ASME TechCast
ASME TechCast features interviews with engineers and thought leaders discussing the latest trends and breakthroughs in engineering. Hosted by Mechanical Engineering magazine, the podcast covers innovations, issues, and topics advancing the field.
Episodes
Standards as the Backbone of Nuclear & Fusion Energy with Dale Matthews
ASME's 144th President Lester Su is joined by guest Dale Matthews. Matthews is a technical consultant at Framatome, Inc., a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, ASME Fellow, and Chair of the ASME Section III Standards Committee. He brings more than 35 years of experience designing and supporting critical nuclear power plant components and has spent decades helping develop ASME nuclear codes and standa
5 Myths About Borosilicate Glass
In this episode of ASME TechCast, SCHOTT's Tina Gallo debunks five common misconceptions surrounding borosilicate glass and explains why it remains a go-to material for applications ranging from semiconductors and lab equipment to automotive and energy technologies. Visit SCHOTT.com to learn more about glass solutions.
Redefining Nuclear Power with Caroline DeWitte
Advanced nuclear technology is moving from promise to reality. In this episode of ASME TechCast, Caroline DeWitt, Co-Founder and COO of Oklo, discusses the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of advanced nuclear power. From reactor design and regulatory progress to business models and large-scale deployment, DeWitt shares how Oklo is working to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable e
From Applied Math to ASME’s Presidency
As ASME’s newly elected president, Janis Terpenny wants to sharpen the Society’s value proposition for the next generation of engineers.Terpenny began her term as ASME’s 145th president in June, after nearly 30 years serving as an active volunteer. Also an ASME Fellow, Terpenny previously chaired ASME’s Intelligent Manufacturing Technology Group and served on the Fellows Review Committee. She also
Boeing’s Melissa Orme Talks Smart Manufacturing
ASME Techcast talks with Boeing’s Melissa Orme about smart manufacturing, additive manufacturing, and the role of Women in 3D Printing.
Seeing Clearly with LiDAR Glass
As sensing systems move into tougher environments, material choice matters more than ever. In this episode of ASME TechCast, SCHOTT’s Tina Gallo returns to discuss the glass materials inside LiDAR systems and why material selection can make such a difference in performance.To learn more about SCHOTT’s specialty glass solutions, visit schott.com.
2026 Policy Outlook for Engineers
Paul Fakes of ASME’s Washington office examines the 2026 policy issues—from federal funding to AI regulation—that could shape the future of engineering.
Podcast: The Enduring Legacy of Class J No. 611
Steam operations manager Zac McGinnis discusses the engineering, history, and enduring appeal of ASME Landmark No. 611.
Clean Tech and the Reboot of American Manufacturing
Sustainability, clean technologies, and the push for decarbonization are somewhat loaded topics these days, but there's no doubt that this area is seeing plenty of interest, investment, and innovation.Milo Werner is a general partner at DCVC, a 15-year-old venture fund that invests in deep tech. Warner works on the energy and climate platform, investing in companies that are commercializing ad
Where AI Fits in Manufacturing Engineering
In this episode of ASME TechCast, we're joined by Bradley Hope, Steven Gerdeman, and Rahul Rajadhyaksha to explore how AI is reshaping design for manufacturing and where it meets its limits. Learn why rule-based systems remain essential, what the "cold start problem" reveals about AI's limitations, and how a hybrid approach will likely define the next generation of workflows.This
Robots That Work With Us: How Cobots Are Changing Manufacturing
Cobots are designed to work alongside people, assisting with repetitive or physically demanding tasks. As manufacturers face labor shortages, these robotic systems are becoming an important tool for supporting workers and keeping them at the center of production.In this TechCast episode, we speak with Christine Bush of Schneider Electric about how cobots are being deployed in modern manufacturing
Welding Pathways
ASME TechCast kicks off a new series, “Meet Your Educator,” spotlighting engineering professionals at ASME Learning & Development who are providing specialized training to help engineering professionals advance their skills and grow their careers.In this episode, Chris O'Rourke, manager of the Educator Community, chats with welding instructor Logan Kucerak, owner and founder of Kucerak Eng
Geothermal in Building Design: An MEP Perspective
In this episode, we check in with Wyatt Roberts, Head of New Construction at Dandelion Energy, about what geothermal HVAC looks like in practice. Building on our previous conversation with Dandelion founder Kathy Hannun, the discussion shifts to the MEP perspective. Learn how mechanical engineers can bring geothermal into their toolbox and adapt to its growing role in modern, high-performance buil
Podcast: Making Additive the First Choice for Production
3D Print Application Engineer Emily Levin is one of 13,000 members of Women in 3D Printing and works to make the technology ready, not just for prototyping, but for production.
