It’s been a few months since I first flagged this item for publication and things have changed somewhat in the US. It’s hard to be certain since webpages disappear sometimes but given the current frenzy to cut down on US government costs and the utter indifference (hostility?) the current president (Mr. Donald Trump) and his cohorts have shown towards environmental issues, it’s hard not to infer a message when a webpage hosting a commentary about US Army researchers working on nanotechnology solutions to climate change goes missing.
Luckily, articles about the commentary from the researchers were published elsewhere. From a December 25, 2024 article on statnano.com, Note: Links have been removed,
As part of the Nano4EARTH initiative, a national challenge launched by the White House and the National Nanotechnology Initiative, researchers are exploring how innovations at the nanoscale can lead to groundbreaking solutions for a more sustainable future.
Climate change poses a significant threat to national security, according to the Army’s published Climate Strategy. The Army has committed to aggressive goals to mitigate its own impact, including a 50% reduction in net greenhouse gas pollution by 2030 and net-zero emissions by 2050. Nanotechnology is seen as a critical tool in achieving these ambitious targets.
In a recent paper in the journal Nature Nanotechnology, co-author Dr. Mark Griep, a researcher with the DEVCOM Army Research Laboratory, said nano-enabled climate solutions are already transitioning to industrial scale-up, which will help reduce the “green premium” that can be limiting factor for widespread public adoption.
“The climate crisis demands bold, innovative solutions, and nanotechnology offers a unique opportunity to achieve the kind of step-changes needed to mitigate its effects,” Griep said. “By working collaboratively across sectors, we can harness the power of nanotechnology to create a more sustainable and resilient future for the Army and the nation.”
According to Griep, metal organic frameworks, known as MOFs [metal-organic frameworks], are being scaled up for greenhouse gases capture applications and should exceed the Department of Energy’s EarthShot carbon capture costs below $100 per ton and become a cost-effective technology.
Griep said he believes the Army can engineer MOFs with catalytic functions for CO2-to-fuel opportunities.
“This would allow for nano-enabled solutions that not only contribute to decarbonizing the Army fleet but simultaneously enabling operational advantage through new fuel sources,” he said.
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“The Army is in a unique position to be an innovation leader for climate change solutions as the advanced technologies for achieving climate goals go hand-in-hand with increasing combat effectiveness,” Griep said. “Nano-enabled advancements to energy storage, water purification, and advanced structural materials will be game changers in the civilian world but play an even more crucial role in ensuring the Army’s operational resilience and capabilities in future combat environments.”
Other US government agencies were involved in the work including the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Here’s an October 9, 2025 US NIST posting about the paper by Lawrence Goodman written in a Q&A (question and answer) format for the agency’s Taking Measure blog (also on EurekAlert but published as an October 15, 2024 article), Note: Links have been removed,
When we think about the climate crisis, we tend to think big — it’s a global problem that requires global solutions.
But NIST scientists James Warren and Craig Brown also want us to think small, very small. They’re thinking at the nano-level, which is anywhere between 1 and 100 nanometers. That’s about 1,000 times smaller than the width of a human hair.
In a just-published paper they co-authored with other federal government, industry and private foundation researchers, they call for a greater focus on nanotechnology’s potential role in combating climate change.
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You talk about using nanotechnology on windows to make buildings more energy efficient.
Warren: People are probably familiar with some of the coatings available now that selectively filter different types of sunlight. They work by allowing visible light to pass through while blocking certain wavelengths of infrared light that generate heat inside a house or building.
These are called chromic nanocoatings, and they contain nano-sized particles that can absorb, reflect or transmit different wavelengths of light in much more complicated ways. They can change color or transparency in response to temperature or the amount of sunlight — perhaps darkening to keep the sun out of a house at peak midday heat to keep the people inside cool without having to crank up the air conditioning. A recent research paper said chromic windows controlled by electricity, known as electrochromic windows, have the potential to save up to 40% of energy demand for building heating and cooling.
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Here’s a link to and a citation for the paper,
Nanotechnology solutions for the climate crisis by Maria Fernanda Campa, Craig M. Brown, Peter Byrley, Jason Delborne, Nicholas Glavin, Craig Green, Mark Griep, Tina Kaarsberg, Igor Linkov, Jeffrey B. Miller, Joshua E. Porterfield, Birgit Schwenzer, Quinn Spadola, Branden Brough & James A. Warren. Nature Nanotechnology volume 19, pages 1422–1426 (2024) DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-024-01772-5 Published online: 09 October 2024 Issue Date: October 2024
Caption: In-situ liquid-cell transmission electron microscopy electrodeposition of PtNi [platinum-nickel] nanoparticle films on a carbon electrode during cyclic voltammetry. The electron beam (here in green color) illuminated the electrode (here in orange color) submerged in the platinum and nickel salt solution, enhancing the growth of the PtNi nanoparticle film (grey color) on the electrode. The film thickness increases with each cycle and by the fourth cycle reaction-rate limited growth of branched and porous structures were observed. Credit: Designed by: Weronika Wojtowicz: wojtowicz.vika@gmail.com; water background from https://pl.freepik.com.
This work comes from Poland according to a November 13, 2024 news item on phys.org, Note: A link has been removed,
Metallic nanoparticles, consisting of a few to several thousand atoms or simple molecules, are attracting significant interest. Electrodes coated with layers of nanoparticles (nanolayers) are particularly useful in areas such as energy production, serving as catalysts.
A convenient method for producing such layers on electrodes is electrodeposition, the subtle complexities of which have just been revealed by an international team of researchers led by scientists from the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Krakow. Their paper is published in the journal Nano Letters.
