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PODCAST · science

Activation Energy

by Selma Duhovic

Discussions about science, innovation, and impact

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Episodes

  1. 56. Casey Lippmeier (Checkerspot) on precision fermentation

    Casey Lippmeier of Checkerspot discusses precision fermentation. Adam Lawrence co-hosts. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:32) Education and career (04:25) Checkerspot - origin story and technology (07:05) Target market - infant nutrition (08:21) Partnerships (10:41) Precision fermentation (13:04)...

  2. 55. Jason Kakoyiannis and Brian Brazeau (Ferment) on biotechnology and biomanufacturing

    Jason Kakoyiannis and Brian Brazeau of Ferment discuss the state of bioeconomy and backing biotech startups. Adam Lawrence co-hosts. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:38) Education and careers (01:35) Ferment origin story (07:10) Fund vs. studio venture model (12:21) Technoeconomics (19:33) Value...

  3. 54. William Morris (NuMat) on metal organic frameworks (MOFs)

    William Morris of NuMat talks about metal organic frameworks (MOFs) for filtration, separation, and storage of gases, as well as about his journey helping spin out a startup from Northwestern University. Bryce Meredig joins as co-host. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:53) Career path (05:29)...

  4. 53. Mark Warner (Liberation Bio) on scaling biology

    Mark Warner of Liberation Bioindustries speaks about the importance of scaling biology and shifting focus from R&D to manufacturing. Adam Lawrence cohosts. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:39) Career (02:36) Definition of biomanufacturing (03:46) Comparison with chemical manufacturing (07:14)...

  5. 52. Nádia Parachin (Integra) on industrial biotechnology

    Nádia Parachin of Integra discusses industrial biotechnology. Adam Lawrence co-hosts. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:49) Education and career (02:21) Tech transfer and innovation financing in Brazil vs. US (08:52) Industrial biotechnology - definition and advantages (14:33) Key drivers for...

  6. 51. Robert Stoner (Kendall Square Project) on translating academic research into businesses

    Robert Stoner of Kendall Square Project and previously of MIT Energy Initiative speaks about licensing as a way to bring academic and scientific research to the market. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:39) Education and career path (07:58) Financing mechanisms for deeptech ventures (12:45) Role…

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  7. 50. David Heller (C16 Biosciences) on biomanufacturing and palm oil alternatives

    David Heller of C16 Biosciences speaks about biomanufacturing technology and products and business strategy. Adam Lawrence co-hosts. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:32) Career path (03:13) Origin of C16 Biosciences (07:12) Palm oil agriculture (10:06) C16 Bio’s core technology (11:14) IP…

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  8. 49. Joško Bobanović (Sofinnova Partners) on industrial biotech and biomanufacturing

    Joško Bobanović of Sofinnova Partners speaks about bioeconomy, industrial biotech, and biomanufacturing. Adam Lawrence co-hosts. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:34) Education and career path (02:21) Sofinnova Partners (04:28) Investment strategy (06:34) Terminology (08:45) Industrial biotech...

  9. 48. Lee Vinsel (Virginia Tech) and Andrew Russell (SUNY Polytechnic Institute) on the innovation delusion

    Lee Vinsel of Virginia Tech and Andrew Russell of SUNY Polytechnic Institute speak about innovation, hype, and the importance of investing in maintenance. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:29) Eduction and career paths (02:20) Origin of and motivation of writing The Innovation Delusion (04:15)…

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  10. 47. Adrien Côté (Velocity) on scientist-entrepreneurs

    Adrien Côté of the Velocity discusses translating science and research into business ventures. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:43) Education and career (03:17) Velocity Incubator (07:50) Successfully incubated ventures (09:30) Commercialization challenges (11:44) What distinguishes successful...

  11. 46. Adam Lawrence (AGL.BIO) on bioeconomy and biomanufacturing

    Adam Lawrence of AGL.BIO speaks about bioeconomy and biomanufacturing. OUTLINE (0:00) Introduction (00:38) Education and career (03:23) Challenges and barriers in biomanufacturing (04:46) Bioeconomy terminology (08:52) Value of biomanufacturing and comparative advantage (14:18) Actual and…

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  12. 45. Charla Triplett (Spine by Design) on medtech entrepreneurship

    Charla Triplett of Spine by Design speaks about medtech entrepreneurship and investing. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:42) Education and career (03:00) Suncoast VC (04:45) Investment thesis (05:44) Portfolio (11:41) Spine by Design (21:39) Medtech innovation and trends (30:22) Regulations and...