Mechanical Engineering’s Best of 2025
Mechanical Engineering’s editorial team gathers for an annual look back at 2025’s top stories, ranging from rededicating the last U.S. coal-fired passenger locomotive in the U.S., to NASA’s Artemis mission, to unique tools engineered to be used in extreme conditions.
Additive Manufacturing’s Humble Beginnings at Ford
The global additive manufacturing industry is currently valued somewhere around $30 billion, depending on which analyst you ask, but many projections expect that value to grow beyond $100 billion as soon as around 2030. But according to Women in 3D Printing, a global organization dedicated to promoting, supporting, and inspiring women who are using Additive Manufacturing technologies, women only m
A Coatings Primer
Do you ever think much about paint and coatings? Or the fact that pretty much everything in the built environment has some sort of protection on it? Paint and coatings are a $200 billion global industry, according to the American Coatings Association. Engineers are constantly developing new and innovative protections to ensure structures can withstand the elements and even improve a building’s ene
A New Generation of Rebar
If you see a concrete structure of any kind, be it a building, road, or maybe piece of art, in all likelihood it’s supported by rebar. While there are a few varieties of steel rebar, from the standard steel to epoxy coated, they all suffer from corrosion issues. Two doctoral graduates from MIT launched a startup called Allium Engineering a few years ago that’s taking aim at that issue by manufact
Setbacks are Part of the Engineering Process
Multiple setbacks haven’t stopped engineering student Michelle Delk from embracing opportunity and pursuing a graduate degree.
Engineering and Design Justice
When it comes to engineering and design, no matter the end goal, be it a device or structure or sweeping plan of action, the idea that engineering is done for the betterment of humanity is a constant, whether it can be tangibly quantified or not.As Sita Syal and Julia Kramer, assistant professors in mechanical engineering at the University of Michigan, recently wrote in their study, “Design and Ju
Sweaty Rockets, Robot Embryos, and Recession-Proof Engineers
What do rockets, robots, and a looming recession have in common? They're all part of the August issue of Mechanical Engineering magazine, and our top picks for today’s podcast.Reusable Rockets Don’t Just Fly, They Sweat by Nicole Imeson looks at a surprising new idea for spacecraft design. Robots as Materials? by Nancy Kristof showcases research where biology and robotics meet in unexpected wa
Podcast: Commercial Results with Consumer 3D Printers
Mike Zimmerman, CEO and founder of Z-Polymers developed a material that allows for the printing of commercial grade materials on consumer-level 3Dprinters.
Looking Back on Some Favorite Articles
In this special episode, Jeffrey Winters, editor in chief of Mechanical Engineering, looks back at some of his favorite articles from his 23 years at the magazine, and some of the writers who made them possible.
Engineering Better Pointework
A new device is bringing together the two somewhat disparate worlds of engineering and ballet. When most folks think of ballet, often the first thing that comes to mind are pointe shoes, which help make dancing on your toes possible. Traditional pointe shoes are still made with paste, fabric and cardboard, although some makers now use synthetic materials. But when it comes to learning how to dance
What Engineers Often Overlook About Glass Materials
In this final episode of our four-part series with SCHOTT, we explore the lesser-known capabilities of glass materials and why they deserve a closer look from engineers.Tina Gallo and Zach Wimmer return to share how SCHOTT collaborates with engineers across industries, guiding material selection and innovation at every stage. Learn more at schott.com.