Research on nanoparticles is yielding promising results for technologies related to energy, medicine, and electronics. One of the key challenges is effectively controlling the synthesis and growth of nanostructures. An international team of scientists, led by researchers from the Institute of Nuclear Physics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFJ PAN) in Krakow, conducted an advanced experiment demonstrating the electrodeposition process of a platinum-nickel (PtNi) nanolayer on an electrode. Utilizing state-of-the-art imaging techniques, the researchers had a unique opportunity to observe in real-time how structures form at the atomic level, which is a significant step towards better designing materials with precisely controlled properties.
Electrodeposition is a rapid and convenient method for producing nanostructures. It involves immersing an electrode in a metal salt solution, from which the layer is to be grown, followed by applying an appropriate voltage that causes ions near the electrode surface to reduce, initiating layer growth. To closely examine the process of electrodeposition, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques are essential. TEM allows for imaging materials with sub-angstrom resolution (i.e., less than one ten-millionth of a millimeter) since it uses an electron beam with a much shorter wavelength than visible light. Ideally, it would be possible to observe, in real-time, how nucleation (the initial growth stage where nanoparticle seeds form) and layer growth occur on the electrode. However, TEM imaging comes with certain limitations: the samples need to be as thin as possible and entirely dry. To overcome these challenges and enable the imaging of chemical reactions, the researchers utilized thus a special imaging technique in a liquid cell flow chamber.
“The flow cell consists of two silicon chips equipped with a 50-nanometer-thick SiN [silicon nitride]x membrane. This membrane is electron-transparent, and an additional electrode is placed on its surface. By applying a voltage, the microscope user can observe how the layer grows on the electrode. Experiments using such a cell require a special holder for flow experiments in the TEM”, explains Prof. Magdalena Parlińska-Wojtan, Ph.D., Eng. (IFJ PAN).
Experiments conducted at the Silesian University of Technology using a TEM microscope confirmed that the PtNi layer indeed grows directly on the electrode, providing crucial insights into the fundamentals of the entire process. An alternative mechanism would involve nanoparticles first forming in the electrolyte and then drifting toward the electrode to attach. This effect was also observed, but only in areas illuminated by the beam, due to the fact that the electron beam interacts with water, behaving like a reducing agent. Subsequent ‘dry’ observations revealed that the layer is actually composed of spherical nanoparticles with diameters of several tens of nanometers. Further magnification of TEM images showed that the surface of these nanoparticles consists of densely branched, fine dendritic structures (multiple branching).
“As part of our collaboration with the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society in Berlin, we conducted an additional experiment by extending the reaction time and reducing the rate of voltage changes. This allowed us to observe additional effects: the nucleation of individual nanoparticles, which rapidly grow and merge to form a continuous layer. During voltage changes in subsequent electrodeposition cycles, the nanoparticles undergo alternating growth and dissolution. However, growth is a faster process than dissolution, which ultimately results in a stable layer”, explains Prof. Parlińska-Wojtan.
As part of the research, another experiment was conducted in liquid environment using a different, but also unique, apparatus: a scanning transmission X-ray microscope (STXM), available at the National Synchrotron Radiation Center SOLARIS in Kraków. During STXM imaging, X-ray radiation is used. The resulting images do not have as high a resolution as the ones from electron microscopy, but they reveal other properties of the materials under study, such as the oxidation states of atoms in nanoparticles. The result of electrodeposition is not always pure metal; sometimes it is a metal oxide. Depending on whether it is a metal or an oxide (and the oxidation state of the oxide), materials absorb X-ray radiation at different energies. An STXM image taken with the appropriate energy beam allows for a detailed investigation of the produced nanoparticles. The STXM microscope at the SOLARIS center in Kraków also enabled an experiment in a liquid environment using a flow cell nearly identical to the one used in the TEM. The authors thus performed PtNi electrodeposition inside the STXM and, in real time, investigated the range of X-ray absorption by the nanoparticles. In this way, they determined that the layer actually consists of nickel(II) oxide and metallic platinum.
“Conducting an experiment using microscopic techniques in a liquid environment is quite a challenge. Nevertheless, our team succeeded in producing the expected PtNi layer using two different techniques, and the obtained results were complementary”, says Prof. Parlińska-Wojtan, emphasizing: “Such research is important for several reasons. The technical reason is that we are still exploring the capabilities and limitations of relatively new, high-end measurement tools. There was also a more important scientific reason: understanding the fundamental factors that govern the synthesis, growth, and properties of nanostructures. This knowledge may help in the future in the fabrication of nanostructured materials tailored better for applications such as fuel cells or medicine”.
The research results were published in Nano Letters and the journal’s editorial board recognized their work by featuring the accompanying graphic on the cover of one of their issues.
The Henryk Niewodniczański Institute of Nuclear Physics (IFJ PAN) is currently one of the largest research institutes of the Polish Academy of Sciences. A wide range of research carried out at IFJ PAN covers basic and applied studies, from particle physics and astrophysics, through hadron physics, high-, medium-, and low-energy nuclear physics, condensed matter physics (including materials engineering), to various applications of nuclear physics in interdisciplinary research, covering medical physics, dosimetry, radiation and environmental biology, environmental protection, and other related disciplines. The average yearly publication output of IFJ PAN includes over 600 scientific papers in high-impact international journals. Each year the Institute hosts about 20 international and national scientific conferences. One of the most important facilities of the Institute is the Cyclotron Centre Bronowice (CCB), which is an infrastructure unique in Central Europe, serving as a clinical and research centre in the field of medical and nuclear physics. In addition, IFJ PAN runs four accredited research and measurement laboratories. IFJ PAN is a member of the Marian Smoluchowski Kraków Research Consortium: “Matter-Energy-Future”, which in the years 2012-2017 enjoyed the status of the Leading National Research Centre (KNOW) in physics. In 2017, the European Commission granted the Institute the HR Excellence in Research award. As a result of the categorization of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Institute has been classified into the A+ category (the highest scientific category in Poland) in the field of physical sciences.
