Stirring a hot soup of molten metal with a beam of light - this kind of fascinating technology is part of Peter Stritt's daily routine. At Bosch Research, he uses a new generation of lasers - beam-shaping lasers - to invent new production processes. In this Deep Dive episode, he explains how laser beams are shaped, what different shapes can be used for, how AI helps his experiments, and, of course, how a laser can stir a weld pool.

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What’s the coolest technology on the planet? Lasers, without a doubt. According to Bosch researcher Peter Stritt, Lasers are about to get even cooler. In his lab, he explores new “beam-shaping lasers” and their potential to enable huge advances in manufacturing as well as entirely new product designs. Shuko and Melena uncover how artificial intelligence can help identify optimal ways to use this technology on the factory floor. They also quiz each other - and you, the listener: What colors can laser beams have? Can lasers be used for cooling too? And how close is drilling holes in a sheet of metal in Peter's lab to drilling tunnels in mountains?

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Heat pumps are a climate-friendly of heating a home. Replacing F-gases with propane as a refrigerant in heat pumps makes them even more climate-friendly, but presents some technical challenges. In particular, the goal of reducing the amount of refrigerant to less than 152 grams for safe indoor use requires smart solutions beyond simply shrinking the unit. While engineers are still figuring that out, outdoor units that use propane are already on the market. A flow temperature close to that of gas boilers makes them suitable for buildings that couldn't previously convert to heat pumps. Join Geoff's voice avatar and Bosch engineer Markus Sundbrandt as they explore how propane can accelerate the transition to decarbonized heating.

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Heat pumps are literally the hottest trend in keeping our homes comfortable during the winter. Already much more climate-friendly than gas boilers or oil burners, heat pumps are set to become even more ecological. Markus Sundbrandt of Bosch Home Comfort talks about his search for a refrigerant that has a lower impact on the climate than what’s circulating in most heat pumps today. The new refrigerant has a global warming potential of only 3, compared to about 2,000 for traditional refrigerants. What these numbers mean, what this new substance is and why it has its downsides, too: all of that and more in this cozy episode, warmly hosted by Melena and Geoff.

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With B2X or V2X technology bikes and cars can make each other aware of their position and direction. Bosch associate Andreas Wienss is working with this technology. In this deep dive with Geoff’s voice avatar, he describes various studies he and his colleagues have conducted to make the system reliable and prove its usefulness.

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"BREEAAAAK!" the bike screams - figuratively speaking. With B2X, or bike-to-anything communication, bikes can be aware of other vehicles on the road that are out of the rider's view. And vice versa: car drivers can be warned about bikes they did not notice. Melena gets a demo of this technology, which is ready for use on bikes, cars, and beyond. Bosch eBike Systems team leader Christian Cosyns explains it in detail. Meanwhile, Geoff explores the similarities between connected bikes and bats. Scientist Holger Goerlitz examines their ultrasonic calls. Let's hop on the B2X prototype bike and see how connectivity can help make roads less dangerous.

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In this more in-depth examination of the previous "From KNOW-HOW to WOW" episode, everything revolves around the efficiency of PEM electrolysis (PEM = Proton Exchange Membrane). What role does iridium play as a catalyst? How do you ensure that oxygen bubbles do not hinder the electrochemical reaction? How can stacks and power electronics be coupled in the best possible way? Our Bosch expert Annika Utz answers these and many other questions.

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"I'm the lightest element you'll ever find - but don't be fooled, I'm not to be undermined." Geoff's voice avatar speaks in riddles as Melena and Shuko try to solve a puzzle: the mystery of how to produce green hydrogen. Electrolyzers are the main component for turning renewable energy into hydrogen, and at their core is a stack of PEM (proton exchange membrane) electrolysis cells. Bosch's Annika Utz talks about the challenges of developing a stack that can be mass-produced. Since the market for them is evolving, it's a chicken-and-egg problem. Can philosopher Roy Sorensen offer a clue to solving such conundrums? Hit play and find out!

On the road with hydrogen-powered trucks by Bosch:

Will Bosch engineer Tom Collins find a climate-friendly way to heat homes in Britain?

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If you want to build an app for a software-driven vehicle, how can it access car data? The open-source middleware KUKSA acts as a data broker. It can answer queries, e.g. for the current vehicle speed, and pass commands, e.g. to open the trunk, to the car. KUKSA developer Sebastian Schildt from the Bosch subsidiary ETAS explains how to safely and securely integrate a modern open-source software stack into a car.

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Free cheesecake for everyone! Wait, we misunderstood. Shuko and Geoff talk to Ansgar Lindwedel of Bosch subsidiary ETAS. He is working to establish standards for software in cars, helping the highly proprietary field make the transition to open source. Many other projects have demonstrated the benefits of sharing knowledge and code. One of Wikipedia's most prominent editors shares some of their experiences. But there are limits to sharing. Melena's mom's cheesecake recipe remains a secret for now.

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