Professor of ophthalmology Daniel Palanker is a physicist who has combined his skills in optics and electronics to create PRIMA – the Photovoltaic Retinal Implant. Inserted beneath the retina, it restores vision to patients blinded by retinal degeneration, allowing them to read and write – and with the next-generation software, to recognize faces. PRIMA’s photovoltaic pixels act like tiny solar panels, converting light into electricity to stimulate the remaining retinal neurons. Better yet, the growing field of brain-computer interfaces may have implications beyond ophthalmology. “Unlike medicine, where the road ends with curing a disease or restoring lost function, the prospects for brain-machine interfaces may be infinite,” Palanker tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction
Russ Altman introduces guest Daniel Palanker, a professor of ophthalmology and electrical engineering at Stanford University.

(00:03:17) Path into Ophthalmology
How Palanker’s background in physics and optics led him to vision research.

(00:04:33) How Vision Works
A primer on the eye, retina, photoreceptors, and the neural code of sight.

(00:08:50) Retinal Degeneration
How diseases like macular degeneration and inherited retinal disorders damage vision.

(00:13:18) The PRIMA Implant
How a photovoltaic retinal implant converts light into electrical stimulation.

(00:15:05) Augmented Reality Glasses
How camera-equipped glasses amplify and project images to power the implant.

(00:17:42) From Reading to Face Recognition
Why grayscale vision is the next step toward recognizing faces.

(00:20:18) Implanting the Device
How the wireless chip is placed under the retina and powered by light.

(00:21:45) Replaceable Vision Technology
How future generations of implants could be swapped in for higher resolution.

(00:22:28) Limits of Resolution
Why geometry and proximity to neurons determine how small pixels can get.

(00:24:00) Moving to 3D Electrodes
How pillar-shaped electrodes help neurons move closer to the implant.

(00:26:28) Clinical Path Forward
The status of European trials, FDA discussions, and future patient access.

(00:28:10) Safety and Real-World Use
What trials reveal about surgical risks, durability, and patients using implants at home.

(00:30:11) Future In a Minute
Rapid-fire Q&A: neural coding, brain-machine interfaces, and restoring vision.

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Engineer Aaron Lindenberg is an expert in the ways atoms and electrons move through materials. He uses X-ray “flash photography” to make movies of atoms moving at ultrafast speeds to predict the fundamental limits of electronics in future consumer devices, solar cells, and AI chips. He estimates we are “many orders of magnitude away” from the physical limits of both speed and energy efficiency in our electronics. Today’s computers are at least a thousand times slower than they could be, Lindenberg tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Aaron Lindenberg, a professor of Material Science & Photon Science at Stanford University.

(00:03:26) Path into Materials Science

How a biology problem inspired Lindenberg’s interest in atomic-scale dynamics.

(00:05:34) What Materials Scientists Study

Understanding how atoms, electrons, and ions create useful material properties.

(00:06:44) Seeing Atoms in Motion

How X-ray scattering and diffraction reveal atomic structure and dynamics.

(00:08:59) Femtosecond Timescales

Why ultra-fast measurements are needed to capture atomic motion.

(00:10:25) Making Atomic Movies

How researchers use snapshots to study materials as they change.

(00:13:08) Speed Limits in Materials

What determines how fast a material can switch between states.

(00:15:32) Faster and More Efficient Devices

Why electronics still have room to improve in speed and energy use.

(00:17:43) The Energy Cost of Switching

How fundamental energy limits shape future computing devices.

(00:19:10) Speed, Energy, and Reliability

The trade-offs that govern how materials perform in real devices.

(00:21:29) Solar Cells at the Atomic Scale

How materials convert light into electricity inside a solar cell.

(00:23:40) Capturing Energy Before It Becomes Heat

Why ultra-fast dynamics matter for improving solar cell efficiency.

(00:26:13) Randomness in Materials

How stochastic atomic motion affects material performance.

(00:28:20) Measuring Dynamic Complexity

Why nanoscale materials do not behave the same way every time.

(00:30:26) AI for Materials Research

How AI helps in Lindenberg's research

(00:32:56) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: science, collaboration, and future materials.

