How to build a superhero in 5 easy steps | Michelle Dickinson | TEDxWanaka

This talk was given at a local TEDx event, produced independently of the TED Conferences. Ever since she was young, Dr Michelle Dickinson dreamed of being a superhero. To follow her dreams Michelle has spent her career researching new technologies to help her strive towards engineering a superhero suit which pushes the boundaries of what we thought was possible. Imagine if you could stick to the walls like Spiderman, wear an invisibility cloak or carry a shield light and strong enough to withstand major impact.
When she was a little girl, Michelle Dickinson wanted to be a superhero. When she found out that was not a viable career option, she studied Fracture Mechanics at university instead. She emerged with a PhD in biomedical materials engineering, and now is a senior lecturer in Engineering at the University of Auckland as well as running New Zealand's only nanomechanical testing laboratory. Simply put, she makes and breaks little things (really little things-a nanemetre is a billionth of a metre), studying the mechanical properties, chemistry and structure of nano-materials, biological materials and thin films, as well as the problem of why things behave differently when they are very small. She gives frequent talks on all things nano, as well as the ways science can be used for good and not evil. A self-confessed adrenaline junkie, she enjoys kitesurfing, cycling, running, paddle boarding and martial arts, and makes videos as her superhero-like alter ego, Nanogirl.
www.medickinson.com
medickinson
www.tedxwanaka.com
TEDxWanaka: • TEDxWanaka 2014
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)

[@squatchinaround5515]

Came here for advice on how to create a comic book character, and stayed for solid life advice

[@TristanPang]

Amazing. You are one of my favourite scientists Michelle. You make complicated science concepts interesting and easy to understand. You are wonderful :)

[@MakanjuAbdulhakeem]

How can i make a spider man web shooter

[@AnonymousAnonymous-pp5of]

I have always been a comic book fan and superheros inspire me a lot. it's good to see someone talk about them

[@sianmckenzie3910]

Love this

[@PetarBozic]

Michelle, you are my super hero! (You actually made me cry once - with your kindness - luckily I passed your calss). Nanogirl! Check out her blog. Search Nanogirl. Keep up the great work!

[@Webber-sr3xk]

Why this don’t have more views???

[@theofakostas]

Dearest Dr Dickinson, your every sigh is worth the weight of some typa space Fregatte in Gold.
As a poet! Yours!

[@theofakostas]

Awesomeness that makes SheareAwesome Shampoo look so yestad-Dayy!!

[@bernardogalvan807]

Tedx WAKANDA?!?!

[@soldofpol7026]

I read it as Tedx Wakanda

[@justinharrison5433]

My name is Justin Harrison I wanted to make a Real Spider-man Costume that really allows me to stick to walls and spins webs from my wrists and allows me sense danger before my mask goes on what can I do to achieve this goal

[@SuperBlazeOfficial]

Be an engineer.

[@keanerobin6562]

Justin Harrison try sucktion cups

[@MakanjuAbdulhakeem]

How can i make a spider 🕸

[@rRoosterDoesStuff]

Iron Mans armor isn't iron

[@medickinson]

The first mention of Iron Man in the original comic from March 1963 did state that Iron Man's armour was made from iron, but there have been several iterations since then including the implication of a titanium alloy. Because of this, if you look at the dots on the front of my shield you will see that they represent the atomic structure of Titanium out of respect for Iron Man's suit.

[@skyshark88]

I have your invisibility shield .... so to speak.... it comes with.... ripples... of study... inward...

[@Crunketh]

Hawt

[@markberry8044]

A very sweet view of something the military will probably pay for later and use for invading lesser developed countries.

[@micheinnz]

You must be fun at parties.

[@destinyflame5622]

what about alluminam sorry about my gramar im 9

[@mr.matchbox2710]

I don't mean to sound rude but how did you turn a super hero creation advice about yourself?