  13. 44. Jason Jay (MIT Sloan School of Management) on sustainability and systemic investing

    Jason Jay of MIT Sloan School of Management speaks about sustainability endeavors and systemic investing. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:33) Career (04:27) MIT Sloan Sustainability Initiative (10:29) Modeling climate change impact (EnROADS) (15:30) Emissions and warming (21:04) Optimizing...

  14. 43. Aleksandra Gosiewski (Keel Labs) on biopolymers

    Aleksandra Gosiewski of Keel Labs talks about harnessing the ocean to create biobased materials. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:50) Education and career path (01:39) Origin of Keel Labs (03:45) Sustainability (05:37) Offshoring (07:23) Technology and product (08:14) Manufacturing (13:47)…

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  15. 42. Tanya Ramond (Sapienne Consulting) on deeptech commercialization

    Dr. Tanya Ramond of Sapienne Consulting talks about deeptech ventures and commercialization strategies. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:45) Career path (03:50) Transitioning from academia to industry (05:17) Transitioning from corporation to startups (08:06) From PhD to MBA (13:15) Definition of...

  16. 41. Fred Rostami (GreenLIB) on battery materials recovery

    Fred Rostami of GreenLIB talks about recovering and recycling materials from lithium batteries. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:33) Fred’s career path (01:21) GreenLIB’s elevator pitch (01:55) Common and state-of-the-art battery materials recovery tech (03:42) Technical and economic challenges...

  17. 40. Jaehee Sweeney (BEI) on energy storage and batteries

    Jaehee Sweeney of BEI talks about battery technologies, including BEI's products. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:26) Career path (04:12) Energy storage (07:38) Lithium-based batteries (10:17) Lithium metal batteries (11:39) Ideal battery (12:32) BEI technology (13:32) Distinctiveness and stage…

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  18. 39. Jeff Rosedale (BakerHostetler) on deeptech and IP

    Jeff Rosedale of BakerHostetler speaks about how deeptech entrepreneurs can navigating the IP landscape and integrate IP with business strategy. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:25) Jeff’s professional background (04:10) Dialogue between scientific advancements and legal frameworks (07:22) How…

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  19. 38. Bryce Meredig (Citrine Informatics) on the intersection of science and business

    Bryce Meredig of Citrine Informatics talks about leadership and the business of science. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:28) Career path (02:06) Academia vs. business (03:15) Deeptech startups vs others (04:48) Integrating science and business (06:08) How to overcome challenges with integration...

  20. 37. Pavle Jeremić (Aether Bio) on protein engineering and lithium extraction

    Pavle Jeremić of Aether Bio talks about protein engineering, lithium extraction, and advanced polymers. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:29) Pavle’s professional background (01:12) Motivation for founding Aether (04:31) Aether’s technology and product lines (06:45) Uniqueness of Aether’s…

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  21. 36. Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza (Elysium Robotics) on robotics

    Rodrigo Alvarez-Icaza of Elysium Robotics talks about actuation, movement, and robotics. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:39) Rodrigo’s professional background (03:04) Motivation for founding Elysium (04:17) Elysium’s technology (05:45) Limitations of current robotic systems (07:02) Suite of...

  22. 35. Mahmood Shirazy (Calogy Solutions) on thermal management of EVs

    Mahmood Shirazy of Calogy Solutions discusses thermal management systems of electrical vehicles (EV) systems, transitioning from scientist to entrepreneur, and the state of the deeptech ecosystem. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:36) Mahmood’s career (02:32) Calogy’s technology (04:09) Value...

  23. 34. Chad Wasilenkoff (Helicoid Industries) on advanced composites for automotive and aerospace markets

    Chad Wasilenkoff of Helicoid Industries talks about commercializing advanced, proprietary composites for sporting goods, automotive, and aerospace applications. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:33) Chad’s professional background (05:25) Helicoid’s technology (07:42) Significance and potential...

  24. 33. Angela Tsetsis, Nathaniel Jackson, Taka Kamezawa (TrueAlgae) on algae-derived metabolites

    The team behind TrueAlgae – Angela Tsetsis, Nathaniel Jackson, Taka Kamezawa – talks about commercialization of algae-derived metabolites, which have potential impact across multiple fields, including medicine and health, food and nutrition, and materials science and biofuels. OUTLINE (0:00)...

  25. 32. Martin Mulvilhill (Safer Made) on investing in safe chemistry

    Martin Mulvihill of Safer Made, a VC firm, talks about investing in startups that eliminate the use of hazardous chemicals in consumer products and supply chains. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:40) Marty’s career path (03:10) Motivation for becoming a VC (04:38) Safer Made’s origin, mission…

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  26. 31. Philip Taynton (Mallinda) on commercializing new materials out of universities

    Philip Taynton of Mallinda talks about a new class of plastic materials and the journey of spinning out university research. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (00:39) What Mallinda is commercializing (01:09) Vitrimers (02:25) Applications (04:07) Negative impact of non-recyclable materials (05:39)...