About the same time in August 2024 that this paper from the Polish Academy of Sciences was published In Nano Letters there was another electrodeposition paper published by researchers at Northwestern University, which is mentioned in my August 23, 2024 posting, “Electricity (electrodeposition) could help fight coastal (beach) erosion.”
Earlier this week on March 5, 2025 I received (via email) a weekly newsletter from the Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC). This first excerpt is focused on the upcoming French language editorial and virtual panel,
[Challenges and Opportunities: Scientific Research and Publication in French in Canada [editorial series]
To mark March 20th, the Day of Francophonie, CSPC is excited to announce the launch of its first editorial series in French, celebrating the value of the French language in scientific research in Canada.
The CSPC Commité des francophiles invites you to submit editorials and share your reflections on the challenges and opportunities for conducting and publishing scientific research in French in Canada. We also encourage you to explore potential solutions to enhance the mobilization of scientific knowledge in French. Click the button below to submit an editorial; the deadline is next week, March 12, 2025!
[Strengthening Science Diplomacy in French – A Strategic Asset for Canada virtual panel]
*Please note that this panel will be held in French only.
In a rapidly evolving global landscape, science diplomacy in French is a key tool for Canada and Québec to build international partnerships, drive innovation, and promote multilingual research collaboration. This panel will explore the role of Francophone scientific networks, international collaborations, and Canada’s bilingual advantage in strengthening its diplomatic ties. More speakers will be confirmed soon! Click the button below to register for the upcoming panel.
Here are the rest of my selections from the March 5, 2025 CSPC weekly newsletter,
National Conversation on Canada’s Innovation Strategy
We are pleased to announce the next phase of this project, exploring how geopolitical uncertainties will impact Canada’s Innovation Strategy.
Add your voice to the conversation by:
Sharing your insights in an opinion piece for one of our innovation editorial series. These online series will make up a special digital edition of the CSPC Magazine (submissions will open in March 2025)
Participating in sector-based virtual panel series (April – October 2025)
Attending the in-person Innovation Strategy Symposium at the 17th Canadian Science Policy Conference (Nov. 19, 2025, at the Westin Hotel, Ottawa)
We invite you to participate and be part of these important conversations. More information regarding these activities will be shared in the coming weeks. For more information on the project, please visit our website.
New SciPol Digest Episode Now Available: Funding the Future: Canada’s Investment in Research During Critical Times
A new episode of SciPol Digest, Funding the Future: Canada’sInvestment in Research During Critical Times, is now available. In it, we analyze last year’s transformative student budget—its impact is still resonating today. Join our experts as they explore how recent changes in funding for students and researchers are shaping the future of education and student life in Canada.
An influential initiative, Science Meets Parliament (SMP) connects Canada’s scientific community with policymakers, offering researchers a unique opportunity to engage with provincial parliamentarians, understand policymaking, and develop crucial science-policy communication skills.
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Happy International Women’s Day!
At CSPC, we celebrate the strength in every story: the experiences, leadership, and dedication of the incredible women across our volunteers, staff, and broader CSPC network. Their knowledge and skills are essential to our success.
It seems things a revving up for International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025. Strangely, neither the ‘Lost Women of Science’ organization announcement (although Women’s History Month March 2025 is noted) in my earlier March 6, 2025 posting nor this latest announcement from the Perimeter Institute (PI) for Theoretical Physics make mention of it .
A March 6, 2025 Perimeter Institute (PI) for Theoretical Physics (received via email) announces an event titled “Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Hidden Universe,” Note: The event takes place on March 12, 2025,
Her Space, Her Time: How Trailblazing Women Scientists Decoded the Hidden Universe
with Shohini Ghose
Wednesday, March 12 [2025] at 7:00 pm ET
Join us for a talk with Shohini Ghose, Professor of Physics at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada, and CTO of the Quantum Algorithms Institute.
From the Big Bang to dark matter, women have been involved in the most groundbreaking discoveries about the cosmos. This talk will share the inspiring stories of these long-overlooked scientists who not only transformed our understanding of the universe, but also reshaped the rules of society.
Don’t miss out! Free tickets to attend this event in person will become available on Friday, March 7 [2025], at 9 am ET.
Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics 31 Caroline Street North Waterloo, ON N2L 2Y5
Agenda
6:00 p.m.[ET]
Doors Open
Perimeter’s main floor Atrium will be open for ticket holders, with researchers available to answer science questions until the talk begins.
7:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.[ET]
Public Talk
The talk will begin at 7:00pm, offering a live stream for virtual attendees. This will include a full presentation in the Theatre as well as a Q&A session.
8:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.[ET]
Atrium
After the talk, head to the Atrium to mingle with other attendees and meet the speaker.
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Please Note:
Your ticket will be valid until 6:45 PM [ET]. This ensures all guests have enough time to enter the Theatre and be seated by our ushers.
Our ushers seat guests beginning from the front rows of the Theatre toward the back.
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About the Speaker
Shohini Ghose is Professor of Physics at Wilfrid Laurier University, Canada, and CTO of the Quantum Algorithms Institute. She holds one of 5 federally funded Chairs for Women in Science and Engineering and serves on the national Quantum Advisory Council for Canada’s National Quantum Strategy. She is the recipient of several awards, including a TED Senior Fellowship and selection to the College of the Royal Society of Canada, and in 2019, was among 25 women scientists worldwide featured in a UNESCO exhibit in Paris. Her book, Her Space, Her Time, about unsung women scientists, won the Science Writers and Communicators of Canada 2023 Book Award.