(00:36:13) Conclusion

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Commencement season is here and, as many students are closing one chapter and stepping into the next, it's a nice moment to ask: what did learning really look like for these students, and how might it change for the next generation? With those questions in mind, we’re re-releasing a conversation with Computer Science Professor Chris Piech on the future of computer-aided education. Chris studies how computers can and will help students learn. His message isn't that teachers are obsolete — far from it. He shares that the future of education certainly involves AI, but that we must never lose the human element. Whether you're a new grad, a lifelong learner, or an educator wondering what's coming next, this one is well worth another listen.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Chris Piech, a professor of computer science from Stanford University.

(00:01:44) Teaching People to Code

What programming is and why learning to code can be challenging.

(00:02:54) Motivation in Learning

Why joy and motivation are central challenges in education.

(00:03:54) Recent Learners as Teachers

How near-peer teachers helped scale a Stanford coding course to thousands 

(00:07:10) AI and Computer Programming

How generative AI is changing coding for students and professionals.

(00:09:24) The Joy of Programming

How AI tools can expand what learners are able to create.

(00:12:41) Experiments with Teaching

What experiments reveal about one-on-one teaching & AI support.

(00:14:39) Rethinking Assessment

The value Piech sees in computational assessment.

(00:16:38) Fairness in Grading

Why AI grading raises questions about bias, context, and real-world use.

(00:20:59) Feedback & Assessment

How computers can evaluate creative and less structured assignments.

(00:22:21) Dream Grader

A system that interacts with student projects to understand and assess them.

(00:25:30) Beyond the Classroom

How assessment tools can also support medical testing.

(00:26:52) Measuring Vision More Precisely

Using adaptive testing to improve eye exams and track subtle changes.

(00:27:57) Generative Grading

What is generative grading and how can it actually function and be useful?

(00:29:44) Teachers and AI Together

Why the future of grading may depend on combining teacher insight with AI support.

(00:31:33) Conclusion

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Food security expert David Lobell is immersed in the data of agriculture. He uses satellite imagery, yield data, and advanced computational modeling to analyze the roughly 500 million farms worldwide to increase productivity and ensure global food security – now and in the future. Though food is often taken for granted, feeding a hungry world is our greatest environmental challenge, he says. Lobell goes on to explain how data can do much more than increase yields – it also cuts costs, prevents conflicts, reduces emissions and deforestation, and improves nutrition. Smart farming is key to food security and avoiding the problems that stem from hunger, Lobell tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest David Lobell, a professor of Earth System Science at Stanford University 

(00:03:01) Path into Food Security

How Lobell’s interest in math and the environment led him to agriculture.

(00:04:31) Understanding Farming Systems

How farming differs across smallholder and large-scale operations.

(00:06:13) Agriculture’s Biggest Challenges

Improving productivity in developing regions &  reducing agriculture’s environmental impact.

(00:08:15) Farm Potential

How researchers estimate potential outputs & the barriers to better outcomes

(00:11:03) Using Satellites to Study Farms

How satellites help researchers understand what is happening in agriculture internationally.

(00:16:13) What Satellites Can Measure

Tracking crops, planting dates, harvest timing, yields, and management practices.

(00:18:23) Identifying Crops from Space

How seasonal patterns, biomass, and reflectance help distinguish crops.

(00:20:01) Why Food Matters

How food security connects to political stability, conflict, climate, and the environment.

(00:23:58) Cover Crops and Tradeoffs

Why a promising sustainability practice can sometimes reduce productivity.

(00:26:06) Crop Rotation Insights

How different rotations affect yields depending on local conditions.

(00:27:35) Personalized Farming

The importance of balancing large data with local information and implementation

(00:31:47) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: smarter farming, food access, and the future.

(00:33:01) Conclusion

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Fungi are “nature’s biological recycling machines,” says guest Vayu Hill-Maini, a former chef turned bioengineer. That is, they take waste and turn it into good things. Hill-Maini now melds his scientific and culinary skills to create new foods, but also medicines, faux leather, pigments and other valuable products from mushrooms and molds. He uses CRISPR gene editing technology to “domesticate” these fungi – removing off-flavors and increasing nutritional content to make new-age cheeses, burgers, salami, and more. “We call it the DBTL cycle – design, build, taste, learn,” Hill-Maini tells host Russ Altman about his creative process on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Vayu Hill-Maini, a professor of bioengineering at Stanford University.

