Technology Today

Hosted by Southwest Research Institute

TechnologyInterviews guests

Website RSS feed

Episodes

Latest episode

Sep 2026

Language

About the show

The Technology Today® podcast amplifies the voices of visionary Southwest Research Institute scientists, engineers and researchers who are creating solutions for the world’s toughest challenges. Topics are as vast as SwRI’s technical expertise, from Deep Sea to Deep Space®. Listen and learn with podcast host Lisa Peña as she guides conversations that bring clarity to high-level, high-tech concepts, while introducing the people behind the big ideas resulting in groundbreaking discoveries and creating tomorrow’s technology. The views and opinions expressed in the Technology Today podcast are solely those of the podcast host and guests and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Southwest Research Institute, its affiliates or employees. The Technology Today podcast highlights SwRI research and development and only features SwRI staff members and colleagues working on joint SwRI projects.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 26, 202629 min

96-Episode96-JSokol-TTPodcast

Heliophysics investigates the Sun, how it interacts with the Earth and the space weather it creates. It is critical to consider the Sun’s activity when planning Moon exploration. As lunar landing plans unfold, SwRI scientists are contributing research and expertise to the upcoming establishment of a lunar base where humans can live and work safely under the constant bombardment of space weather and radiation from the Sun. Listen now as SwRI heliophysicist Dr. Justyna Sokol discusses the importance of analyzing solar activity for Moon exploration, her role as heliophysics community liaison for the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group and her scientific motivation to get humans to the Moon.

September 22, 202627 min

Episode 95: Transporting Heavy Crude Oil with EZ Flow™

From plastics to asphalt, we encounter products derived from heavy crude oil everywhere, every day. Using heavy crude oil begins with moving the oil over long distances from production locations to chemical plants and refineries. The oil is transported through a vast network of pipelines or on tankers, ships or by rail. Current heavy crude transportation methods can be costly. SwRI developed the patented two-part EZ Flow™ process to lower heavy crude oil viscosity, or thickness, by 60% or more, making transportation more efficient. The treated oil maintains reduced viscosity for months or longer. Listen now as SwRI Principal Scientist James Wood discusses obtaining a patent for the innovative EZ Flow process, how the technology lowers the cost of transporting heavy crude and what that could mean for consumers.

August 31, 202625 min

Episode 94: SwRI Barrier Crash Testing

Episode 94: SwRI Barrier Crash Testing by Southwest Research Institute

July 27, 202640 min

Episode 93: Exploring Large Language Models

Episode 93: Exploring Large Language Models by Southwest Research Institute

June 22, 202637 min

Episode 92: SwRI Water Warriors

The water warriors are on the job! SwRI’s hydrology group monitors natural resources to guide water system management and conservation decisions. They study groundwater and surface water chemistry, qualities and interactions to understand environmental impacts and protect waterways and resources. SwRI hydrology research keeps the data flowing to stakeholders like municipal water systems, river authorities, commercial clients and more, which in turn safeguards the water flowing to our homes. Listen now as hydrologist Mauricio Flores discusses current Pecos River and transboundary waterway research, the human impact on water resources and the urgency to plan for AI data center water usage in Texas.

May 26, 202642 min

Episode 91: Spacewoman Col. Eileen Collins

Colonel Eileen Collins, an SwRI advisory trustee and the first woman to pilot and command a NASA spacecraft has been on tour across the U.S. with her new documentary, “Spacewoman.” She stopped into the podcast studio to talk about the film based on her book, “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars.” As a NASA astronaut, Collins was part of four space missions, including serving as commander of the Return to Flight Mission following the Columbia disaster of 2003. Listen now as Col. Collins discusses her path to NASA, the varied effects of space travel on the human body, how she overcame doubts and fears to venture back into space after tragedy and the documentary that dives deep into the darkest and most triumphant moments of her life.

April 27, 202638 min

Episode 90: Earth Day: Faults, Fractures and Our Resources

How do geological processes impact modern life? You can think of faults and fractures deep within the Earth’s crust as the planet’s “plumbing system,” carrying fluids, minerals, gas and oil to our cities and communities. Even rechargeable technology relies on access to these valuable natural resources. In recognition of Earth Day, we’re learning about the breaks, bends and forces that shift underground rock layers, making our access to resources possible. Listen now as SwRI Structural Geologist Dr. Adam Cawood discusses faults and fractures, how Earth’s “plumbing system” works and why a diamond mine discovery in the late 1800s inspired his career path.

March 23, 202637 min

Episode 89: DARWIN® Safety Software

SwRI’s DARWIN® reliability and safety software analyzes aircraft components for fracture risk, improving safety in our skies. The visualization tool provides insight into potential structural problems before a malfunction occurs. DARWIN takes aircraft data and converts it into a picture of fracture risk, analyzing when a break could occur and pinpointing potential fracture “hotspots.” The software has supported aviation safety for decades and now, it is flying into new frontiers. Listen now as SwRI engineer and DARWIN developer Jonathan Moody discusses the catastrophic engine failure that led to the software’s development, how it works to keep aircraft and passengers safe and DARWIN’s rise outside of aviation.

February 23, 202635 min

Episode 88: Investigating Metals and Materials

When critical equipment fails, from a chain hoist to an aircraft part, operators want to find out what went wrong. Normal wear and tear, before a failure occurs, can also prompt tests to determine remaining service life for a part or system. A materials science and failure analysis engineer can investigate, digging deep to uncover the root cause of a failure or identify a potential malfunction. This expertise prevents loss of equipment or in extreme cases, loss of life. Listen now as SwRI materials science and failure analysis engineer and metallurgist Dr. Mirella Vargas discusses what is revealed during a thorough analysis, down to the microstructure of metals and materials.

January 26, 202637 min