(2024) Carbon Nanotubes, Digital Economy and The Future of Sustainability

In this episode, we talk to Alvin Orbaek White, Ph.D., CEO of TrimTabs, a science and engineering firm creating technology solutions for positive global impact. In his own words, Dr. Orbaek White is on a mission to build the world's first superconducting room temperature wire, replacing global energy infrastructure and saving 30% of lost energy in transmission.

We start with an overview of carbon nanotubes (CNT). This fantastic material is lightweight, strong, and durable, leading to many applications and replacements of conventional materials. We discuss challenges with producing CNT, such as price and precision. We also focus on the problem of plastic waste and the novel ways of converting it to new materials, such as graphite, CNT, and hydrogen. We also talk about medical applications of CNT, such as simultaneous therapeutics and diagnostics (theranostics), drug delivery to the nucleus of a cell, and biomarkers for cancer treatment. We touch on the localization of feedstock material for supply chains, which is made possible with CNT and its applications in 3D printing. We move on to the concept of the Digital Economy and the democratization of the ability to do work. Finally, Dr. Orbaek White explains his role in the Digital Economy Crucible and the idea of electricity as the currency of the future built on blockchain technology.

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podcast Hosts: Mikhail, Amanda and John Guest: Alvin Orbaek White, PhD

(2023) Turning Waste Plastic into Wonder

IN THIS EPISODE

With almost 60% of all plastic ever produced still polluting our planet there are enormous issues posed by the massive volume of plastic waste present in our environment. However, by repurposing this massive stockpile of plastic waste into something more valuable we can turn this problem into a solution that benefits us all and paves the way for a brighter, cleaner future.

In this episode, in discussion with Dr Sam Blaxland, Dr Alvin Orbaek White, formerly an Associate Professor in Chemical Engineering in the Faculty of Science and Engineering, unveils the incredible power of plastic waste. As one of the world's foremost experts on nanoengineering, Dr Orbaek White discusses the ground-breaking potential of waste plastic, and how it can be transformed into valuable materials such as hydrogen gas and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). These powerful and versatile materials are the future of innovation, used in everything from cables and batteries to MRI scanners.

(2023) The Gem of All Mechanisms

THE GEM OF ALL MECHANISMS

Synergistic relationships between industry, academia, practitioners and governments are needed in order to advance Green IT and deliver the digital data solutions we all need for a net zero future. Join guests Chris Adams, ClimateAction.tech and Green Web Foundation, and Dr Alvin Orbaek White, Associate Professor, the Energy Safety Research Institute at Swansea University, as they discuss how collaboration is at the heart of solving the climate crisis. This Episode is sponsored by the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow.