Superpowers inspire scientific advancements

Comic books and superheroes have been considered just a fantasy, but scientists are now making efforts to turn superpowers into reality.
Professor James Kakalios, director of undergraduate studies in the physics department, spoke Wednesday about the connections between superheroes and materials science, while sporting a “Fantastic Four” tie.
“You can take anything from comics, TV shows, movies — basically anything — and apply them to materials science,” Kakalios said.
Kakalios discussed how scientists have created “gecko tape” that uses millions of microscopic fibers, which creates an effect comparable to Spider-Man’s wall-crawling abilities.
Kakalios also said DC Comics’ The Flash’s ability to stop on a dime or Marvel’s Mr. Fantastic ’s stretching ability can be applied in science.
While Kakalios said he explores scientific aspects of comics, he doesn’t take everything too seriously.
“They couldn’t put it in the movie if it wasn’t true, right?” Kakalios said.
Comic book fans like Nathan Smith , an ancient history senior, have shown interest in such studies but can see a downside.
“It’s really cool but, in some senses, it’s kind of scary too, though,” Smith, a former Marvel intern, said.
“As much as I love reading about comic book heroes and superheroes, and it would be fantastic to live in a world like that,” Smith said, “those places are kind of dangerous.”
Professor Allen Goldman, head of physics, introduced Kakalios to the audience.
“For people really into physics, it’s sort of a sideshow or entertainment,” Goldman said. “It really gets people outside the department interested.”
Kakalios has done research on numerous subjects that go unnoticed by the public, but the link between comic books and popular culture has given him international recognition, he said.
Kakalios wrote “The Physics of Superheroes, “ which explains the scientific aspects of superheroes. He began teaching a freshman seminar in 2001 called “Everything I Know about Physics I Learned by Reading Comic Books.”
Applying materials science to comic books gives students a new perspective on physics, he said.
“Students always think examples we use are artificial and divorced from reality,” Kakalios said. “So now we are taking extremely artificial concepts so divorced from reality to show you can apply materials science to just about everything.”
Chemical engineering sophomore and comic book reader Balazs Hegedus said he is interested in the research’s potential.
“I think there are lots of more abstract ideas that can develop from things like that,” Hegedus said. “Things that seem to have no relation to reality but can actually inspire ideas and technology.”