Libsyn Directory

The University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge from the Dawn of the Atomic Age to the Present

Release Date: 10/09/2024

AMSE Science Report with Alan Chodos and James Riordon

AMSEcast

What if I told you that, no matter where you are or what you are doing, about 100 trillion neutrinos are passing through your body every second? Well, you might first respond, as I did, by asking what is a neutrino, and then wondering why we seem to have no awareness at all of their presence. I mean, if were one or two particles, sure, you might miss them, but 100 trillion every second? I needed to learn more so I spoke on our podcast, AMSEcast, with Alan Chodos and James Riordon about their fascinating book, Ghost Particle: In Search of the Elusive and Mysterious...

AMSE Science Report with Robert Hettich

AMSEcast

Robert Hettich who serves as the Corporate Fellow and Leader of the Bioanalytical Mass Spectrometry Group of the Biosciences Division at Oak Ridge National Lab, and as a Joint Faculty Member in the Microbiology Department at the University of Tennessee. Bob is an internationally recognized leader in the field of microbiomes. Now, you might have heard of microbiomes especially in regard to the biome or family of bacteria, that lives in your digestive system - our growing understanding of that symbiotic relationship has made prebiotics and probiotics for digestive health a big...

Why We Go to Space: Curiosity, Innovation, and the Human Spirit with William Harris

AMSEcast

In this episode of AMSEcast, host Alan Lowe sits down with William Harris, President and CEO of Space Center Houston, to explore the past, present, and future of human space exploration and what it means for American innovation. As the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Space Center Houston serves as the public gateway to human spaceflight. William shares how the center uses historic artifacts, immersive experiences, and cutting-edge STEM programming to demystify space exploration and inspire the next generation of innovators. From Apollo and the Space Shuttle to...

AMSEcast with guests Alan Chodos and James Riordon

AMSEcast

Ghost Particle explores the neutrino, one of the most abundant yet elusive particles in the universe, tracing its journey from a theoretical fix to puzzling nuclear reactions to a cornerstone of modern physics. The book explains how neutrinos helped preserve fundamental laws like conservation of energy and reveals how decades of ingenious experiments finally confirmed their existence. The authors guide readers through discoveries such as neutrino “flavors,” oscillations, and the surprising realization that neutrinos have mass—challenging the Standard Model of particle physics....

How to Kill an Asteroid

AMSEcast

Around 66 million years ago, an asteroid that was perhaps 9 miles wide struck the Earth, an impact that led to the extinction of the dinosaurs. What if an asteroid that large or even larger was headed toward Earth today? We’ve seen this scenario in books and in movies like Armageddon, but I wanted to get some expert input, so I spoke on our podcast, AMSEcast, with Robin Andrews, about his book, How to Kill an Asteroid: The Real Science of Planetary Defense.

Inside The Franklin Institute with Larry Dubinski

AMSEcast

Alan Lowe interviews Larry Dubinski, President and CEO of The Franklin Institute, as part of a series celebrating 250 years of American innovation. He joins AMSEcast to discuss the institute’s 1824 origins, its mission to inspire curiosity in science and technology, and its deep ties to Benjamin Franklin’s legacy. He highlights major exhibits, including the National Memorial, the Hamilton Collections Gallery, and historic patent models, and online series like Ingenious and The Road to 2050. Dubinski emphasizes fostering lifelong learning, diverse voices, and bold leadership to sustain...

Franklin’s Curiosity Unpacked with Richard Munson

AMSEcast

Alan Lowe talks with Richard Munson about his book Ingenious: A Biography of Benjamin Franklin, Scientist. Munson’s book aims to highlight Franklin’s often overlooked scientific achievements. He describes Franklin’s rise from a penniless runaway to a successful printer whose curiosity fueled his scientific breakthroughs. Franklin’s experiments helped define core electrical concepts and led to inventions like the lightning rod, reflecting his Enlightenment commitment to reason and inquiry. His scientific fame later boosted his diplomatic mission in France, where his celebrity status...

AMSE Science Report Sudip Parikh

AMSEcast

A discussion of American innovation and leadership with Sudip Parikh.

AMSE Science Report with Simon Cordrey

AMSEcast

Author Simon Cordrey discusses the early days of the railroad and how that changed America.

AMSE Science Report with Jay Feldman

AMSEcast

Author Jay Feldman and Alan Lowe, Director of the AMSE Foundation discuss his book, When the Mississippi Ran Backwards.

More Episodes

Alan Lowe, director of the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE) introduces a live audience to the first-ever AMSEcast Conversation. Held in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the event featured a panel of experts discussing the historical significance of the Military Industrial Educational Complex and the book Critical Connections. The panel, which included Lee Riedinger, Ray Smith, and William Bugg, explored the development of Oak Ridge and the University of Tennessee (UT) during the 1940s.

Guest Bios

Lee Riedinger has held numerous leadership positions during his distinguished career at the University of Tennessee (UT). He has served as the Director of the UT-ORNL Science Alliance, Head of the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and Vice Chancellor for Research. Additionally, Lee has held key roles at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), including Deputy Director for Science and Technology, and Associate Laboratory Director for University Partnerships. His contributions have strengthened the collaboration between UT and ORNL, fostering groundbreaking research and educational initiatives.

Al Ekkebus has a long history with Oak Ridge National Laboratory, where he previously served as Head of the Research Library and Assistant to the Laboratory Director. He is currently the outreach leader for Neutron Science at ORNL, where his work supports the lab’s scientific community. Al was a crucial research assistant for the book Critical Connections, adding his extensive knowledge to the project.

Ray Smith, the City of Oak Ridge’s official historian, has dedicated years to documenting the rich history of the city. For over a decade, he has written a weekly newspaper column on Oak Ridge’s history and contributed significantly to preserving its legacy. Before retiring in 2017, Ray worked at the Y-12 National Security Complex, where he was a key figure in chronicling its historical significance.

William “Bill” Bugg is a retired high-energy physicist and former Head of the Physics Department at UT, where he served from 1959 until 2006. An Oak Ridge High School graduate from the class of 1948, Bill’s personal and professional journey has been deeply intertwined with Oak Ridge’s scientific community, making him a living testament to the city’s storied past.

Show Notes

(04:19) Guest introductions
(06:13) UT and Oak Ridge as they were in 1940
(10:03) The role UT played in the construction of Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project
(19:48) How Oak Ridge was able to continue existing after WWII
(21:00) The role Dr. Hertel played in continuing the connection between UT and ORNL
(23:48) Who Bill Pollard was and his central role in the relationship between UT and ORNL
(32:35) Alvin Weinberg’s role in making connections between ORNL and UT
(35:32) The role politicians and other political servants played in connecting ORNL and UT
(41:18) How their partnership has benefited the lab and the university
(45:23) What’s in the immediate future for UT and ORNL
(48:38) The connection between UT and Y-12
(50:54) Q & A
(59:58) What the panelists think is missing from the partnership between UT and ORNL

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