Ali Alwattari from Kraton Corporation has been working in product innovation for over 33 years, spanning industries from consumer goods to biotechnology and energy. His passion lies in integrating the human dimension and storytelling into scientific work, accelerating innovation and tackling challenges from the lab to the market. He joins The Drip to share his creative process and reflect on the unique products he's developed over his career.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• How phenomena like the surface tension of water can drive innovation across industries
• Balancing reasoning and logic with creativity, termed as "realistic imagination"
• Stories detailing the development of unique products like artificial spider silk and waterproof mascara
• How looking to nature and unrelated industries can inspire breakthroughs
• … and practical advice for those starting in product innovation

Jump to:

(00:53) Ali's journey in product innovation across diverse industries.

(03:46) The significance of the human dimension in scientific work.

(07:22) Realistic imagination's role in innovation.

(11:53) Ali's creative process and examples of innovative projects.

(25:47) The future of innovation in the food industry

(29:59) Resources Ali recommends

(36:44) This episode’s song recommendation.

(37:29) This episode’s mantra.

Featured Artist and Song:

Ease My Mindy by Chris Lake

Links mentioned in this episode:

Kraton Corporation

‘Disruptive Innovation' by Clayton Christensen

'Rules for Revolutionaries' by Guy Kawasaki

‘Entrepreneurs in High Technology' by Dr. Roberts

Viva La Vida by Coldplay, music was chosen by Ali Alwattari

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AQUALAB

Zachary Cartwright, PhD

00:00 Reusable Skills Drive Success

04:26 Empathy and Emotion in Innovation

08:46 Translating Concepts into Scientific Terms

11:40 Nature-Inspired Water-Repellent Textiles

15:52 Innovative Mascara Formulation Insights

18:57 Dimples Revolutionize Gel Adhesion

20:16 Shaving Gel Chemistry Evolution

23:17 Simplified Product Development Framework

27:00 Need-Driven Innovation in Food Industry

32:31 "Professionalizing Innovation and Mentorship"

35:46 "Product Innovation & Music Groove"

37:49 Strength Over Struggle

Anđela Martinović holds a PhD in Food Systems from the University of Milan, specializing in probiotics and gut health. As a co-founder and program development coordinator at epiSTEMe Hub, she advances science, innovation, and technology with a focus on Montenegro. Angela joins The Drip to explore the complexities of probiotics, from production to their journey in the human GI system, and the role multidisciplinary research plays in this field.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Definition of probiotics and key production/ regulation challenges
• Stages of production and importance of probiotic survival and functionality
• Role of water activity in preservation and gut survival challenges
• Angela's PhD insights on probiotics and Montenegro's market
• Emerging trends, future directions, and AI in probiotics

Jump to:

(00:53) Understanding the definition and challenges of probiotics.

(03:46) Overview of the probiotic production process.

(07:22) Importance of water activity in probiotics' journey through the gut.

(09:52) Angela’s PhD research insights on probiotic survival and functionality.

(13:46) Analyzing the probiotic market in Montenegro.

(18:10) Future directions and emerging trends in probiotics

(26:05) This episode’s song recommendation.

(26:45) This episode’s mantra.

Featured Artist and Song:

Push the Tempo by Sub Focus

Links mentioned in this episode:

Anđela Martinović’s work

Anđela Martinović on LinkedIn

‘Uncovering the Probiotic Supplement Landscape: Market Offerings, Sales Patterns, and Future Forecasts Using Machine Learning Approach - A Case Study of Montenegro’ by Anđela Martinović et. al (2024)

Spread Your Wings by Queen, music was chosen by Anđela Martinović

Connect with the show

AQUALAB

Zachary Cartwright, PhD

00:00 Probiotic Survival and Functionality

05:04 Optimizing Probiotic Production Factors

07:03 Ensuring Probiotic Stability: Key Factors

11:45 Streptococcus Thermophilus' Urase Activity Reduction

14:59 Enhancing Standards and Analyzing Sales

18:10 Multidisciplinary Collaboration Key to Probiotic Innovation

20:31 Emerging Trends in Probiotics

26:17 "Push the Temple" Review

27:07 "Releasing Toxicity: The Drip"

Abigail Thiel is a Food Scientist and YouTuber of ‘Abbey the Food Scientist’. She is a postdoctoral researcher at Wageningen University in the Netherlands, focusing on food quality and design, with a particular interest in ice cream microstructure, healthier fat alternatives, and sustainable food production. She joins The Drip to delve into the fascinating world of ice cream science, from its microstructure to the intricacies of creating healthier and more sustainable sweet treats.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• What are the ice cream terms "variegates" and "inclusions”?
• Understanding the healthier fats in ice cream.
• Creating a food science YouTube channel.
• Precision fermentation: milk proteins from yeast.

00:00 Ice Cream Texture Research Funding

03:48 Started YouTube During Covid Lockdown

08:40 Yeast-Based Milk Protein Production

12:50 Abby's Food Science Courses Online

15:31 Tackling Ice Cream Moisture Migration

16:36 "Mesmerizing Down Tempo Collaboration"

Jump to:

(00:53) How Abby started studying the science of ice cream through a USDA-funded project focusing on healthier fats.

(03:46) The difference between variegates and inclusions and their importance in ice cream.

(07:22) Balancing texture and health in food, and how it is a central theme in Abby's research.

(11:53) Abby's venture into YouTube during the COVID-19 lockdown.

(14:37) This episode’s song recommendation.

(15:28) This episode’s mantra.

Featured Artist and Song:

Liftoff by Adastra and Bethany Agustin

Links mentioned in this episode:

Abbey the Food Scientist – Website

Abbey the Food Scientist – YouTube

Abigail Thiel on LinkedIn

Wageningen University

Taylor Swift, music was chosen by Abigail Thiel

Connect with the show

AQUALAB

Zachary Cartwright, PhD