Episodes

  • Special: Unlocking STEM in Schools
    May 9 2024

    Welcome to the first of our two series one specials.

    Lewis welcomes Beverly Maloney to this special episode. Beverly was awarded the IOM3 Sir Colin Humphreys Education Award in 2023 (at the same time as Lewis received the Silver Medal in Contribution to Knowledge).

    Also in the studio is Annabel Lau, a final year Materials Science and Engineering MEng student who loves all things metal. Her dissertation is in collaboration with Howmet Aerospace. During her time at the University of Sheffield she has taken an active role in the department as a student ambassador, and sat on the Materials Science and Engineering society committee as social secretary and inclusions officer. In terms of cake, she would have to say chiffon cake which she both loves eating and baking!

    The three of them dissect how STEM is taught and the avenues it can lead to!

    To find out more about Beverly's STEm activities at Royal Hospital School you can follow the 'X' accounts @STEM_RHS and @RHSSuffolk

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    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
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    36 mins
  • Unlocking the Big Picture; Recycling, sustainability and storage.
    Apr 12 2024

    PhD researcher Durga Tilak is Lewis's co-host in this final episode of the series. They talk all things recycling, sustainability and long term storage in the world of materials science with expert Dr. Richard Thackray.

    Durga is in the second year of her PhD in eddy current reduction in automotive permanent magnets in collaboration with Volkswagen. She also sits on the Engineering PGR Students' Committee at the University. A former Rhodes national finalist from India, Durga is a recreational runner who enjoys podcasts and reading in her free time, often with a slice of Chocolate cake.

    Richard is a lecturer in steelmaking at the University of Sheffield. He has a strong focus on identifying strategies to produce more energy-efficient steelmaking processes and works with partners such as Siemens and Tata Steel to help them develop more sustainable manufacturing. Richard is our second guest to declare Profiteroles as their cake of choice.

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    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
    Show more Show less
    54 mins
  • Unlocking Sample Testing
    Mar 29 2024

    Lewis, alongside student co-host Lucy Farquhar, discuss sample testing with expert Prof. Russell Goodall.

    Lucy researches the development of refractory high entropy alloys for additive manufacturing. She's a runner and plays netball a lot, aswel as being an avid baker. Asking her to choose a favourite cake is like asking a parent to pick their favourite child!

    Russell spends his time at work studying metals and thinks that the periodic table is the best map ever created. Outside of work he likes the more normal kinds of maps and trying to persuade his children to go on walks. He likes exploring unknown alloys - combinations of different elements in the periodic table - with the aim of finding unusual (and hopefully useful) behaviours. His favourite true cake is a Victoria Sponge, but if there is millionaire's shortbread, he'd choose that.

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    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
    Show more Show less
    58 mins
  • Unlocking Characterisation
    Mar 15 2024

    In this episode we shake things up a bit as we enter into Dr Lewis Owen's specialist field. So we welcome back Dr Kathy Christofidou, this time in the role of host as Dr Lewis Owen sits in the 'expert' seat, and they're joined by doctoral researcher Frances Synnott.

    Frances is a PhD researcher at the University of Sheffield with the Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training. Her research is sponsored by Rolls-Royce and involves developing superalloys to improve future jet-engine applications.

    Kathy is a Senior Lecturer in Metallurgy at the University of Sheffield, Technology Platform Lead for the Henry Royce Institute in Materials Discovery and Prototyping, co-leads the Modern AlChEME research group, and is Admissions Tutor. In lieu of a more traditional cake, Kathy's favourite dessert is Profiteroles.

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    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Unlocking Advanced Manufacture
    Mar 1 2024

    In this episode Lewis welcomes student co-hosts; Ben Jolly and Jacob Whittle to talk all things Advanced Manufacturing with expert Dr Felicity Freeman.

    Ben and Jacob are both in the third year of their PhD research with the AMSCDT.
    Ben is currently researching the local structural behaviours of multi-component alloys via Neutron Total Scattering experiments. Encompassing a number of specialised materials of potential significance to nuclear and aerospace industries. He initially graduated with degree in Physics, studying Materials Science & Engineering seemed a natural progression to his scientific career. When not being driven to insanity by crystal lattices and Python code, he enjoys the seemingly-traditional Sheffield pastime of climbing, and watching the football with endless frustration. His favourite cake is his mum's Chocolate cake.
    Jacob's PhD is in collaboration with British Steel, and he is a member of the Rail Innovation and Technology Centre. His research focuses on the sustainability of steel railway infrastructure and how it can be used to support low carbon transport systems worldwide. He is a Doctoral Supervisor of Railway Challenge at Sheffield, Graduate Teaching Assistant in the Faculty of Engineering and Open Day Ambassador in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, and is partial to a Carrot Cake.

