Episodios

  • Invention and Exploration at the Smithsonian Institution

    Invention and Exploration at the Smithsonian Institution
    Oct 15 2025
    Host Alan Lowe continues AMSEcast’s exploration of 250 years of American innovation with Smithsonian experts Harold Wallace Jr., Dr. Eric Hintz, and Tim Pula. Together, they trace invention from Benjamin Franklin’s experiments to modern breakthroughs, highlighting the Smithsonian’s exhibitions, collections, and hands-on learning at Spark!Lab. The discussion spans collaboration with the Library of Congress, the role of failure in creativity, and how patents shape (but don’t define) innovation. The guests also reflect on nuclear technology’s history and social impact, and share how listeners can connect with the Lemelson Center and its nationwide Spark!Lab network inspiring inventors of all ages. Guest Bio Harold Wallace Jr., curator of the electricity collections, holds an MA and a PhD from the University of Maryland and specializes in the history of electric light and power. Dr. Eric Hintz, acting director of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, earned his MA and PhD from the University of Pennsylvania and curates exhibits on invention and creativity. Tim Pula, interpretive exhibits inventor for Spark!Lab, designs hands-on activities that inspire visitors of all ages to explore the process and spirit of invention. Show Highlights
    • (3:13) How the Smithsonian shares Franklin’s contributions for the understanding of electricity and innovation
    • (6:24) How the Lemelson Center uses examples of American inventors as part of their work and research
    • (7:57) The back-and-forth of learning from shared collections
    • (9:55) The inventions and ideas explored at Spark!Lab
    • (11:08) The artifacts used to tell the Edison story
    • (14:58) How failure factors into the discussion of innovation at the Lemelson Center
    • (17:42) The processes inventors followed to become innovative in their fields
    • (22:42) Patent models in the electrical collection of the Smithsonian Institute
    • (26:11) How the Lemelson Center and Spark!Lab approaches the patent process
    • (30:33) How the evolution of nuclear technology is represented
    • (35:20) How to learn more about the offerings from the Smithsonian, Lemelson Center, and Spark! Lab
    Links Referenced
    • Wallops Station and the Creation of an American Space Program: https://www.amazon.com/Wallops-Station-Creation-American-Program/dp/1018138579
    • Inventing for Sports: https://scholarlypress.si.edu/store/all/inventing-for-sports/
    • American Independent Inventors in An Era of Corporate R&D: https://www.amazon.com/Independent-Inventors-Corporate-Invention-Innovation/dp/0262542587
    • Does America Need More Innovators: https://www.amazon.com/America-Innovators-Lemelson-Invention-Innovation/dp/0262536730
    • Lemelson Center: https://invention.si.edu
    • Smithsonian main website: https://www.si.edu/
    • American History Museum: https://americanhistory.si.edu/
    • Smithsonian Collections Search Center: https://collections.si.edu
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    42 m
  • Exploring the Human Microbiome with Dr. Bob Hettich

    Exploring the Human Microbiome with Dr. Bob Hettich
    Oct 1 2025
    Dr. Robert Hettich is a pioneer in bioanalytical mass spectrometry. In this episode of AMSEcast, he describes how microbiomes form, vary across the body, and influence digestion, immunity, and overall health. Dr. Hettich also explains metaproteomics, the study of microbial proteins, to reveal how microbes function beyond their genes as well as their applications from human health to environmental cleanup and bioenergy. Inspired by his daughter’s experience with Crohn’s, Robert Hettich is especially focused on microbiomes’ links to inflammatory and neurological diseases, including Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s. Guest Bio Dr. Robert Hettich is a corporate fellow at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and leader of its Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group in the Biosciences Division. He also serves as joint faculty in the Microbiology Department at the University of Tennessee. Earning his BS from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology and a PhD in Analytical Chemistry from Purdue University, Dr. Hettich joined ORNL in 1986 and has since become a pioneer in microbiome and mass spectrometry research. Widely published and honored with multiple awards, he is recognized for advancing our understanding of complex microbial systems and their impact on health. Show Highlights
    • (1:45) What is a microbe?
    • (2:57) What is a microbiome?
    • (3:31) When microbiomes begin to develop in the body
    • (5:42) How microbiomes differ throughout the body
    • (7:51) The role of probiotics and prebiotics in microbiomes
    • (10:03) The effect of anti-microbial medication on microbiomes
    • (12:05) What metaproteomics is and what tools are required for it
    • (16:03) The role of microbiomes in development or materials, fuel, and other resources
    • (18:42) What Dr. Robert Hettich is most concerned about for his research
    Links Referenced
    • Dr. Robert Hettich’s email address: hettichrl@ornl.gov
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    23 m
  • One Woman's Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science author on AMSE Science Report

    One Woman's Personal Journey Through Sexism in Science author on AMSE Science Report
    Sep 20 2025

    Dr. Colwell shares her insight on the progression of women in science through the years. Framed by her own experiences we learn about her incredible work.
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    4 m
  • The History of the American Railroad with Albert Churella