(00:03:33) From Chef to Bioengineer

How Hill-Maini’s culinary background led him to study food through science.

(00:05:23) Building a Lab with a Kitchen

Why his Stanford lab combines bioengineering research with culinary experimentation.

(00:07:32) What Are Fungi?

A primer on yeasts, molds, mushrooms, and their role in food and medicine.

(00:10:22) Domesticating Fungi

How humans have shaped fungi over thousands of years.

(00:14:23) Mushrooms as a Food Source

The nutrients, proteins, vitamins, and beneficial molecules found in fungi.

(00:16:21) Fungi as Biological Recyclers

Using fungi to turn food waste, agricultural waste, and other materials into useful products.

(00:18:22) Making Waste-Based Foods Desirable

Why taste, emotion, and culinary design matter for sustainable foods.

(00:20:22) Engineering Delicious Fungi

Using genetics and CRISPR to improve flavor, nutrition, and usability.

(00:22:50) Gentle Genetic Tweaks

Making small changes to reduce off-flavors or enhance useful traits.

(00:23:46) Design, Build, Taste, Learn

How the lab moves between kitchen and bench science to improve foods.

(00:24:06) Chefs in the Lab

How culinary collaborators help guide research and creativity.

(00:28:58) Fungi-Based Materials

The potential to create textiles, leather alternatives, and building materials.

(00:31:03) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: sustainability, students, and the promise of fungi.

(00:33:25) Conclusion

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In the dotcom era, communication professor Angèle Christin embedded herself in newsrooms, where she witnessed how audience metrics tilted journalism toward viral content over in-depth reporting. Christin now researches the influencer economy and how content creators monetize their production by any of three means – brand sponsorships, engagement-based payments from social media platforms, and direct-to-audience subscriptions, donations, or sales. She says this engagement-based ecosystem steers communication toward what captures attention, not always what best informs. To improve our reeling national dialogue, we must first change the financial model of social media content, Christin tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Angèle Christin, a professor of sociology at Stanford University.

(00:02:28) From Journalism to Social Media

How Angèle’s research moved from journalism to influencers.

(00:03:23) Journalism’s Digital Disruption

How platforms and advertising shifts changed the news industry.

(00:06:16) Metrics in Newsrooms

Why journalists began tracking clicks, traffic, and audience behavior.

(00:09:01) Redefining Success

The tension between editorial quality and online popularity.

(00:14:08) Unbundling Media

How digital platforms changed the way audiences consume news.

(00:15:29) The Pull of Virality

Why going viral can be both rewarding and distorting.

(00:16:22) The Creator Economy

How influencers emerged as a new media ecosystem.

(00:19:09) Studying Influencers Online

How Christin researched creators during the pandemic.

(00:23:59) The Passion Principle

Why many creators begin by sharing expertise or personal experience.

(00:25:44) Influencer Revenue Models

The three main ways creators make money online, and the pitfalls of each model 

(00:33:59) Rethinking Monetization

The case for subscriptions, donations, and direct support.

(00:35:09) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: incentives, social media, and research.

(00:36:23) Conclusion

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Earlier this year, we got to witness the incredible launch and return of Artemis II, a NASA mission meant to lay the groundwork for a future lunar landing. Among the many accomplishments of the Artemis II mission, the crew successfully gathered real-time observations of the Moon that will contribute to our increased understanding of the cosmos. If you were inspired the same way we were, we thought it would be an opportune time to re-share an episode we recorded with astrophysicist Risa Wechsler on the future of the universe. We hope you’ll take another listen and that this episode will help you tap into more of that wonder the Artemis II crew sparked.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Risa Wechsler, a professor of astrophysics from Stanford University.

(00:01:30) Big Questions About the Universe

What the universe is made of, how it evolved, and how galaxies formed.

(00:02:15) Mapping the Universe

New surveys and telescopes enabling more detailed cosmic maps.

(00:04:22) What Is a “Map” of the Universe?

2D images, 3D structure, and looking back in time through light.

(00:05:48) Spectroscopy & Redshift

How astronomers measure distance and motion using light.

(00:08:41) Our Place in the Universe

Why there is no clear center or edge in the observable universe.

(00:10:54) A Clumpy Universe

How small early fluctuations led to galaxies and large-scale structure.

(00:12:06) How Galaxies Form

The role of dark matter and gas in building galaxies over time.

