Lab Life: Episode 80: SpaceWERX - Partnering to Accelerate our Future in Space

On this episode of Lab Life, we're joined by the Director of SpaceWERX Arthur Grijalva to discuss the importance of investing in low Earth orbit technologies, partnering with academia and industry and above all else, how the team is already shaping the United States Air and Space Force's future in the stars.

Dr. Richard Vaia of the Air Force Research Laboratory, Dr. Jess Tice of Northrop Grumman, and Dr. Anna Balazs of the University of Pittsburgh join the podcast with special guest co-host, Dr. Branden Brough the Director of the National Nanotechnology Coordination Office, to discuss nanotechnology. Nanotechnology is the understanding and control of matter at the nanoscale (about 10, 000 times smaller than the diameter of a human hair!), where unique phenomena enable novel applications. We celebrate National Nanotechnology Day on October 9th which pays homage to the nanometer scale, 10 –9 meters. The National Nanotechnology Initiative is a U.S. Government research and development initiative. Over thirty Federal departments, independent agencies, and commissions work together toward the shared vision of a future in which the ability to understand and control matter at the nanoscale leads to ongoing revolutions in technology and industry that benefit society.

Dr. Andrew Gillman, an AFRL Materials Research Engineer; Mr. Nate Ames, executive director of The Ohio State University's Center for Design and Manufacturing Excellence; and Dr. Michael A. Groeber, an Ohio State University professor join the podcast to discuss the power of partnerships. Their collaboration led to a robotic black blacksmithing system, which uses incremental forming, a heat-assisted metalworking process that permits users to manufacture small lots of customized manufactured parts.

Dr. Alex Alaniz joins the podcast to discuss the buzz around Chat GPT, the creation of his own Albert Einstein chatbot and his thoughts on artificial intelligence and wargaming.

We dive back to a conversation with Dr. Craig Przybyla, a recent AFRL Inspire Speaker, to discuss the Engineering Scientist Exchange Program, why ceramics are a hot topic in aerospace and his work in our AFRL Materials and Manufacturing Directorate.

Ms. Karen Roth joins the podcast to discuss open innovation, community partnerships and her role as Chief Engineer of the AFRL Information Directorate in Rome, New York.

Dr. Lisa Rueschhoff and Dr. Matthew Dickerson from AFRL's Materials and Manufacturing Directorate discuss the power of polymers, high temperature ceramics and the impact materials research has on our everyday lives.

Dr. Lloyd Tripp discusses aerospace physiology and his work within AFRL’s 711th Human Performance Wing. Listen as we navigate through Dr. Tripp’s fascinating 45 year career, including work with AFRL's Research Altitude Chambers and the only human rated centrifuge owned by the Department of Defense.

Colonel Janelle Jackson, Deputy Director and Detachment 14 Commander of the Air Force Office Scientific Research (AFOSR), joins the podcast to discuss AFOSR's worldwide operations and the engineers, actors and family members who inspired her education and career.

Join us as we launch into 2023 with Major General Heather Pringle, AFRL Commander. We discuss prior year successes, current priorities, Department of the Air Force Vanguards, Digital Thread and more in this episode.