Best LASER Materials Science Podcasts (2025)

1
Ferenc Krausz explains how ultrashort laser pulses could help detect disease 30:36

1d ago30:36

30:36

This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features the Nobel laureate Ferenc Krausz. He is director of the Max-Planck Institute of Quantum Optics and a professor at LMU Munich, both in Germany, and CEO and scientific director of the Center for Molecular Fingerprinting in Budapest, Hungary. In a conversation with Physics World’s Tami Freeman …

1
The dismantling of US science: can it survive Trump 2.0? 27:52

2d ago27:52

27:52

In this episode: 00:46 What will be left of US science after Trump 2.0? 100 days into his term, President Donald Trump and his administration have already caused the biggest shakeup in modern scientific history, slashing funding, bringing large swathes of US research to a standstill and halting many clinical trials. But many fear these actions are …

1
Quantum Computing: The Future of Technology Explained by Prof. Peter Zoller 35:31

3d ago35:31

35:31

In the last episode before the Physics For Future conference, we had the privilege of speaking with Professor Peter Zoller, a renowned theoretical physicist from the University of Innsbruck. As we celebrate the International Year of Quantum Science and Technology, Professor Zoller provided us with a comprehensive overview of the evolution and signi…

1
Frankenstein's Electric Organism | Burnt Ancient Scrolls, Sleeping While Awake, and a Shocking New Organism Discovery 28:39

4d ago28:39

28:39

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna, Steph and their producer Beemo, unravel ancient burnt scrolls, and explore how AI can be used to read them. They then zone out a bit and discuss a new study related to our brains and what is going on when we "blank." Finally, they get zapped by a new organism that can conduct electricity l…

1
Additive Economics: Reshoring, Risk & Revenue in Additive Manufacturing 50:20

4d ago50:20

50:20

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld discusses the intersection of finance and additive manufacturing with Danny Piper, Managing Partner at New Cap Partners live at RAPID + TCT 2025. Danny, also the host of the Printing Money podcast, shares his expertise on the financial landscape of additive manufacturing, the challe…

1
Built Environment Materials 22:16

5d ago22:16

22:16

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. Sabbie Miller, an Associate Professor at the University of California, Davis, discusses the built environment and optimizing infrastructure materials.By U.S. National Science Foundation

1
Audio long read: Do smartphones and social media really harm teens’ mental health? 17:33

7d ago17:33

17:33

Research shows that, over the past two decades, rates of mental illness have been increasing in adolescents in many countries. While some scientists point to soaring use of smartphones and social media as a key driver for this trend, others say the evidence does not show a large effect of these technologies on teenagers’ psychological health. At th…

1
Driving skills and innovation in the UK’s semiconductor industry 33:52

9d ago33:52

33:52

This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features the materials scientist Paul Meredith, who is director of the Centre for Integrative Semiconductor Materials (CISM) at the UK’s Swansea University. In a conversation with Physics World’s Matin Durrani, Meredith talks about the importance of semiconductors in a hi-tech economy and why it is c…

1
A brand-new colour created by lasers, a pig-liver transplant trial gets the green light, and a nugget-sized chunk of lab-grown meat 20:27

9d ago20:27

20:27

00:27 Five people see ‘olo’, a brand-new colour Using a laser system to activate specific eye cells, a team has allowed five study participants to perceive a vibrant blue-greenish hue well outside the natural range of colours seen by humans. Although the setup required to accomplish this feat is currently complicated, this finding could provide mor…

1
Lucy in the Sky with Asteroids | NASA's Trojan Flyby, Self-Healing Fungal Building Material, and Historical Colossal Squid Footage 30:00

11d ago30:00

30:00

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna, Steph and their producer Beemo, look for Jupiter's Trojan asteroids with Lucy, NASA's far-out spacecraft. They then dive into a news story about a self-healing fungus that can be used as a building material, and then swim down into the depths to discuss the historic footage that captured o…

1
‘Dark matter’, 'Big Bang' and ‘spin’: how physics terms can confuse researchers 33:11

10d ago33:11

33:11

Categorizing things is central to science. And there are dozens of systems scientists have created to name everything from the trenches on the sea bed to the stars in the sky. But names have consequences. What’s in a name is a series exploring naming in science and how names impact the world. We look at whether the system of naming species remains …

1
Startups, Tariffs & AI: What's Really Shaping the Future of Additive Manufacturing? 34:43

11d ago34:43

34:43

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld speaks with Arno Held, co-founder and managing partner of AM Ventures. Recording live from RAPID + TCT 2025, they discuss the current state and future outlook of the additive manufacturing landscape, touching on startup trends, the impacts of global tariffs, and increased defense sp…