  27. 30. Robert Creighton (Windlift) on offshore wind energy generation

    Robert Creighton of Windlift, a startup commercializing an airborne wind energy system, talks about harnessing wind to generate energy. OUTLINE (00:00) Introduction (01:44) Rob’s professional journey (04:06) History of wind energy (05:28) Wind vs. traditional sources of energy (06:27) Challenges...

  28. 29. Ben Schrag (NSF) on government's role in deeptech and innovation

    Ben Schrag of the National Science Foundation talks about deeptech and how the government helps advance innovation. OUTLINE: (00:00) Introduction (00:56) Ben’s career path (02:39) NSF’s mandate regarding commercialization of scientific invention (04:39) SBIR and STTR programs (06:31) Origin of...

  29. 28. Tyler Ellison (ChemDirect) on digitalization of the chemical supply chain

    I speak with Tyler Ellison of ChemDirect about disrupting and digitalizing the chemical supply chain and logistics. OUTLINE: (00:34) Tyler’s background (01:07) Nova Molecular (01:25) Chemical supply chain and logistics (02:48) Fragmentation (03:26) Challenges within chemical supply chain (05:19)...

  30. 27. DC Palter (CAN and Tech Coast Angels) on cleantech investing

    I speak with DC Palter of Tech Coast Angels and Chemical Angel Network about investing in clean technologies. OUTLINE: (00:00) Intro (0:55) DC’s interest in Cleantech and motivation for investing in Cleantech (4:49) Current trends in Cleantech investing (10:43) How DC evaluates startups (13:33)...

  31. 26. Bahruz Mammadov (BERKM) and John Standish (Association of Plastic Recyclers) on plastic packaging

    This episode features Bahruz Mammadov, CEO of BERKM, and John Standish, Technical Director at the Association of Plastic Recyclers, who share their views on the history, current state, and innovation in plastic packaging. OUTLINE: (00:00) Intro (01:02) State and scale of plastic packaging (02:49)...

  32. 25. Mark Vreeke (Chemical Angel Network) on investing at the chemical frontier

    This episode features Mark Vreeke, the co-founder of the Chemical Angel Network, who shares his views about investing in deep tech ventures. Aaron Santos, co-founder of DNP123, joins me as co-host. OUTLINE (0:00) Introduction to Mark and Aaron (1:16) Definition of deep tech (2:12) What is fueling...

  33. 24. John Sears (Innovators Legal) on startups and intellectual property

    I speak with John Sears of Innovators Legal about intellectual property, business strategy, and deep-tech startups partnering with corporations to co-create value. (0:00) Introduction (0:43) Role of IP in early stage companies (4:31) Common types of IP (7:28) When to protect inventions by patents...

  34. 23. Alexis Bazzanella (Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, DECHEMA) on sustainable chemistry

    I speak with Alexis Bazzanella of the Society for Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (DECHEMA) and the International Sustainable Chemistry Collaborative Centre (ISC3) about sustainable chemistry and multinational collaboration. (0:49) Definition of sustainability (2:25) Holistic approach to...

  35. 22. Jane Melia (Harvest Thermal) and DC Palter (Chemical Angel Network) on heating and the electrical grid

    I speak with Jane Melia of Harvest Thermal and DC Palter of the Chemical Angel Network, Tech Coast Angels, and Pitching Angels blog about how changing the way we heat our homes and buildings can help mitigate climate change. (1:25) Heating, energy, and emissions (3:05) Regulations (6:08) Heat…

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  36. 21. Craig Kasberg (Tidal Vision) and Tony Sun (GC Ventures) on biopolymers and investing

    I speak with Craig Kasberg of Tidal Vision and Tony Sun of GC Ventures about biopolymers, applications chitosan, building and investing in science-based startups. (0:47) Biopolymers (1:37) Chitosan (3:05) Tidal Vision’s manufacturing (4:46) Applications and markets – water treatment, textiles,...

  37. 20. Morgan Lehtinen (RXN Hub) on Canadian cleantech ecosystem

    I speak with Morgan Lehtinen of RXN Hub about the Canadian cleantech entrepreneurial ecosystem. (0:53) What RXN Hub is (1:40) Gap in the entrepreneurial ecosystem (4:09) Cleantech ecosystems across North America (6:14) Startups eligible for RXN Hub (7:17) RXN Hub partners (9:10) Business model…

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  38. 19. Ginger Rothrock (HG Ventures) on investing in industrial tech

    I speak with Ginger Rothrock of HG Ventures about investing in industrial technologies. (0:00) Introduction (0:43) Industrial tech defined (1:33) Examples of current innovations with industrial use cases (3:07) How novel industrial tech will impact existing value chain/ecosystem (4:49) The…

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  39. 18. Mitch Krauss on sustainability in apparel, semiconductor, and beverage industries

    I speak with Mitch Krauss about sustainability, circularity, environmental and health safety in textiles, semiconductor, and beverage industries. (0:00) Introduction (0:39) Apparel and textile industry (1:32) UN Project (2:42) Apparel industry value chain (4:29) Perfluorochemicals (7:45)...