Glass Built for Extreme Temps
In this episode, we speak with Zach Wimmer, Director of Applications Engineering at SCHOTT, about a specialty glass-ceramic engineered to withstand continuous use at up to 1100°F and thermal shocks from temperatures as high as 1700°F. Listen in on how NEXTREMA® is helping engineers solve tough challenges in high-heat environments.This episode is part three of a four-part series. To learn more abou
Podcast: Waste Heat Reuse
Aaron Wemhoff, professor of mechanical engineering at Villanova University, examines waste heat generated by data centers and posits that the situation is as much an opportunity as a challenge.
Borosilicate, the Duct Tape of Glass
Tina Gallo of SCHOTT joins us in this episode to discuss the remarkable versatility of borosilicate glass. From its pharmaceutical origins to its role in fusion reactors, space telescopes, and microelectronics, learn how Borofloat® is helping engineers meet the demands of today’s most advanced technologies.This episode is part two of a four-part series. To learn more about how SCHOTT’s specialty g
Engineering, Survivor, and the Spectrum: A Conversation with Eva Erickson
Brown University doctoral student in fluid and thermal sciences, Eva Erickson, brought her engineering mindset to Survivor Season 48. As the show’s first openly autistic contestant, she went the distance—making it to the finale and finishing second overall. Erickson is one of 25 engineers selected for ASME's 2025 Watch List. Full list to be published in the June issue of Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical Engineering Highlights - Spring 2025
The editors of Mechanical Engineering magazine and ASME.org return with their picks of the most interesting stories they've come across over the past couple months. Join Louise Poirier, Cathy Cecere, Sarah Alburakeh, and Jeffrey Winters as they talk about:SKETCHPAD VERSUS TABLETPatriots Pick Mechanical Engineer in the 2025 NFL DraftLEVELING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOUNG WOMENELECTRIC GEOGR
Robot Laborers Ahead
Although AI and robotics are distinctly different fields, together, the two are unlocking incredible new possibilities. One company that’s making waves in this area is Milpitas, California-based RoboForce, an AI robotics startup that has developed an advanced “Robo-Labor” system. The company's robots are capable of 1mm precision in fine motor movements and manipulations. When combined with its
Student Engineer and Elite Athlete Challenges
Being both an elite athlete and studying mechanical engineering at a top school is not easy, yet with a strong work ethics and perseverance Ella Escobar pursues both her passions.
Inside the Engineering of a Czinger Hypercar
What’s the hype around Czinger hypercars? Besides holding records as some of the fastest street legal cars on the planet, the California-based brand is out to pioneer a new era in the automotive space by fundamentally changing the way performance cars are designed and manufactured. Chief Engineer Ewan Baldry shares what it’s like behind the scenes of engineering hypercars with Czinger’s additive m
What Makes Specialty Glass So Special?
In this episode of ASME TechCast, we chat with SCHOTT’s Tina Gallo and Zach Wimmer about how specialty glass is pushing the limits of what’s possible in engineering. From its 19th-century roots with Otto Schott to today’s high-performance tech, they break down what makes this material so unique—and why it’s shaping the future of innovation.This episode is part one of a four-part series. Visit scho
Mechanical Engineers Remain in High Demand
Mechanical engineers are in high demand and Addison Group’s Jim Gerlock examines what recent graduates and seasoned MEs need when it comes to skills and training in the current and future job market.
Policy Prospects for Engineering in 2025
A new governing trifecta has swept into Washington and has set out to bring immediate changes to the way the Federal government does business. What does that mean for engineers in industry and research? Paul Fakes, director of ASME’s Government Relations education and outreach programs, explains what policy changes engineers should keep an eye out for in 2025.
Introducing the All-Digital Mechanical Engineering Magazine
The editors of Mechanical Engineering magazine discuss some of the best articles in its January issue - the first in its new digital format. These include an interactive feature about NASA's Artemis program and a look at startups developing sustainable ways to make steel.
