Shows
632nmQuantum Diamond Sensing: The Surprising Power of NV CentersIn this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore how diamond-based nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers went from being a curiosity in gemstone physics to a transformative tool for precision magnetometry. You’ll hear how these tiny defects enable room-temperature quantum sensing, providing ultra-high spatial resolution and remarkable resilience in extreme conditions—from planetary research unlocking secrets of our solar system’s earliest days to potential biomedical diagnostics. Our guest recounts the serendipitous connections, engineering challenges, and surprising scientific discoveries along the way.We also discuss how interdisciplinary collaborations spark new ideas, how startups and academia differ in their...2025-06-062h 21632nmOrigin of Life, Thermodynamics, and God: Jeremy EnglandIn this episode, Jeremy England reframes the origin of life debate by applying non-equilibrium physics, challenging the notion that life’s emergence must be purely biological or chemical. He describes how matter can “learn” from its environment, drawing on examples from spin glasses, protein folding, and resonating mechanical systems.England also shares how his deep engagement with religious texts—and his unexpected cameo as “the next Darwin” in popular media—shaped his understanding of science and spirituality. From his ordination as a rabbi to his groundbreaking thermodynamic research, England offers a unique perspective on the interplay between faith, scienti...2025-05-192h 19632nmFlux Grant by 1517 Fund: Backing Garage Science and Sci-Fi TechIn this episode of the 632nm podcast, we sit down with 1517 Fund’s Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson to explore their Flux program, a unique pre-seed fellowship backing wild, unorthodox scientific and technical ideas. They share how they’ve helped founders transform “garage science” projects—like nuclear batteries, quantum computing prototypes, and cutting-edge materials—into serious startups. Along the way, they discuss the pitfalls of chasing academic prestige, the power of genuine curiosity, and how to leverage minimal resources for big ambitions.We also learn about the flexibility of Flux’s “cannon launch” grants, what it takes to persuade invest...2025-05-1047 min632nmTrapped Ion Quantum Computing: Christopher Monroe of IonQIn this episode of the 632nm podcast, our guest traces the evolution from the early days of Bose-Einstein condensation experiments to pioneering trapped ion quantum gateways. He reveals how breakthroughs in laser cooling and atomic clock research unexpectedly paved the way for the first quantum logic gates, beating out the BEC community at a pivotal conference. We also hear about the surprising roles of entanglement, error mitigation, and photonic interconnects in shaping modern quantum hardware.The conversation shifts to the commercial world, where government funding, venture capital, and startup challenges collide. Our guest shares insider stories about...2025-05-022h 25632nmMaintaining Moore's Law: Lithography, Semiconductors, and Chip Fabrication with Mordechai RothschildIn this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore how 193nm lasers unexpectedly overtook x-ray approaches and reshaped semiconductor manufacturing. Physicist Mordechai Rothschild describes the breakthroughs that turned a once “impossible” technology into the mainstay of chip fabrication, including the discovery of specialized lenses, the invention of chemically amplified resists, and the game-changing flip to immersion lithography. We also hear candid insights on the race to push below 13.5 nanometers, where new ideas in plasma sources and advanced coatings might one day carry Moore’s Law even further.Dr. Mordechai Rothschild is a leading physicist and technologist at MIT Li...2025-04-142h 07632nmQuantum Cascade Lasers: Federico Capasso on Curiosity and Bell LabsIn this episode, physicist Federico Capasso recounts his winding path from struggling undergrad to pioneering inventor of the quantum cascade laser. He reveals how openness, daring ideas, and the bottom-up ethos at Bell Labs led to breakthroughs that redefined semiconductor research.Capasso also discusses the blurred lines between basic and applied science, the importance of nurturing curiosity, and the serendipitous moments that propelled his career. From avalanche photodiodes to metasurfaces to quantum biology, he offers a fascinating look at how big discoveries often begin with a simple spark of wonder.2025-04-011h 32632nmHow Edison Inspired Eli Yablonovitch to Create Four World-Changing InventionsEli Yablonovitch shares how Thomas Edison's approach of requiring "a thousand failed discoveries for every one that works" shaped his scientific philosophy. From solar cells to semiconductor lasers to photonic crystals to cell phone antennas, Yablonovitch reveals how each invention evolved from identifying fundamental physics concepts that others overlooked. He explains how his light-trapping concept now used in every solar panel stemmed from thinking about statistical