In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore cutting-edge ideas in epigenetics and academic publishing. Oded Rechavi reveals how C. elegans worms defy conventional genetics by passing on traits through small RNAs, and discusses how these mechanisms might reshape our understanding of heredity. We also hear about a remarkable experiment hijacking Toxoplasma gondii—the so-called “cat parasite”—to deliver proteins into the brain, opening possible routes for new therapies.

Beyond the lab, we explore problems with modern publishing, from glacial review timelines to flawed incentives that push quantity over quality. Learn how AI-driven solutions might speed up peer review, allow scientists to focus on what truly matters, and help keep the spark of curiosity alive.

02:33 The Journey of Memeing on Twitter
06:50 Frustrations with Scientific Publishing
13:36 AI in Scientific Reviews
23:57 The Joys and Challenges of Academia
28:25 The Dead Sea Scrolls Project
45:15 Exploring Epigenetic Processes
47:16 Advantages of C. Elegans in Research
51:45 Transgenerational Epigenetic Inheritance
57:07 Challenges in Human Epigenetic Research
01:08:58 Model Organisms in Scientific Research
01:14:50 Innovative Brain Parasite Research
01:22:11 The State of Academic Science
01:29:19 Balancing Science and Life in Israel
01:32:00 Improving the Scientific System

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Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

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In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore how diamond-based nitrogen vacancy (NV) centers went from being a curiosity in gemstone physics to a transformative tool for precision magnetometry. You’ll hear how these tiny defects enable room-temperature quantum sensing, providing ultra-high spatial resolution and remarkable resilience in extreme conditions—from planetary research unlocking secrets of our solar system’s earliest days to potential biomedical diagnostics. Our guest recounts the serendipitous connections, engineering challenges, and surprising scientific discoveries along the way.

We also discuss how interdisciplinary collaborations spark new ideas, how startups and academia differ in their pursuit of quantum breakthroughs, and why community-driven science can accelerate major scientific leaps.

00:42 The Fascination with Diamonds and NV Centers
02:58 Early Research and Collaborations
10:21 Breakthroughs and Applications in Science
50:48 Advancements in Magnetic Imaging
51:59 Commercial Applications of Quantum Diamond Microscopes
01:02:16 Challenges in Translating Research to Products
01:11:11 Future Prospects and Innovations
01:36:46 Exploring Quantum Systems and Defects
01:39:03 The Harvard Quantum Community
01:44:53 Precision Measurement and Quantum Applications
01:54:28 Advice for Aspiring Scientists

*Follow us:*
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Substack: https://632nmpodcast.substack.com/
Michael Dubrovsky: https://x.com/MikeDubrovsky
Misha Shalaginov: https://x.com/MYShalaginov
Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

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Website: https://www.632nm.com

In this episode, Jeremy England reframes the origin of life debate by applying non-equilibrium physics, challenging the notion that life’s emergence must be purely biological or chemical. He describes how matter can “learn” from its environment, drawing on examples from spin glasses, protein folding, and resonating mechanical systems.

England also shares how his deep engagement with religious texts—and his unexpected cameo as “the next Darwin” in popular media—shaped his understanding of science and spirituality. From his ordination as a rabbi to his groundbreaking thermodynamic research, England offers a unique perspective on the interplay between faith, scientific inquiry, and the age-old search for meaning.

Chapters:
02:59 Jeremy's Journey into Biophysics
08:46 Non-Equilibrium Thermodynamics
35:30 Dissipative Adaptation and Evolutionary Principles
44:34 The Evolution of Energy Consumption
51:35 Thermodynamics in Microbiomes and Ecology
57:18 Protein Folding and Cellular Computation
01:01:43 Origins of Life and Prebiotic Scenarios
01:26:02 Exploring Thermodynamic Constraints on Aging
01:31:48 Science, Religion, and the Infinite Regress
01:36:04 Jewish Law and Modern Materials
01:39:47 Torah's Approach to Existence
02:01:56 Moses' Signs and Worldview
02:09:03 Balancing Practicality and Spirituality
02:14:02 Advice for Aspiring Scientists

More About Jeremy:

Twitter: Jeremy England (@lifelikephysics) / X

Book: https://www.amazon.com/Every-Life-Fire-Thermodynamics-Explains/dp/1541699017

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Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

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Website: https://www.632nm.com

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we sit down with 1517 Fund’s Danielle Strachman and Michael Gibson to explore their Flux program, a unique pre-seed fellowship backing wild, unorthodox scientific and technical ideas. They share how they’ve helped founders transform “garage science” projects—like nuclear batteries, quantum computing prototypes, and cutting-edge materials—into serious startups. Along the way, they discuss the pitfalls of chasing academic prestige, the power of genuine curiosity, and how to leverage minimal resources for big ambitions.

We also learn about the flexibility of Flux’s “cannon launch” grants, what it takes to persuade investors when your idea sounds like sci-fi, and why “hyper-fluency” and high agency are crucial for founders. Whether you’re a postdoc itching to leave the lab or a solo tinkerer with a radical concept, this conversation offers actionable insights on securing early funding and taking that bold plunge into world-changing tech.

