Chemistry in its element

Batteries do a lot of quiet work in the sustainability pitch.

This episode covers the AAAS annual meeting, discussing the chaotic state of U.S.

A new Google DeepMind model gets a careful look.

Why is an atom hard to measure?

This episode explores ionic liquids - salts that remain liquid at room temperature due to their bulky molecular structure.

This episode explores the discovery of leptin, a hormone that regulates hunger and body weight, starting from obese mice in 1950 to Jeffrey Friedman's breakthrough in 1994.

This episode explores the story of ritonavir, an HIV drug, and its unexpected polymorph crisis in 1998, where a new, more stable crystal form halted production and cost Abbott Laboratories $250 million.

This episode explores oxybenzone, a common sunscreen ingredient, discussing its chemical properties, history from early sunscreens, and controversial environmental impact on coral reefs, including bans and scientific debates over its safety and alternatives like shinarine.

The Chemical Breakdown examines Marsha McNutt’s final address as president of the U.S.

Chemistry in its element marks 25 years of click chemistry, a molecular assembly approach formalized in a 2001 review paper cited almost 20,000 times.

Lab gloves produced stearate signals that standard spectra libraries misidentified as polyethylene microplastics.

Chemistry in its element’s Battery Week edition compares lithium nickel manganese cobalt cathodes with lithium iron phosphate cathodes, contrasting NMC’s longer range with LFP’s lower cost and longer lifetime.

Chemistry World's The Chemical Breakdown, hosted by Mariana Kneppers, examines why vanadium compounds with early type 2 diabetes promise never reached pharmacies, citing the late-1990s and 2008 funding collapses and expired patents.

Stainless steel balls assumed inert in a Japanese mechanochemistry study shed iron and chromium particles that activated nickel salts in cross-coupling reactions.

Supercooled water gets weird.

This episode explores zeolites, a family of aluminosilicate minerals with porous molecular structures, their chemical composition, naming origins, and historical anecdotes.

This episode recounts the catastrophic 1937 Hindenburg airship disaster, detailing its fiery crash, casualties, and the role of flammable hydrogen gas.

This episode explores the discovery of beta-damascenone, a key fragrance compound in roses and bourbon, through a historical account of chemical research in the 1960s.

This episode explores gallium arsenide as a high-performance semiconductor that outperforms silicon in quality applications despite its higher cost.

This episode explores electrum, a natural alloy of gold and silver, detailing its composition, properties, uses, and chemical characteristics.

This episode discusses the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for discoveries on how cells sense oxygen, highlighting the chemistry behind the biology.

This episode explores the chemistry behind marine food poisoning in the Philippines, focusing on ciguatera from seafood.

This episode explains how ACE inhibitors like Ramipril work to treat high blood pressure by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme.

This episode explores the chemistry and history of hedione, a synthetic compound used in perfumery that may stimulate a sexual response in humans.

This episode explores the chemical compound sodium fluoroacetate (1080), its history, mechanism of toxicity, and use as a pesticide.

This episode explores the mineral lazurite, its role in creating the pigment lapis lazuli, and its historical significance.

This episode explores the role of arsenic in modern medicine, specifically as a treatment for sleeping sickness.

This episode explains the chemistry of omega-3 fatty acids and their role in cell membranes.

This episode explores the hazardous development of cacodyl compounds as chemical weapons, focusing on Fritz Haber's lab explosion.

This episode explores the history and chemistry of bronze, from its role in the ancient Bronze Age to its use in Olympic medals.

This episode explores the chemistry behind ellagic acid in whiskey and its potential health benefits.

This episode explores the psychoactive and poisonous properties of nutmeg, focusing on its chemical component myristicin.

This episode explores the history and impact of plutonium, from the first nuclear bomb to its lingering effects on steel production.

This episode explores the surprising properties and uses of tin-2 chloride, from its unusual structure to its role in tin plating and mirror making.

This episode explains the chemistry behind why chopping onions makes you cry, focusing on the compound PSO and the enzymatic reaction that produces it.

This episode explores the chemistry and personal memories associated with epoxy resin, explaining its structure and curing process.

This episode tells the story of footballer Mathieu Flamini's secret venture into green chemistry and the production of levulinic acid from biomass.

This episode explains how grapefruit juice can interact with medications through furanocoumarins affecting cytochrome P450 enzymes.

This episode explores the history, chemistry, and diverse applications of phenolphthalein, from pH indicator to concrete carbonation test.

The episode explores the historical and cultural significance of the balm of Gilead, a perfumed ointment mentioned in a royal wedding sermon.

This episode explores anatoxin-a, a potent neurotoxin produced by cyanobacteria in algal blooms, detailing its deadly effects through a tragic case of a teenager's death after swimming in a contaminated pond.

This episode explores the history and effectiveness of colchicine, an ancient treatment for gout derived from the autumn crocus flower, with references to famous sufferers like Benjamin Franklin.

This episode explores the history and chemistry of indigo dye, tracing its use from ancient body art to modern textiles like blue jeans.

This episode discusses pentylone, a substituted cathinone drug that has emerged as a dangerous illicit substance in recent years, comparing it to historical drug issues like those at Woodstock and explaining how such drugs are often adulterated.