mechanics. His strained semiconductor laser design, which initially faced industry resistance, eventually became the standard in all laser pointers and DVDs. Throughout his career spanning Bell Labs, Exxon, and academia, Yablonovitch demonstrates that...2025-03-143h 00632nmFrom Failed PhD to Nobel Prize | John Mather’s Journey to Revolutionize AstronomyJoin the 632nm team as we sit down with Nobel laureate Dr. John Mather. From his childhood days of building radios and telescopes to leading NASA's groundbreaking COBE mission, learn how a spectacular failure during his PhD research unexpectedly paved the way for his Nobel Prize-winning work. And hear the story of how NASA took a chance on a 28-year-old scientist who would change our understanding of the universe.Dr. Mather shares insights into the engineering marvels behind modern space telescopes, including the James Webb Telescope's ingenious cooling system and the concept behind hybrid ground-space observatories...2025-02-251h 53632nmHunting for Alien Artifacts | Avi LoebJoin the 632nm team as we sit down with Harvard Professor Avi Loeb, in this fascinating exploration of astronomy, alien life, and the intersection of science and politics. From discussing the mysterious interstellar object that changed astronomy to explaining why Mars might not be the best destination for human colonization, Loeb challenges conventional wisdom with evidence-based insights. His unique perspective, shaped by his journey from growing up on a farm in Israeli to becoming a leading Harvard scientist, reminds us to think from first principles about the universe’s biggest questions.The conversation illuminates the stories behind gr...2025-02-183h 37632nmAre We Doomed? | Dan Aronovich on Norbert Wiener's 1948 “Cybernetics”In this episode, the 632nm team sits down with Dan Aronovich (Data Science Decoded Podcast) to explore predictions about technology and society, starting with MIT pioneer Norbert Wiener's remarkably prescient warnings about AI from 1948. His concerns about artificial systems misinterpreting human instructions mirror modern discussions about AI alignment, while his skepticism of social sciences raises important questions about the limitations of studying human behavior.The conversation takes an unexpected turn as it delves into demographic forecasts that paint a striking picture of humanity's future. The discussion reveals how declining global fertility rates could lead to religious groups...2025-02-1058 min632nmInformation, Entropy & Reality | MIT Professor Seth Lloyd on Quantum ComputingThe 632nm team sat down with MIT professor Seth Lloyd for a mind-bending journey through quantum mechanics, information theory, and the early days of quantum computing. Lloyd shares fascinating stories from his pioneering work in quantum information, including how he nearly got expelled from his PhD program for pursuing what was then considered a "crazy" research direction. Through engaging examples and personal anecdotes, he explains why quantum mechanics is "irreducibly weird" and how information and entropy are fundamentally the same thing.The conversation takes unexpected turns with remarkable stories about Stephen Hawking's quantum gravity lectures, Richard Feynman's...2025-02-032h 03632nmFrom Medieval Glass to Nobel Prize | Moungi Bawendi on Mastering Quantum DotsIn this episode, the 632 team interviewed Nobel laureate Moungi Bawendi, revealing his serendipitous journey to the discovery and development of quantum dots. From a summer internship at Bell Labs to an expired bottle of chemicals that contained the perfect mixture, Bawendi shares how some of chemistry's biggest breakthroughs came from unexpected places. He draws remarkable connections between medieval stained glass artisans and modern nanotechnology, explaining how thousand-year-old techniques unknowingly pioneered the manipulation of nanoparticles.The conversation takes us through the evolution of quantum dots from laboratory curiosity to revolutionary technology, now powering millions of modern TV displays...2025-01-271h 31632nmHow a Vision Disorder Led to Shocking Brain Science Discoveries | Mark Bear on NeuroplasticityIn this captivating episode, we explore how Mark Bear's personal experience with congenital nystagmus sparked a revolutionary career in neuroscience. Mark shares his remarkable journey from struggling with a visual impairment to making groundbreaking discoveries about how the brain processes visual information, including the identification of a previously unknown neural pathway discovered during his undergraduate years.The conversation delves deep into the fascinating mechanics of human vision, explaining how our brains transform input from two separate eyes into one unified visual experience. Perhaps most intriguingly, Mark reveals critical insights about the brain's developmental windows, particularly how infants...2025-01-201h 35632nmThe Current Reality of Quantum Computing | Yudong Cao on Deploying Quantum for Real-Life ProblemsIn this eye-opening episode, former Zapata Computing CEO Yudong Chen reveals the sobering truth about quantum computing's potential impact