Innovation on Main

UofSC Civil and Environmental Engineering Associate Professor Nicole Berge joins Host Abe Danaher to tell how her research on hydrothermal carbonization is allowing for waste to be converted into energy and fertilizers. Nicole begins by sharing how she got into researching landfills as an undergraduate (2:01), before explaining what her current research on trash aims to do (4:10). Next, she explains how close we are to using her technology widely in the US (7:25) and the reactions of her students when they hear they have to work with waste (9:34). Lastly, Abe does the "Beyond the CV" segment and learns all about Nicole's three dogs (11:41).
The music for this episode was graciously provided by Columbia's own, "No Way Jose!"

Host Abe Danaher is joined by UofSC Mechanical Engineering Associate Professor Ramy Harik to talk about automated fiber placement and the transformative effect it is having on the aerospace and automative industries. First, Ramy explains what composite manufacturing is (2:15) and what AFP machines produce (8:20) before addressing the newness of the field and the potential that it has to grow (11:56). Next, Abe asks Ramy about the pressure of trying to always stay at the forefront of the ever-changing field (16:05). Then, the episode ends with a bold prediction from Ramy regarding what the future of AFP will look like (23:10).
The music for this episode was graciously provided by Columbia's own, "No Way Jose!"

Michael Gower, an assistant professor in the UofSC College of Engineering and Computing's biomedical engineering program, joins host Abe Danaher to talk about promoting muscle growth through particulate systems. First, Michael describes his work with the Veterans Administration (2:04) and why his research is needed by elderly people (3:09). Then, he explains why the particulate system is targeting fat tissue (5:33) and how the injectable system he's creating would work (7:26). Next, Abe gives stats showing the amount of muscle men lose over their lifetime (11:14) before Michael tells what it is like for him knowing that his research could affect everyone in the future (13:40). Lastly, he shares how this technology could help astronauts (17:29) or potentially lead to baseball's next cheating scandal (20:15) and his thoughts on graduating his first doctoral student (21:17).
The music for this episode was graciously provided by Columbia's own, "No Way Jose!"

Travis Knight, the director of the UofSC College of Engineering and Computing's nuclear engineering program, joins host Abe Danaher to talk about nuclear energy. First, Travis describes his winding journey through the field (1:39) and why he chose to stay the course despite all the obstacles (6:21). Then, he describes the sinking feeling he felt when he heard the news of the V.C. Summer project (10:33) and how it is emblematic of the larger problem facing nuclear energy in America (15:20). Next, he explains what the future of nuclear energy looks like (20:42) before discussing why the current generation of students is so important to the future of the field (25:03). Lastly, he shares the message he tells to people who don't believe nuclear energy is a good thing (27:53) and the many reasons that he believes nuclear energy is a necessity for the security and well-being of the American people (34:24).
The music for this episode was graciously provided by Columbia's own, "No Way Jose!"

Amit Sheth, the founding director of the UofSC Artificial Intelligence Institute, joins host Abe Danaher to talk about artificial intelligence. First, Amit explains the meaning of the institute's tagline, "turning big data into smart data," and he lays out his vision for the future of the AI Institute (6:46). Then, he explains why people need to be careful and concerned about emerging AI technologies (15:01) before discussing ethical concerns he has faced in his own AI research (19:36). Lastly, he reveals the attributes and characteristics he looks for in potential graduate students (23:00) and his motto on what it takes to be a successful researcher in any field (28:39).
The music for this episode was graciously provided by Columbia's own, "No Way Jose!"