3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, ranks among the most promising developments in the effort to revitalize American manufacturing and localize supply chains. But what are the technologies that can help upstart additive companies to scale operations and industrialize 3D printing? And how can this make U.S. supply chains more resilient? In this episode, Barbara gets answers to these questions from Brian Neff, CEO, Sintavia, a leading additive manufacturing firm supplying vital components to the aerospace industry, as they explore the important role of digital threads in transforming production. Get ready to learn how Sintavia has fully embraced software to drive their operating model – how this will enable them to quintuple their business without making additional investment – and the potential for these solutions to be adopted by other small- and medium-sized enterprises. 

Show notes:

Sintavia and the digital thread: https://blogs.sw.siemens.com/additive/sintavia-is-pushing-the-additive-manufacturing-factory-into-the-future/

Can the future of manufacturing be almost like playing a video game? In this Optimistic Insights episode, Barbara looks back to CES in January and presents Siemens’ vision for the Industrial Metaverse, breaking down Siemens AG CEO Roland Busch’s keynote speech. Prepare to learn about the key building blocks for making the industrial metaverse a reality, including digital twins, and the world-changing potential for combining the real and virtual worlds in industry, infrastructure,  and transportation.

Show notes:

CES keynote: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C38ZX1BcGrE   

Report with MIT: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/digital-transformation/industrial-metaverse/the-emergent-industrial-metaverse.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiAoKeuBhCoARIsAB4Wxte43FPQ5PFyb2FU_xJqud7MYbBZvDjz3PsTvxU5M-a-8rfrqRK3q1waAt1zEALw_wcB&acz=1&gad_source=1

Digital innovation is no longer limited to Silicon Valley. Some of the most exciting, and potentially world-changing, developments are happening in manufacturing plants across America as industrial automation systems interact with software and AI. What is the vision for applying tools that first emerged in consumer sectors in American industry? And what could the benefits be beyond forging an even more competitive, stronger U.S. manufacturing sector? To learn more, Barbara sits down with Del Costy, who leads Siemens’ work providing industrial technologies to U.S. manufacturers and the federal government. Listen to hear Del’s perspective, drawn from decades of industry experience, as he reflects on the changes he has seen during his career, including how platforms are democratizing advanced and emerging technologies. 

Siemens Xcelerator: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/digital-transformation/xcelerator.html

Virtual PLC: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/first-virtual-simatic-controller-enables-more-flexible-software-based-automation

Metaverse demo and FREYR partnership: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/freyr-scale-battery-cell-gigafactory-production-siemens-xcelerator

For decades, American manufacturing shifted to other countries. Now, it’s growing again in the United States. To launch a new “Optimistic Insights” series, Barbara outlines the trends such as emerging technologies and what she calls “glocalization” that are driving American manufacturing’s resurgence. This episode will help listeners to understand the convergence between the tech economy and American industry. Explore the bright future ahead for workers eager to help American manufacturing lead the way in innovation, sustainability and prosperity.

Show notes:

Investing in American manufacturing: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231103426573/en/Siemens-to-invest-more-than-US500-million-in-U.S.-manufacturing-for-critical-infrastructure-in-2023

Industrial technologies expanding what’s humanly possible: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/industrial-automation.html

Older generations have often misunderstood younger generations. And yet, as the U.S. workforce ages, the value of multigenerational teams will continue to grow. In this episode, Barbara talks with university recruiter Sophie Nicholas and intern Adrian Vasquez. You will learn about the workplace culture that Gen Z is shaping and what they hope to learn as the youngest of the five generations now in the workforce.  

Show notes:

Jobs at Siemens: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/jobs.html

Successfully addressing the climate crisis requires significant progress by 2030. Will we get there? Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate leader who led the process securing the Paris Climate Agreement, offers expert perspective, defining the current state of the problem and how we can grow our ability to rapidly put solutions into action. Prepare to be uplifted about what’s possible and to learn about critical climate priorities slated for the UN climate conference COP28.

Christiana is a Founding Partner of Global Optimism, co-presenter of climate podcast Outrage + Optimism, and co-author of "The Future We Choose: The Stubborn Optimist's Guide to the Climate Crisis."

Show notes:

Christiana's TED talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/christiana_figueres_the_inside_story_of_the_paris_climate_agreement?language=en

Outrage + Optimism: https://www.outrageandoptimism.org/

Accelerating carbon reduction: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/sustainability.html

Imagine self-healing concrete or traffic lights with “eyes” that save lives in crosswalks. Technology startup leaders join Barbara to discuss breakthrough innovations that could be accelerated by the launch of a new White House initiative: Advanced Research Projects Agency – Infrastructure (ARPA-I). Listen for inspiring, detailed insights from Ginger Krieg Dosier, Founder and Board Member, Biomason, and Angus Pacala, CEO, Ouster, as they discuss the power of applying emerging technologies and fresh R&D investment to transportation infrastructure.

Show notes:

White House fact sheet: https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2023/06/13/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-announces-new-actions-hosts-inaugural-arpa-i-summit-to-highlight-the-next-generation-of-transportation-infrastructure-innovation-for-americans/

Ouster: https://ouster.com/

Biomason: https://biomason.com/

With American healthcare representing 10% of U.S. carbon emissions, decarbonizing hospitals and healthcare systems promises to deliver meaningful climate action. In this episode, Barbara brings listeners inside an innovative project reducing energy usage in imaging at University of California San Francisco (UCSF). The solutions will not only help to support decarbonization but yield immediate operational savings for hospitals and healthcare systems recovering financially from the pandemic. Guests are Dr. Sean Woolen, USCF’s Assistant Professor for Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging and Director of the Green Radiology, and Jerry Folsom, Global Head of Digital Portfolio for Healthcare and Life Science, Siemens Smart Infrastructure.

Show notes:

Study results: https://www.siemens-healthineers.com/en-us/press-room/press-releases/greenradiology

Smart healthcare: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/markets/healthcare.html

Press release: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/press/siemens-stories/usa/siemens-helps-put-sustainability-forefront-medical-imaging-care.html

Effective partnerships between large companies and startups can accelerate net-zero strategies and even produce cost savings that strengthen the business case. Recording from the TED Countdown Summit, Barbara talks to Maisie Devine, Executive Director of Sustainable Innovation at AB InBev and Founder of the award-winning 100+ Accelerator program, which is building an ecosystem of partners delivering breakthrough advancements in supply chain decarbonization. They share takeaways from the conference and introduce listeners to a unique vertical farming project that could remake hops production. Siemens is a member of the TED Future Forum, a TED Countdown initiative focused on the role of business in accelerating solutions to the climate crisis.   

Show notes: 

100+ Accelerator: https://www.ab-inbev.com/sustainability/100-accelerator/ 

Vertical farming: https://www.siemens.com/global/en/company/stories/industry/2023/vertical-farming-controlled-environment-agriculture-cea-digital-transformation-sustainability-80-acres-farms.html 

Barbara shares her keynote speech from May’s Automate conference in Detroit.

Show notes:

Siemens and FREYR: https://press.siemens.com/global/en/pressrelease/freyr-scale-battery-cell-gigafactory-production-siemens-xcelerator

 Advanced Manufacturing: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing.html

Optimizing Battery Production: https://www.siemens.com/us/en/company/topic-areas/advanced-manufacturing/large-battery-manufacturing.html