The Next Byte Podcast · 15 Mar 2022 · 24m
Hosts Daniel and Forbode discuss two material science breakthroughs: Dr. Jenny Zhang’s team at the University of Cambridge using aerosol jet printing to create 'tiny skyscraper' electrodes for photosynthetic bacteria, and a Texas A&M University team’s proposal for scalable 3D nanostructure manufacturing using supercritical carbon dioxide atomization. The Cambridge research achieved 236 micro amps per centimeter squared, a significant improvement over the previous 14 micro amp limit, by solving the conflict between light exposure and electrode contact area. The Texas A&M research aims to overcome the scalability and cost barriers of current vapor deposition techniques for nanostructured surfaces like graphene.
makers and hobbyists
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Hosts Elliot Williams and Kristina Panos review a week of hardware hacks, including Will Straver’s UV photo-plotter for PCBs, Sam Eddinger’s 3D-printed type balls for IBM Selectric typewriters, and Tech Ingredients’ method for synthesizing graphene. They also discuss the MNT Pocket Reform open-source laptop, a repurposed RAF cockpit indicator, and Aiden Cullen’s ambitious low-cost AR glasses project.
Arwed Niestroj, President and COO of Sakuu, explains why battery manufacturing is a complex material science problem where tiny defects cause failures, contrasting it with standard physical manufacturing. He details Sakuu's dry electrode coating technology, which eliminates toxic solvents and reduces facility footprint by 55%, enabling cost-effective Western production. Niestroj discusses how AI accelerates scaling and process control for these complex chemical reactions, and argues that this innovation allows for reshoring battery production to the US by lowering capital and operational costs.
Chris Briner, co-founder of Cartesian Co, explains how his company created the Argentum, a desktop circuit board printer that uses modified HP inkjet cartridges to print conductive silver traces via a two-part chemical reaction. He details the challenges of scaling production from a Kickstarter campaign, including managing the shelf life of corrosive silver nitrate and ascorbic acid inks, and the technical hurdles of achieving industry-standard resolution and multi-layer capabilities. Briner also discusses the company's move from Australia to Brooklyn to be near the 3D printing hub, their bootstrapping philosophy, and the regulatory landscape for startup fundraising.
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