Engineering Hobby - January 2017

The science of superheroes.

Suveen Mathaudhu, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the University of California, is a comic-book enthusiast.

His earliest memories are as a five-year-old watching Spiderman, Batman, Wonder Woman and Hulk cartoons at his grandparents’ house. “As I got older I started reading comic books,” he says. “I started to see the connections between real engineering and science: many superheroes are engineers or scientists. My engineering interests – metallurgy – lined up with superhero stories, for example Wolverine’s claws, Thor’s hammer, and Iron Man’s suit.

“Now, I incorporate the science of superheroes into my lectures.”

Mathaudhu enjoys comics because they are our modern mythology and tell stories about the human race. “I enjoy the way that comics have captured the technology of the times. For example, the Second World War (Captain America), the nuclear age (Hulk and Spiderman), the space race (Fantastic Four), and now things like nanotechnology.”

Mathaudhu says that presenting a talk on the science of superheroes to US congressional leaders is the best experience he has had pursuing his hobby.

“My knowledge of superheroes has allowed me to connect the science and technology I research as an engineer to a broad audience,” he adds. “Superhero stories cross genders, cultures, nations, ages, and thus are accessible by everyone.”

Do you have an interesting hobby? Email liz.wells@caspianmedia.com