On the heels of an new executive order (March 1, 2025) by Donald Trump declaring English to be the official language of the US, a March 6, 2025 Lost Women of Science news release (received via email) announces a new bilingual podcast series being launched during Women’s History Month (March 2025),
March is Women’s History Month and, not coincidentally, on March 13 we will launch our new five-part season: The Extraordinary Life and Tragic Death of Evangelina Rodríguez Perozo. We’re also doing something new: the season will be available in both English and Spanish, and is narrated by “Orange is the New Black” star and Dominican Republic national, Laura Gómez. See Laura below with Evangelina’s statue at Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo.
Evangelina Rodríguez Perozo was the first female doctor in the Dominican Republic. Born into poverty and abandoned by her parents, Evangelina was raised by her grandmother. As a child she sold candy on the streets to make ends meet. Evangelina’s drive and compassion earned her supporters who helped her graduate from Universidad Autónoma de Santo Domingo. She even made it to Paris to pursue her medical education. Upon her return to the Dominican Republic, she set up a maternity clinic and free milk distribution for the poor; and she promoted sexual health education. But, in the end, like so many, she was persecuted by the Trujillo dictatorship.
Listen throughout March and into April to hear this moving story. Click the buttons below to listen to the trailer in English or Spanish.
In February [2025], FeedSpot, a podcast platform, ranked us as the best Women in Science podcast and second-best California Science podcast. We also got a boost on February 11th, International Day for Women and Girls in Science, when Sheryl Sandberg, former COO of Meta and of Lean In fame, shared our stories on her social media. It’s fantastic to see so many people joining us on this mission.
In case you missed it…
Lady Tan’s Circle of Women Bestselling author Lisa See and Chinese medicine scholar Lorraine Wilcox joined us for Lost Women of Science Conversations in February [2025]. Together with our host Carol Sutton Lewis, they explored how Lisa came to write her latest novel, Lady Tan’s Circle of Women. Lorraine translated the real-life textbook that Lady Tan published in 1511, detailing her medical practices as a female doctor during the Ming Dynasty. Find out how fact meets fiction and how this almost forgotten woman of science is now immortalized in a story of filial piety, friendships, and of course, medical science.
Marthe Gautier Our two-part series, released in January [2025], delves into the life of Marthe Gautier, the French cytogeneticist and physician who played a pivotal role in identifying the chromosomal anomaly responsible for Down syndrome. Despite her groundbreaking work in the 1950s, Gautier’s contributions were overshadowed and appropriated for decades by a male colleague.
Our producers Lorena Galliot and Sophie McNulty traveled to Paris to visit the hospital where she worked, as well as meet her niece. We tell Marthe’s own story and set the historical record straight.
Today [March 5, 2025], Springer Nature announced its increasing support for the Community Scholars Program (CSP) at Simon Fraser University (SFU). The CSP supports Canadians to engage in research for the purpose of bettering society and advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Springer Nature has participated in the CSP since its creation in 2017. With the aim of providing librarian support and collaboration with Community Scholars in their local areas, SFU is developing partnerships with other university libraries across Canada. As SFU expands the CSP to additional provinces, Springer Nature likewise commits to expanding access to its journals and ebooks for CSP’s under-resourced researchers. The publisher will provide 500 additional seats for researchers each year, to a total of 2,000 seats gratis.
The CSP provides access to over 20,000 titles at no cost to not-for-profit researchers and communities working in fields related to the SDGs on issues such as poverty alleviation, food security, ecosystem conservation, and sustainable community development. Participating scholars are also able to consult with librarians and receive customized services. Springer Nature will continue to support CSP researchers, providing access to its content at no charge, including Springer journals and ebooks in 23 subject collections.
Maria Lopes, Vice President of Institutional Sales at Springer Nature, said: “Springer Nature is fully committed to driving scientific discovery especially in the areas of the UN SDGs. We are proud to support the work of the CSP at SFU by ensuring greater access to key scholarly materials for researchers working to advance knowledge and improve society.”
Heather De Forest, Community Scholars Librarian at Simon Fraser University, said: “Access to research publications is so valuable for participants working in community organizations who excel at mobilizing research, transforming scholarly knowledge into actionable insights in their programs and with their peers. Participants have told us that accessing scholarly publications supports their policy and advocacy efforts, program innovation and evaluation, staff learning and development, and their ability to seek funding.
“Springer Nature was a foundational supporter of the Community Scholars Program and we’ve been grateful for — and bolstered by — the continued partnership as the program has developed and expanded.”
Thank you to the folks at Springer Nature!
Science, Stand-Up, and Song
This event was announced in a March 4, 2025 posting by Rebecca Bollwitt on her Miss604.com blog,
Get ready for a one-of-a-kind event that blends laughter, science, and creativity all for a great cause. Science, Stand-Up, and Song is a unique showcase, featuring five hilarious comedians and three brilliant scientists, that is sure to leave you laughing while also raising funds to support science education.
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Science, Stand-Up, and Song Fundraiser in Vancouver
Date: Wednesday, March 26, 2025 from 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Location: Chill x Studio (2270 Manitoba St, Vancouver)
The evening is organized and hosted by Dr. Marissa Lithopoulos, a Postdoctoral Fellow at UBC [University of British Columbia] and a proud recipient of a Canadian Institutes of Health Research Fellowship. She specializes in understanding how brain stem cells build the brain during development. To survive the stress of grad school, Marissa began singing and playing the guitar. She also trained in the art of comedy through The Improv Centre & Blind Tiger Comedy. This event is a fundraiser for her science education album. She has self-funded three songs from the album and is eager to continue to share her scientific knowledge with the world through song.
Science and Comedy Lineup
Comedians on the bill include Akeem Hoyte-Charles, Jacob Samuel, Rachel Schaefer, Matty Vu, and Neil Webb. There will also be a science panel with:
Dr. Shernaz Bamji is a Professor of Cellular & Physiological Sciences, Co-Director of the Djavad Mowafaghian Center for Brain Health, and a Founding Member of the School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC. Dr. Bamji is focused on better understanding synaptic connections within the brain, how they are impaired during injury, and whether they can be restored to improve cognitive function.
