Material Minds

What happens when electronics stop being rigid boxes and start becoming part of the world around us? In this episode of Material Minds, host Shrikrishnan Sankaran speaks with Professor Tobias Kraus about the future of flexible electronics, stretchable conductors, smart textiles, and recyclable electronic materials. From sensor-enabled T-shirts and intelligent furniture to the challenge of making semiconductors deform without breaking, this conversation explores how materials science could bring electronics into everyday life in ways that are softer, smarter, and more sustainable.

You’ll learn why today’s electronics struggle in fabrics and wearables, how conductive particles and composites make stretchable devices possible, and why end-of-life recycling must be built into the future of electronic design from the start.

Chapters
00:00 – Intro: A Cloth That Conducts Electricity
00:43 – Electronics Will Be Everywhere
02:11 – Why Electronics Aren’t Already in Everything
03:36 – Why Hard Electronics Fail on Soft Materials
05:05 – How Stretchable Conductors Actually Work
07:27 – Foldable vs. Stretchable Electronics
08:13 – Smart Clothing, Tires, and Durability Challenges
11:00 – Testing Electronics Over 50,000+ Stretch Cycles
12:20 – Can Semiconductors and LEDs Be Stretchable Too?
13:32 – E-Waste, Recycling, and the Future of Sustainable Electronics

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/

You can also find him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/)

To get to know what our guest, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/scientific-units/structure-formation/

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/
 or find us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/)

Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/

Have you ever calculated the environmental cost of every pair of socks you own or every flight you’ve taken since birth? In this episode of Material Minds, we sit down with Professor Matthias Finkbeiner, head of the Sustainable Engineering Department at TU Berlin and a world-leading researcher in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

We dive deep into the science of assessing impact "from cradle to grave," covering everything from the carbon footprint of high-altitude marble mining in Italy to the complex social impacts of lithium mining in Chile. Professor Finkbeiner also shares the fascinating story of conducting the first detailed LCA of a human being—an entrepreneur who wanted to leave the planet with zero environmental debt.

00:00 – Intro: Assessing your life from cradle to grave 
01:23 – What is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)? 
02:29 – Game: Three Truths and a Lie 
02:53 – Statement 1: The Pop Star Tour 
09:47 – Statement 2: The High-Altitude Marble Mine 
16:07 – Statement 3: The Billionaire Boardroom Training 
19:44 – Statement 4: The First LCA of a Human Being 
28:39 – The Reveal: Which one was the Lie? 
32:32 – Object: Lithium from the Atacama Desert 
35:48 – The Rise of Social LCA 
41:29 – The Future of Sustainability Intelligence 

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/ You can also find him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/) 

To get to know more about Matthias Finkbeiner:
(https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthias_Finkbeiner)
(https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=axTo4J8AAAAJ&hl)

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/) 

Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/ Editorial work: Dr. Gun 

Woo Park – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/ 🎧 More Material Minds episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiQEgil14LdZnHsEL9rXEmVTOE-y805tV

What’s it like to spend a week surrounded by over 30 Nobel Laureates? In this episode of Material Minds, host Shrikrishnan Sankaran speaks with Anna, Delvina, and Mingren, three INM researchers selected to attend the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting 2025 for chemistry.

From intense scientific debates on AI, sustainability, and green chemistry to casual dinners with Nobel winners, our guests share their firsthand experiences — the insights, the awkward moments, and the inspirations that will shape their future in science.

Chapters:
00:00 – Intro: Three INM Scientists at Lindau
01:20 – Arriving on the Island of Nobel Laureates
04:00 – First Impressions and Funny Travel Stories
06:40 – Meeting the Laureates Over Coffee and Conversation
08:00 – Yoga, Talks, and the Daily Rhythm of Lindau
10:50 – Nobel Talks on AI, Chemistry, and Sustainability
15:30 – Debates on Green Chemistry and Future Batteries
17:00 – Next-Gen Energy: Lithium, Sodium, and Beyond
20:00 – AI and Biology: Insights from John Jumper
22:00 – How Nobel Laureates Choose Their PhD Students
25:00 – Open Exchanges: Work-Life Balance and Publication Pressures
30:00 – Equality, Curiosity, and the Human Side of Science
34:00 – Reflections: Luck, Persistence, and the Spirit of Discovery
35:45 – Closing: What Science Is Really About


