Ep 2. Making Stuff Wilder

Making Stuff is a popular educational television program that explores the forefront of material science and how it can be applied to everyday life. Season 2, Episode 2, titled "Making Stuff Wilder," delves into the world of biomimicry, the practice of emulating nature in the design of new materials and inventions. The episode follows host David Pogue as he meets with leading scientists, engineers, and entrepreneurs who are utilizing biomimicry to create new materials, products, and solutions.

The episode begins with Pogue visiting the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, where he meets Dr. Zareen Khan, a scientist who is studying the unique properties of spider silk. Khan explains how spiders are able to produce a material that is both incredibly strong and flexible, and how researchers are working to replicate these properties in synthetic materials. Pogue gets to see some of the latest advances in spider silk research, including a piece of synthetic material that is stronger than steel but more flexible than rubber.

Next, Pogue travels to New York City to meet with Professor Michael Brenner at Harvard University. Brenner is leading a team of researchers who are studying the behavior of fire ants, which can link together to form a solid structure that can be used to build bridges, rafts, and other structures. Pogue learns how the researchers are using computer simulations to model the behavior of the ants and develop new materials and structures that could be used in construction.

Pogue then heads to MIT to meet with Professor Ellen Roche, who is working on a new type of medical device that can be controlled using a magnetic field. Roche and her team are using the principles of biomimicry to design a medical implant that can be implanted into the body and controlled with an external magnet. Pogue observes a demonstration of the technology, which could someday be used to treat a wide variety of medical conditions.

The episode then takes a turn into the world of art and design, as Pogue meets with industrial designer Ayse Birsel. Birsel is known for her innovative approach to design, which incorporates principles of biomimicry to create products that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. Pogue gets to see some of Birsel's latest creations, including a line of chairs that are inspired by the shape of a seashell.

Finally, Pogue visits a company called Sharklet Technologies, which has developed a new type of surface that can repel bacteria without the use of chemicals. The surface is designed to mimic the texture of shark skin, which is covered in tiny, diamond-shaped structures that make it difficult for bacteria to adhere. Pogue learns how the company developed the technology and how it is being used in hospitals and other settings to help prevent the spread of disease.

Overall, "Making Stuff Wilder" is a fascinating and informative look at the cutting edge of biomimicry and how scientists and engineers are using nature as inspiration to create new materials and technologies. The episode is sure to be of interest to anyone who is curious about the latest advances in science and technology.