Justin Finke: Astrophysics at the Improv

Justin Finke: Astrophysics at the Improv

#64 – Justin Finke: Astrophysics at the Improv * Justin works for Naval Research Laboratory, so this is the first podcast with a disclaimer. * “Ways and Means” and “Monumental” are beers from DC area breweries. * Used a telescope as a kid * Special relativity can be derived with high school math. * “Atom” by Isaac Asimov – not sci-fi * “A Brief History of Time” by Stephen Hawking * FYI, grad school for chemistry and physics is generally free. * Big display pendulums have motors. * Buy them from Academy Pendulum Sales * Is he an astronomer, an astrophysicist, or physicist? * How old is the universe? The Hubble tension. * Did the speed of light change? * Does gravity change? * Discussing improv classes * AI – generative, at least – not affecting astrophysics too much. Yet. * Prefers putting together a talk more than giving it. * Bert lists five great things about being an engineer. Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop [http://www.beerswithengineers.shop]  Bert’s Company – www.dexterityeng.com [http://www.dexterityeng.com] Let Jen get rid of your pain - Improv for Pain [https://na01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.jenuschold.com%2Fpain-improv&data=05%7C02%7C%7C798f8c0b72804073d12408debf61dd36%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%7C639158624207179013%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=BSYzmv1gitHo0ZrRR%2FvttSdjFzm0Q7ymNJaDO3SQj6Y%3D&reserved=0] https://academypendulums.com/ [https://academypendulums.com/] Hat tip to Joseph McDade for free use of his music "Mirrors".

Amy Barrickman: Feng Shui? No way!

#63 – Amy Barrickman: “Feng Shui? No way!” * Amy studied interior design, acting, and a little improv comedy. * Likes a beer brewed with raspberries called framboise. Amy thought it was German but the internet says it is Belgian. * Who wants a Beers with Engineers recipe exchange? * Interior designer versus interior decorator. * Feng shui is still a thing, but Amy doesn’t like it. * She was an actress before being a designer. * In pharmaceutical sales for a while. Hated it! * Engineers make choices with math; designers with heart. * She wrote her book “The Living Room Design Formula” because designers are often snobbish or rude. * “Good design is what you want and good design is what feels good to you.” * A business idea (or two) shared with the world. * The open concept layout is starting to swing back to more separation. * Design is shifting from cooler colors and white to brown. * If it looks level, it’s level. Amy and Bert agree. * Designers use more math than you might expect, even pi. Amy’s Company: https://barrickmandesign.com/ [https://barrickmandesign.com/] Amy’s book: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Room-Design-Formula-Style/dp/B0DX4BK5VR [https://www.amazon.com/Living-Room-Design-Formula-Style/dp/B0DX4BK5VR]  or www.lrdesignformula.com [http://www.lrdesignformula.com]   www.gallerywalltips.com [http://www.gallerywalltips.com] Bert’s Company – www.dexterityeng.com [http://www.dexterityeng.com] Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop [http://www.beerswithengineers.shop]

Jeff Kildow: Engineering Menaces

#62 – Jeff Kildow: Engineering Menaces * Jeff is a retired aerospace engineer turned author. * He writes alternate history novels. * His latest is Nazi Menace. Get it at Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/Nazi-Menace-Novel-Knight-Adventure/dp/1683550382]. * As a 10-year old, sent a letter to the Northrup Institute of Technology, and got a reply. * Jack Northrup handed him his diploma. * GM and Northrup started universities to train employees. * So did Arthur D Little * Eventually went to school there after being in the Air Force. * There, they didn’t teach theory, they taught knowledge. * The Aleutian Islands were invaded during WWII. * “Baa Baa Black Sheep” 1970’s TV show. * Started writing in junior high – wasn’t very good. * Gave it go again after being disappointed with a book he read. * In “Nazi Menace”, Germans develop a heavy bomber, which can bomb New York. * American soldiers have more latitude than most. * Hierarchy is necessary…until it isn’t. * There are similarities between writing and engineering. * Some writers are planners and some are pantsers – they go be the seat of their pants. Jeff’s novel – Nazi Menace [https://www.amazon.com/Nazi-Menace-Novel-Knight-Adventure/dp/1683550382] Bert’s Company – www.dexterityeng.com [http://www.dexterityeng.com] Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop [http://www.beerswithengineers.shop]  Hat tip to Joseph McDade for free use of his music "Mirrors".

Irene Chan: Planning NASA Space Flights

#61 – Irene Chan: Planning NASA Space Flights * Irene is a flight planning engineer at a NASA supplier who drinks stout. * Teachers encouraged her to try a career in math. * Fear of gangs in East LA was real. * Spent a lot of time at libraries as a child * Both Irene and Bert read the encyclopedia for fun. * “Stand and Deliver” great movie and true story * Initially she struggled with calculus and physics in college. * Partially due to involvement in student engineering organizations, which she recommends. * Her stubbornness let her persevere. * She struggled in basic classes but excelled in high level ones. * Flight planning priorities are the humans, the vehicle, and then the mission. * Weather is main reason for scrubbing a flight. * The issue is less the flight but in the event a rescue is needed. * Is an ion engine an ion motor? * Sometimes the acronym comes first and then the acronym. * She wants NASA to resume support of STEM programs. * Do astronauts train on how to go to the bathroom in space? Probably. * A brief visit from Irene’s daughter, who likes magna-tiles and marble run. Bert’s Company – www.dexterityeng.com [http://www.dexterityeng.com] Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop [http://www.beerswithengineers.shop]  French onion soup recipe - French onion soup.pdf [https://1drv.ms/b/c/cc3606416783ac55/IQBJjg1I2j3ASZPC448vgKzTAYR5bUZ37PnLYkJ5TFJglqk?e=XrZ6Pm] Hat tip to Joseph McDade for free use of his music "Mirrors".

Elliot McAllister: Butterfly net for alien microbes

#60 – Elliot McAllister: Butterfly net for alien microbes Elliot McAllister, founder and CEO of Skyphos Technology in Blacksburg, Virginia, and winner of a Beers with Engineers T-shirt giveaway for being the 1,001st connection. We discuss hands on tinkering and cycling the Iditarod Trail. Engineering wise, we discuss materials science and microfluidics. Sorry, but you’ll have to listen to find out how aliens and butterfly nets fit in. * Likes Two-hearted IPA * He didn’t choose engineering, it chose him. * Elliot and Bert are both cyclists. * Elliot wanted to be a bike designer * Worked on an all-wheel drive bike. * Raced a bike on the Iditarod trail. * Story about 1988 Giro d’Italia, “The Day the Strong Men Cried [https://tourdivide.org/strong_men_cried]” * Materials are always important. * Got the idea for his company Skyphos during a class in microfluidics. * Similar to electronics but typically much smaller volumes. * Why sneakers squeak [https://www.livescience.com/physics-mathematics/we-now-know-why-shoes-squeak-and-it-involves-miniature-lightning-bolts]. * Elliot first saw ET while wearing a red sweatshirt. * National Outdoor Leadership School in Pacific Northwest * Volunteered with Habitat for Humanity and uses the Habitat Restore * Worked a few years as a roofer. * Hiking and skiing with his 3 kids. * Analysis of warmest sleeping positions Elliot’s company - www.skyphos.tech [http://www.skyphos.tech] Bert’s Company – www.dexterityeng.com [http://www.dexterityeng.com] Merchandise - www.beerswithengineers.shop [http://www.beerswithengineers.shop]    Hat tip to Joseph McDade for free use of his music "Mirrors".