Carie-Ann Hancock is passionate about geology, landslides, and floods in BC. You can often find her staring at the mountains, wondering how the rocks got to the bottom of the slope, and how they might affect houses, roads, and other things we care about. She’s also zealous about educating her peers on science communication using equitable practices (#stopusingredgreen).
Dr. Nika Shakiba is an Assistant Professor in the School of Biomedical Engineering at UBC focused on understanding cell competition dynamics in order to reprogram cells for regenerative medicine purposes. Dr. Shakiba is also passionate about mentoring and science outreach. She is the co-founder of the Advice to a Scientist Initiative.
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I noticed when checking out the ‘Advice to a Scientist‘ website that they have listed the US National Science Foundation (NSF) in the acknowledgments on their About page. Last I heard, the NSF was one of the US science agencies whose funding was being paused. (Many years ago, I was informed that a lot of Canadian science is funded by through US agencies.
So given the current economic situation both here and in the US, this science education (album) fundraiser might be the first of many in the future.
Thank goodness for Julian Dossett’s March 3, 2025 posting on space.com for helping me find the science (more or less) oriented events at the upcoming 2025 South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals in Austin, Texas, US.
Space
Dossett’s March 3, 2025 posting describes the best (always a subjective category) space-themed panels,
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Meet the astronauts flying on NASA’s Artemis 2 moon mission
March 7 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST, Austin Convention Center, Ballroom EF
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Learn about Europe’s Euclid ‘dark universe’ space telescope
March 10 from 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. CST; Austin Marriott Downtown, Waterloo Ballroom 1-2
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The era of the private moon lander
March 10 at 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST; Austin Marriott Downtown, Waterloo Ballroom 1-2
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Telescopes of the future
March 9 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CST; Austin Marriott Downtown, Waterloo Ballroom 3
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The US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)has a complete list of their events on its NASA Events at South by Southwest 2025 webpage, Note: The first event listed here is pre-SXSW 2025’s March 7 – 15, 2025 conference/festival,
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Perspectives on Working at Scale in K-12 STEAM [science, technology, engineering, arts, mathematics] Education
March 6 at 10 a.m. CST
A growing focus of workforce development efforts are linkages to K-12 in and out-of-school time programs that spark curiosity in STEAM. A cross-section of organizations from the non-profit, commercial and government sector who have used high interest content to build and scale programs in the US and beyond will share lessons learned and perspectives. Topics include building community and youth voice in design, engaging the entire STEM ecosystem, supporting educators and stakeholders in implementation, along with lessons on evaluation and metrics. More Details about Perspectives on Working at Scale in K-12 STEAM Education
Featured Session: Meet the Astronauts Going to the Moon with NASA’s Artemis II
March 7 at 11:30 a.m. CST
Fly me to the Moon! Learn firsthand from the Moon-bound astronauts of NASA’s Artemis II mission, the first crewed mission to deep space in over half a century. Following the successful Artemis I flight test in 2022, Artemis II will test the deep exploration systems needed to establish long-term infrastructure for human lunar exploration. Take a walk in their spacesuits as they share their stories before their much-anticipated flight. More Details
NASA’s Science and Art of Imaging Extra-Terrestrial Samples
March 7 at 2:30 p.m. CST
Meet NASA’s artists and scientists who use specialized imaging techniques to bring extra-terrestrial samples to the public and important data to scientists. From ultra high-resolution photographs to X-ray computed tomography (XCT) that allows you to virtually slice through Moon rocks, meteorites, and the OSIRIS-REx asteroid Bennu samples, their work opens access to other-worldly geologic treasures and could help answer questions about the early days of our solar system. More Details
NASA House: CreateSpace
March 8 at 10 a.m. CST
NASA’s CreateSpace transforms Austin’s Central Library into an immersive experience where visitors don’t just learn about space – they help shape it. Spanning multiple floors of this state-of-the-art library in the heart of downtown Austin, CreateSpace blends hands-on creation, interactive exhibits, and sensory experiences that showcase NASA’s full spectrum of exploration and discovery. Local families will discover through self-guided adventures, while innovation leaders can engage with NASA data and expertise. CreateSpace invites everyone to explore space science through their own lens – whether that’s art, music, technology, or pure imagination. More Details
Performing Space: Weaving Art and Science on the Stage
March 8 at 4 p.m. CST
The intersection of art and science is a consistent hot topic in communication theory, the art realm, academic research, and related industries. Join professionals from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory, the Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) to discuss projects, research, and communication strategies focused on the relationship between science and the arts that can be brought to the stage to inspire audiences from various backgrounds. A special performance viewing will follow this panel. More Details
NASA’s Love Letter: Stunning Webb Images and More
March 9 at 10 a.m. CDT
Join us for an extraordinary journey through the cosmos, guided by stunning images from NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope and other cutting-edge observatories. This session offers a rare opportunity to explore the most distant galaxy ever observed, delve into the atmosphere of an extraterrestrial planet, and marvel at stunningly beautiful star nurseries. Featuring insights from NASA’s Astrophysicists Amber Straughn, Stefanie Milam, and Knicole Colón, our panel will discuss how these groundbreaking observatories are transforming our understanding of the universe. Moderated by Laura Betz. More Details
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NASA Uses Space Tech to Tackle Earth’s Food and Water Issues
March 9 at 2:30 p.m. CDT
