8/13/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 8 min read
From Student to Curriculum Director: A Conversation with Eric Cole at the 2025 ASM Eisenman Materials Camp
During my time at the 2025 ASM Eisenman Materials Camp, I had the privilege of speaking with Eric Cole, R&D (Research and Development) Manager at Carpenter Technology Corporation and the 2025 Eisenman Camp Curriculum Director. Our conversation wasn’t just a glance into his professional journey, it was also a chance to understand how materials science education has evolved over the last two decades, and how curiosity at a summer camp can spark a lifelong career. Eric and I sat down here at ASM International’s headquarters during the Eisenman Camp, where I spent the week learning materials science through hands-on labs and failure analysis projects. His story begins in a place that’s similar to where I am now, the 2007 Eisenman Camp.
7/23/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 8 min read
The Eisenman Materials Camp Experience - 2025
This summer, I had the opportunity to attend the ASM Eisenman Materials Camp, and it was honestly one of the most engaging academic experiences I’ve had so far. Held from July 13–18, 2025, at the ASM International Headquarters in Cleveland, Ohio, the week brought together 28 other top high school juniors and seniors from around the United States who all shared a deep curiosity for science and engineering. We spent the week diving into the world of materials science, exploring metals, polymers, ceramics, and failure analysis through engaging, hands-on labs, expert-led lectures, and even real-world case studies. Not only did the camp expand my technical knowledge, but it also gave me a new appreciation for how materials impact everything we use and rely on every day.
7/11/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 8 min read
My Fascinating Discussion with Rice University's Sathvik Iyengar
A few weeks ago, I was attending a group meeting with my lab mentor here at Georgia State University during my daily research internship. I was rather pleased to hear that the topic of the day was specialized in materials science, so I was eager to take notes and get to know the lecturer. It was exciting to engage in this novel content that resonated with my interests.
Meeting Mr. Sathvik Iyengar in person was both inspiring and motivating. After the presentation, I introduced myself and shared some of the notes I had just been taking on my phone. Mr. Iyengar was very approachable and gave insightful responses that deepened my understanding of the topic, and he even offered to keep in touch so I could read more advanced literature on the complex research and developments of his topic, 2D nanomaterials. My current work at Georgia State University involves chemistry and biomaterials, two fundamental sub-fields of materials science, yet I was eager to learn about more specialized, “pure”, materials science analysis, such as Mr. Iyengar’s work at Rice.
6/25/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 6 min read
It IS Rocket Science!
Just a couple of weeks ago, I had the exciting opportunity to attend my first-ever rocketry event—specifically, a model rocketry launch. As a rising junior in high school with a strong passion for engineering, I’ve recently begun laying the groundwork to start an aerospace engineering and materials science club at my school. One of our core goals will be to make engineering education more hands-on and accessible for all students, regardless of background. A major part of our initiative includes competing in the 2026 American Rocketry Challenge (ARC), which is why it was especially important for me to immerse myself early on in the world of model rocketry as I prepare for the upcoming school year.
6/12/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 6 min read
My Insightful Conversation with Lohitash Karumbaiah, Ph.D. at the University of Georgia
I recently got the opportunity to have a conversation with Lohitash Karumbaiah, an Associate Professor and director of the Translational Glycomaterials and Neural Repair Laboratory at the University of Georgia. We discussed his lab’s research, which plays a heavy emphasis on biomaterials and bioanalytics. I was intrigued by the Karumbaiah Lab’s astounding innovations in materials science and medicine, and this conversation opened the doors for me to further explore my interest in this field of engineering.
5/27/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 5 min read
Blending Electric Vehicle Innovation with Materials Analysis
This spring, I had the opportunity to help launch a startup focused on solving a critical challenge in electric vehicle (EV) technology: battery overheating in tropical climates. Working alongside a team of driven peers, we set out to design an innovative, cost-effective cooling solution that could make EVs more practical in countries like India and Australia. What began as a brainstorming session quickly evolved into a deeply technical project that allowed me to combine my background in robotics and electrical systems with my growing passion for materials science.
4/29/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 4 min read
The 2025 FIRST World Championships
Well, we made it. We qualified for the FIRST World Championships in Houston, which took place on April 15-19 earlier this month. Hitherto, this was the best competition I’ve been at. It was a week of not only robotics, but professional workshops, teamwork, and networking. The experience provided me much more than robot expertise, but furthered my understanding of complex engineering/programming concepts through workshops and improved my communication skills to build lasting connections with professionals I met that week.
3/29/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 3 min read
FRC 2025 - Season Qualifications
To grow my interest and experience in materials science, one of the endeavors I enjoy the most is FRC (FIRST Robotics Competition) through my high school. My first year as a freshman in high school introduced me to robotics, and I hope to learn more and get more involved as the years come. At a new school for my 10th grade year, 2025 marks my first season as a “Techno Titan,” as a member of FRC team 1683.
2/27/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 3 min read
How AI is Accelerating Materials Innovation
We all know that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing faster than ever before, getting incorporated into new industries everyday, especially in fields of STEM. A recent development in the past few years has been the breakthroughs of generative AI advancing materials analysis and discovery, a combination of my two passions in the field of science. I know for a fact that the technology we have today will serve as a basis for materials science to continue enhancing and improving research through AI techniques. Gauging an interest in combining these two fields, I recently read a few articles online about how AI is shaping materials science research in the 21st century.
1/28/2025 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 6 min read
A Touching Moment with Kuljit Bhamra -Pioneer, Inventor, and Tabla Player Extraordinaire
My recent conversation with Keda Music founder and CEO Kuljit Bhamra to learn more about the TablaTouch left me inspired and intrigued by the innovative fusion of tradition and technology. The TablaTouch is to the traditional Tabla as the keyboard is to the piano or as the electric guitar is to the acoustic guitar. Our discussion led me deeper into the heart of the first electronic Tabla and how it has, and will, continue to shape the instrument and its popularity worldwide today.
12/28/2024 ⋅ By Rishi Pai ⋅ 5 min read
Melodies of Tabla in Outer Space
Have you ever wondered how music sounds 100 miles above our planet? Can we still create and share the beauty of instrumental melody as we do on earth in the vacuum of outer space? Is music lost to the cosmos?
In short- yes. Sound cannot travel in the vastness of outer space, the reason why it is pin-drop silent up there. Sound waves require air as a medium to carry its vibration in order for us to hear it, and space is empty of both air and empty of sound. However, the International Space Station (ISS) gives a workaround for astronauts to enjoy the music that we would get down here on planet Earth.