Experience of Launching GenMat's First Satellite with SpaceX

(30:58) - Overlap Between GenMat's Materials and Geophysics AI Models

(32:42) - GenMat's Progress: Team Size, Funding, Patents, Customers, Results

(35:46) - The Future 'Yug-Cyberia' Civilization Enabled by Advanced Physics AI

(38:54) - How Materials Breakthroughs Can Accelerate Mars and Space Exploration

(42:10) - The Difficulty of Communicating Complex Technical Work to Others

(44:48) - Breaking Down GenMat's AI Techniques: CDVAEs Explained

(48:55) - Why GenMat Uses Classical Deep Learning vs Quantum Computing Today

(51:37) - The Origins of GenMat: From Quantum Deep Learning to Classical AI

(54:02) - How GenMat Gets People Excited About the Potential of Materials

(56:11) - Rapid Fire Questions: Focus vs Breadth, Challenges, Surprises

(59:40) - Mapping Out a Future with Intelligent Matter and Interstellar Travel

(01:03:50) - The Meaning and Origins of the Term 'Yug-Cyberia'

(01:05:15) - Conclusion: Advanced Physics AI Can Get Us to Mars and Beyond

======

Links:

Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle
Deep Prasad - https://x.com/Deepneuron
GenMat - https://www.genmat.xyz/

======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring this podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

======

Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9

🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads

#11: Aleh Kandrashou & Aleksandr Gampel - Building the Factory that Builds the Homes May 22, 2024

Show notes

Today’s episode is brought to you by Strata. Elevate your enterprise identity with Strata today. Go to https://strata.io/firstprinciples to learn more!

======

Episode 11: Cuby is creating the Factory that builds the Homes. These factories can generate 1 home per day, but instead of building the homes themselves, Cuby works with local operators who produce and sell the pre-fabricated homes.

======

(00:00) - Intro

(00:28) - Cuby is Building the Factory That Builds Homes

(02:11) - Cuby Builds Better Tools for Home Builders

(04:39) - How Cuby's Mobile Micro Factories Enable Home Building with Less Skilled Labor

(07:06) - The Performance and Cost Advantages of Cuby's Approach

(09:54) - Who Normally Builds Homes - Developers, General Contractors, Subcontractors

(13:02) - How Cuby Replaces Skilled Labor with Unskilled Labor

(16:19) - Cuby's 3-Tiered Master Plan - From White Label Factories to an Iconic Brand

(19:56) - The Challenges of Explaining Cuby's Full Stack Approach

(21:14) - People - Who Works at Cuby's Job Sites vs. Traditional Construction

(25:48) - Process - Enabling Home Customization Within a Standardized System

(29:07) - How Software Guides Workers Through Simple, Repeatable Operations

(32:15) - Dynamically Generating Instructions and Tasks Based on the Home Design

(35:44) - Push vs. Pull and Just-in-Time Manufacturing Across Many Simultaneous Homes

(38:39) - The Advantages of Localized Manufacturing and Familiar Materials

(40:52) - Designing the Ideal Factory Process and Iterating Based on Real World Learnings

(44:28) - Using Data and Metrics to Constantly Improve Efficiency

(46:11) - Technology - Building Proprietary Machines and Tooling for Key Processes

(49:36) - Making vs. Buying Components Based on Customization, Cost and Warranty Factors

(52:17) - Why Cuby Believes 3D Printing is Not Yet the Solution for Home Building

(54:59) - Cuby's Technical Readiness Level and Roadmap

(57:06) - Expanding from Single Family Homes to Other Building Types

(59:13) - Strong Traction and Demand from the Housing Ecosystem

(01:02:19) - Scaling Production with a Mass Manufacturing "Papa Factory"

(01:04:10) - The Independent Nature of Each Factory Enables Efficient Scaling

(01:05:53) - Fundraising to Fuel Expansion and Transition to Debt Financing

(01:08:34) - The Climate Tech Angle and Economics as Sustainability Driver

(01:09:50) - Key Milestones for the Next Fundraise

(01:10:37) - Conclusion - Revolutionizing Home Building from the Ground Up

======

Links:

Christian Keil – https://twitter.com/pronounced_kyle
Aleh Kandrashou - https://x.com/AKandrashou
Aleksandr Gampel - https://x.com/agampel1
Cuby - https://www.cubytechnologies.com/

======

Production and marketing by The Deep View (https://thedeepview.co). For inquiries about sponsoring the podcast, email team@firstprinciples.fm

======

Checkout the video version here → http://tinyurl.com/4fh497n9

🔔 Follow to stay updated with new uploads

#10: Sam D'Amico - How to Boil Water in 40 Seconds (and Revolutionize the Grid) May 15, 2024

Show notes

EXCLUSIVE NordVPN Deal ➼ https://nordvpn.com/firstprinciples Try it risk-free now with a 30-day money-back guarantee!

======

Episode 10: Impulse Labs has a master plan to revolutionize the grid by building the world’s highest-performance home appliances. They started with a stove. Here’s how it works.

======

(00:00) - Introduction

(00:40) - What Impulse is Building - High Performance Home Appliances

(01:40) - The Performance Difference Between Impulse's Stoves and Gas/Normal Induction

(03:24) - How Impulse Enables High Power Without Electrical Upgrades Using Batteries

(06:17) - Volts, Amps, Watts and How They Relate to Home Electrical Systems

(12:23) - Why Impulse Chose the Lithium Iron Phosphate Battery Chemistry

(16:40) - The Safety Testing and Certification Process for New Appliances

(18:28) - The Potential of Sodium Ion Batteries

(20:02) - How Batteries in Appliances Can Help Balance Renewable Energy on the Grid
(27:18) - The Physics of How Induction Stoves Heat Pans Without Getting Hot Themselves
(32:33) - How Gallium Nitride Enables Smaller, More Efficient Electronics
(34:18) - Precise Temperature Control Via Induction Current Regulation and Sensors
(37:28) - The Potential for Automated Cooking Routines and Regulatory Limitations
(39:07) - The Process of Finding and Working With a Consumer Electronics Manufacturer
(44:10) - Sending Prototypes Back and Forth and Leveraging the Manufacturer's Expertise
(47:22) - The Huge Potential for Battery-Powered Appliances to Transform the Grid
(50:12) - Taking a Measured, Market-Driven Approach to Electrification vs Gas Stoves
(52:30) - Performance Over Politics in Driving Electrification
(54:15) - Tech Architecture Enabling Rapid New Product Development
(56:40) - Massive Market Opportunity for Home Batteries
(58:50) - Regulatory Standards for Bidirectional Power
(01:00:30) - Cultural Shift to Accelerate Electric Appliance Adoption
(01:02:45) - Building an Iconic High Performance Brand
(01:04:50) - Conclusion and Where to Learn More

======

Links: