Cortisol & Hydrocortisone: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg investigates a compound that calms inflamed joints and excites the stressed brain: Cortisol
Jun 16, 2015•6 min
Chemistry in its element
A weekly tour of the periodic table, from Chemistry World, the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry.
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Episodes
Parabens: Chemistry in its element
Ben Valsler examines the chemicals at the heart of one of the latest cosmetic & food additive scare stories: Parabens
Jun 10, 2015•6 min
Phosgene: Chemistry in its element
Matt Gunther investigates a clear, colourless gas responsible for thousands of deaths in the Great War: Phosgene
Jun 03, 2015•6 min
Calcium hydroxide: Chemistry in its element
It rendered walls of pyramids and helps remove unwanted hair - Brian Clegg introduces a compound with many names - Calcium hydroxide
May 27, 2015•6 min
Nacre: Chemistry in its element
From a glamorous necklace to cutting edge body armour - Helen Scales investigates the properties of nacre
May 20, 2015•5 min
Hyaluronic acid: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg smooths out the wrinkles over the darling of the cosmetic industry, hyaluronic acid
May 13, 2015•6 min
Mussel adhesive proteins: Chemistry in its element
How do mussels stick tight and weather the constant ocean waves? Helen Scales discovers mussel adhesive proteins
May 06, 2015•5 min
Acetylene: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg introduces a compound steeped in faded Victorian glamour – acetylene
Apr 29, 2015•7 min
CS gas: Chemistry in its element
Simon Cotton examines a compound banned in warfare but still used by police to disperse crowds: CS gas
Apr 22, 2015•6 min
Goethite: Chemistry in its element
It's the strongest known biological material and one of the earliest pigments - Helen Scales discovers goethite
Apr 16, 2015•5 min
Niacin: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg discusses the vitamin found in both breakfast cereal and meteorites: Niacin
Apr 08, 2015•7 min
Octane: Chemistry in its element
Start your engines! Simon Cotton looks into one of the few chemical names known well to the public: Octane
Apr 01, 2015•7 min
Fluorides: Chemistry in its element
Sensible approach to dental rot or sinister communist plot? Brian Clegg examines the much-maligned fluorides
Mar 25, 2015•7 min
Prozac: Chemistry in its element
Simon Cotton introduces the first of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: Prozac
Mar 18, 2015•7 min
Sodium thiopental: Chemistry in its element
Once thought to extract the truth and now used to enact the ultimate punishment, this week's compound is sodium thiopental
Mar 11, 2015•6 min
Barbituric acid: Chemistry in its element
It may have been largely superceded in the clinic but Phil Robinson discovers there is no rest yet for barbituric acid
Mar 04, 2015•8 min
RNA: Chemistry in its element
RNA may be less famous than it's more stable cousin, but is central to cellular function
Feb 25, 2015•5 min
Hydrofluoric acid : Chemistry in its element
Breaking Bad may have exaggerated its body-dissolving effects, but Katrina Krämer finds the truth about hydrofluoric acid is just as gruesome
Feb 18, 2015•6 min
Borax: Chemistry in its element
From lemon-fresh detergent to home made silly putty, Jenna Bilbrey expounds the virtues of borax
Feb 11, 2015•6 min
PEDOT: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg introduces the 'ogres' that make up transparent electronics
Feb 04, 2015•6 min
Grubbs catalyst: Chemistry in its element
Nina Notman describes the dance of olefin metathesis, and how the tempo is set by Grubbs' catalysts
Jan 28, 2015•4 min
Titanium nitride: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg explains how titanium nitride could protect artificial joints and pimp out your ride
Jan 21, 2015•5 min
Tungsten carbide: Chemistry in its element
Matt Gunther introduces the alloy that links armour-piercing bullets and ball point pens: Tungsten carbide
Jan 14, 2015•6 min
Paraquat: Chemistry in its element
Brian Clegg introduces a weedkiller whose name has entered public consciousness – Paraquat
Jan 07, 2015•7 min
Frankincense and myrrh: Chemistry in its element
In this seasonal podcast, we look at the compounds found in frankincense and myrrh
Dec 24, 20140
Isoniazid: Chemistry in its element
Nina Notman introduces isoniazid - an antibiotic key to treating tuberculosis
Dec 17, 2014•5 min
Aspartame: Chemistry in its element
Could this be the sweetener that causes the most online panic?
Dec 10, 2014•6 min
Cannabicyclohexanol: Chemistry in its element
Used to make synthetic cannabis, cannabicyclohexanol may be more risky than its non-synthetic counterpart
Dec 03, 2014•5 min
Tramadol: Chemistry in its element
Simon Cotton introduces the painkiller tramadol – could this be the next banned drug in competitive cycling?
Nov 26, 2014•6 min
Insulin: Chemistry in its element
A protein with an impressive roster of 'firsts': Anna Lewcock introduces insulin
Nov 19, 20140
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