Battery tech is changing EVERYTHING — from your phone to the grid to the car in your driveway.

In this episode of the High Level Podcast, we dive deep into the current state and future of batteries, exploring the materials, myths, and momentum behind lithium, sodium-ion, and solid-state technologies. Why is lithium still king? Can sodium-ion disrupt the market? And will solid-state ever actually arrive?

We also dig into the wild history of batteries — from Ben Franklin’s artillery jars to 175-year-old mystery bells still ringing today — and confront the environmental and ethical dilemmas behind the so-called “green” energy transition.

🔋 Don’t miss this charged conversation.
📧 Contact us: [email protected]
📱 Follow us: @highlevelpodcasts (YouTube, Instagram, Facebook)

🌍 Can We Actually Reverse Climate Change — or Is It Already Too Late?
 In this hard-hitting episode, D. Hoenselaar takes us on a deep dive into the state of our climate and what it really means to "reverse" global warming. Spoiler: there's hope—but only if we act fast.We break down:
Why some climate change effects are already locked in for generations
How engineers, scientists, and policy can still bend the curve
The link between heatwaves, disease, food insecurity & your future
How climate change is transforming our cities, homes, and food systems
What YOU can do today that actually makes a difference


Backed by research from NASA, WHO, NOAA, and more, this episode explores the critical balance between mitigation and adaptation, and what it’ll take to beat the clock.🎧 If you think it’s too late, listen to this before giving up.📌 Referenced Resources & Further Reading:🌡️ Climate Basics & Emissions:
NASA: Is it too late to prevent climate change?
WMO: January 2025 sees record global temperatures despite La Niña
NOAA: ENSO in a Nutshell🏗️ Engineering & Solutions:
How engineers are tackling climate change💊 Climate & Human Health:
WHO: Climate Change and Health🌾 Climate & Food Systems:
Climate change and food production — how we adapt
EPA: Climate Impacts on Agriculture and Food Supply
Chicago.gov: Climate change and food security
World Bank: Food Security & Climate Change
MIT: Don’t plants grow better with CO2?
Columbia University: How Climate Change Will Affect Plants🏙️ Built Environment & Infrastructure:
EPA: Climate Change Impacts on the Built Environment
Cambridge: Buildings and Climate Risk
Springer: Durability of Built Environment under Climate Hazards
Africa’s Housing Crisis📩 Get in Touch: [email protected]
📲 Find us online: YouTube, Facebook & Instagram – @highlevelpodcasts

🔍 Crypto Isn't Just Coins — It's Serious Engineering!In this episode of The High Level Podcast, we dive into the real-world engineering behind cryptocurrencies. From the basics of cryptography to the heavy-duty servers, cooling systems, and energy grids that keep crypto alive, we explore the hardware and infrastructure powering the blockchain revolution.We’ll talk about:
 💻 How cryptography ensures trust without middlemen
 ⚙️ Why mining hardware and servers are crucial
 🏭 How massive data centers are designed for crypto
 🌍 The future of crypto and the challenges we'll faceCryptocurrency is more than just memes and market crashes — it's a complex, evolving engineering problem that’s reshaping technology.👉 Don't forget to subscribe for more high-level conversations about the tech that's changing the world!#CryptoEngineering #Blockchain #DataCenters #MechanicalEngineering #TheHighLevelPodcast
Mandatory DisclosuresGet in contact: [email protected] us: Youtube & Instagram (@highlevelpodcasts)Connect with us on LinkedIn: Jonathan Delport (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandelport/) & Damon Hoenselaar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-hoenselaar-b79a87142/)

🎙️ Tiny Flaws, Massive Failures
 🔧 What Fretting Corrosion Can Teach Us About the Hidden Forces in EngineeringWelcome to another episode of High Level Podcasts, where we explore the deeper layers of engineering—beyond the blueprints, behind the bolts, and into the science that shapes our world.This time, we're digging into fretting corrosion—a subtle yet significant phenomenon that occurs when tightly joined components move just enough to cause long-term wear and damage. It’s a reminder that in engineering, what you don’t see can hurt you most.We trace how this quiet, microscopic process affects everything from aircraft to everyday machines, and what it teaches us about design decisions, maintenance, and the assumptions we all make about “tight = safe.”💡 In This Episode
What is fretting corrosion, and why does it happen?
How tiny movements can cause big engineering problems.
Real-world examples from bolted joints to turbine blades.
The story of Aloha Airlines Flight 243 and what it revealed.
Design strategies and materials that help prevent fretting wear.


