Touching plasma - Smarter Every Day 193

Let's get this out of the way first. The video isn't remotely about 'touching plasma'. Yes, somebody touches plasma at 9:30, but it's not elaborated on or explained in the least. The title is oddly useless, something I haven't seen from Destin before.

On the other hand, the video does have three minutes of high quality material science content early. From 1:05 through 4:20, Destin goes to Dr. Kavan Hazeli's lab and shows some of the testing of '3d lattice structures printed by NASA.' They're looking at ridiculously lightweight materials, trying to see how much metal they can take away (though it's created via additive manufacturing) while still leaving the 'material strong enough to withstand a space environment.'

We get to see an impact test as the researchers explore the difference in 'quasistatic' pressure and impact pressure tests to the materials. The sample we see tested in nearly pulverized and comes out 'perfectly flat' and hot.

It's like energy is transferred or something.

The rest of the video sees Destin visit two more labs - testing ion thrusters and exploring the fluid dynamics around a butterfly's wing - but they aren't nearly as material science interesting. Watch 'em or don't. Admittedly, at 4:55, Destin announces, 'are you not entertained,' and I'll admit that I'm not. Meh...

It's probably because I don't really understand what's happening with the ion thruster.