Engineers Explain Everything
Ever wondered how engineers and scientists solve problems or create new technology? Engineers Explain Everything is a series of short conversations with Missouri S&T researchers, students and alumni exploring their ideas, insights and innovations. Listen to discover how it all works - no engineering degree required.
A Missouri S&T College of Engineering and Computing production. www.mst.edu
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How to Have a Blast: Explosives Engineering Explained
Catherine E. Johnson
Explosives engineers make things go boom. But it’s more complicated than that. Dr. Catherine Johnson explains what explosives engineering entails, the career possibilities in the field, her fascinating research — and even the time she helped Ozzy Osbourne set off explosives at the Missouri S&T Experimental Mine.
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The Hottest Topic in Academia — Literally
William Fahrenholtz
Hypersonic vehicles travel at least five times the speed of sound and can experience temperatures twice as hot as molten lava. Engineers like Dr. William Fahrenholtz are developing advanced ceramic materials that can withstand these extreme conditions and protect what’s inside the vehicles. Fahrenholtz explains what this research involves and why it matters.
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Absorb This: Engineering Everyday Paper
Hossein Abedsoltan
Paper products are part of everyday life, but their performance depends on expert engineers. What makes a paper towel truly superior? Why do toilet paper companies even need to market their products? How does paper actually work? Dr. Hossein Abedsoltan from Missouri S&T explains these topics and more.
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The Big Potential of Small Nuclear Reactors
Joshua P. Schlegel
Big developments in nuclear energy are increasingly centered on smaller reactor designs. Dr. Joshua Schlegel explains what a small modular nuclear reactor is, how these smaller reactors differ from traditional plants, how nuclear power works in general, and how decommissioned mine sites could also factor into the picture.
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These Minerals Are Vital for National Security and the Economy
Kwame Awuah-Offei
Many of the key materials that make modern technology possible are classified by the U.S. government as critical minerals. Dr. Kwame Awuah-Offei explains why these materials matter for national security and economic stability and why it is vital for the U.S. to improve its domestic supply chain and rely less on other countries. He also explains how Missouri S&T and its Tech Hub are leading national efforts to address this challenge.
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Timmy the Tree: Plant Detective (Phytoforensics)
Joel Gerard Burken
Plants don’t talk, but engineers know how to make them tell stories. Dr. Joel Burken explains phytoforensics — a concept developed at Missouri S&T that uses plants to detect and monitor environmental contamination. Along the way, he also explains what environmental engineering is, what environmental engineers actually do, and why their work matters.
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What is Engineering, Anyway?
David Bayless
Dr. David Bayless helps unpack what engineers actually do and why the field is so important. From different engineering disciplines to research on bioreactors designed for the moon, the conversation explores how engineers tackle big challenges — and how Missouri S&T is leading the way.
