NSF’s Discovery Files Podcast

Scientific discovery can unlock innovations that develop into technologies with extraordinary properties. NSF-supported researcher Morteza Kayyalha discusses his work developing quantum-enabled materials and devices.

Solutions-oriented research is improving the lives of American people. NSF-supported researcher Jeremy Brown discusses his work developing interfaces with haptic feedback, including upper-limb prosthetics, rehabilitation tools, and surgical robotics.

Advanced technologies are transforming industry, society, and people's daily lives. Shelly Zhang, an NSF-supported researcher, discusses her work using additive manufacturing and topology optimization to create new structures, including a 3D thermal cloaking device.

Cutting-edge science and technology advancements are revolutionizing artificial intelligence systems. Mark Hersam an NSF-supported researcher, discusses nanoelectronic materials and how acerebellum-inspired approach may transform how AI performs in wearable devices.

Advances in materials science have delivered everything from nylon stockings to artificial joints. Chunlei Guo, an NSF-supported researcher, discusses his work using femtosecond lasers to design materials with highly functionalized purposes.

U.S. National Science Foundation-supported researchers are behind an educational effort to introduce artificial intelligence techniques to elementary school children. Educator Carrie Robledo discusses her project, "AI Insect Detectives," and experience as a 2026 Presidential AI Challenge national champion.

Tiffany Barnes, Shiyan Jiang and Xiaoyi Tian discuss their U.S. National Science Foundation-supported project "ElementaryAI," the challenges of introducing artificial intelligence concepts into elementary school curriculum and how the project led to a win in the inaugural Presidential AI Challenge.

NSF Noirlab's Robert Blum, director of operations for the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory, discusses the observatory's signature mission, the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, and how it will transform the way we study the universe.

As the 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time officially starts and the greatest cosmic movie ever made is captured, U.S. National Science Foundation Program Officer Edward Ajhar discusses the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory and how it will transform the way people study the universe.

An innovative new engineering approach may lead to denser, more powerful microchips and computing systems. U.S. National Science Foundation-supported researcher Qing Cao discusses a new monolithic, 3D-integrated silicon microchip and how it might impact artificial intelligence systems.