Episode 90: Earth Day: Faults, Fractures and Our Resources

The water warriors are on the job! SwRI’s hydrology group monitors natural resources to guide water system management and conservation decisions. They study groundwater and surface water chemistry, qualities and interactions to understand environmental impacts and protect waterways and resources. SwRI hydrology research keeps the data flowing to stakeholders like municipal water systems, river authorities, commercial clients and more, which in turn safeguards the water flowing to our homes. Listen now as hydrologist Mauricio Flores discusses current Pecos River and transboundary waterway research, the human impact on water resources and the urgency to plan for AI data center water usage in Texas.

Colonel Eileen Collins, an SwRI advisory trustee and the first woman to pilot and command a NASA spacecraft has been on tour across the U.S. with her new documentary, “Spacewoman.” She stopped into the podcast studio to talk about the film based on her book, “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars.” As a NASA astronaut, Collins was part of four space missions, including serving as commander of the Return to Flight Mission following the Columbia disaster of 2003. Listen now as Col. Collins discusses her path to NASA, the varied effects of space travel on the human body, how she overcame doubts and fears to venture back into space after tragedy and the documentary that dives deep into the darkest and most triumphant moments of her life.

How do geological processes impact modern life? You can think of faults and fractures deep within the Earth’s crust as the planet’s “plumbing system,” carrying fluids, minerals, gas and oil to our cities and communities. Even rechargeable technology relies on access to these valuable natural resources. In recognition of Earth Day, we’re learning about the breaks, bends and forces that shift underground rock layers, making our access to resources possible. Listen now as SwRI Structural Geologist Dr. Adam Cawood discusses faults and fractures, how Earth’s “plumbing system” works and why a diamond mine discovery in the late 1800s inspired his career path.

SwRI’s DARWIN® reliability and safety software analyzes aircraft components for fracture risk, improving safety in our skies. The visualization tool provides insight into potential structural problems before a malfunction occurs. DARWIN takes aircraft data and converts it into a picture of fracture risk, analyzing when a break could occur and pinpointing potential fracture “hotspots.” The software has supported aviation safety for decades and now, it is flying into new frontiers. Listen now as SwRI engineer and DARWIN developer Jonathan Moody discusses the catastrophic engine failure that led to the software’s development, how it works to keep aircraft and passengers safe and DARWIN’s rise outside of aviation.

When critical equipment fails, from a chain hoist to an aircraft part, operators want to find out what went wrong. Normal wear and tear, before a failure occurs, can also prompt tests to determine remaining service life for a part or system. A materials science and failure analysis engineer can investigate, digging deep to uncover the root cause of a failure or identify a potential malfunction. This expertise prevents loss of equipment or in extreme cases, loss of life. Listen now as SwRI materials science and failure analysis engineer and metallurgist Dr. Mirella Vargas discusses what is revealed during a thorough analysis, down to the microstructure of metals and materials.

Episode 87: Superheroes, Anime and STEM by Southwest Research Institute

Episode 86: 2025 Rewind by Southwest Research Institute

SwRI built a private, secure, high-velocity 5G network to advance wireless research and development, now and in the future. The versatile network operates on campus with fixed infrastructure or in the field with mobile components without relying on traditional mobile network providers. It currently supports 5G projects in cybersecurity, drone technology, edge computing and more, but it is ready to take on 6G and beyond. Future G capabilities will include artificial intelligence, satellite, virtual reality and holographic technology. Listen now as SwRI RF Sensors and Systems Department Director and 5G expert Jody Little discusses the benefits of a private 5G network, SwRI R&D progress using this new tool and the possibilities of Future G technology.

SwRI picked up two “Oscars of Innovation,” R&D 100 Awards, in the 2025 R&D World Magazine competition. The R&D 100 Awards recognize the most significant technical accomplishments of the year. The prestigious award has honored top tier, revolutionary science and technology for more than 60 years. SwRI was recognized as co-developer on two winning projects, the Copeland Oil-Free Centrifugal Compressor and the Low Mass High Efficiency Medium-Duty Truck Engine. This year, the competition drew entries from 13 countries and regions. SwRI has won 54 R&D 100 Awards since 1971. Listen now as SwRI engineers Dr. Jason Wilkes and Ryan Williams discuss what makes these technologies stand out as innovations of the year and how SwRI’s expertise contributed to the development of the award-winning compressor and engine.

SwRI celebrates a first in its 78-year history — the purchase of land and construction of a new facility outside of its San Antonio headquarters. The 33,000-square-foot, $18.5 million building, equipped to advance national defense technology, is strategically located 3 miles from Robins Air Force Base in Warner Robins, Georgia. The building, featuring conference rooms, labs and new equipment, is expanding SwRI capabilities in electronic warfare (EW) research and development. The state-of-the-art Warner Robins space, which officially opened August 20, is a launch pad for innovative ideas and inspiration. Listen now as SwRI EW experts and Warner Robins engineers Winfield Greene, David Brown and Jarrett Holcomb talk about the new opportunities in the space, the forward-looking EW development underway and why Warner Robins is the ideal community for growth and progress.