In this era of satellite technology, Earth-observing data plays a crucial role in managing food production, farming, and water resources. NASA uses satellite data and advanced technology to gain profound insights into Earth’s systems and the vital environments that sustain us with food and water. By utilizing space-based observations, cutting-edge computer modeling, and AI/ML, NASA collaborates with partner agencies, organizations, farmers, ranchers, fishermen, and global decision-makers to address the challenges related to food and water on Earth. More Details
Through Astronaut Eyes: VR Propels Deep Space Exploration
March 10 at 10 a.m. CDT
Discover how cutting-edge virtual reality technology is revolutionizing deep space exploration. This panel will delve into the ways VR is being used at NASA to simulate and plan next-gen Artemis missions, design spacecraft, help ensure astronaut’s safety, and more. Explore how VR is not just a tool but a transformative technology that is unlocking new frontiers, making the impossible achievable, and preparing humanity for its next giant leap. More Details
Using ESA’s Euclid Telescope To Probe The Dark Universe
March 10 at 2:30 p.m. CDT
95% of the universe is dark: dark matter and dark energy. While we cannot observe them directly, an incredible amount of information about the dark universe is encoded in the shapes, positions, and motions of galaxies. The European Space Agency’s Euclid telescope (with contributions from NASA), launched in July 2023, is the first telescope purpose built to understand the dark universe. Euclid will survey 2 billion galaxies, generating a huge data set that will transform astrophysics using innovative AI/machine learning tools. Euclid’s first release of survey data will be in March 2025. More Details about Using ESA’s Euclid Telescope To Probe The Dark Universe
NASA’s Quesst To Change The Supersonic Speed Limit
March 11 at 10 a.m. CDT
NASA’s Quesst mission may open the future to a new market of commercial supersonic air travel by cutting flight times in half. Learn more about the 50+ year old ban on commercial supersonic travel over land and what NASA is doing to change the speed limit in the sky to a sound limit. The Quesst mission’s goals are to design and build NASA’s X-59 research aircraft with technology that reduces the loudness of a sonic boom and fly the X-59 over several U.S. communities to gather data on public responses to the sound generated during supersonic flight and deliver that data set to regulators. More Details
NASA and the Next Frontier in the Battle Against Cancer
March 11 at 11:30 a.m. CDT
Research on the International Space Station has already led to drug and therapy breakthroughs for cancer patients on Earth, with more advancements ahead. NASA is working with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and researchers across the federal government to help cut the nation’s cancer death rate by at least 50% in the next 25 years, a goal of the administration’s Cancer Moonshot. Join NASA and industry leaders to discuss the transformative potential of space for cancer research and its promising future, and learn how you can get involved.. More Details
Live, From Space! Visualizing the Future With NASA
March 11 at 11:30 a.m. CDT
For over six decades, NASA has led the way in exploring the cosmos, from historic Moon landings and planetary missions to deploying space telescopes, deflecting asteroids, and returning samples to Earth. By sending both humans and robots equipped with advanced instruments and cameras, NASA offers an immersive journey into the universe, unraveling mysteries about our cosmic existence. Join a panel of communications and imagery experts as they provide a look into NASA’s visual triumphs and preview the innovations that will bring viewers along for the ride as we head back to the Moon and beyond. More Details
Messaging the Moon: Collaborative Storytelling in Space Exploration
March 11 at 2:30 p.m. CDT
NASA is working with the commercial space industry in support of establishing a lunar economy. These Moon missions require advanced coordination and planning to support communication campaign goals across multiple stakeholders and audiences. With so many stakeholders involved, synchronization is the key for success. Join NASA and the first American commercial companies co-piloting this mission to discuss how they’ve refined their approach to collaborative messaging while working toward an actual moonshot. More Details
The South by Southwest (SXSW) Conference and Festivals — a renowned convergence of pioneers, storytellers, and global visionaries — will take place this year from March 7-15 in Austin, Texas, bringing together a vibrant mix of ideas and innovations. Once again, UC San Diego will take center stage, showcasing cutting-edge research, transformative discussions on critical global challenges and a film premiere.
“UC San Diego’s participation in the 2025 South by Southwest Conference and Festivals reinforces our institution’s passion for interdisciplinary innovation and our commitment to leveraging the intersection of technology, art and science to drive positive change,” said Chancellor Pradeep K. Khosla. “At SXSW, our researchers, innovators and creatives will come together with global visionaries to showcase cutting-edge solutions, spark meaningful conversations, and ignite new ideas that can help address the world’s most pressing challenges.”
From tackling climate change to exploring human longevity and studying cancer in space, UC San Diego’s brightest minds will be featured prominently in a series of thought-provoking presentations, panels and the world premiere of a documentary feature.
Details for each UC San Diego-affiliated event are below, and events are accessible to SXSW attendees unless noted otherwise.
At the panel, “The Quest to Capture Carbon and Bend the Curve”, Ralph Keeling, Ph.D., a climate scientist and director of the Scripps CO2 Program at UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography, will delve into how rising greenhouse gas emissions are impacting our planet and the new technologies emerging to capture carbon. The panel will discuss what it will take to reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide and the collaborative efforts required to achieve a more sustainable future.
The “Guardians of Youth: Stem Cells & Human Longevity” presenter Rob Signer, Ph.D., associate professor of medicine and deputy director of the Stem Cell Discovery Center at the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute (SSCI), is presenting a pioneering shift in biomedical science by tackling aging as the fundamental driver of diseases like cancer and Alzheimer’s. By positioning stem cells as the blueprint for longevity, this transformative approach is paving the way for a new era in treating age-related diseases at its very core.
“Reconstructing the Human Brain in the Lab” presenter Alysson Muotri, Ph.D., professor of medicine and director of the UC San Diego SSCI Integrated Space Stem Cell Orbital Research Center, will showcase how brain organoids — tiny, lab-grown brain-like structures — are unlocking the secrets of brain evolution, consciousness, and aging. Muotri will also discuss how studying these organoids aboard the International Space Station advances interplanetary exploration and medical research.