A New Nation Relies on Maritime Engineering
Historian Emily Murphy joined ASME Techcast to discuss the role that engineering played at the height of international trade in Salem, Mass., when standards, weights, measures, gauges, and scales helped fund a new nation.
Reaching Engineers: Insights from Content Trends
In this episode, we dive into Wiley's annual survey on the content preferences and trends of engineers and industry professionals. Danish Khan, David Löh, and Chris Darch of Wiley unpack which types of content resonated most with engineers in the past year, the platforms they trust, and key metrics for connecting with the engineering community.
To learn more about the survey findings and Wiley Cor
Top Engineering Stories of 2024
The staff of Mechanical Engineering magazine discuss their selections for the top stories for the year. This year's top topics are clustered around energy and sustainability themes.
Don't Neglect the Caster
From the ever expanding use of automation to keeping employees safe and comfortable on the production line, manufacturers continue to face hurdles as they seek to optimize operations. Doug Backinger, senior vice president of solutions engineering and innovation at Caster Concepts, joins ASME TechCast to discuss some of the issues facing today's manufacturers, strategies that his teams are using to
Hidden Costs of HVAC in Manufacturing
For commercial buildings, heating and cooling have long been known as the dominant energy draw. But manufacturers devote a lot of resources to HVAC in their factories and other facilities as well. Forooza Samadi,
assistant director of the Alabama Industrial Training and Assessment Center in Tuscaloosa describes the scope of the challenge for small and medium-size manufacturers to reduce HVAC cost
What Employers Want
Gabriella Coloyan Fleming and Abdulrahman Alsharif join ASME Techcast to discuss the technical and professional skills students need to move from higher education into their engineering careers.
Boosting Solar Efficiency with Perovskite Tech
Solar electricity generation is on the rise. In fact, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission reported in late 2023 that more new solar generating capacity was installed in the U.S. during the first eight months of 2023 than any other renewable or fossil fuel-based energy source.
But imagine if the solar panels generating all this power were able to capture even more energy.
That’s where perovski
Teaching CAD Through The Legend of Zelda
University of Maryland professor Ryan Sochol shares how he created an entire syllabus around The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. His course leverages the advanced physics and engineering featured in the game to teach machine design and CAD software to university students.
Read more on the topic and get links to the referenced video and research paper here on our website.
Engineering, Golf, and Women in STEM
Teresa Curvin speaks about women, golf, and the future of STEM. She joins ASME Techcast from South Carolina where she is working to help the next generation understand and grow to love engineering.
Navigating Sustainability Mandates in the Built Industry
Sustainability is top of mind across industries. For engineers, designing and building the solutions of tomorrow not only requires a keen mind and attention to detail, but navigating the multitude of requirements set forth by industry and regulators. To speak about what’s happening on the sustainability regulation front in the construction industry, ASME TechCast welcomes Tommy Linstroth, the foun
AI and the Industrial Internet of Things
The sensors and connected systems that make up the Internet of Things produce more data than most managers can handle. According to Rich Masulis of Wesco this means engineers and production managers are missing some signals that could make their factories more efficient. Masulis discusses how artificial intelligence can be trained on IoT data to produce insights for manufacturers.
Engineering Without Regret
Tracy Brower speaks about happiness, work-life, and the
future of work. Advisor and coach, the vice president of workplace insights for Steelcase, offers advice for engineering without regret.
Rethinking the Boiler with AtmosZero CEO Addison Stark
"The future is going to be the clean industrial revolution."
AtmosZero is on a mission to electrify and decarbonize steam. The startup's co-founder and CEO, Addison Stark, shares his mechanical engineering story, what led him to rethink the boiler, and advice for aspiring entrepreneurial engineers.
Nuclear Engineer Grace Stanke Talks Life After Miss America
Where is the former Miss America now? Nuclear engineer Grace Stanke recently received her degree and moved to the East Coast for the next big step in her exciting career. In this episode, we talk about how her journey started and what 2024 holds in store for the Wisconsin native.
