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Artwork for NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast

NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast

U.S. National Science Foundation
Artificial Intelligence
National Science Foundation
Quantum Computing
Robotics
U.S. National Science Foundation
Machine Learning
Biomedical Engineering
Climate Change
Computer Vision
Education
STEM
STEM Education
Community Engagement
Downtown Boxing Gym
Leonid Meteor Shower
Medical Devices
Purdue University
Cyber Security
Black Holes
Astrophysics

This is the Discovery Files Podcast from the U.S. National Science Foundation. Join us as we explore the latest breakthroughs in science, technology and engineering with the researchers making these discoveries. Learn how scientific innovation bolsters the U.S. economy, supports our Nation’s interests around the globe, and improves the lives of Americans.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes166Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
EducationScience

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Artwork for NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast

Latest Episodes

Secure information is essential in the digital exchanges of modern life. U.S. National Science Foundation-supported professor Vinod Vaikuntanathan discusses quantum cryptography and the future of encryption.

Advancements in science and technology impact the well-being of the American people. U.S. National Science Foundation-supported professor Payam Heydari discusses a breakthrough brain-computer interface that controls a robotic exoskeleton, technology ... more

Nearly 3 million antimicrobial-resistant infections occur every year in the United States. U.S. National Science Foundation-supported professor Kevin Minbiole discusses his work using artificial intelligence systems to discover new compounds to fight... more

Science, technology, engineering and mathematics-related fields employ 25% of the U.S. workforce. U.S. National Science Foundation-supported professors Erica Carlson and Muhsin Menekse discuss how their collaboration is inspiring the next generation ... more

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Recent Guests

Vinod Vaikuntanathan
NSF-supported professor researching quantum cryptography and security
University/NSF project collaborator
Episode: Quantum Cryptography
Payam Heydari
Professor in Electrical Engineering
University of California, Irvine
Episode: BCI Exoskeleton
Kevin Minbiole
Professor, Villanova University; NSF-supported collaboration on AI-discovered disinfectants
Villanova University
Episode: Discovering Disinfectant Compounds
Erica Carlson
Professor working on quantum education and public outreach
Purdue University
Episode: Quantum Education
Muhsin Menekse
Professor focusing on engineering education and integrating quantum concepts into curricula
Purdue University
Episode: Quantum Education
Yasmin Kassim
Postdoctoral fellow and developer of Vassilia
Group supported in part by NSF
Episode: VASCilia
Madhur Behl
NSF-supported researcher leading autonomous cyber-physical systems group
University of Virginia
Episode: Autonomous Racing (Part One)
Axel Krieger
NSF-supported researcher
Johns Hopkins University
Episode: AI Powered Surgical Robot
Katie Skinner
NSF-supported assistant professor researching robotics, computer vision, and machine learning for autonomous exploration in remote environments
University/NSF-supported
Episode: AI4Shipwrecks

Host

Nate Podker
Host associated with the Discovery Files podcast series, affiliated with the National Science Foundation (NSF).

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 29 ratings
  • Short, fun, educational. Also, one of the longest running podcasts!

    Podchaser
    5
    Elle
    5 years ago

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#201
South Africa/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Discovering Disinfectant Compounds
Q: Can you talk a little bit about this collaboration and how AI is used to discover new QACs?
The project starts with a large, high-quality biological testing dataset built over many years. AI models predict which quaternary ammonium structures will be effective, then researchers synthesize and test those candidates, creating a feedback loop that continually refines the model.
BCI Exoskeleton
Q: What needs to happen for this to become practical in real-world use?
We need to minimize or remove the need for invasive implantation, pushing toward accurate non-invasive brain recording to expand applications and reduce surgical risk.
BCI Exoskeleton
Q: What are the main challenges in distinguishing the intended movement from brain signals?
Challenges include accessing the brain signal through the skull, amplifying weak signals without introducing noise, and decoding the signal accurately to separate movement intentions from other brain activity.
BCI Exoskeleton
Q: What is a brain-computer interface and why is it central to your work?
It is an intermediary device that translates brain signals into commands for an external device, enabling actions like walking by decoding neural activity and using a processing engine to trigger the exoskeleton.
VASCilia
Q: So can you describe the Vision Analysis Stereocilia tool?
The tool, Vassilia, is a high-throughput, 3D analysis package that automates region selection, orientation correction, instance segmentation of hair cells, and extraction of morphological features, enabling researchers to obtain hundreds to thousands of measurements quickly and consistently.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast

What is NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program showcases NSF-supported researchers and cutting-edge science spanning quantum information, robotics, autonomous systems, marine exploration, materials discovery, and AI-enabled education. Episodes typically feature researchers explaining their work, the NSF funding that enables it, and real-world implications—from safer surgical robotics and faster materials discovery to open data tools for science and advanced sensing in underwater environments. A recurring thread is how interdisciplinary collaboration accelerates breakthroughs, with guests often detailing practical challenges, industry partnerships, and pathways to translating lab results into scalable technologies. The show stands out for its clear emphasis on research impac... more

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1. Freakonomics Radio
2. SpaceTime with Stuart Gary
3. The Ezra Klein Show
4. On the Media
5. The Supermassive Podcast

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NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast launched 10 years ago and published 166 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast?

Recent guests on NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast include:

1. Vinod Vaikuntanathan
2. Payam Heydari
3. Kevin Minbiole
4. Erica Carlson
5. Muhsin Menekse
6. Yasmin Kassim
7. Madhur Behl
8. Axel Krieger

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