The Question

If you could collaborate with any fictional character on an engineering project, who would it be, and what would you create together?

Lane Martin
Robert A. Welch Professor of Materials Science and NanoEngineering, Chemistry, and Physics and Astronomy
Director, Rice Advanced Materials Institute

“I think I'd like to work with Dr. Emmett Lathrop Brown (aka Doc Brown) from the Back to the Future series. Time machines, flying cars, flux capacitors, brain-wave analyzers, the "Mr. Fusion Home Energy Reactor"...what's not to love! First off, he just seems like he'd be a fun person to work with - zany and open to new ideas. In particular, I'd like to work on some next-generation energy sources with him. How do you pack massive amounts of energy into small volumes? How do you convert waste into usable high quality energy? What even is a flux capacitor, by the way? Being able to convert energy from one form to another - with high efficiency and at high energy densities - would be a huge advance that could change the world in many ways.”

Patience Chimboza
Engineering Management and Leadership ’26

“I would collaborate with Shuri from Marvel’s Black Panther. As Wakanda’s tech genius and princess, her innovative mind and passion for futuristic technology would make her the perfect engineering partner. Together, we’d create a sustainable energy grid using Vibranium-powered tech, aimed at providing clean energy to remote or underserved communities worldwide. Her blend of scientific brilliance and cultural awareness would ensure our design is both efficient and inclusive. Working alongside her would be both inspiring and transformative, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible while making a real-world impact. Plus, who wouldn’t want to build with Wakandan tech?”

Lovin George
Mechanical Engineering ’25
“If I could work with any fictional character, I’d choose Spider-Man as he finds ways to build solutions with limited resources. We could work on something futuristic such as a cold fusion reactor that harnesses low energy nuclear reactions for clean, limitless power. With his experience in creating web shooters, we could branch out and also work on wearable technology that improves daily life.”

Clayton Waski
Civil Engineering ’27
“If I could collaborate with any fictional engineer, I would have to choose Angus MacGyver from MacGyver. I grew up watching both the classic show and the reboot, and his ability to create and improvise such amazing inventions out of nothing but everyday household items was incredibly inspirational to me. Along with MythBusters, MacGyver is one of the shows that helped me fall in love with engineering. I have no idea what we would build, but I would love to take him into the OEDK and see what wonders we could create together.”

Monique Hartemink
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering ’18:
"Channeling my inner kid here, I would love to team up with Phineas and Ferb (yes, from the 2000s cartoon show)! I mean... who wouldn't want to spend 104 days of summer vacation building over-the-top engineering wonders? Whether it's a rollercoaster through the neighborhood or a time machine in the backyard, Phineas and Ferb's ability to dream big and bring bold ideas to life is exactly the kind of energy I would want on a team. Working on any project with them would be fun -- half the adventure would be in not knowing what idea they’ll come up with next!"

Ashton Duke
Mechanical Engineering ’19
"I would work with the Doctor from Doctor Who! The Doctor is a "Time Lord" that travels through time and space in a "TARDIS" saving worlds and civilizations using only wit, sonic screwdriver, and incredible brain power. In one episode, the Doctor encounters an inventor that develops a device that cancels out carbon emissions from cars. The inventor turned out to be the episode's villain and tried to poison the Earth's atmosphere for an alien race to take over. I would love to change the narrative and work with the Doctor to develop a device that makes every car carbon-free without poisoning everyone!"

Alan Salceda Monge
Master of Engineering Management & Leadership ’26
"If I had the chance to work with a fictional character, I would definitely choose Harry Potter because J.K. Rowling’s books were my favorite growing up. I would collaborate with Harry to create an AI-integrated wand for wizards. This wand would give wizards access to a database of spells without needing to memorize them all. It would also sense the wizard’s mood and context to suggest the most appropriate spell. My only concern would be the access to deadly spells; we would probably ban them in the database."

NEXT ISSUE:

What is one engineering challenge you wish could be solved in your lifetime and why?

Send responses to the editor: Rice Engineering and Computing Magazine, Rice University MS 364, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251 or email engrnews@rice.edu.