EpiSTEM

Want to learn more about why you are the way you are or what traits make you the way you are? This week’s chill podcast discusses trait theory, theory of mind, and the autism spectrum. The points talked about in “The Dark Side of Detail” are brought back with extra research to discuss the uses of categorizing people by traits and how different mind sets work. Jump in the conversation with Hunter and Luke to learn more about yourself!

Attention to detail has been at the forefront of learning for millennia. Researchers are now discovering the different ways that people learn and how those with flexible vs. stable mindsets comprehend situations. Whether you have a flexible mindset or you have a stable mindset check out this episode to learn more about what that means. Remember to pay attention to the details, but not too close, because you might find the dark side of details.

This is the second half of “Chill Podcast 2”, this part is more of a brainstorming session that was sparked by the conversation from part 1. Hunter and Ryan Story cover a broad range of topics as they spiral down a rabbit-hole of physics and science related ideas.

This week EpiSTEM was able to talk to a researcher, Ryan Story, about his studies involving physics. He helps to drive a discussion more in-depth about thermoelectric applications and how Peltier devices could change the world. Welcome to part 1 of this chill podcast episode.

This week’s episode takes a look at ongoing research into the use of psychedelic compounds to help treat conditions ranging from depression to asthma.  The episode goes in depth into the changing stigma surrounding psychedelics and how a new pharmaceutical front of the “war on drugs” could be bringing the “war” to an end. This episode is based on an interview with a chemistry researcher at LSU, Ben Cummins, who gave many insights into how psychedelic applications could possibly change the world in the next decade.

Welcome to "chill podcast", a revision of our “curiosities” episodes. These episodes will be more approachable than other episodes and we will be allowing some guests on the show to spice things up. This first chill podcast goes over some really interesting applications of magnets that you should know more about. Get comfortable and get ready to learn about magnets!

Magnets are all around you, but do you have much control over them? Whether it be servo motors, locking mechanisms, or wireless charging; magnets can be found almost anywhere. The research paper for this episode goes into how manipulation of magnetic fields remotely is becoming possible. This could lead to innovations in many fields including better medical micro-robots and more focused magnetic trapping of atoms. If you are an expert on magnets or just want to learn more about them this episode will be helpful to you!

Paper Link: https://arxiv.org/abs/1912.12477

In this turn-of-the-year finale, Hunter and Luke explore who decides what to research and where the money comes from. Research drives technology and technology drives society, so understanding the roots of this process can shed a lot of light on how society develops! Interviewed in this episode is a professor and research fellow, a graduate student, and two undergraduate researchers studying cancer and chronic kidney disease among other subjects.

Phase change materials change parts of your everyday life, even if you don’t always notice them. This episode goes into some curiosities about phase change materials and where they are around you. They regulate temperature, help with drug delivery, and are used in your computer.