HOW THINGS WORK – FALL 2026 VIDEOS
Coordinators: Marty Green, Tamara Weinberg
We discuss the things you encounter in a high-tech world, both physical and digital, that support our modern lifestyles; i.r., medical imaging technologies, automobiles, recycling, and the role of materials (metals, ceramics, polymers, and semiconductors) in enabling our high-tech society.
To view a video click on the link above its description.
HOW THINGS WORK
How Materials Enable our High-Tech Society
Presenter: Marty Green
Presentation Date: September 10, 2026
A material is a substance with properties that make it useful for creating a structure, component, device, or product. Materials comprise metals, ceramics, glasses, semiconductors, polymers, composites, and biomaterials. Materials don’t just make technology better; they determine what technologies are possible. Every technological revolution is ultimately a materials revolution.
The average person has almost no connection to the world of materials because she/he understands the functionality of an object (for example, a jet plane that flies), but not the materials whose properties make flight possible. In this presentation, you will learn about the materials behind the many functionalities they enable
HOW THINGS WORK
Glass
Presenter: Pete Weis
Presentation Date: September 24, 2026
Glass is a material that defies definition — sort of an amorphous super-cooled liquid. It was invented in several civilizations as early as the 4th Millenium BCE when the common use was as jewelry. Eventually, several ways to shape it into useful everyday shapes were developed. And every day we use it to hold stuff, look through, and admire ourselves. In its various forms, it is essential for astronomy, scientific labs, cars, homes, vision and helpful in recreation, cooking, and even as a musical instrument, This presentation will cover the history, production, coloring, and various qualities for the many uses of glass, and will end with glass recycling.