The Next Byte
by Daniel Scott Mitchell, Farbod Moghaddam
Latest episode
253. This Breathalyzer Tells You When You're Burning Fat
253. This Breathalyzer Tells You When You're Burning Fat
About this podcast
We're two engineers on a mission to make interesting technology easy to understand. In each episode, we explore tech that is going to change the world – and keep it entertaining along the way.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 254 episodes
- 253. This Breathalyzer Tells You When You're Burning Fat · 16 minIn this episode, we explore how researchers at ETH Zurich developed a handheld breathalyzer that measures when your body is burning fat instead of carbohydrates, without…
- 252. Tiny Robots Helped Paralyzed Mice Walk Again · 16 minIn this episode, we explore how researchers at ETH Zurich developed microscopic robots that combine stem cells with magnetoelectric nanoparticles to repair damaged spinal cords…
- 251. Michael Corr & Justin Sears on How Altium & Duro Are Fueling the Next Generation of Hardware Startups · 1 h 5 minIn this episode, we speak with Michael Corr, co-founder and CEO of Duro, and Justin Sears, head of product marketing at Altium, about how connected cloud platforms are changing…
- 250. MIT’s Injectable Mini Liver Could Save Thousands of Lives · 23 minIn this episode, we explore MIT's groundbreaking approach to treating liver failure by injecting tiny "satellite livers" instead of replacing the entire organ. By combining liver…
- 249. Harvard’s Smartwatch Makes You Run Faster & Safer · 21 minIn this episode, we explore how researchers at Harvard developed an AI-powered wearable system that uses inexpensive motion sensors to estimate running forces that previously…
- 248. Xometry’s Oscar Lovera & How AI Is Rebuilding Manufacturing · 59 minIn this episode, we speak with Oscar Lovera, Chief Operating Officer, International at Xometry, about how AI and digital marketplaces are transforming custom manufacturing…
- 247. NASA’s Electric Thruster That Could Take Us to Mars · 18 minIn this episode, we explore NASA’s successful test of a powerful new lithium-fed electric thruster that could one day power human missions to Mars. Learn how electric propulsion…
- 246. Future of Bone Repair Starts with a 3D Printer · 14 minIn this episode, we explore a new 3D printable material that can quickly transform into a strong, bone-like scaffold capable of supporting new bone growth. Learn how this…
- 245. No More 3D Print Failures Thanks To… AI? · 18 minIn this episode, we explore how researchers have developed an AI system that can watch a 3D print as it’s being made, detect mistakes, and automatically correct them before the…
- 244. The Hidden Power of Engineers as Storytellers (with Mouser’s Matt Campbell & Ricky Flores) · 47 minIn this episode, we speak with Matt Campbell and Ricky Flores about the secret talent hiding inside one of the world's largest electronics distributors: engineers who can truly…
- 243. Cycling’s “Supersuit” Moment is Here · 21 minIn this episode, we explore how researchers at Harvard created a new fabric that forms golf ball-like dimples when stretched, reducing drag and potentially acting like “DRS for…
- 242. Mouser’s Matt Bell & The Next Generation of Automated Warehouses · 43 minIn this episode, we speak with Matt Bell (VP of Outbound Operations at Mouser Electronics) about what it takes to run logistics and fulfillment at the scale of one of the world’s…
- 241. Moby Dick Finally Gets a Fitbit · 17 minIn this episode, we explore how Ocean Alliance uses 3D-printed drone systems to deploy wearable tags on whales, unlocking continuous data on how these giants move, dive, and live…
- 240. Swallow Confirmed: Smart Pills That “Ping” From Your Stomach · 15 minIn this episode, we talk about MIT's bio-resorbable RFID smart pill that activates in ~10 minutes after swallowing to verify a dose in real time.