How to Mitigate Growing Technician Shortfalls
The workforce shortage and war for talent continue. One area that’s being hit particularly hard is the technical workforce, which is facing headwinds such as rapidly advancing technological requirements and antiquated perceptions.
Despite growing demand across industries, from energy to manufacturing and beyond, there’s a widening gap between available positions and qualified candidates. And the
Young Professional Engineers
Mechanical engineer, author, speaker, and trainer, the executive vice president of RMF Engineering in Raleigh-Durham, N.C., discusses how firms can recruit, retain, and train young professionals.
Space Exploration and the Engineering Workforce
Mars has been a longstanding target for exploration, but for nearly 50 years, we've been sending robots to examine the Martian surface. Elizabeth Jens of Jet Propulsion Laboratory is one of the engineers working on systems used by the Perseverance rover and other missions. In this podcast, she talks about her work and the importance of encouraging young women to consider science and engineerin
Behind the New Faces of Engineering
Mechanical Engineering magazine's June/July cover story delves into the minds of early career engineers to hear their diverse stories, from humble beginnings to great achievements, and how they're paving the way forward for future engineering generations.
In this sneak preview, we hear from Amy Elliott about her work in 3D printing and robotics at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, as well as
Diversity and the Engineering Pipeline
Identifying, training, and retaining talent continues to be a challenge for all fields of engineering. At the same time, diversifying the mix of engineering graduates to include more underrepresented groups is critical. Historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), minority serving institutions (MSIs), tribal colleges and universities, and others are making significant strides in growing t
Women Working in Engineering
Lauren Neal talks about her experience as a working engineer in a male-dominated field. She covers strategies for recruitment, retention, DEI, and leadership.
How AI Could Impact Manufacturing
Artificial intelligence isn’t just for faking voices or generating images. The technology can also sift through mountains of data and extract actionable insights. Humberto Moreira, principal solutions engineer at the software development services company Gigster, explains how these insights can assist manufacturers become more flexible and be more attuned to consumers.
Taking Innovations from Lab to Market
When it comes to research and development, engineers lead the way across a wide range of industries. But when it’s time to translate cutting-edge research and prototypes into commercial applications and technologies, the process can be quite complex.
Paul Cherukuri helps shed some light on that process, from strategies to challenges to real-world examples. Cherukuri is Rice University’s vice presi
Podcast: Selling Engineering Services
Risk-adverse, technical professionals find securing new business takes understanding a new generation of buyers and how they build relationships, assess services, and ultimately purchase products.
Engineering Policy Outlook: 2024
While it may be an election year, there is plenty of opportunity for science and engineering policy to be passed and implemented in Washington. ASME's Paul Fakes previews the potential areas for bipartisan agreement.
Top Engineering Stories of 2023
In a year that started to feel like “normal,” technology and the engineers behind it were a big part of the story. Listen as the staff of Mechanical Engineering magazine discuss their picks for the top engineering stories of 2023 in this special year-end edition of ASME TechCast.
Space Workforce 2030
A program called Space Workforce 2030 is seeking to bring in a new generation of engineers that is more diverse and talented than ever. It will significantly increase the number of women and underrepresented groups not only in the workforce, but also across aerospace engineering programs and senior company leadership.
Via Van Liew, principal director of diversity, equity, and inclusion at The Aer
3D Printers for Housing
Alquist 3D CEO Zachary Mannheimer talks about 3D printing affordable housing and building a workforce.
3D Printing Houses
Alquist 3D CEO Zachary Mannheimer talks about using 3D printers to build affordable housing and stand up a workforce.
Engineering Retention and Recruitment
Jorge Puente, vice president of engineering with
Kelly’s Science, Engineering, Tech, and Telecom unit talks about busy engineering firms that are enjoying low turnover rates, but still report that recruitment remains a challenge.
