Episodios

  • AMSEcast with guest Dr. Ahmed El-Mokadem

    AMSEcast with guest Dr. Ahmed El-Mokadem
    Feb 5 2026

    In this wide-ranging conversation, Ahmed El-Mokadem explores the deep ideas behind mathematics' most mysterious numbers, revealing how concepts like zero, infinity, irrational numbers, and imaginary numbers challenge both logic and philosophy. He traces how constants such as π, e, the golden ratio, and the Feigenbaum constants appear universally across nature, physics, biology, and technology—suggesting they are discovered features of reality rather than human inventions. El-Mokadem highlights how mathematics repeatedly expands its own boundaries, from accepting imaginary numbers to assigning meaning to divergent infinities through Ramanujan's work. He shows that even chaos follows hidden numerical order, and that numbers long viewed as paradoxical often turn out to be indispensable. Throughout, mathematics emerges not as cold abstraction, but as a living language that reveals structure, mystery, and beauty in the universe. The discussion ultimately invites listeners to see math as a bridge between human curiosity and the deep order of the cosmos.
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    45 m
  • From Earth to Mars: A Rock's View with Jan Zalasiewicz

    From Earth to Mars: A Rock's View with Jan Zalasiewicz
    Jan 21 2026
    From Oak Ridge, Tennessee, AMSEcast host Alan Lowe sits down with geologist and paleontologist Dr. Jan Zalasiewicz, chair of the Anthropocene Working Group and author of How to Read a Rock. Their conversation explores how rocks and minerals form and what they reveal about Earth's history, from the rock cycle and earthquakes to ancient climates recorded in stone. Jan explains how life, human activity, and materials like bricks and concrete have reshaped geology, and how coal, oil, and gas fit into Earth's carbon cycle. The discussion also looks outward to the Moon and Mars, where rocks offer clues to planetary history and the possibility of past life. Guest Bio Dr. Jan Zalasiewicz is a geologist and paleontologist and an emeritus professor of paleobiology at the University of Leicester. He serves as chair of the Anthropocene Working Group, which has played a leading role in advancing the idea of the Anthropocene as a new geologic epoch shaped by humanity's impact on Earth. A prolific and widely published author, Jan explores how rocks, fossils, and landscapes record the planet's deep history. His books include The Cosmic Oasis: The Remarkable Story of Earth's Biosphere, Discarded: How Technofossils Will Be Our Ultimate Legacy, and How to Read a Rock: Our Planet's Hidden Stories, which is the focus of today's conversation. Show Notes:
    • (1:34) The difference between a rock and a mineral
    • (2:38) How minerals form rocks
    • (4:51) How limestone and marble are formed
    • (6:33) Identifying faults based on rock strata and surface landscapes
    • (8:51) What rocks say about the structure and atmosphere of ancient Earth
    • (10:43) How materials can survive millennia without changing
    • (12:56) The ways animals and plants can affect the Earth's geology
    • (15:28) How concrete and bricks are created
    • (18:53) How hydrocarbons are formed
    • (21:47) What we've learned about the Moon and Mars from their samples
    • (25:15) What's next for Jan Zalasiewicz
    Links Referenced
    • The Cosmic Oasis: The Remarkable Story of Earth's Biosphere https://www.amazon.com/Cosmic-Oasis-Remarkable-Earths-Biosphere/dp/0198845871/
    • Discarded: How Technofossils Will be Our Ultimate Legacy https://www.amazon.com/Discarded-Technofossils-Will-Ultimate-Legacy/dp/0192869337/
    • How to Read a Rock: Our Planet's Hidden Stories https://www.amazon.com/How-Read-Rock-Planets-Stories/dp/1588347281
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    28 m
  • AMSE Science Report with Alan Chodos and James Riordon

    AMSE Science Report with Alan Chodos and James Riordon
    Jan 9 2026

    What if I told you that, no matter where you are or what you are doing, about 100 trillion neutrinos are passing through your body every second? Well, you might first respond, as I did, by asking what is a neutrino, and then wondering why we seem to have no awareness at all of their presence. I mean, if were one or two particles, sure, you might miss them, but 100 trillion every second? I needed to learn more so I spoke on our podcast, AMSEcast, with Alan Chodos and James Riordon about their fascinating book, Ghost Particle: In Search of the Elusive and Mysterious Neutrino.

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    4 m
  • AMSE Science Report with Robert Hettich

    AMSE Science Report with Robert Hettich
    Jan 6 2026

    Robert Hettich who serves as the Corporate Fellow and Leader of the Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group of the Biosciences Division at Oak Ridge National Lab, and as a Joint Faculty Member in the Microbiology Department at the University of Tennessee. Bob is an internationally recognized leader in the field of microbiomes. Now, you might have heard of microbiomes especially in regard to the biome or family of bacteria, that lives in your digestive system - our growing understanding of that symbiotic relationship has made prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health a big business
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    4 m
  • Why We Go to Space: Curiosity, Innovation, and the Human Spirit with William Harris