- 239. The Saucies: 2025 Recap & TNB Turns Five! · 43 minThis episode celebrates five years of The Next Byte with a recap of 2025, highlighting standout episodes through The “Saucies” Awards, reflecting on major trends, sharing…
- 238. Humanoid Robots Can Now Punch... What's Next? · 20 minIn this episode, we explore the engineering behind Unitree’s newest boxing robot demo, the history of humanoid robots, and why robotics might create a new F1-esque sport in the…
- 237. Vibe Manufacturing: MIT’s AI Text-to-Manufacturing System · 17 minIn this episode, we explore MIT’s new system that turns spoken ideas into physical assemblies by linking speech-to-text, text-to-CAD, CAD-to-assembly, and robotic fabrication…
- 236. Cold-Chain Sensing, But Without E-Waste · 17 minIn this episode, we talk about the engineers that built a wireless tag that detects and remembers overheating without a chip or a battery, enabling cold-chain monitoring without…
- 235. Arm’s Vince Jesaitis on How AI Is Moving from the Cloud to Your Pocket · 47 minIn this episode, we speak with Vince Jesaitis (VP at Arm) who explains how AI is shifting from big data centers to everyday devices, and what that means for speed, security, and…
- 234. How Candy-Making Inspired the Future of Smart Textiles · 18 minIn this episode, we explore how researchers used a fiber-optic style thermal drawing process (similar to stretching candy) to create liquid-metal smart fibers that sense motion…
- 233. Reading a Fish’s Mind to Build Smarter Robots · 17 minIn this episode, we cover how scientists mapped zebrafish brains when swimming and used that map to power a real robot fish. The robot can hold its position in flowing water…
- 232. Turbine Innovations For A Greener Future [Rerun] · 26 minIn this episode, we talk about how a shift in perspective regarding wind farm power production led to a model that can increase global output by 5% and a much overdue redesign of…
- 231. The Patch That Can Heal a Broken Heart (Literally) · 12 minIn this episode, we cover ETH Zurich’s biodegradable heart patch that combines 3D printing, living heart cells, and smart materials to seal and heal damaged heart tissue - paving…
- 230. 3D Printing Gets the Hannah Montana Treatment · 15 minMIT’s SustainaPrint gives 3D printing the “Hannah Montana treatment” by combining eco-friendly plastics with tough materials only where needed, delivering the best of both worlds…
- 229. Teaching Robots to Play Badminton · 16 minIn this episode, we cover how researchers trained a quadruped robot to play badminton, teaching it to track the shuttlecock, move into position, and swing a racket in real time…
- 228. Harvard’s Soft Robot Gives Movement Back to ALS & Stroke Patients · 16 minIn this episode, we cover Harvard’s soft wearable robot that learns a patient’s intent and provides just-enough support, helping stroke and ALS patients regain independence in…
- 227. She Sells Seashells… and Reinvents Recycling · 19 minIn this episode, we explore how Georgia Tech researchers took inspiration from seashells to turn weak, unreliable recycled plastic into strong, consistent material. This…
- 226. Stop & Go No More: AI Cuts Intersection Emissions · 18 minIn this episode, we explore how AI‑powered eco‑driving—smartly adjusting vehicle speeds to minimize stops and unnecessary acceleration—can reduce carbon emissions at city…
- 225. Detecting Disease Using Menstrual Pads · 17 minIn this episode, we explore MenstruAI, a pioneering technology that transforms a standard sanitary towel into a paper-based test strip to detect biomarkers in menstrual blood and…
- 224. Geothermal Could Save the Grid. So Why’s No One Talking About It? · 21 minIn this episode, we explore Enhanced Geothermal Systems (EGS)—a new take on geothermal energy that uses oil drilling tech to tap deep underground heat almost anywhere, not just…
- 223. Artificial Sweeteners For Treating Cancer? · 15 minIn this episode, we explore a novel glucose‑powered sensor patch that enhances the safety and precision of cancer diagnosis and treatment. Discover how this smart, sugar‑infused…