Monitoring Indoor Air Quality
An often-overlooked source of air pollution is the household kitchen, especially those that use gas ranges and ovens. The environmental advocacy group WEACT for Environmental Justice recently conducted a study to look at the impact of switching out gas stoves for induction cooktops in New York City public housing. Jennifer Ventrella, a doctoral student in mechanical engineering who helped conduct
Podcast: Leadership and Mechanical Engineering
Moving from a technical role into a management position is difficult to navigate. Engineers find themselves in uncharted waters. Jeff Perry, founder of More Than Engineering is a software, mechanical, and manufacturing engineer. For years he has been working with engineers and helping them map out the necessary skills for becoming a quality leader in the field.
Improving Energy Efficiency in Buildings
In New York City, Local Law 97 is pushing owners of large buildings to take steps to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. Tristan Schwartzman, principal and director of energy services at Goldman Copeland, a New York-based engineering firm, discusses the impact of the law and the steps being taken to prepare buildings in the city for a low-carbon future.
Behind the Webb
Mechanical Engineering magazine’s October/November cover story dives into the engineering feats and solutions that brought NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to its current home, orbiting the sun about 1 million miles away from Earth. Author Lina Zeldovich shares some insights behind the story, how it came together, and pieces that didn't make the story's final cut.
Seller-Doers and Mechanical Engineers
A proven way to secure billable hours, the seller-doer business development model allows firms a way to offer engineers a clear career development path.
Solving Urban Heat Islands
Virginia Tech's Theo Lim looks for solutions to urban heat islands.
Harvesting Energy Through the Window
Photovoltaic solar panels are becoming increasingly inexpensive, but there are many sunny surfaces where adding them is not feasible. Veeral Hardev, vice president for corporate strategy at Ubiquitous Energy, talks about his company’s quest to make transparent PV cells that can be applied to window glass.
Project Management and Mechanical Engineers
Being a project manager is more than getting tasks done and ensuring your team does the same. Learn the skills needed and the steps necessary to move from engineer on a project to PM of the team.
Engineering Geothermal Heat Pumps
Heat pumps, which use the outside as a source—or sink—for heat, are a familiar environmental control technology in many homes. Kathy Hannun, founder and president of Dandelion Energy, a company that makes household geothermal heat pump systems, discusses the efficiency advantages and engineering challenges of drawing heat from the ground.
Technology Readiness Levels in Undergrad Engineering
As advanced manufacturing continues to thrive, the ties among academia, industry, and government must be fostered to ensure the next generation of engineering students enter the workforce fully prepared to tackle the technologies awaiting them.
In this episode of ASME TechCast, Kathryn Jablokow, a professor at Penn State, and Tom Kurfess, a professor at Georgia Tech, discuss technology readiness l
Cybersecurity for Manufacturing
Kyle Saleeby and Gabriela Ciocarlie of the Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute talk about standing up cyber protection throughout the manufacturing supply chain.
Job Suitability Assessments for Engineers
ASME sat down to talk with Reid Tolley, founding partner of Talent Matters, an assessment, analytics, and leadership development firm. In this episode he covered how the behavioral assessment, job suitability tool Harrison Assessments differs from personality testing.
Tolley explained that the tool can accurately measures how well suited a person is with a specific job and if they score a 75 perc
Small Manufacturers Embrace Industry 4.0
Industry 4.0 is a suite of digitally enabled technologies that combine embedded sensors,
new kinds of materials, models as digital twins, and cutting edge computing to
change the way that companies think about their product and facilities and even
their customers. The idea of adopting these advanced manufacturing technologies
can be daunting to small companies that have had success with traditiona
ASME Techcast: What Engineering Students Need to Know to Succeed
Matt Ishler, associate director of career counseling at Penn State University, talks about what engineering
students need outside of their core classes.
Recommended
Becoming: HER with Nikki Spoelstra
Booked, Blonde & Busy w/ Olivia Ponton
McKinsey on Consumer and Retail
megahired.com
Hard Knocks Podcast
Effective Weight Loss for Moms | High protein, Strength Training, Lose Weight, Meal Planning, Fat Loss, Healthy Habits
The Human-Animal Connection - Pet Life Radio Original
The Daily
World News Tonight with David Muir
English Vocabulary Help
The Joe Rogan Experience
TED Talks Daily
