This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Imagine being able to hold all the material it took to build an airplane in the palm of your hand. Julia Greer combines different design structures at varying nano-scales to create super strong and super light materials. Her research is changing the landscape of materials available today.

Julia Greer researches lightweight, 3-dimensional nano-architectures and designs experiments to assess their properties and deformation mechanisms. These ‘nano-metamaterials’ have multiple applications, which provide a rich ‘playground’ for fundamental scientific pursuits. Greer, professor of Materials Science at CalTech, has a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from Stanford University. She was recognized as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2014. She is also an accomplished concert pianist.

About TEDx, x = independently organized event In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)