Our Guests:

Danielle Strachman: https://x.com/DStrachman

Michael Gibson: https://x.com/William_Blake

1517 Fund: https://t.co/Ltt0eiRJkz

Want to apply for Flux? https://t.co/O8b5C0f21s

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Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

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Website: https://www.632nm.com/

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, our guest traces the evolution from the early days of Bose-Einstein condensation experiments to pioneering trapped ion quantum gateways. He reveals how breakthroughs in laser cooling and atomic clock research unexpectedly paved the way for the first quantum logic gates, beating out the BEC community at a pivotal conference. We also hear about the surprising roles of entanglement, error mitigation, and photonic interconnects in shaping modern quantum hardware.

The conversation shifts to the commercial world, where government funding, venture capital, and startup challenges collide. Our guest shares insider stories about forming one of the first pure-play quantum computing companies, securing multi-million-dollar investments, and navigating the highs and lows of going public. From laser noise and integrated photonics to the promise of game-changing heuristic algorithms, this episode offers a rare look at both the science and business driving trapped ion quantum computing.

Chapters:

01:48 Journey into Trapped Ions
03:57 Early Career and Research at NIST
08:13 The Path to Bose-Einstein Condensate
11:32 Applications and Implications of BEC
22:05 Measuring Ultra-Low Temperatures
27:46 Advancements in Atomic Clocks
35:09 Challenges in Atomic Clock Precision
43:39 Historical Development of Quantum Computing
50:30 Early Experiments and Advances in Ion Traps
01:02:59 Understanding Dipole-Dipole Shifts in Quantum Systems
01:04:18 Initializing Qubits in Quantum Computing
01:09:05 Challenges in Scaling Quantum Computers
01:13:14 Fidelity and Error Correction in Quantum Gates
01:17:51 Laser Noise and Quantum Computing Limitations
01:35:08 Commercializing Quantum Computing: The INQ Story
01:41:53 Bitcoin and Quantum Computing Threats
01:44:09 INQ's Journey and Going Public
01:46:39 Quantum Computing Applications and Challenges
01:55:44 Quantum Hardware and Interconnects
02:21:01 Speculative Future of Quantum Computing

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Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

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Website: https://www.632nm.com

In this episode of the 632nm podcast, we explore how 193nm lasers unexpectedly overtook x-ray approaches and reshaped semiconductor manufacturing. Physicist Mordechai Rothschild describes the breakthroughs that turned a once “impossible” technology into the mainstay of chip fabrication, including the discovery of specialized lenses, the invention of chemically amplified resists, and the game-changing flip to immersion lithography. We also hear candid insights on the race to push below 13.5 nanometers, where new ideas in plasma sources and advanced coatings might one day carry Moore’s Law even further.

Dr. Mordechai Rothschild is a leading physicist and technologist at MIT Lincoln Laboratory, serving as Principal Staff in the Advanced Technology Division. He has been instrumental in advancing micro- and nanoscale systems, with significant contributions to 193-nm photolithography—a technology critical to modern semiconductor manufacturing. His work has earned him the 2014 SPIE Frits Zernike Award and the 2015 Edwin H. Land Medal. With over 220 publications and 16 patents, Rothschild's research spans metamaterials, microfluidics, and nanofabrication. He holds a BS in physics from Bar-Ilan University and a PhD in optics from the University of Rochester.

01:22 Early Days and Technological Challenges
08:54 The Role of Photoresist in Lithography
19:39 The Rise of X-ray Lithography
25:52 Global Competition and Geopolitics
28:45 Challenges and Future of Lithography
44:33 Introduction to Excimer Lasers
47:54 Applications of 193nm Lasers
49:41 Development of Reliable Laser Sources
58:38 Lens Aging and Material Challenges
01:01:10 Exploring Alternative Materials
01:07:41 Liquid Immersion Lithography
01:15:21 Engineering Complex Lithography Systems
01:23:43 Immersion Lithography Insights
01:24:33 Prototype to Foundry Adoption Timeline
01:25:41 Challenges in EUV Development
01:32:24 Personal Journey to Lincoln Lab
01:38:59 Exploring Advanced Lithography
01:57:26 Future of Moore's Law and Lithography
02:06:40 Advice for Young Scientists

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Xinghui Yin: https://x.com/XinghuiYin

In this episode, physicist Federico Capasso recounts his winding path from struggling undergrad to pioneering inventor of the quantum cascade laser. He reveals how openness, daring ideas, and the bottom-up ethos at Bell Labs led to breakthroughs that redefined semiconductor research.

Capasso also discusses the blurred lines between basic and applied science, the importance of nurturing curiosity, and the serendipitous moments that propelled his career. From avalanche photodiodes to metasurfaces to quantum biology, he offers a fascinating look at how big discoveries often begin with a simple spark of wonder.

Eli Yablonovitch shares how Thomas Edison's approach of requiring "a thousand failed discoveries for every one that works" shaped his scientific philosophy. From solar cells to semiconductor lasers to photonic crystals to cell phone antennas, Yablonovitch reveals how each invention evolved from identifying fundamental physics concepts that others overlooked. He explains how his light-trapping concept now used in every solar panel stemmed from thinking about statistical mechanics. His strained semiconductor laser design, which initially faced industry resistance, eventually became the standard in all laser pointers and DVDs. Throughout his career spanning Bell Labs, Exxon, and academia, Yablonovitch demonstrates that true innovation comes from understanding basic physics principles and having the courage to pursue ideas others dismiss as impossible.