To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/
You can also find him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/)

To get to know more about M.Sc. Anna Burgstaller
https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/m-sc-burgstaller-anna/

To get to know more about  Dr.-Ing. Mingren Liu
https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-ing-liu-mingren/

To get to know more about Dr. Delvina Japhet Tarimo
https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-tarimo-delvina-japhet/


To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/)
Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/
Editorial work: Dr. Gun Woo Park – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/

🎧 More Material Minds episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiQEgil14LdZnHsEL9rXEmVTOE-y805tV
#SciencePodcast #LindauMeeting #NobelLaureates #GreenChemistry #AIinScience #LeibnizINM #MaterialMinds
________________________________________

Join us on Material Minds as we delve into the groundbreaking world of protein-based Materials with Professor Luai R. Khoury from Technion, the Israel Institute of Technology! 

Discover how Professor Khoury and his team are engineering revolutionary materials, including protein sponges with catalytic activity that remain active for extended periods. Learn about the fascinating development of origami-inspired soft robots designed to deliver drugs precisely within the body, reacting to physiological triggers like acidity and enzymes. Plus, prepare to be amazed by an innovative system for synthesizing functional protein microgels, ingeniously inspired by the process of brewing espresso! Could materials one day make their own decisions? Tune in to find out! 

This episode is packed with insights into the future of biomaterials, from biomedical applications to potential uses in space and agriculture. Explore how advanced protein engineering, synthetic biology, and AI are converging to create truly intelligent materials.

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/ 

You can also find him on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/) 

To find out more about our Guest visit
https://materials.technion.ac.il/en/team/asst-prof-luai-khoury/

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/), and Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/) 

Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/ 

Editorial work: Dr. Gun Woo Park – https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/ 

🎧 More Material Minds episodes: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiQEgil14LdZnHsEL9rXEmVTOE-y805tV 

Join us on Material Minds as we delve into the fascinating world of MXenes with their inventor, Professor Michael Naguib from Tulane University. Discover how these groundbreaking 2D materials, similar to graphene but with unique properties, are set to transform everything from energy storage and batteries to stimulating nerve cells and medical applications.In this episode, Michael shares the intriguing story of how MXenes were accidentally discovered during his PhD, his bold claims about their potential to revolutionize the materials landscape, and the surprising — and quite literal — role a pasta maker plays in their scalable production! We also discuss the future of energy materials, including the shift towards sodium-ion batteries and innovative uses for MXenes in radioactive iodine adsorption and catalysis.Prepare to have your mind expanded as we explore the incredible versatility and potential of Maxines, and get a glimpse into the exciting future of materials science and sustainable energy.

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/

You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) 

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/ ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )

Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/

Editorial work, Dr. Gun Woo Park
https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/

Dive into the fascinating world of biomimetic adhesives with Marc Schoeneich, co-founder of Innocise, as he unveils how their gecko-inspired “Gecomer” technology leverages microscopic structures and Van der Waals interactions to grip and manipulate objects—completely glue-free. In this episode, Marc shares the journey from initial research breakthroughs to overcoming scale-up challenges, revealing how Innocise is bringing sustainable, residue-free adhesives to applications ranging from soft robotics and automated assembly lines to next-generation wearable sensors.
Along the way, you’ll gain entrepreneurial insights on translating advanced materials science into real-world solutions, and learn why gecko adhesive technology represents a game-changer for industries seeking clean, efficient, and high-performance bonding.

To learn more about Marc, check out this webpage - https://www.innocise.com/

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/

You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) 

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/leibnizinm.bsky.social/ ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )

Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/

Editorial work, Dr. Gun Woo Park
https://www.leibniz-inm.de/mitarbeiter/dr-park-gun-woo/

In this episode, we talk to Phil Egberts, professor at the University of Calgary and INM alumni. He shares how his journey in materials science began with experiments on salt crystals, led him to Germany, and eventually into the world of nanotribology and graphene-based lubrication.