(00:14:35) Types of Galaxies

Why galaxies vary in size, structure, and environment.

(00:17:06) Gravity Across Scales

How the same laws govern everything from planets to galaxies.

(00:19:02) What Is the Universe Made Of?

The invisible matter shaping galaxies and cosmic structure.

(00:22:03) Using Maps to Study the Unknown

How large-scale surveys reveal dark matter and energy effects.

(00:24:43) The Milky Way as a Laboratory

Studying nearby galaxies to understand fundamental physics.

(00:26:48) Diversity in Galaxy Formation

How different histories shape galaxies.

(00:28:02) Reading Cosmic History

Using observations to reconstruct galaxy evolution.

(00:28:50) Observing Nearby Galaxies

Why distance matters for studying full galactic systems.

(00:29:17) Conclusion

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Michael Jewett is a pioneer of cell-free biotechnology. Instead of using living microbes as factories, he uses their internal molecular machinery to make valuable proteins, medicines, diagnostics, and other chemicals. Jewett recently used the technique for vaccine production in an approach that could produce up to 150,000 doses from one liter. He believes cell-free biotech could democratize the production of essential medicines, improve water safety, and help convert atmospheric carbon into useful products, among other promising possibilities. “It’s just-add-water biotechnology,” Jewett tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Mike Jewett, a professor of bioengineering and chemical engineering at Stanford University.

(00:03:23) What Is Cell-Free Biotechnology?

Using the internal machinery of cells without the cells themselves.

(00:04:20) Removing “Evolutionary Baggage”

Why cells’ natural priorities can conflict with engineering goals.

(00:07:41) Advantages of Cell-Free Systems

From large-scale production to decentralized, on-demand manufacturing.

(00:11:40) Making Proteins Outside Cells

How DNA instructions are used to produce functional proteins.

(00:13:49) Biosensors for Water Safety

Detecting contaminants like lead using engineered proteins.

(00:17:05) Engineering Better Sensors

Improving sensitivity and selectivity through protein design.

(00:20:33) AI in Bioengineering

How data and models accelerate discovery and design.

(00:23:22) Sustainability & Carbon Capture

Turning atmospheric carbon into useful chemicals.

(00:26:18) Building New Biological Pathways

Combining chemistry and biology to create novel production systems.

(00:27:54) From Molecules to Materials

How acetyl-CoA enables fuels, plastics, and other products.

(00:30:51) Teaching Biotechnology

Making biotech accessible through hands-on, “just-add-water” kits.

(00:33:12) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: innovation, collaboration, and the future of biotech.

(00:35:32) Conclusion

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Education researcher Susanna Loeb studies the broad spectrum of learning experience, including ways to recruit and retain expert teachers, how to optimize classrooms, and the impact of technology on learning. She says pandemic-inspired innovations in tutoring have led to greater student engagement and improved learning outcomes. And on the growing influence of AI in education, Loeb counts herself an optimist. She sees it as a tool for good, enhancing personalized learning and supporting teachers. These innovations that didn’t exist a few years ago stand to help students to thrive, Loeb tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Susanna Loeb, a professor of education at Stanford University.

(00:02:58) Path into Education

Susanna’s journey from engineering to education and her focus on impact at scale.

(00:04:41) The Field of Learning Science

The different approaches and challenges in education and its research.

(00:07:06) Tutoring After the Pandemic

How COVID exposed learning gaps and accelerated interest in tutoring.

(00:10:14) What Makes Tutoring Effective

The different factors that go into making tutoring effective.

(00:12:16) Spreading Proven Practices

Using proof points and partnerships to drive adoption across districts.

(00:14:00) Building Education Networks

The importance of trusted relationships and communication channels.

(00:14:50) AI in the Classroom

How schools are beginning to adopt AI tools and respond to demand.

(00:16:00) AI & Education

How teachers are leading AI adoption, with limited direct student use.

(00:19:37) A Framework for Using AI

The focus on improving student experiences and personalized learning.

(00:21:23) Studying AI in Real Time

Challenges of evaluating fast-changing tools and the need for rapid testing.

(00:23:22) Partnering with AI Companies

Collaborating with industry to test tools like ChatGPT in schools.

(00:25:26) AI & Tutoring

Blending human tutors with AI support to improve outcomes.