The “NASA and the Next Frontier in the Battle Against Cancer” panel will feature Catriona Jamieson, M.D., Ph.D., professor of medicine and director of the UC San Diego Sanford Stem Cell Institute, alongside NASA scientists. This groundbreaking discussion will explore how research conducted in microgravity is driving new breakthroughs in cancer treatments, delivering hope to patients on Earth.
The panel, “Want to Achieve Health Equity? Democratize Health Data”, will bring together Jamieson and Muotri to advocate for democratizing access to health data. By empowering patients to take charge of their health care, the panel will propose actionable steps to bridge health equity gaps.
Finally, the documentary feature “Forever We Are Young” will make its world premiere at SXSW 2025. The documentary – co-directed by Patty Ahn, Ph.D., UC San Diego associate teaching professor of communication, with esteemed documentary filmmaker Grace Lee – dives into the passionate fandom that catapulted the K-pop band BTS into a global household name and captures the powerful spirit of activism and collectivity that make BTS fans a symbol of hope and unity in our ever-fractured world.
SXSW 2025 and its 2050 track (the sciencish sessions)
I found an October 22, 2024 SXSW news release by Jordan Roberts with a preliminary announcement of the various programme tracks for the 2025 SXSW conference, which includes some information about the 2050 track,
Each year, we call upon our incredible creative community to help select the bold ideas for the next SXSW conference through PanelPicker®, our official session proposal and voting platform. From those community votes, insights from our dedicated staff, and guidance from our PanelPicker Evaluators, we’re thrilled to announce over 450 sessions for the2025 SXSW Conference.
“The SXSW Conference always delivers fresh, forward-thinking and fun content. The sessions announced today once again embody this spirit of innovation and discovery. Come to Austin in March to be informed and inspired by so many thought-leaders from so many different industries who lend their creativity to the life-changing experience that is SXSW.” – Hugh Forrest, Co-President and Chief Programming Officer
Human belonging and connection is a powerful theme across the 2025 Conference programming. Whether it’s examining the line between how tech and AI can bring us closer together or push us apart, or diving into new markets and opportunities, these sessions will inspire new perspectives and help us shape a future we’re excited to step into.
Below is a snapshot of the hundreds of speakers, across 23 curated tracks, who will spark conversations, creativity, and ideas for positive change that will last well beyond March. These industry experts hail from a range of cutting-edge and innovative institutions, including Adidas, Atlantic Records, Electronic Frontier Foundation, Epic Games, Forbes, Frontline, Google, IBM, IDEO, Major League Soccer, McKinsey, Microsoft, NASA, National Basketball Association, Netflix, Scale AI, The Atlantic, VMWare, and Zillow.
And this is just the first announcement! We’re still adding programming, including music demo listening sessions, opportunities for continuing legal education and much more to the March conference lineup. Stay tuned for more information by subscribing to event updates or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook and X for more announcements all season long.
March 7-10 | The 2050 track focuses on long-term, big-picture thinking with an emphasis on scientific discovery. The programming features topics ranging from quantum computing and space exploration to robotics and foresight best practices — and beyond.
Here are a couple of events that caught my eye, from the 2050 track of the 2025 SXSW conference (sorry, forgot to link to the 2050 page and can’t find it again), Note: For the following, I have kept only the link to the session.
Mar 10, 2025 11:30am – 12:30pm CT Museum of the Future
Presented by: Dubai Future Foundation
Type: Session
Format: Panel
Track: 2050
Tag: MENA Voices
Tag: Futurism
Tag: Community
Final note: for anyone unfamiliar with Octavia E. Butler, from her Wikipedia entry, Note: Links have been removed,
Octavia Estelle Butler (June 22, 1947 – February 24, 2006) was an American science fiction writer who won several awards for her works, including Hugo, Locus, and Nebula awards. In 1995, Butler became the first science-fiction writer to receive a MacArthur Fellowship.[2][3]
Good luck with finding your way around the website and around SXSW 2025 in Austin, Texas.
A February 26, 2025 Sense about Science announcement highlights one of their online events being held during British Science Week March 7 – 16, 2025 (more about the week further on),
Join us for an exciting Science Council Lunch & Learn session on Thursday 13 March [2025] where Sense about Science will discuss how Responsible Handover can help scientists use AI and data science tools safely and effectively.
Emerging technologies such as AI are changing how we do research, whether that be conducting literature reviews, planning experiments, or automating routine tasks. Without better training for researchers, especially those without the technological expertise to understand how tools such as AI work, there is a real risk of these tools being introduced into the lab without researchers being ready. Our webinar will illustrate the questions to ask of these tools before introducing them into research and how the Responsible Handover framework can be turned into clear guidance that scientists can follow across all disciplines.
This webinar is part of British Science Week, a ten-day celebration of science, technology, engineering and maths. It provides a platform to stimulate and support teachers, STEM professionals, science communicators and the public to produce and participate in science and technology-based events and activities. We hope you can join us.
Responsible Handover makes sure we ask and answer the necessary questions to implement AI and data science tools safely and effectively
In this session, Sense about Science will explain how they are supporting AI developers, research funders, scientists, and others involved in AI tool development. Their aim is to ensure tools are funded and used safely and effectively by implementing the Responsible Handover framework.
AI and data science tools are emerging faster than quality assurance and implementation knowledge. As a result, we actually risk stifling their scientific capabilities. In some cases AI tools are being implemented inappropriately and inadvertently causing harm. In others, opportunities for positive impacts are missed when tools are omitted due to concerns about assurances and whether the right questions have been asked.
As a tool is developed, there are key knowledge transfer or handover points where vital information about its likely strengths and weaknesses in different contexts should be discussed. But these conversations are prone to slip through the cracks. This is likely to occur when the number of users of a tool grows or there is a big difference in technical expertise between tool adopter and tool proposer.
This results in a gap between high-level ethical principles and technical domain specific guidance. This can be overcome with a general, practical governance framework.