We discuss his time as the first PhD student of Roland Bennewitz, how learning to code became essential for scientific progress (and coffee breaks), and why mentoring the next generation of engineers remains one of his biggest passions.

A conversation full of insights, humor, and reflections on how international experiences shape science—and scientists.

Tune in to hear how one atom-thick layer of graphene can change everything.


To learn more about Phil, check out this webpage - https://cispa.de/de/people/jilles.vreeken

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/

You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) 

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://twitter.com/Leibniz_INM ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )

Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/

In this episode, we dive into the fascinating world of AI-driven scientific discovery with our guest Prof. Jilles Vreeken. We explore how machine learning is revolutionizing materials science, from predicting crystallization structures to uncovering hidden patterns in data. Discover the surprising challenges of AI in medical diagnostics, including why some COVID-detection models failed in real-world applications. We also break down the classic "shark attacks vs. ice cream sales" paradox to highlight the importance of distinguishing correlation from causation. Plus, our guest shares their favorite material—one that powers nearly all modern technology. Join us for an engaging conversation on the future of AI, scientific breakthroughs, and the tools that will shape tomorrow’s discoveries.

To learn more about Jilles , check out this webpage - https://cispa.de/de/people/jilles.vreeken

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research/research-groups/bioprogrammable-materials/

You can also find him on Bluesky ( https://bsky.app/profile/shrikrishnans.bsky.social ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrishnans/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.sankaran/ ) 

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on Bluesky ( https://twitter.com/Leibniz_INM ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-leibniz-institute-for-new-materials/ ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )

Recording and editing by INM's communication designer, Lars Knaack - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/staff/b-a-knaack-lars/

 Lara Teruel, PhD student, contact lens technology, futuristic contact lens, living contact lens, eye-care innovation, medical technology, wearable tech, future of healthcare, medical tech exhibition, scientific breakthrough, challenges in innovation, societal impact, cutting-edge science, vision care innovation, eye health technology In this episode, we sit down with Lara Teruel, a PhD student breaking new ground in contact lens technology. Lara shares her journey into developing a futuristic living contact lens that could revolutionize eye-care in the future. To illustrate this potential breakthrough, we start the episode with a skit set in the future at a medical tech exhibition, where Lara explains her innovation to a curious member of the public for the first time. Join us as we discuss the science behind this cutting-edge project, the challenges Lara faces, and the potential impact on society. It’s an eye-opening glimpse into the future of wearable tech!

To learn more about Lara's work and the Leibniz Institute for New Materials:
Visit INM: https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/

Follow us on social media:

X/Twitter: @leibniz_inm
LinkedIn: INM - Leibniz Institute for New Materials
Instagram: @leibniz_inm

Learn more about our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran:

Website: https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/research

Social: 
X/Twitter @shrikrishnans, 
LinkedIn Shrikrishnan Sankaran, 
Instagram @shirish.sankaran 

Tune in to discover how this next-gen contact lens could change the way we see the world — literally!

In this episode of the Material Minds podcast, host Shrikrishnan Sankaran welcomes Marcus Koch, Head of the Physical Analytics Core Facility at INM, to discuss the power of advanced analytical techniques in materials science. Marcus shares captivating stories about using electron microscopy and X-ray spectroscopy to study a wide range of unusual samples—from ancient paintings and medieval artifacts to pizza baking and drinking water. Throughout the conversation, Marcus unpacks the intricate science behind these methods, shedding light on how they help us understand the degradation of historical objects, the mysteries of calcite in blue water, and even the behaviour of food at a microscopic level. Tune in for a fun and fascinating exploration of how cutting-edge technology meets the everyday world.

To get to know what our host, Shrikrishnan Sankaran, does, check out his group's webpage - https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/researc...

You can also find him on X/Twitter ( https://twitter.com/ShrikrishnanS ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/shrikrish... ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/shirish.san... )

To get to know more about the Leibniz Institute for New Materials, visit us at https://www.leibniz-inm.de/en/ or find us on X/Twitter ( https://twitter.com/Leibniz_INM ), LinkedIN ( https://www.linkedin.com/company/inm-... ), and Instagram ( https://www.instagram.com/leibniz_inm/ )