Outreach

Science Communication

Auf Spurensuche im Metall

Ronak Shoghi and Jan Schmidt
ICAMS, Ruhr University Bochum

I am interested in communicating materials science to a broader audience through accessible explanations, storytelling, and visual media. As part of this effort, I co-developed The Riddle of the Ruined Ride, a documentary-style short film that brings the invisible world of metals to life.

The film was created in collaboration between researchers at Ruhr University Bochum and the university’s science communication team. It was later featured on RUB’s official science communication platform under the title Auf Spurensuche im Metall.

The film uses a story-driven format to explain materials science. It follows a cyclist whose bicycle frame unexpectedly fractures during a race. To understand the cause of the failure, the case is investigated at ICAMS using microstructural analysis and computational modeling.

The project introduces concepts such as Electron Backscatter Diffraction (EBSD), representative volume elements (RVEs), and microstructure-based simulations in a way that connects materials research to an everyday engineering problem.

My role focused on translating complex materials science concepts into accessible explanations while maintaining scientific accuracy. I contributed to the script, supported the presentation of research methods, and helped explain how computational simulations and microstructural analysis can be used to understand and predict material failure.

Links to the film and related content:

Educational videos

I am currently working on creating educational videos that explain key concepts in materials science and computational modeling in an accessible way. These videos will cover topics such as microstructure-property relationships, finite element analysis, and machine learning applications in materials science. The goal is to provide resources for students, researchers, and anyone interested in learning about materials science in an engaging format.