Chair: Prof Della Freeth, Chief Executive of the Science Council
Speaker: Dr Sameh ElBadry, Project Officer, Sense About Science
This is old news and it’s an excuse to take a walk down memory lane. First, a February 6, 2025 Canadian Science Policy Centre (CSPC) notice (received via email) contained an event announcement,
Reports of research fraud and mass retractions have combined with populist distrust of expertise to contribute to widespread mistrust of scientific research. This session, composed of panelists with backgrounds in research, ethics, and publishing, will explore some of the many ways that allies within the research ecosystem can rebuild readers’ trust in science, including readers in within [sic] the research community itself, policymakers, and the public. Key topics will include research fraud, ethics education, peer review, open science practices, and research assessment reform.
I’ve occasionally written about problematic science research with the most extraordinary case I can recall being that of Paolo Macchiarini. Like a lot of other people, he fooled me. Once I realized that his work was deeply problematic, I started digging. The results can be seen in my April 19. 2016 postings (part one) and (part two). I also provided an update in my December 31, 2023 posting, where I note consequences for Macchiarini under the ‘A long time coming, a nanomedicine comeuppance’ subhead and provide more details under the ‘Other players in the Macchiarini story’ subhead.
Getting back to the panel on February 26, 2025, the event description seemed more focused on how problems with scientific research have fused with current ‘populist’ mistrust of science rather than on scientific malfeasance per se.
David Moher is a clinical epidemiologist, and Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, where he directs the Centre for Journalology (publication science). He is also a full Professor of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa and full Professor, Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto. Professor Moher spends his time trying to help improve academic scholarship.
Panelist: Natasha McDonald
Natasha McDonald is responsible for advancing the system of peer review at Canadian Science Publishing to yield a more inclusive, transparent, and rigorous research output. She is passionate about Open Science and is a proponent of challenging long-held narratives in scientific publishing that have led to the underrepresentation of researchers from a number of communities and regions. Before moving into scholarly publishing, she held a career as a researcher in the field of marine biogeochemistry. She currently serves as a Higher Education Sustainability Initiative (HESI) UN SDG [sustainable development goals] Publishers Compact Fellow.
Panelist: Sarah Elaine Eaton
Sarah Elaine Eaton is a professor and research chair at the Werklund School of Education at the University of Calgary (Canada). Dr. Eaton leads transdisciplinary research teams focused on integrity and ethics in educational contexts. Dr. Eaton also holds a concurrent appointment as an Honorary Associate Professor, Deakin University, Australia.
Panelist: Juan Pablo Alperin
Juan Pablo Alperin is an associate professor in the School of Publishing, scientific director of the Public Knowledge Project, and the co-director of the Scholarly Communications Lab at Simon Fraser University, Canada. He is a multi-disciplinary scholar who uses a combination of computational techniques and traditional qualitative methods to investigate ways of raising the scientific quality, global impact, and public use of scholarly work.
Panelist: Kaia Motter
Kaia Motter is Head of Academic Affairs, North America at Springer Nature where she leads academic affairs activities in the US and Canada, building relationships and collaborating with funders, institutions, and other non-profit organizations in the region. Kaia has a background in publishing, having held editorial positions at Elsevier and Wiley. In recent years, her work has been centered on open science development, policy, and outreach with a topical focus on research assessment reform, research integrity, AI, and other issues impacting the research community.
That was a lot more (three panelists?) focus about publishing than I was expecting.
It’s not a big surprise to see researchers from Canada’s McGill University as the source for a November 18, 2024 news item about maple syrup on phys.org, Note: A link has been removed,
Researchers at McGill University have developed an eco-efficient, user-friendly technology that quickly measures the antioxidant content of maple syrup. The innovative method contributes to increasing transparency about a health-related aspect of the syrup’s nutritional value and allows for on-site quality testing without the need for costly lab assessments.
“Our new technology offers a practical solution for both producers and consumers. Producers can evaluate the antioxidant content of maple syrup on-site, enhancing transparency and quality control,” said Li Xiao, Ph.D. student in the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry and lead researcher on the project.
These evaluations can be shared with customers, allowing them to make decisions based on the levels of antioxidants in the maple syrup. Antioxidants can be beneficial in reducing health risks. When consumed, they scavenge certain free radicals generated in the human body and reduce the damage caused by oxidation.
The researchers developed a simple, rapid, accurate approach combining artificial intelligence and Raman spectroscopy, an advanced technology in which a device shines a light on a sample and reads the unique way the molecules vibrate, to determine whether maple syrups contain varying levels of antioxidants. This method allows for complete testing within one minute, making it faster than traditional chemical assays that can take several hours, or even days.
“Traditional detection methods for antioxidant capacity are usually labour-intensive and less eco-friendly, as they require complicated sample preparation and the use of chemical reagents,” said Xiao.
The researchers say this technology could pave the way for testing the antioxidant content of various food products, not just maple syrup.
The team confirmed that the antioxidant capability of maple syrup cannot be accurately assessed based solely on its colour. They also demonstrated that a Raman spectroscopy can be used effectively to evaluate the antioxidant activities of syrup.
The deep-learning artificial intelligence models demonstrated high accuracy in predicting antioxidant profiles.
“This method allows for real-time assessment of antioxidant profiles of maple syrup in the field,” said Dr. Xiaonan Lu, Professor in the Department of Food Science and Agricultural Chemistry and corresponding author of this work.
The development of this technology is particularly relevant for the food industry, where demand for transparency and health-related information is increasing. The method offers an efficient solution for testing maple syrup quality, supporting both small-scale producers and large manufacturers in evaluating their products’ antioxidant levels.
For anyone whose interest in maple syrup is more gustatory than scientific, it’s ‘sugaring time’ in Québec as Ksenia Prints’s February 20, 2025 article for Food & Wine notes. She includes a history and a list of places to visit.
