Episode 12: Recycling and the Science of Separation

About half of the solid wastes produced each year end up in a landfill. A quarter gets recycled, 10% is composted, and the rest is burned. Why isn't more being recycled? Is this trend going to change? What will be the impact of China's new policy regarding impurities? This episode dives into recycling and we interview Dr. James Nagel of EDX Magnetics, a company with an innovative new tool for separating metals that could transform the recycling landscape.

Links: http://www.edxmagnetics.com/ https://www.google.com/url?q=https://e360.yale.edu/features/piling-up-how-chinas-ban-on-importing-waste-has-stalled-global-recycling&sa=D&ust=1575260561824000&usg=AFQjCNH76UdrtRV_wXC5tqEqpVT4Xmlhog https://www.google.com/url?q=https://phys.org/news/2019-06-japan-town-recycle.html&sa=D&ust=1575260561813000&usg=AFQjCNHLXrs41QhJoheHBAuMucWH-cITIg https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A1vyB-O5i6E floating frog

Thanks to listener Chris Sparks who pointed us to the "planned obselescence" wiki which talks about designing for failure in business. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Planned_obsolescence

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Om Podcasten

In this podcast, Taylor and Andrew investigate the past, present, and future of materials science and engineering. Topic areas ranging from cutting edge materials technology, the history of different materials, the commercialization of new materials, and exciting advances in processing and characterization are all covered in detail. Our episodes include things like the unlikely discovery of superglue or teflon, the fascinating backstories about modern biomaterials like dialysis filters, and updates on new technologies including wearable electronics, next generation batteries, and nanomaterials. In short, we hope to help listeners understand the critical role that materials have played in society and even glimpse into what the future may hold for new materials.