on drug discovery and the industry's inflated market expectations. Chen explains why even with perfect quantum chemistry calculations, the business case for quantum computing in pharmaceuticals falls dramatically short of the billions being invested, with a total addressable market of only around $100M.The conversation takes fascinating turns as Chen shares the unusual origin story of Zapata Computing, named after Mexican revolutionary Emiliano Zapata, and traces the company's journey from quantum computing to AI. He provides crucial insights...2025-01-131h 52632nmFrom Failed Project to 40 Million Eye Scans: David Huang on the Birth of OCTDr. David Huang shares the remarkable journey of how a failed laser surgery project during his MD-PhD studies at MIT led to the invention of Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), now used in over 40 million eye procedures annually. The story includes a pivotal moment when Professor James Fujimoto volunteered as the first human subject for OCT testing when no other students would agree to have an experimental laser pointed at their eye.The development of OCT was made possible by the 1980s telecommunications boom, which provided crucial fiber optic components. Dr. Huang's unique background combining computer science and...2025-01-061h 29632nmOrigins of Life | Anna Wang on Artificial Cells and Nano-RobotsOrigins of life researcher Anna Wang takes us on a fascinating journey through the latest theories about how life began, revealing why Darwin's "warm little ponds" are making a comeback and how ocean spray droplets may have served as nature's first test tubes. She explains why early cell membranes were more like soap bubbles - fragile and leaky - and how these imperfections were actually crucial for primitive life to function.The conversation explores the cutting edge of synthetic biology, where scientists are attempting to build artificial cells from scratch. Wang shares illuminating analogies, comparing their work...2024-12-301h 15632nmThe Future of Fusion | Dennis Whyte on Nuclear Fusion and MIT Plasma ScienceMIT Professor Dennis Whyte's path to becoming a fusion energy pioneer began with an unlikely source - a Ripley's Believe It or Not comic strip he read as a teenager in rural Saskatchewan. The comic described how a bottle of water could theoretically contain the energy equivalent of 100 barrels of oil through fusion, sparking a lifelong fascination that would shape his career.This fascination led Whyte to write his first high school paper on fusion energy and eventually become the first PhD student working on Canada's groundbreaking fusion project with Hydro Quebec. Now as Director of MIT's...2024-12-232h 51632nmOrigins of Life | Jack Szostak on Basement Experiments to Nobel Prize-Winning DiscoveriesNobel laureate Jack Szostak takes us on a fascinating journey through his remarkable scientific career, from conducting dangerous chemistry experiments in his basement as a curious child to making groundbreaking discoveries about telomeres that would earn him the Nobel Prize. He reveals how a forgotten DNA sample in his freezer led to fundamental insights about chromosome stability, and explains why studying unusual organisms often leads to the biggest scientific breakthroughs.Beyond his work on telomeres, Szostak shares his current research into life's origins, including revolutionary ideas about how the first cells might have emerged and replicated their...2024-12-161h 26632nmThe God Particle | Christoph Paus on Higgs Boson, CERN, and CMSProfessor Christoph Paus, a key figure in the discovery of the Higgs Boson at CERN's Large Hadron Collider, discusses his journey in high-energy physics, the challenges of leading large international collaborations, and the future of particle physics. As one of the co-conveners of the CMS Higgs physics group during the historic discovery, Paus provides unique insights into how the detection of this elusive particle was achieved through careful experimental design, data analysis, and team coordination.He explains the Standard Model of particle physics, the significance of the Higgs field and boson, and explores current mysteries like dark...2024-12-091h 42632nmCold Atoms: Mikhail Lukin on Quantum Optics and Neutral Atom ComputingIn this episode, Harvard Professor Mikhail Lukin discusses his pioneering work in quantum computing using neutral atoms. He shares the journey from his early work in quantum optics and electromagnetically induced transparency to developing programmable quantum processors using arrays of individually trapped atoms. Lukin explains key breakthroughs in quantum error correction and how his team achieved unprecedented control over large numbers of quantum bits. He also discusses the fundamental challenges of building practical quantum computers and his optimistic outlook for the field's future.01:16 Early Career and Breakthroughs01:55 Understanding Lasers and Population Inversion03:37 The B...2024-12-0250 min632nmEinstein Was Wrong: John Clauser on Bell's Theorem and the Nature of RealityIn this episode, we sit down with Nobel laureate John Clauser to discuss his experiments