# 516: Voices From the Cataclysms of the Universe

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2025-12-12
- Length: 58m
- Episode: 516
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/516

## Summary

Sophi Kravitz, an electrical engineer and artist, discusses her upcoming art installation 'Messages from Space,' which uses Geiger–Müller tubes to detect cosmic rays and trigger sounds and stories. She explains the physics of cosmic rays, her experience building the hardware, and her transition from a year-long break to returning to EE consulting at her company Greenlight. Kravitz also shares insights on using AI to learn Blender for digital sculpting and the psychological challenges of returning to technical work after a hiatus.

## Chapters

- [0:01](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=1) Introduction and Guest Background
- [5:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=356) Messages from Space Art Installation
- [7:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=451) Cosmic Ray Physics and Detection
- [9:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=561) Hardware Design and Prototyping Challenges
- [29:05](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=1745) Learning Blender and CAD with AI
- [37:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=2226) Returning to Engineering Consulting
- [45:39](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=2739) Product Validation and QA Services
- [50:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe#t=3033) Other Art Projects and Future Plans

## Topics

- [Analog & power electronics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/analog-and-power-electronics)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)

## Most relevant to

makers and hobbyists, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Geiger–Müller tube (chip)
- Blender (tool)
- AutoCAD (tool)
- Hackaday.io (other)
- GitHub (other)
- Chabot Space & Science Center (company)
- Exploratorium (company)
- Greenlight (company)
- Sofy Yuditskaya (other)
- Ria Rajan (other)
- Justin Day (other)
- Oliver Tanner (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Ep 224: Star Wars Holograms, Tricorders, and Other Sensors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2023-06-23-ep-224-star-wars-holograms-tricorders-and-other-sensors) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep055: Most Cyberpunk Synthesizer, Data in Your Cells, Bubbly in Your Printer, & Dystopian Peepshow](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2020-02-21-ep055-most-cyberpunk-synthesizer-data-in-your-cells-bubbly-in-your-printer-dysto) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 186: Weighing Cats, Slamming VU Meters, Slimmer Skimmers, and Clean Air on the Cheap](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2022-09-23-ep-186-weighing-cats-slamming-vu-meters-slimmer-skimmers-and-clean-air-on-the-ch) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep008: The Art Episode: Joe Kim, Strings And CRTs, Hydrogen Done 2-Ways](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2019-03-01-ep008-the-art-episode-joe-kim-strings-and-crts-hydrogen-done-2-ways) (Hackaday Podcast)
- [Ep 384: OCR MOD Records, Magical PCBs, and the Gravity of Space Stations](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/hackaday-podcast/2026-08-28-ep-384-ocr-mod-records-magical-pcbs-and-the-gravity-of-space-stations) (Hackaday Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2025-12-12-516-voices-from-the-cataclysms-of-the-universe. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.