1
Translational Research 18:57

12d ago18:57

18:57

Fundamental science can have a profound impact when discoveries and research are developed into tangible solutions that benefit the public. Ximena Bernal and Pablo Zavattieri, professors at Purdue University, discuss how their research into mosquitoes may translate into bio-inspired sensors that could help save lives.…

1
Radiosurgery made easy: the role of the Gamma Knife in modern radiotherapy 32:14

16d ago32:14

32:14

This podcast features Alonso Gutierrez, who is chief of medical physics at the Miami Cancer Institute in the US. In a wide-ranging conversation with Physics World’s Tami Freeman, Gutierrez talks about his experience using Elekta’s Leksell Gamma Knife for radiosurgery in a busy radiotherapy department. This podcast is sponsored by Elekta.…

1
What a trove of potato genomes reveals about the humble spud 32:41

16d ago32:41

32:41

In this episode: 00:46 A potato pangenome Researchers have created a ‘pangenome’ containing the genomes of multiple potato types, something they believe can help make it easier to breed and sequence new varieties. The potato's complicated genetics has made it difficult to sequence the plant's genome, but improvements in technology have allowed the …

1
How Copper, Diamonds, & Beam Shaping are Revolutionizing 3D Printing 1:06:12

17d ago1:06:12

1:06:12

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld welcomes guests from the University of Wolverhampton — Arun Arjunan, John Robinson, and Manpreet Singh. They delve into the university's significant contributions to additive manufacturing over the past 25 years, discussing their pioneering work in laser powder bed fusion, material …

1
"Psycho Salmon, Qu'est-ce que c'est?" | Pharmaceutical Water Pollution, 3D Interactive Holograms, and E-Taste 27:30

18d ago27:30

27:30

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph, along with their feline producer, Beemo the Cat, run far far far far away from the "psycho salmon" that seem to be appearing due to pharmaceutical pollution in waterways. Next they play with some 3D holograms that have becoming interactive, and taste the latest research into 'dig…

1
The Role of Artificial Intelligence with Dr. Sethuraman Panchanathan 20:16

19d ago20:16

20:16

While artificial intelligence-driven technology is promising practical solutions to global challenges, AI-driven research advances the frontiers of knowledge and propels American ingenuity. Sethuraman Panchanathan, the 15th director of the U.S. National Science Foundation, discusses the current state of AI and the many ways it may be used in the fu…

1
Non-invasive pressure sensor could revolutionize how brain injuries are diagnosed 26:28

23d ago26:28

26:28

This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features an interview with Panicos Kyriacou, who is chief scientist at the UK-based start-up Crainio. The company has developed a non-invasive way of using light to measure the pressure inside the skull. Knowing this intracranial pressure is crucial when diagnosing traumatic brain injury, which a lea…

1
Long-awaited ape genomes give new insights into their evolution — and ours 29:48

23d ago29:48

29:48

00:46 Complete sequencing of ape genomes Researchers have sequenced the complete genomes of six ape species, helping uncover the evolutionary history of our closest relatives and offering insights into what makes humans human. The genomes of chimpanzee, bonobo, gorilla, Bornean orangutan, Sumatran orangutan and siamang have been sequenced end-to-en…

1
The Night is Dark and Full of Dire Wolves | De-extinction, AI, and Space Miso 29:30

24d ago29:30

29:30

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph howl about dire wolves, de-extinction, and the recent news that the long lost species has just been brought back to life. They then talk artificial intelligence and their knack for humanlike bias. Lastly, they take a big bite out of space miso aboard the ISS. Every Tuesday, join h…

1
Tariffs, AI, & Robotics: Future Trends in Additive Manufacturing 1:16:08

25d ago1:16:08

1:16:08

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld chats with Douglas Woods, President of AMT, about the evolving landscape of manufacturing. They discuss the significance of AI, robotics, and macroeconomic factors affecting the industry. Doug shares insights from his extensive background in manufacturing, including family history a…

1
From Hippocrates to COVID-19: the scientific fight to prove diseases can be airborne 32:27

25d ago32:27

32:27

Science writer and New York Times columnist Carl Zimmer's latest book Air-Borne: The Hidden History of the Life we Breathe dives into the invisible maelstrom of microbial life swirling in the air around us — examining how it helped shape our world, and the implications that breathing it in can have on human health. Carl joined us to discuss histori…

1
Fentanyl and Illicit Trafficking 18:49

26d ago18:49

18:49

The sustained influx of fentanyl and other illicit drugs has had a profound impact on the lives of Americans. Louise Shelley, a professor emerita at George Mason University, discusses fentanyl, illicit trafficking networks and work on how criminal supply chains are being interrupted by scientific research.…

