The Science of Marvel

Science meets fantasy in this behind-the-scenes look at the Marvel Cinematic Universe—now you can experience the magic of the movies, and learn how to replicate it in real-life.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe is filled with extraordinary humans and abilities. There are teenaged geniuses swinging through the streets of New York, billionaires creating impenetrable armor in hidden caves, and aliens flying through wormholes to Earth. All of these characters seem to lie firmly in the realm of fantasy—but the technology behind them might not be as farfetched as you think…

The Science of Marvel pulls back the curtain and reveals the secrets behind Marvel movie magic, and shows us how to recreate these comic book wonders in our everyday life. Using quantum physics, a little bit of mechanical engineering, and some out-of-the-box thinking, you’ll be amazed to discover that it’s possible to create a real-life Captain America, Incredible Hulk, or Black Panther. The perfect gift or collectible for Marvel fans everywhere, The Science of Marvel brings beloved movies and characters to life like never before.

Sebastian Alvarado worked in the private biotech industry for four years before pursuing an academic career in graduate studies. He earned his PhD at McGill University where he learned about the molecular mechanisms that lend plasticity to biological systems. His research has given him an extensive background on environment-gene interactions and how they play important roles in the progression of cancer and chronic pain. Following his PhD, he received an A.P. Giannini postdoctoral fellowship to continue his research at Stanford University. Currently, he is an Assistant Professor at Queens College CUNY where he uses an African cichlid fish to understand molecular ecology, animal pigmentation, and behavioral neuroscience.