  40. 17. Gabriel Thoumi (Responsible Alpha) on plastics and sustainability

    I speak with Gabriel Thoumi of Responsible Alpha, a consultancy whose mission is to support businesses and communities in securing a low-carbon, sustainable, and equitable future. (1:24) Production and consumption of plastic (2:53) Plastic industry’s carbon budget (3:59) Reconciling fact that...

  41. 16. Tina Tosukhowong (TDK Ventures) on investing in deep tech startups

    I speak with Tina Tosukhowong of TDK Ventures about investing in deep tech startups. (0:00) Introduction (0:49) Defining deep tech (1:21) Distinction from clean tech (3:00) What drives investment in deep tech (5:35) Risks in deep tech ventures and their investors (9:07) Challenges faced by…

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  42. 15. Rajiv Banavali (WestRock) on innovation and sustainability

    I speak with Rajiv Banavali, the senior vice president of science and innovation at WestRock, the second largest American packaging company. (0:00) Introduction (0:44) Definition of innovation (1:28) Distinction between breakthrough and incremental innovation (3:53) Identifying opportunities for...

  43. 14. John Warner (Zymergen) on sustainability

    I speak with Dr. John Warner of Zymergen and Beyond Benign about sustainability in the chemical industry. (0:00) Introduction (1:03) Chemical industry as an actor in society and economy (4:31) Green chemistry (5:54) Teaching chemistry skills (10:50) Beyond Benign (20:11) Marketing and public...

  44. 13. Nikhil Kalane (PwC India) on state of the chemical industry

    I speak with Nikhil Kalane of PwC India about the current state of the global chemical industry. (0:00) Introduction (0:42) Management consultancies for chemical industry (1:42) Nikhil’s expertise and role (2:34) State of the chemical industry and pandemic’s impact (6:22) Pandemic’s impact by...

  45. 12. William Provine (The Innovation Space) on innovation

    I speak with Dr. William Provine of The Innovation Space about innovation in the chemical industry and the support ecosystem that exists for chemical startups. (0:00) Introduction (0:48) Invention vs. innovation (4:55) How chemical companies identify opportunities for innovation (8:41) Rate of...

  46. 11. Judy Giordan (ecosVC) on talent and diversity

    I speak with Dr. Judy Giordan of ecosVC about education, talent development, and diversity in the chemical industry. (0:00) Introduction (0:42) Chemistry majors (4:42) Talent acquisition and development (10:34) Diversity, inclusion, equity (19:26) Sociology vs. Technology

  47. 10. Sebastian Alamillo-Falkenberg (KPM Accelerate) on innovation

    I speak with Sebastian Alamillo-Falkenberg of KPM Accelerate about the tough-tech ecosystem and resources available for science-based startups. (0:39) Innovation, invention, design (1:51) Example: The Metals Company (3:05) Example: Li-Cycle (4:29) Science vs. software startups (7:41) Risks in...

  48. 1. Greg Newbloom (Membrion, Inc.) on green chemistry

    I speak with Dr. Greg Newbloom, the founder and CEO of Membrion, about his career, company, and interest in green chemistry.

  49. 9. Judy Giordan (ecosVC) on innovation in the chemical industry

    I speak with Dr. Judy Giordan about innovation. (0:00) Introduction (0:46) Invention vs. Innovation vs. Diffusion (5:05) Innovation in large chem corporations (7:50) Different stakeholders driving innovation (8:47) How innovation influences chem industry’s dynamics and evolution (13:51) Current...

  50. 8. Frank Slejko (Tall Oaks) on intersection of water and chemistry

    I speak with Dr. Frank Slejko about water treatment in various industries, incumbent technologies, and innovations. (0:00) Introduction (0:50) Significance of water treatment and water as universal solvent (3:28) Industrial applications that require clean water (6:15) High purity water for...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Discussions about science, innovation, and impact

HOSTED BY

Selma Duhovic

CATEGORIES

science

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Activation Energy currently has 56 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

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Discussions about science, innovation, and impact

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Activation Energy has 56 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

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Activation Energy is created and hosted by Selma Duhovic.
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