(00:27:22) The Limits of AI Tutors

Why human motivation and relationships remain essential.

(00:28:54) The Future of Education Systems

Balancing innovation with equitable access and student engagement.

(00:30:51) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: optimism, scaling education, and collaboration.

(00:32:54) Conclusion

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Computer scientist Keith Winstein is an expert in how computers communicate. Computer networks create what he calls shared fictions – abstract realities, like a website or a Zoom call, that exist only because the computers on either end agree to act as if they are real. Unfortunately, today’s networks lack a shared notion of a “computation,” which hurts market efficiency in cloud computing and frustrates efforts to hold tech companies accountable for the results of their algorithms. As computational power becomes concentrated in a smaller number of companies, Winstein advocates for a shared language of “computational truths,” defining computations precisely so results are reproducible and auditable. His research group hopes this will lead to greater transparency and accountability in the cloud and, ultimately, to greater confidence in the computations that companies do every day on our behalf. The truth matters, Winstein tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Keith Winstein, a professor of computer science and electrical engineering at Stanford University

(00:02:56) Why Choose Networking

The appeal of the shared digital “fictions” created by connected computers.

(00:04:22) The Internet’s Impact

The broader societal implications of networking technologies.

(00:05:35) Computational Truth

The concept of tracking how data is produced and verified.

(00:09:18) Misaligned Cloud Computing

How “pay for effort” models create inefficiencies in cloud systems.

(00:13:51) Determining Computational Truth

The need for verifiable computation that produces consistent results.

(00:18:19) Computations & Accountability

How identifying computations could improve trust in systems.

(00:20:56) Collaborating Online

Why latency challenges make online performance collaboration difficult.

(00:24:38) Real-Time Performance Systems

Creating a custom system for musicians to perform together online.

(00:28:00) Latency vs. Bandwidth

Why faster internet speeds don’t necessarily reduce delay.

(00:30:43) Eliminating Latency

How buffering layers in software create unnecessary delay.

(00:32:41) Balancing Audio Quality & Delay

The different trade-offs for musicians, actors, and audiences.

(00:34:20) Rethinking Computer Science Education

The need to bring playfulness and interactivity back into learning.

(00:35:46) The Xylophone-Based Class

Teaching computation through real-time sound and music.

(00:38:34) Future In a Minute

Rapid-fire Q&A: optimism, truth in computing, and innovation.

(00:41:01) Conclusion

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April is Earth Month, and in appreciation of the plant life all around us, we’re re-running a conversation we had with Beth Sattely last year on the future of plant chemistry. Beth reminds us that plants are more than food or pretty things to look at — they have the potential to help us fight climate change or even cancer. We hope you’ll take another listen and join us in learning more about how plants can positively impact environmental and human health.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Beth Sattely, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford University.

(00:01:28) Path to Plant Metabolism

How chemistry and gardening led to a career in plant science.

(00:02:12) Environmental & Human Health

Using plants to improve both the planet and people’s well-being.

(00:03:11) Engineering Climate-Resilient Crops

Making crops more sustainable and nutritious amid global change.

(00:04:16) Old vs. New Crop Engineering

Comparing traditional breeding with modern molecular tools.

(00:06:22) Industry & Long-Term Food Security

The gap between short-term market goals and long-term environmental needs.

(00:07:31) Tomato Chemistry

Tomatoes reveal how plants produce protective molecules under stress.

(00:10:44) Plant “Vaccines” & Immune Signaling

How plants communicate threats internally and mount chemical defenses.

(00:12:32) Citrus Greening & Limonoids

The potential role of limonoid research on citrus greening.

(00:15:17) Plants Making Medicine

How plants like Yew trees naturally produce cancer drugs like Taxol.

(00:19:37) Diet as Preventative Medicine

Identifying plant molecules to understand their preventative health effects.

(00:22:54) Food Allergies & Plant Chemistry

Why the immune system tolerates some foods and rejects others.

(00:25:00) Understanding Tolerance in Immunity

Possibility of reintroducing tolerance through partial molecular exposure.

(00:26:20) Engineering Healthier Plants

Potential for designing plants to enhance micronutrient content.

(00:27:58) Training the Next Generation

Beth celebrates her students’ role in shaping a sustainable future.

(00:28:57) Conclusion

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