🛠️ Whether you're an engineer, student, or just curious about how complex systems work, this episode reveals the fascinating—and sometimes dangerous—interplay between design, physics, and the real world.📬 Get in Touch
 Email: [email protected]
 YouTube & Instagram: @highlevelpodcasts
LinkedIn:
Jonathan Delport


Damon Hoenselaar


🔗 Mentioned in this episode:
Why Are Beach Holes So Deadly? – Practical Engineering


Fretting Wear Overview – Power Transmission


Aloha Airlines Flight 243 – Wikipedia


🧠 Engineering is full of assumptions—and every assumption should be tested. Sometimes, the smallest flaws are the most instructive.#EngineeringPodcast #FrettingCorrosion #MechanicalDesign #HighLevelPodcasts #StructuralEngineering #Aerospace #DesignThinking #HiddenForces

Was the Apollo 11 moon landing a Hollywood production? Why are there no stars in NASA's photos? And what's up with that waving flag on the Moon?In this episode of The High Level Podcast, we break down the five most popular moon landing conspiracy theories — and debunk them using logic, engineering, and actual space science. From radiation myths to photography misunderstandings, we cover it all with practical explanations.👨‍🚀 What we cover:
The truth behind the Moon’s strange shadows


Why the Van Allen radiation belts didn’t fry the astronauts


No stars in the photos? Here’s why.


The physics behind the “waving” US flag


Why we haven’t gone back (yet) — and why we soon will


🚀 Bonus Segment:
 We end the episode by highlighting some amazing tech innovations born out of the space race — from smartphone cameras to medical devices to the golf ball in your garage.📱 Like space and science? Subscribe for more fact-based takes on engineering, tech, and big ideas.#MoonLanding #ConspiracyTheories #NASA #STEMpodcast #Engineering #SpaceExploration #Apollo11 #MechanicalEngineering #VanAllenBelts #HighLevelPodcast
Mandatory Disclosures:

Get in contact: [email protected] us: Youtube & Instagram (@highlevelpodcasts)Connect with us on LinkedIn: Jonathan Delport (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandelport/) & Damon Hoenselaar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-hoenselaar-b79a87142/)

🏡 The Future of Homes: AI, Solar, and 3D Printing – What’s Next?The way we design, build, and live in our homes is changing faster than ever. In this episode of The High Level Podcast, we’re diving deep into what homes will look like in 2035 – from AI-powered automation to solar-collecting surfaces and 3D-printed, ultra-efficient materials.

💡 Topics Covered:
🚀 How AI will transform home efficiency (water, energy, temperature & security)
☀️ Why the entire surface of your home could become a solar collector
🏗 How 3D printing & aerogels will make homes ultra-efficientBut it’s not just about the future! At the end of the episode, we’ll share practical, low-cost ways you can start integrating smart home tech right now to save money and improve efficiency.
🎧 Listen & Subscribe for More Future Tech Insights!🔔 Don't forget to LIKE & SUBSCRIBE if you're excited about the future of home technology!📌 Resources & Further Reading:
https://www.iaarc.org/publications/2024_proceedings_of_the_41st_isarc_lille_france/3d_printing_vs_traditional_construction_cost_comparisons_from_design_to_waste_disposal_stages.html

