78. Microneedle Wearables & Spider Web Inspired Food Packaging For A Healthier Future

The Next Byte Podcast · 12 Jul 2022 · 28m

What this episode covers

Daniel Farbod and Forbode discuss a UC San Diego team's development of a microneedle wearable patch that simultaneously tracks glucose, alcohol, lactate, and vitals, with the team founding a startup called Akillix to commercialize the device. They then cover Harvard University’s Professor Kit Parker’s research into spider-web-inspired food packaging made from pectin and antimicrobial agents, which extends the shelf life of avocados and reduces food waste. The hosts highlight how both innovations leverage advanced materials and sensors to solve critical health monitoring and food safety challenges.

Most relevant to

early-stage companies

Topics

Mentioned

Companies: Mouser Electronics, UC San Diego, Akillix, Harvard University
Tools: rotary jet spinning
Materials: pectin, tea tree oil, citric acid
Also: Professor Kit Parker

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

Embedded.fm14 Sept 2016 · 1h 00m
168: Put Your Gear on the Ping Pong Table
Briana Morey, an electrical engineer at MC10, discusses the company's stretchable wearable sensors, including the L'Oreal My UV Patch and the BioStamp RC. She explains the proprietary accordion-like geometry that allows electronics to stretch with skin, the use of NFC for the UV patch, and the BLE connectivity of the BioStamp RC. Morey also shares her background designing high-power electronics for lasers at JPSA and her personal hobby of building Tesla coils.
Materials & manufacturing processes PCB design & layout
8 chapters
People of Packaging17 Jan 2022 · 17m
98 - The Packaging News from the week of 1-10 covering Melodea, LinkedIn Creator Cory Connors, So Fresh Inc
Hosts Adam Peak, Cory Connors, and Avelio Matos discuss recent developments in sustainable packaging, highlighting So Fresh Inc's technology to extend food shelf life and Melodea's cellulose-based coding for flexible films. They also cover Aptar's innovation in fully recyclable pump applicators for the beauty industry and promote the LinkedIn Creator Accelerator program aimed at advancing sustainability messaging. The episode concludes with a plug for the Institute of Packaging Professionals (IOPP) and DuPont's Jennifer Benilkin.
Sustainability & circular products Marketing & brand
6 chapters
Hard Tech Podcast4 Jun 2023 · 53m
Household Robots Are Now Available, Moonwalker Shoes Help You Walk Faster, And More | Hard Tech #3
Host Daniela Paul discusses five emerging hardware technologies, including Gucci’s partnership with Lanza Tech to create fragrance from industrial waste, a new mosquito-repellent fabric from Auburn University, and a method to convert diapers into concrete sand. She highlights Shift Robotics’ Moonwalker shoes, which use an eight-wheeled gearbox to increase walking speed by 250%, and analyzes the rise of household robots like Amazon Astro, Sanctuary AI’s Phoenix, and Tesla’s humanoid robot.
Robotics & autonomy Materials & manufacturing processes
6 chapters
People of Packaging29 Mar 2022 · 31m
120 - Shaul Lapidot is changing flexible packaging for the good!
Shaul Lapidot, CEO and co-founder of Melodia, explains how his company uses nanocellulose extracted from wood pulp to create eco-friendly barrier coatings for flexible packaging. He details the development of Melox (oxygen barrier) and Melodia RTB Coat (water vapor barrier), which allow paper-based pouches to replace metalized PET and EVOH while remaining curbside recyclable or compostable. Lapidot also discusses the Israeli innovation ecosystem, including mandatory military service and government support, that enabled the commercialization of this technology derived from his PhD research.
Materials & manufacturing processes Sustainability & circular products
5 chapters
The Startup CPG Podcast9 Jan 2026 · 26m
Founder Feature: Alan Scholnick of Datefix
Alan Scholnick, founder of Datefix, explains how he transformed the date into a shelf-stable, portable energy gel to compete with artificial sports nutrition products. He details the product's low-glycemic benefits, its appeal to athletes and the Type 1 diabetes community, and the brand's strategy of using humor and transparency to educate consumers on real food versus synthetic gels. Scholnick also discusses Datefix's retail expansion into major chains like Walmart and Whole Foods and its move to Miami Beach.
Validation & product-market fit Marketing & brand
7 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by The Next Byte Podcast. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.

78. Microneedle Wearables & Spider Web Inspired Food Packaging For A Healthier Future

What this episode covers

Most relevant to

Topics

Mentioned

Related episodes from other shows

168: Put Your Gear on the Ping Pong Table

98 - The Packaging News from the week of 1-10 covering Melodea, LinkedIn Creator Cory Connors, So Fresh Inc

Household Robots Are Now Available, Moonwalker Shoes Help You Walk Faster, And More | Hard Tech #3

120 - Shaul Lapidot is changing flexible packaging for the good!

Founder Feature: Alan Scholnick of Datefix