1
Trump team removes senior NIH chiefs in shock move 11:32

28d ago11:32

11:32

In this Podcast Extra, we hear the latest on how decisions by the Trump administration are affecting science in the US. Most recently, a purge of National Institutes of Health (NIH) leadership has seen the chiefs of multiple institutes and centres removed from their posts. Plus, after cancelling nearly all NIH projects studying transgender health, …

1
William Phillips: Nobel laureate talks about his passion for quantum physics 1:03:22

29d ago1:03:22

1:03:22

This episode of the Physics World Weekly podcast features William Phillips, who shared the 1997 Nobel Prize for Physics for his work on cooling and trapping atoms using laser light. In a wide-ranging conversation with Physics World’s Margaret Harris, Phillips talks about his long-time fascination with quantum physics – which began with an undergrad…

1
World’s tiniest pacemaker could revolutionize heart surgery 37:41

1M ago37:41

37:41

00:46 Millimetre-sized pacemaker fits inside syringe Researchers have developed a tiny, temporary pacemaker that dissolves when no longer needed, helping to overcome some of the challenges associated with current devices. Temporary pacemakers are often required after heart surgery but implanting them can require invasive procedures. This new device…

1
From Physics to Computer Science: Symmetry in Neural Networks with Prof. Tess Smidt 31:37

1M ago31:37

31:37

For the second episode we had the privilege of speaking with Professor Tess Smidt, Assistant Professor at MIT who specializes in the fields of Euclidean symmetry and neural networks. From her early days when she majored in physics and minored in architecture, to her current work in computer science, Tess has always sought to understand how differen…

1
Pew Pew Pew! | Lasers Transform Matter, Cannabis Catastrophe, and Transparent Wood 21:16

1M ago21:16

21:16

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph talk a new development in laser technology, and how light may be able to transform matter. Next, they take a hit on some cannabis news and a recent finding that illegal pot contains some really nefarious chemicals. Lastly, they take a "voyage home" to find transparent wood? Every …

1
Rethinking the Railway: The Multi-Million Dollar Power of AM 59:15

1M ago59:15

59:15

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Feld welcomes Stefanie Brickwede to discuss the significant strides Deutsche Bahn and Mobility Goes Additive have made in additive manufacturing over the past decade. Stefanie details the journey from initial implementation focusing on obsolete parts to current innovations involving digital…

1
Audio long read: How quickly are you ageing? What molecular ‘clocks’ can tell you about your health 17:56

1M ago17:56

17:56

With money pouring in and an unprecedented level of public attention and excitement, scientists are publishing a steady stream of papers on ways to measure how rapidly a person’s body is declining. However, there are mixed feelings of enthusiasm and apprehension among researchers about efforts to develop tests that measure the impact of ageing on t…

1
Microsoft’s Chetan Nayak on topological qubits, the physics of bigger splashes 32:15

1M ago32:15

32:15

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the Global Physics Summit (GPS) in Anaheim California, where I rubbed shoulders with 15,0000 fellow physicists. The best part of being there was chatting with lots of different people, and in this podcast I share two of those conversations. First up is Chetan Nayak, who is a senior researcher at Microsoft’s…

1
New lasso-shaped antibiotic kills drug-resistant bacteria 32:45

1M ago32:45

32:45

In this episode: 00:46 Newly discovered molecule shows potent antibiotic activity Researchers have identified a new molecule with antibiotic activity against a range of disease-causing bacteria, including those resistant to existing drugs. The new molecule — isolated from soil samples taken from a laboratory technician’s garden — is called lariocid…

1
Way Down We Go | Most Accurate Ocean Map Ever, Fighting Pain, and a Revolutionary Stroke Medicine 22:43

1M ago22:43

22:43

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph dive deep into the darkness of the ocean with NASA and France's space agency to understand how they were able to build the tools to generate ocean floor maps with incredible accuracy and detail. They then play a few brain games a new study says we can use to master pain, and talk …

1
Built to Survive: 3D Printing the Future of F1 Racing 53:04

1M ago53:04

53:04

In this episode of the Additive Snack Podcast, host Fabian Alefeld interviews Stefan Seidel, Chief Technology Officer at Pankl Racing Systems. The discussion covers Pankl's innovative use of additive manufacturing (AM) in motorsports, aerospace, and high-performance sectors. Stefan elaborates on the transition to AM post-COVID-19, the stringent qua…

1
Artur Ekert explains how Albert Einstein and John Bell inspired quantum cryptography 55:00

1M ago55:00

55:00

When physicists got their first insights into the quantum world more than a century ago, they found it puzzling to say the least. But gradually, and through clever theoretical and experimental work, a consistent quantum theory emerged. Two physicists that who played crucial roles in this evolution were Albert Einstein and John Bell. In this episode…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

LASER Materials Science Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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