    Felicity is a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering with a background as a research associate working in additive manufacturing. Her PhD was in the development of magnetically-graded steels and using the Laser Powder-Bed Fusion additive manufacturing process (3D printing). Prior to this she spent 10 years working at Rolls-Royce as a Manufacturing Engineer. When asked to choose, she'd reach for the classic Lemon Drizzle cake.

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    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Unlocking Materials Sample Making
    Feb 16 2024

    In this episode Lewis cohosts with PhD student Wunmi Olukoya and they discuss how and why we produce material samples with Dr. Yunus Azakli and Dr. Will Pulfrey from the Royce team at the University of Sheffield.

    Wunmi is a researcher from the AMSCDT investigating the interaction between silver and lead-free solders in order to develop new solder alloys.

    Yunus is the Engineering Lead in Materials Discovery & Prototyping, primarily based at the Royce Discovery Centre at the University of Sheffield's city centre campus. He is mainly focussed on advanced metal processing via melting, casting and thermomechanical treatments.

    Will is the Engineering Lead in Thermomechanical Processing and also based at the RDC. He's responsible for the rolling mills and Conform rigs. His videos of hot rolling various alloys are big hits on LinkedIn.

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    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
    Show more Show less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • Unlocking Material Prediction
    Feb 2 2024

    Lewis is joined by guest student cohost Josh Berry in this episode, and expert panel Dr. Claire Utton and Prof. Hector Basoalto.

    Josh is a PhD student with the AMSCDT investigating material and process design for additive manufacturing of hard metals.

    Claire is a research fellow at the University of Sheffield, her research interests are based around thermodynamic modelling to predict the behaviour of materials under nominal and extreme conditions.

    Hector is a Professor of Metallurgy in the department of Materials Science and Engineering at the University of Sheffield.

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    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
    Show more Show less
    55 mins
  • Unlocking how to Define the Problem
    Jan 19 2024

    Lewis is joined by a new student co-host, Frances Livera, to discuss how to find a solution we first need to properly define the problem with this month's experts, Professor Iain Todd (professor of Metallurgy) and Dr David Bowden (UK Atomic Energy Authority).

    Frances is a final year PhD student within the AMS CDT. Her research looks into brazing of 3D printed components and how these joints differ from traditionally manufactured materials. She's an active member of the wider University of Sheffield Engineering community and co-chair the Engineering PGR Student Committee. Outside of work, Frances can be found crocheting, sewing, or exploring the Peak District (with snacks in hand, often a cake made by fellow PhD researcher and upcoming podcast guest Lucy, of which her favourite is coffee and walnut)!

    Iain is an international authority in the field of powder metallurgy and 3D printing of metals and alloys. His work focuses on enhancing the manufacturing rate whilst improving component quality and structural integrity. His work is conducted in collaboration with industry to a scale to allow rapid transition of laboratory discoveries into industrial practice. He is highly sought-after by industry for his expertise, and his experimental results and insights have been exploited by aerospace sectors to solve important engineering challenges in the development of 3D printed aeroengine and aerostructure components.

    David is leading the structural metallics development team at UKAEA, based at the Materials Research Facility, including the £10m NEURONE (NEUtron iRradiation Of advaNced stEels) programme. His team are focussed on developing high temperature steels for operation within a fusion reactor breeder blanket. David has had what he describes as quite a meandering engineering career so far, moving from aerospace, to maritime and now to nuclear. In his free time, between looking after his baby daughter, David enjoys continuing engineering at home, with a 3D printer, and combining this with hobby electronics he learnt during the many months of lockdown in 2020/21. Without pausing for breath David declared carrot cake his all tim

    -----
    We really hope you're enjoying Materials Unlocked and hope you can join us over on Instagram to see more resources from our various topics.

    To find out more about the various organisations that have supported the production of this podcast please feel free to browse the links below:

    • The Henry Royce Institute; the UK's national institute for advanced materials research and innovation
      • Royce at the University of Sheffield
    • The University of Sheffield
      • EPSRC and SFI Advanced Metallic Systems Centre for Doctoral Training
      • Department of Materials Science and Engineering
      • Modern AlChEME research group
    Show more Show less
    55 mins