In this episode of the High Level Podcast, we explore Innovations in Wind Turbines and the exciting advancements in wind energy technology. From the origins of wind power to the latest innovations that are revolutionizing the industry, we discuss how modern turbines are increasing efficiency, power output, and driving us toward a cleaner, more sustainable future.
Did you know that fish schooling behavior can actually inspire wind turbine design? Or that grid stability is one of the biggest challenges faced by countries with high wind energy dependence? Tune in to discover the unexpected connections and solutions shaping the future of wind energy, and what they mean for both the environment and global energy infrastructure.In this episode:
How wind turbines have evolved over the years
The role of different turbine components like rotors, nacelles, and generators
The environmental impact and challenges of wind power
The surprising link between fish schooling and Vertical Axis Wind Turbines (VAWT)
The role of wind energy in South Africa's energy futureDon't forget to check out the resources and articles we mention in the episode for more in-depth reading.
Resources:
Innovations in Wind Turbine Design - Perch Energy
Wind Turbine Components Overview - ResearchGate
The Problem with Wind Energy - Real Engineering
Environmental Impact of Wind Power - Wikipedia
Flywheels in Wind Power Generation - PagerPowerMandatory DisclosuresGet in contact: [email protected] us: Youtube & Instagram (@highlevelpodcasts)Connect with us on LinkedIn: Jonathan Delport (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandelport/) & Damon Hoenselaar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-hoenselaar-b79a87142/)

Hydrogen engines were once considered the future of automotive technology, with roots dating back to 1820. So, why did they disappear in the 1870s? And could they make a comeback?

📌 The History of Hydrogen Engines – From early experiments by Reverend W. Cecil to Otto’s combustion engines, we explore why gasoline ultimately won the fuel battle.📌 Hydrogen vs. ICE & EVs – We break down efficiency stats, hydrogen’s high flame speed, and its environmental impact compared to electric and diesel-powered vehicles.📌 Will Hydrogen ICE Make a Comeback? – With only 14,500 hydrogen cars sold in 2023, is there any future for H₂-powered vehicles? We analyze the tech, costs, and industry predictions.
Story Summaries

🛠️ The Forgotten History of Hydrogen Engines
The first hydrogen engine was proposed in 1820 by Reverend W. Cecil, but by the 1870s, gasoline took over, thanks to the invention of the carburetor. While hydrogen became essential for rocket fuel in space exploration, its role in transportation faded. With today’s push for clean energy, the big question remains—can hydrogen make a comeback in internal combustion engines?

⚡ Hydrogen vs. ICE & EVs – How Do They Compare?
Hydrogen engines offer unique benefits like high flame speed, wide flammability, and low emissions, but they struggle with efficiency. While gasoline engines are 11-27% efficient, hydrogen fuel cells reach 40-60% efficiency, and EVs powered by renewables can exceed 70% efficiency. Hydrogen combustion still produces NOx emissions, raising questions about its environmental advantage over battery-electric vehicles.

🚚 Why Hydrogen ICE Vehicles Never Took Off
In 2023, only 14,500 hydrogen cars were sold globally, compared to 14 million EVs. Despite some interest in H₂-powered trucks and off-road vehicles, hydrogen combustion faces major challenges: high costs, poor fueling infrastructure, and competition from more efficient fuel cell vehicles (FCEVs). Industry predictions estimate only 10,000 hydrogen ICE trucks by 2030—a tiny fraction of the global market.🔔 Subscribe for more science, engineering, and tech insights every week!
Mandatory DisclosuresGet in contact: [email protected] us: Youtube & Instagram (@highlevelpodcasts)Connect with us on LinkedIn: Jonathan Delport (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathandelport/) & Damon Hoenselaar (https://www.linkedin.com/in/damon-hoenselaar-b79a87142/)

This episode is a bit more informal, but we look back on our learnings from running the Soweto Marathon and how we can use it to be better in 2025.Then we give some wreckless engineering predictions for 2025.


Connect with Us:

📧 Email: [email protected]📱 Social Media: Follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram @highlevelpodcasts for updates, discussions, and more exciting content!Don't miss this episode of The High Level Podcast—streaming now on all major platforms!

In this episode we discuss some common misunderstandings with hydrogen as the fuel of the future. We talk about how hydrogen can do everything in our race against climate change, how it might still only be 20 years away and how much water we use during electrolysis.

TIMESTAMPS00:00 Introduction
00:50 Myth 1
04:30 Myth 2
10:55 Myth 3

Connect with Us:📧 Email: [email protected]📱 Social Media: Follow us on YouTube, LinkedIn, and Instagram @highlevelpodcasts for updates, discussions, and more exciting content!
Don't miss this episode of The High Level Podcast—streaming now on all major platforms!