Catalyst: Shaping the Future

Join “Catalyst” host Vanessa Ruiz as she explores research at Arizona State University that includes an artificial tree that can reduce carbon dioxide as well as advances in swarm intelligence in robots, which impacts technology such as driverless vehicles. The premiere episode also looks at how viruses can be used to combat diseases and how teams work under pressure using technology.

This week, Catalyst travels the world highlighting the fieldwork being done for The Human Generosity Project. The project uses multiple methodologies to explore the nature of generosity in people and cultures around the globe.

Catalyst takes a closer look at things we normally don’t want to touch to find clues for making our lives healthier. Whether it’s in the fibers of a spider web, a city’s sewage system or single drop of blood, we explore biological clues to a better future.

On the next Catalyst, scientists explore how to best care for mothers, how to vaccinate bees, and why it’s important to research a planet humans may never visit.

This week on Catalyst, learn how fruit flies may hold the answer to tissue regeneration, how nurses may suffer from compassion fatigue and how one science librarian is saving and sharing seeds.

This week on Catalyst, researchers explore new ways to power satellites through space, experiment with swine vaccinations, build robotic fish and imagine a cell phone microscope.

This week on Catalyst, researchers explore the relationship between capsaicin and metabolic rate, new ways to study structural biology with CryoEM, and a more efficient way to empty trash cans.

This week, Catalyst goes into the labs of the leading research scientists in the Valley as they work to better understand what causes Alzheimer’s Disease and as they continue to search for a cure.

Catalyst takes a closer look at wildlife living the city life and what researchers are learning about animal behavior. How does urban life affect birds? Scientists have nicknamed the research project the “Sex and the City” study. Nutritionists look into the gluten-free fad and discover some surprising results.

This week's Catalyst examines two major issues affecting the health of the world’s oceans: plastics and fertilizer. Learn what Arizona State University researchers are doing to solve the problem. Also in this episode, the story of a former high school athlete and current ASU graduate student who is working to create a product that would help athletes beat performance anxiety.

This week on Catalyst, the show examines how a new device could help save the lives of chronically ill patients. Catalyst also talks to experts about Valley infrastructure. Can it withstand the growing desert population? How can engineers create building materials that are more sustainable?

Catalyst follows a team of scientists who while sequencing the Saguaro cactus made a surprising discovery. Catalyst also joins a Saguaro fruit harvest in the Saguaro National Forest.

The season finale of "Catalyst" shows you how and why researchers dig for answers to difficult problems. In this episode, we meet the man with the vision that brought Catalyst to life. You’ll also see six stories that together create a picture of the people and purpose the show captures.