EPISODE · Jul 5, 2025 · 17 MIN
Shrink to See: Alvar Alloy 30 and the Race for 10-Picometer Space Stability
from Intellectually Curious · host Mike Breault
In this episode we explore Alvar Alloy 30, a titanium-based material that contracts when heated, and how NASA’s hunt for ultra-stable exoplanet observations is driving a leap in materials science. We'll unpack the science of negative thermal expansion, how Alvar Alloy 30 is used to cancel ordinary expansion in precision optics, the groundbreaking 11 pm/√Hz stability demonstrated in a hexapod experiment, and what this could mean for the future of space telescopes and commercial applications alike.Note: This podcast was AI-generated, and sometimes AI can make mistakes. Please double-check any critical information.Sponsored by Embersilk LLC
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In this episode we explore Alvar Alloy 30, a titanium-based material that contracts when heated, and how NASA’s hunt for ultra-stable exoplanet observations is driving a leap in materials science. We'll unpack the science of negative thermal expansion, how Alvar Alloy 30 is used to cancel ordinary expansion in precision optics, the groundbreaking 11 pm/√Hz stability demonstrated in a hexapod experiment, and what this could mean for the future of space telescopes and commercial applications al...
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Shrink to See: Alvar Alloy 30 and the Race for 10-Picometer Space Stability
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