from the early 1960’s, testing Bell's inequalities and quantum entanglement. Clauser shares the story of how, as a graduate student, he proposed testing quantum mechanics against Einstein's local realism - an idea that most prominent physicists, including Richard Feynman, dismissed as a waste of time. Despite the skepticism, Clauser persisted and conducted the first experimental tests that showed quantum mechanics was correct and Einstein was wrong about quantum entanglement.Clauser walks us through the technical challenges of the experiments, from building equipment fr...2024-11-252h 09632nmThe Science of Drug Discovery: Insights from Artem EvdokimovIn this episode, drug discovery scientist Artem Evdokimov discusses the science of pharmaceutical development, from historical breakthroughs to the current landscape. He shares insights on antibiotics resistance, the obesity drug Ozempic, and technical details of drug screening methods like DNA-encoded libraries. The conversation covers the economics of drug development, the potential of AI, and broader philosophical questions about human health and medicine. Evdokimov emphasizes the importance of avoiding oversimplification in science while highlighting both the triumphs and ongoing challenges in pharmaceutical research.03:18 Historical Roots of Medicine05:33 Evolution of Drug Delivery Methods12:52 Modern Drug D...2024-11-182h 50632nmOptical Metatronics: Nader Engheta on Electromagnetics and Scientific CuriosityIn this episode of the 632nm podcast, Nader Engheta shares his journey and experiences within the field of electromagnetics, from his early days at the University of Tehran and Caltech, to his current research in optical metatronics and nonlinear dynamics. He discusses the importance of motivation and curiosity in scientific research, the potential of optics in AI, and the exciting new possibilities for combining knowledge from different fields. Engheta also touches on his experiences in industry, interdisciplinary teaching, and offers advice to young researchers.02:19 Fascination with Electromagnetics03:14 Journey from Tehran to Caltech05:39 Exploring C...2024-11-111h 54632nmQuantum Computing: Peter Zoller and Ignacio Cirac on the Quantum RevolutionIn this episode of the 632-nanometer podcast, we explore the evolution of quantum computing with theoretical physicists and experimentalists Peter Zoller and Ignacio Cirac, two pioneers in the field. They recount their personal journeys and discuss key breakthroughs in the development of trapped ion quantum computing.What are the fundamental challenges of quantum computing, and how did researchers overcome them? What detection methods were initially considered, and how has the approach evolved? In this podcast, you'll find the answers to these questions and learn about significant milestones, including the early experiments by Dave Wineland and Chris Monroe...2024-11-041h 16632nmGravitational Waves: Rainer Weiss (Nobel Prize 2017) on Laser Interferometer ObservationIn 1916, Einstein predicted the existence of gravitational waves, however, it took almost a century for researchers to detect them. In this episode of the 632-nanometer podcast, the team has a fireside chat with Rainer Weiss, the man behind the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-wave Observatory and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics for the observation of gravitational waves. What are gravitational waves, where do they come from, and why are they so difficult to detect? What detection approaches were considered and how did they eventually succeed? In this podcast, you will find the answers to these questions and h...2024-10-281h 21632nmSynthetic Biology: George Church on Genome Sequencing and De-ExtinctionThe great George Church takes us through the revolutionary journey of DNA sequencing from his early groundbreaking work to the latest advancements. He discusses the evolution of sequencing methods, including molecular multiplexing, and their implications for understanding and combating aging. We talk about the rise of biotech startups, potential future directions in genome sequencing, the role of precise gene therapies, the ongoing integration of nanotechnology and biology, the potential of biological engineering in accelerating evolution, transhumanism, the Human Genome Project, and the importance of intellectual property in biotechnology. The episode concludes with reflections on future technologies, the importance of...2024-10-221h 10
NSAC Coffee Hour: Interview SeriesMikhail Shalaginov: A Random Walk of MiraclesThis week we had the priviledge of interviewing Dr. Mikhail Shalaginov. Misha is currently a Post-Doctoral researcher at MIT. His research has covered a variety of areas in nanophotonics from quantum optics to his current work in Mid-Infrared meta-lenses. For his work he has won several awards such as the 2017 College of Engineering outstand graduate student research award, and the 2019 MRS Fall Meeting Best Presentation Award. In this interview we explored his path through academia thus far and his thoughts on what it takes to be a successful researcher.2021-02-1047 min