Although not initially obvious, there is a significant overlap between what an artist does and what a “traditional” materials engineer does. Both experiment with different materials or iterations of the same material to identify the best fit, making continuous adjustments and using our creativity until the final product is just right. This episode uncovers the vast overlap between materials science and art as well as the importance of using art to develop your creativity and problem solving mindset.
Before we introduce our guest, check out our free professional development guide for materials scientists and engineers!
Today’s guest is Dr. Jane Cook, an artist and educator in MSE and art, with experiences as a Museum Director at Penn State and Chief Scientist at the Corning Museum of Glass. In this episode, she dives into the evolution of materials selection in different phases of art, from paintings to glassblowing to statues.
In this conversation, we discuss the following topics:
The deep intersection of materials science and art
Similarities between traditional materials engineers and artists
Polymer vehicles as vehicles for pigments in paintings
The materials science behind glassblowing and stained glass
Metals processing for the Statue of Liberty and the Charging Bull on Wall Street
How carbon nanotubes make up the darkest pigment in the world (Vantablack)
Why it’s important for all MSEs to incorporate art into their lifestyle

Learn more about our MSE Career Development Online Course, which includes more industry-specific information and advice. 
Also, check out our MSE-themed merchandise if you want to support us or simply show off your love of materials science!
Thank you Joao Morgado for editing this episode!
Join our Discord community! You can meet other passionate materials scientists and engineers from around the world, discuss the latest breakthroughs in MSE, share materials-related memes, and get career advice from experts in the field.
For shorter segments and full video podcasts, subscribe to our channel on YouTube. For bloopers, audiograms, and interesting materials science articles, follow us on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Feel free to message us on our social media platforms if you have any feedback or recommendations for future episodes, or email us directly at itsamaterialworldpodcast@gmail.com. Finally, reach out to David Yeh and Punith Upadhya on LinkedIn if you'd like to chat about the latest breakthroughs in MSE!
Disclaimer: Any opinions expressed by either guests or hosts in this show are their own, and do not represent the opinions of the companies or organizations for which they are affiliated.