Unprofessional Engineering

Fiber optic communication is a way to transmit information using light, one of the most relied upon technologies in modern time. From fast internet to endless television channels, we have a lot to thank fiber optics for. We investigate how fiber optic cables were invented, the process of making the ridiculously thin glass threads, and discuss how it works and benefits our daily lives.

If you have a vehicle, it runs on gasoline, diesel, or maaaybe electricity, right? But there is a whole world of options available to us, though perhaps not all that common. We're looking into some of the alternative vehicle fuel options that most people don't know about, or at least don't see as a viable option, such as: hydrogen, natural gas, propane, ethanol, and old French fry oil!

In our endless pursuit to educate our listeners in the various career options available to them, we have decided to look into Industrial Design and what it takes to become an Industrial Designer. We look into typical classwork for Industrial Design, how much you can expect to make, companies that typically hire you, and what your day to day will likely look like as an Industrial Designer. Oh, and we have a special shout out! If you have kids and want YouTube to babysit them, go check out Mackenzie's Book Nook! Not only does she read great books, but she is my niece, so you know it must be great! Subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMA2zJ3vmnOWjmMiGub-i8w

The periodic table of elements makes the world go round! Or at least it makes up the world and universe. One of the coolest parts of the periodic table is the noble gases: helium, neon, argon, krypton, xenon, radon, and oganesson. We investigate where these elements can be found in nature, if at all, look into their material properties, and discuss how they can be used in our daily lives. Oh, and we see if they will kill you!

One of the great American brands, John Deere has a long and interesting history that has helped to shape the development of the United States as well as the rest of the world. From a simple blacksmith to the head of a giant company, John Deere created one of the most iconic and influential companies in America's history. Learn how he got his start and how the company has expanded over the years.

Who doesn't like heading out to the hills after a fresh snowfall and jumping on a sled? But what makes one sled faster than another, and why does it work in the first place? We look into the history of sledding (thanks to our friends in Canada and Russia!), the engineering behind sled riding, and determine which sleds are the best bang for your buck.

Continuing on with our interview of Dr. Martin Fisher of KickStart International, we dive into how his team is able to design and manufacture cost effective solutions to poverty stricken regions of Africa, enabling small scale farmers to grow. From product design to material selection and manufacturing needs, Dr. Fisher walks us through the process that KickStart International uses to help make the world a better place.

Did you know that 80% of the poor in Africa are small-scale farmers? Due to the lack of rain, most only get 1 harvest per year, which means many farming families go hungry and fall back into poverty the rest of the year. KickStart International is a non-profit social enterprise with a mission to lift millions of people out of poverty quickly, cost-effectively, and sustainably. Unprofessional Engineering was lucky enough to catch up with Dr. Martin Fisher, Co-founder and CEO of KickStart International, to learn about how KickStart came to be, how they are attacking poverty in Africa, and how engineering is being used to help millions to make a better living. Do you want to make a difference? Help by donating to KickStart International: https://kickstart.org/get-involved/#donate

Are you struggling to find the perfect Christmas (or holiday) gift for that special engineer in your life? You have come to the right place!! Unprofessional Engineering has done the tough part of Christmas shopping for you by breaking down great gift ideas for engineers and aspiring engineers of all ages, all from $10 and up! Kick back with your glass of eggnog, try not to dump it out because it is gross, and find out what Christmas gifts you should be buying for your engineer.

Are you interested at learning the VERY basics of Raspberry Pi and Arduino? Do you want to know what the differences are between the two and when one might be more useful than the other? Just like listening to us talk regardless of topic? Look no further! Don't expect to be an expert from listening to us, but this will teach you how to use a Raspberry Pi or Arduino for your next STEM project. Heck, you might even create a smart home thanks to us.

Do you remember how excited everyone was for Google Glass to be released? And then... well, what happened? The glasses themselves were uncomfortable, they looked a little less than appealing, and the functionality wasn't nearly as futuristic as we hoped. We look into why Google Glass failed and discuss if it could have been avoided, or at least what could be learned for future efforts in the space.

Tower Bridge (not to be confused with London Bridge) is one of the most famous tourist attractions in all of London, if not the world. Not only is it really cool looking, but the way it works and it's long history is also pretty great. From the original construction of Tower Bridge, to the multiple facelifts, how the drawbridge mechanism works, and even a borderline "secret passage," we look into all the aspects of this fan favorite so that you can impress your friends on your next trip to London.

OK, so SpaceX might not be a company that built this world, but it is looking like it might be the company that builds the next one. SpaceX has quickly gone from an idea of cheaper space travel from the brilliant mind of Elon Musk to having NASA count on them to get resources and people to the International Space Station. Learn all about the history of SpaceX, from the original idea, to coming up with a plan for reusable rockets, sending people to the ISS, and even their plans to get the first people to Mars.

Battlebots, or Robot Wars as it was originally known, has everything an engineer could want. Extreme part design, custom fabrication, and destruction!!! We take a look how Battlebots got it's start, some of the greatest "contestants" of all time, the rules behind Battlebots, and even what it takes to build your own Battlebot. What more could you ask for in a STEM project, hobby, or amazing podcast episode?

Thinking about getting into engineering but don't know where to start? Already have a degree in Material Science and Engineering and curious about other job options out there? Look no further! We investigate the classes you will take in Material Science and Engineering, the top universities to attend, the type of work you will do, companies that hire Material Science and Engineering majors, and how much you can expect to make.