    The History of the American Railroad with Albert Churella
    Sep 17 2025
    Railroads have shaped America’s growth, technology, and daily life for nearly two centuries. In this episode of AMSEcast, Alan talks with Dr. Albert Churella of Kennesaw State University about how innovations such as the automatic knuckle coupler, Westinghouse’s air brake, and the move from steam to diesel transformed safety and efficiency. Dr. Churella explains how signaling, centralized traffic control, and GPS-based Positive Train Control modernized operations. While U.S. passenger service lags Europe, its freight rail system leads the world in ton-miles, fuel efficiency, and low emissions. Albert also previews his forthcoming book on Conrail, reflecting on the railroad industry’s resilience, its economic impact, and its enduring relevance today. About Dr. Albert Churella Dr. Albert Churella is a leading scholar of transportation history and policy with a particular focus on railroads. He earned both his MA and PhD from The Ohio State University and now serves as a professor at Kennesaw State University. Albert’s research explores how railroads shaped American economic growth, technology, and public policy, linking the past to today’s transportation challenges. His work combines rigorous scholarship with a clear, engaging style that reaches beyond academic audiences. In addition to his extensive publications, Albert is widely regarded as an expert who makes the complex history of railroads accessible and relevant to modern readers. Show Highlights
    • (1:40) When the first train operated in the United States
    • (14:13) America’s addition of the air brake and the automatic coupler
    • (28:12) When track signals came into use
    • (40:05) Are trains high-tech now?
    • (45:04) The transition from steam to diesel and where the advancement was developed
    • (58:29) Why railways are still important in the US
    • (1:02:52) What Dr. Albert Churella is working on now
    Links Referenced
    • The Pennsylvania Railroad three-volume series:
      • https://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-Railroad-Building-1846-1917-American/dp/081224348X
      • https://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-Railroad-1917-1933-Railroads-Present/dp/0253066352
      • https://www.amazon.com/Pennsylvania-Railroad-Decline-1933-1968-Railroads/dp/0253069475
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    1 h y 9 m
  • AMSE Science Report with Marc Wortman

    AMSE Science Report with Marc Wortman
    Aug 9 2025
    4 m
  • AMSE Science Report with Richard Ellis

    AMSE Science Report with Richard Ellis
    Aug 8 2025

    Author Richard Ellis speaks about his latest book The Quest for the Cosmic Dawn. A breakdown of the earliest moments of our celestial cosmic soup.
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    4 m
  • When the River Ran Backward with Jay Feldman

    When the River Ran Backward with Jay Feldman
    Aug 6 2025
    Author and historian Jay Feldman joins host Alan Lowe to discuss When the Mississippi Ran Backwards, his gripping account of the 1811–1812 New Madrid earthquakes. Alan and Feldman explore the quakes’ massive impact, including over 2,000 tremors felt across 1.5 million square miles, and the deep historical context behind them. He explains the ancient origins of the Reelfoot Rift, Tecumseh’s eerie quake prophecy, and how early steamboat travel intersected with disaster. Feldman also recounts a horrific crime against an enslaved teenager, exposed by the quakes, and touches on ongoing seismic risk today. He also discusses reflections from his new memoir. Guest Bio Jay Feldman is an author, historian, and storyteller with a uniquely diverse background. Before turning to writing full-time, he worked as a musician and ran a music store specializing in vintage stringed instruments. He also founded Baseball for Peace, an organization promoting international understanding through sports, and has written for both television and the stage. Feldman is the author of Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America and When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes, which explores one of the most powerful and overlooked natural disasters in U.S. history. Show Highlights
    • (4:32) When the earthquakes occurred and how many there were
    • (9:23) The creation of the Reelfoot Rift and how it became the source of the quakes
    • (12:38) What makes intraplate earthquakes different from other kinds
    • (13:57) Why the Mississippi River ran backwards at the height of the quake
    • (16:11) The creation of Reelfoot Lake
    • (17:54) The legend of Tecumseh’s prophecy about the earthquakes
    • (21:55) How the Roosevelt family was involved with the event
    • (27:55) The crime that was revealed in the wreckage of the earthquakes
    • (32:44) Seismic activity in the area today
    Links Referenced
    • Manufacturing Hysteria: A History of Scapegoating, Surveillance, and Secrecy in Modern America: https://www.amazon.com/Manufacturing-Hysteria-History-Scapegoating-Surveillance/dp/0307388239
    • When the Mississippi Ran Backwards: Empire, Intrigue, Murder, and the New Madrid Earthquakes: https://www.amazon.com/When-Mississippi-Ran-Backwards-Earthquakes/dp/0743242793
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    36 m
  • AMSEcast with guest Norm Augustine

    AMSEcast with guest Norm Augustine
    Jul 30 2025

    In this episode, Mr. Lowe interviews Mr. Augustine. They discuss a variety of fascinating roles that Mr. Augustine has served in over the course of his career. At Princeton he was advised to consider geological engineering but would go on to change his major to aeronautical engineering as he was advised by a peer “that is where the future was.” The range of topics they discuss include American competitiveness, the challenge of putting people on the moon, international travel, the importance of individual talent and the drive to achieve. Undertaking work in the sciences in the context of historical knowledge gives better perspective and provides access to lessons learned in the past.

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    55 m