    Why We Go to Space: Curiosity, Innovation, and the Human Spirit with William Harris
    Dec 24 2025
    In this episode of AMSEcast, host Alan Lowe sits down with William Harris, President and CEO of Space Center Houston, to explore the past, present, and future of human space exploration and what it means for American innovation. As the official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston serves as the public gateway to human spaceflight. William shares how the center uses historic artifacts, immersive experiences, and cutting-edge STEM programming to demystify space exploration and inspire the next generation of innovators. From Apollo and the Space Shuttle to Artemis, Mars, and the James Webb Space Telescope, this conversation dives deep into how humans have made the impossible possible, often with limited technology but unlimited curiosity. William also discusses workforce development, diversity in innovation, the power of failure, and why STEM truly is for everyone. If you're fascinated by space, innovation, education, or the future of exploration, this episode offers a powerful reminder of what humans can achieve when curiosity, collaboration, and courage come together. Highlights: (00:00) Introduction to Amse Cast (00:46) Guest Introduction: William Harris (01:44) Exploring Space Center Houston (03:12) Key Exhibits and Artifacts (06:24) STEM Education Initiatives (08:57) Innovation Gateway Programs (16:40) The Legacy of the Space Shuttle (18:56) Artemis and the Future of Space Exploration (23:18) Unmanned Missions and Their Impact (35:14) Conclusion and Future Plans
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    39 m
  • AMSEcast with guests Alan Chodos and James Riordon

    AMSEcast with guests Alan Chodos and James Riordon
    Dec 17 2025

    Ghost Particle explores the neutrino, one of the most abundant yet elusive particles in the universe, tracing its journey from a theoretical fix to puzzling nuclear reactions to a cornerstone of modern physics. The book explains how neutrinos helped preserve fundamental laws like conservation of energy and reveals how decades of ingenious experiments finally confirmed their existence. The authors guide readers through discoveries such as neutrino "flavors," oscillations, and the surprising realization that neutrinos have mass—challenging the Standard Model of particle physics. Cutting-edge research is connecting neutrinos to cosmic phenomena, including supernovae, the interior of the Sun, and the structure of the galaxy itself. Neutrinos may unlock answers to some of the universe's deepest mysteries, from the imbalance between matter and antimatter to the nature of dark matter and dark energy.
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    29 m
  • Inside The Franklin Institute with Larry Dubinski

    Inside The Franklin Institute with Larry Dubinski
    Dec 10 2025
    Alan Lowe interviews Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute, as part of a series celebrating 250 years of American innovation. He joins AMSEcast to discuss the institute's 1824 origins, its mission to inspire curiosity in science and technology, and its deep ties to Benjamin Franklin's legacy. He highlights major exhibits, including the National Memorial, the Hamilton Collections Gallery, and historic patent models, and online series like Ingenious and The Road to 2050. Dubinski emphasizes fostering lifelong learning, diverse voices, and bold leadership to sustain innovation. Episode Highlights
    • (1:16) When The Franklin Institute was established and its mission
    • (1:58) Why Benjamin Franklin still looms large over so many subjects
    • (2:48) How Franklin's story is preserved and presented at the institute
    • (3:33) Why the Baldwin 60000 steam locomotive is such a great engineering innovation
    • (6:47) Exploring the museum's artifacts in "Ingenious: The Evolution of Innovation"
    • (8:23) Why the U.S. has such an ability for creating new technologies and creative problem solving
    • (9:06) How we can continue being leaders and innovators for the next 250 years
    Guest Biography Larry Dubinski is the President and CEO of The Franklin Institute in Philadelphia, one of the nation's oldest and most respected centers for science education. Since taking the helm in 2014, he has led major initiatives that expand the institute's reach, modernize its exhibits, and deepen its role in inspiring curiosity about science and technology. Under his leadership, The Franklin Institute has continued to honor Benjamin Franklin's legacy while showcasing cutting-edge innovation and educational programming. A champion of lifelong learning and public engagement in STEM, Larry brings both vision and passion to the advancement of science education. Links Referenced
    • The Franklin Institute: FiHome | The Franklin Institute https://fi.edu/
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    13 m
  • Franklin's Curiosity Unpacked with Richard Munson

    Franklin's Curiosity Unpacked with Richard Munson
    Nov 26 2025
    Alan Lowe talks with Richard Munson about his book Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist. Munson's book aims to highlight Franklin's often overlooked scientific achievements. He describes Franklin's rise from a penniless runaway to a successful printer whose curiosity fueled his scientific breakthroughs. Franklin's experiments helped define core electrical concepts and led to inventions like the lightning rod, reflecting his Enlightenment commitment to reason and inquiry. His scientific fame later boosted his diplomatic mission in France, where his celebrity status helped secure essential support for American independence. Episode Highlights
    • (1:18) How Benjamin Franklin's printing success allowed him to pursue science
    • (4:59) The role of Poor Richard's Almanac in Franklin's life
    • (7:27) What was known about electricity before his experiments and how he advanced it
    • (9:35) Benjamin Franklin's invention of the lightning rod
    • (11:22) What motivated Franklin to be constantly active
    • (16:55) His role in America's future alliance with France
    • (17:45) Why so many biographers have pushed Benjamin Franklin's scientific work to the side
    • (19:40) What Richard Munson is working on now
    Guest Biography Richard Munson is an award-winning author and longtime leader in environmental and clean-energy innovation. His career spans influential roles in nonprofits, academia, business, and on Capitol Hill, including serving as a director at the Environmental Defense Fund. A prolific writer, Munson explores the intersection of technology, sustainability, and public policy in works such as Tech to Table: 25 Innovators Reimagining Food. His latest book, Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist, examines the scientific curiosity and innovations of one of America's most iconic founders. Munson returns to AMSEcast to share fresh insights into Franklin's legacy and the power of science-driven problem-solving. Links Referenced
    • Tech to Table: 25 Innovators Reimagining Food: https://www.amazon.com/Tech-Table-Innovators-Reimagining-Food/dp/1642831905
    • Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist: https://www.amazon.com/Ingenious-Biography-Benjamin-Franklin-Scientist-ebook/dp/B0CTXNJL6Y
    • Power Corrupts: Cleaning Up America's Biggest Industry: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Corrupts-Cleaning-Americas-Industry/dp/1538199394
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    23 m