The first cars didn’t run on gas—they ran on electricity. Over a century later, the high cost of fuel has finally forced automakers to take the possibility of battery-powered cars seriously. On today’s show we look at three kinds of batteries that have been proposed as transportation solutions. We start with nickel hydride batteries, the [...]

This week we celebrate the opening of the Chemical Heritage Foundation’s new museum! First, we take a look at the periodic table as a whole and how it came to be recognized in its current form. Be sure to check out the YouTube video above, which showcases just one of the many videos on the [...]

There’s nothing quite like a good night’s rest to recharge the body and restore the spirits. Today’s show looks at the science of sleep—and insomnia. We start off with the sun’s role in establishing human biorhythms. Next, we look at modern medicine’s approach to the ancient problem of snoring. Producer Catherine Giradeau wraps up the [...]

According to Newton’s third law, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In this week’s episode we explore causes and their effects in several different ways. We begin with francium—an element that has a half-life of only 22 minutes. Next Gigi Naglak tells us about pheromones in perfumes in Chemistry in your [...]

Breaking through the glass ceiling can be tough, especially when you are a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. This week’s episode takes a look at women in chemistry. First, we learn about the brave physicist after whom meitnerium is named. Then we talk with Donna Nelson, a chemistry professor and spokeswoman for women in [...]

5 of 46 episodes displayed
View All Episodes >
(41 more)