Technology Today

From plastics to asphalt, we encounter products derived from heavy crude oil everywhere, every day. Using heavy crude oil begins with moving the oil over long distances from production locations to chemical plants and refineries. The oil is transported through a vast network of pipelines or on tankers, ships or by rail. Current heavy crude transportation methods can be costly. SwRI developed the patented two-part EZ Flow™ process to lower heavy crude oil viscosity, or thickness, by 60% or more, making transportation more efficient. The treated oil maintains reduced viscosity for months or longer.

Listen now as SwRI Principal Scientist James Wood discusses obtaining a patent for the innovative EZ Flow process, how the technology lowers the cost of transporting heavy crude and what that could mean for consumers.

Episode 94: SwRI Barrier Crash Testing by Southwest Research Institute

Episode 93: Exploring Large Language Models by Southwest Research Institute

The water warriors are on the job! SwRI’s hydrology group monitors natural resources to guide water system management and conservation decisions. They study groundwater and surface water chemistry, qualities and interactions to understand environmental impacts and protect waterways and resources. SwRI hydrology research keeps the data flowing to stakeholders like municipal water systems, river authorities, commercial clients and more, which in turn safeguards the water flowing to our homes.

Listen now as hydrologist Mauricio Flores discusses current Pecos River and transboundary waterway research, the human impact on water resources and the urgency to plan for AI data center water usage in Texas.

Colonel Eileen Collins, an SwRI advisory trustee and the first woman to pilot and command a NASA spacecraft has been on tour across the U.S. with her new documentary, “Spacewoman.” She stopped into the podcast studio to talk about the film based on her book, “Through the Glass Ceiling to the Stars.” As a NASA astronaut, Collins was part of four space missions, including serving as commander of the Return to Flight Mission following the Columbia disaster of 2003.

Listen now as Col. Collins discusses her path to NASA, the varied effects of space travel on the human body, how she overcame doubts and fears to venture back into space after tragedy and the documentary that dives deep into the darkest and most triumphant moments of her life.