- 222. Tree-Climbing and Reef-Restoring Robots · 21 minIn this episode, we explore two cutting-edge environmental robots developed by ETH Zurich students: MONKEE, a tree-climbing robot for canopy research, and ReefRanger, an…
- 221. Generational Discovery & The New Age of Computer Vision · 19 minIn this episode, we explore groundbreaking research from Princeton University where scientists have developed ultracompact cameras utilizing metasurfaces—engineered materials…
- 220. How Popcorn Popped an Idea for Sustainable Manufacturing · 15 minIn this episode, we explore how the simple act of popcorn popping inspired researchers at Carnegie Mellon University to revolutionize the synthesis of MXenes—a class of 2D…
- 219. Edible Robots Bring Tech to the Dessert Table · 15 minIn this episode, we explore the innovative fusion of robotics and culinary arts through the creation of RoboCake—an edible robotic wedding cake developed by researchers from EPFL…
- 218. Organ-on-a-chip: Our Best Shot At Beating Cancer? · 14 minIn this episode, we explore how organ-on-a-chip technology is advancing our understanding of cancer behavior. Discover how researchers at Eindhoven University of Technology are…
- 217. Meet the World's Smallest Walking Robots · 15 minIn this episode, we dive into Cornell University's groundbreaking development of the world's smallest walking robots, measuring between 2 to 5 microns. These micro-robots will…
- 216. Exoskeleton + Digital Twin Aid Stroke Recovery · 17 minIn this episode, we explore a groundbreaking system developed by researchers at the Technical University of Munich that aids stroke patients in regaining arm and hand mobility…
- 215. Stanford Predicts The Next Human Evolution · 17 minIn this episode, we explore how a generative AI tool is marking a major milestone in biology and accelerating advancements iin healthcare, genetics, and drug development.
- 214. 3D Printing Robot Muscles · 18 minIn this episode, we discuss how Harvard researchers cracked the code of 3D printing “shapeshifting” materials and why their efforts lay the groundwork for other innovations in…
- 213. Dehumidifying Walls Help Switzerland Hit Net Zero By 2050 · 18 minIn this episode, we chat about the efforts of researchers at ETH Zurich to dehumidify indoor spaces using waste material in an effort to reduce energy consumption & help…
- 212. One Cure For All Snake Venoms Via AI · 19 minIn this episode, we discuss a new anti-venom therapy designed with the assistance of AI led by a superstar team of researchers which includes a Nobel laureate!
- 211. Cooling Buildings With Porous Plastic Sheets · 19 minIn this episode, we explore how porous plastic sheets are being used to cool buildings by radiating heat into space and how this could reduce global energy consumption by 10% and…
- 210. Origami-inspired Concrete Construction · 19 minIn this episode, we explore how origami-inspired concrete zigzag structures are being used to make construction greener and more sustainable.
- 209. Tom Zaubermann & The Cyber Threat(s) To Your Car · 56 minIn this episode, Tom Zaubermann, a cybersecurity expert specializing in automotive security, shares his journey and insights into the evolving landscape of cybersecurity in…
- 208. Tiny Antennas for Big Cellular Insights · 17 minIn this episode, we explore how tiny wireless antennas use light to monitor cellular communication with groundbreaking precision.
- 207. Meet The Life-saving Snake Robot · 18 minIn this episode, we explore how a snake-inspired robot developed by students from ETH Zurich aims to better leverage the power of robotics in search and rescue missions!
- 206. How Traditional Chinese Medicine Is Shaping Modern Wearables · 17 minIn this episode, we explore how traditional Chinese medicine has inspired the development of innovative pulse sensor technology and discover how ancient wisdom and modern tech…
- 205. 2024 Recap & 2nd Annual Saucies!🥫🍾 · 37 minIn this episode, we recap our favorite episodes from 2024!
- 204. Mark Zachos & The Future of Onboard Diagnostics In Cars (Interview) · 39 minIn this episode, we chat with Mark Zachos - President of DG Technologies and Automotive Industry expert on all things Onboarding Diagnostics (OBD) - about the evolution of OBD…
