Technology Today

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Episode 55: Fracture Control with NASGRO® May 22, 2023

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NASGRO® fracture control software analyzes spacecraft, aircraft, structures and more for fractures and fatigue, wear and tear that could pose a risk if not repaired. With data that includes measurements and material composition, the software calculates how a crack could grow and become catastrophic. NASGRO was initially developed to support NASA’s Space Shuttle Program, but is now used by companies around the world to avert danger. Last month, the Space Foundation inducted NASGRO and its developers into the Space Technology Hall of Fame, which honors groundbreaking technologies that began as space programs and have since been adapted to improve the quality of life for all of humanity. Listen now as SwRI NASGRO developers and Hall of Fame inductees Dr. Craig McClung and Joe Cardinal discuss the world-changing software’s capabilities and that shining moment of the behind-the-scenes technology taking the spotlight.

Episode 54: Targeting Transportation Emissions Apr 17, 2023

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April 22 marks Earth Day, an annual call to action to preserve natural resources and protect the planet. On this Earth Day episode, we’re discussing new SwRI technology in development that targets rising greenhouse gas emissions, which cause disruptive changes in Earth’s climate. The transportation sector is a major contributor of carbon emissions. SwRI engineers are developing a potential solution, a membrane that removes and captures carbon dioxide before it escapes into the atmosphere, leaving cleaner air. They envision it will be outfitted on a range of vehicles, from compact cars to ships. Listen now as SwRI Staff Engineer Dr. Graham Conway discusses going beyond a zero-emissions solution to develop a novel carbon capture membrane, a negative-emissions technology.

Episode 53: Celebrating Women in STEM Mar 20, 2023

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During Women’s History Month, we are celebrating the contributions of inspirational leaders and trailblazers who are positively impacting our communities and world. Today, we highlight two women of SwRI who shine in STEM – science, technology, engineering and mathematics, fields in which women are typically underrepresented. Hear about their fascinating work, their journeys in engineering and planetary science and why a woman’s perspective is valuable and necessary in STEM workspaces. Listen now as SwRI Planetary Scientist Dr. Tracy Becker and SwRI Engineer Dr. Erin DeCarlo discuss their roles in STEM careers, women who inspire them and how the landscape is changing for women in traditionally male-dominated fields.

Episode 52: Forming the Building Blocks of Life Feb 20, 2023

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Scientists study meteorites, fragments of asteroids or comets that fall to Earth. Inside the space rocks, they have found amino acids, the building blocks of life. Amino acids combine to form proteins, which power life on our planet. How did these seeds of life end up in meteorites? Our guest today believes they formed under intense space conditions, particularly in the interstellar cloud. She is part of a team of scientists that re-created the conditions in a chamber using ice, low temperatures and high radiation. Their experiment yielded significant results, a residue containing the same ingredients for life found in meteorites. Listen now as SwRI Astrochemist Dr. Danna Qasim explains how the building blocks of life may have formed in space, the role of the interstellar cloud and what the process tells us about life on Earth and the possibility of life elsewhere.

Episode 51: Neuromorphic Engineering Jan 23, 2023

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It’s a new year of listening and learning. We’re launching 2023 with the fascinating, emerging field of neuromorphic engineering, the development of biologically inspired technology that emulates the human brain. Neuromorphic systems use spiking neural networks to retain “memories,” like the human brain, making computer processing faster, more accurate and more efficient. Potential applications for neuromorphic technologies are limitless and could cover a range of industries, including aerospace, space science, automotive, smart devices and more. Listen now as SwRI Engineer and Neuroscientist Dr. Steven Harbour, neuromorphic engineering expert, explains how the technology works, why the brain is a superior computing model and what the future holds for neuromorphic developments.

Episode 50: Celebrating Episode 50 and 2022 Year in Review! Dec 19, 2022

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We’re celebrating our milestone 50th episode with a guest co-host and a discussion on the highlights, and sometimes challenges, of producing 50 conversations. Plus, we’re revisiting the fascinating and inspiring Technology Today topics of 2022, including a conversation with a planetary science pioneer, the possibilities of hydrogen as an energy source, learning about the life and accomplishments of SwRI founder Tom Slick, automated buses and much more. Listen now as Host Lisa Peña and Audio Engineer Bryan Ortiz, co-hosting Technology Today for the first time, recall their journey over 50 episodes and take us through the conversations of 2022.

Episode 49: SwRI’s 2022 R&D 100 Award Winner Nov 21, 2022

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SwRI’s Integrally Geared Supercritical CO2 Compander has been named one of the top innovations of 2022, receiving a prestigious R&D 100 Award. Pipeline & Gas Journal also recognized the compander as the “Best Management Advancement Technology” at the R&D 100 Awards Gala held on November 17. Using supercritical carbon dioxide, the revolutionary technology converts heat, like sunlight, into usable energy, while reducing carbon emissions. Our guests tell us what makes the new compander superior to conventional turbomachinery. They also explain how the groundbreaking equipment and highly-efficient sCO2 power cycles are moving us toward a cleaner energy future. Listen now as SwRI engineers Dr. Tim Allison and Dr. Jason Wilkes discuss the transformational compander and other sCO2 solutions.

Episode 48: Developing Automated Buses Oct 24, 2022

Show notes

Would you hop on an automated bus for your morning commute? Sensors, software and cameras would safely guide you to your destination, saving time and helping you avoid unpredictable traffic. We’re moving toward this transportation option as SwRI develops technology and systems for connected automated buses. Our engineers are currently working on automated solutions that could ease congestion in busy bus lanes. And we are already seeing the technology deployed on the SwRI San Antonio campus with a new 14-passenger shuttle. Once programmed, the shuttle can accelerate, brake and navigate on its own. This is just the beginning of harnessing the possibilities of automation. Listen now as SwRI engineer Jerry Towler discusses innovative, inspiring automated technology for buses and other applications.

Episode 47: Extreme Battery Testing Sep 19, 2022

Show notes

Batteries are key to our way of life. They not only power up vehicles and electronics, but also medical devices, aircraft and space technology. They have to be ready for a challenge and they have to be safe. So, what happens when batteries take a beating and fail? The SwRI Energy Storage Technology Center is equipped to answer that question, taking batteries to their limits with crushing, destructive, explosive consequences to make them tougher, more resilient and safer. Listen now as SwRI engineers Dr. Bapiraju Surampudi and Ian Smith discuss the extremes of battery testing and research.

Episode 46: CubeSat to study Solar Particles Aug 15, 2022

Show notes

The countdown to launch is on! The CubeSat to Study Solar Particles or CuSP mission is preparing for lift off aboard NASA’s Space Launch System, the most powerful rocket ever built. The six-unit CubeSat is a micro-satellite carrying three instruments designed to measure solar particles and assess space weather. Space scientists want to learn more about conditions in space that can disrupt technology and air travel on Earth. This is SwRI’s first CubeSat mission, but not the last. Listen now as SwRI’s Dr. Mihir Desai, CuSP principal investigator, discusses the CuSP mission and his team’s vision to create a network of space weather stations.

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