Inside Apple's iMac: Material Science, Circular Design & Smart Surfaces with John Skabardonis | S3E5

What this episode covers

John Skabardonis, founder of Optimist Consulting and former material scientist at Covestro, details the development of the translucent polycarbonate for Apple's original iMac, explaining how dyes and pigments were selected to achieve specific visual effects under UV light. He discusses the challenges of circular design, contrasting mechanical and chemical recycling, and highlights innovations like Acoustic AI for sorting black plastics. The conversation explores smart surfaces and Shy Tech, featuring examples from BMW and TactoTech's in-mold structural electronics, emphasizing the importance of early material selection in industrial design.