Episode 8: Crystal clear: The chemistry of materials with Dr Anna Regoutz (University College London)You might know more about solid state chemistry than you think! Whilst you’re cooking with your favourite pots and pans, scrolling on your phone or driving to work, chemical reactions are occurring between all of your essential everyday items. We speak with Dr Anna Regoutz, lecturer at University College London, to understand more about the unique properties and chemical bonds of the materials...

Episode 7 — Beauty and the Beaker: The chemistry of cosmetics with Laura Rudoe (Founder, Good Ventures)  From skincare to makeup, we can’t live without the products that make us look better and feel better about ourselves. As humans, we’ve been obsessed with cosmetics for thousands of years. But what does it really mean to put these personal care products on our skin, the largest organ of our bodies? How can chemistry contribute to responsible, sustainable, and body-friendly cosmetics? We...

Episode 6: Thymeless: Flavours, aromas and their chemicals causes with Professor Jane Parker (University of Reading)Whether you’re a sweet or savoury kind of person, or prefer something in between, we all have difference preferences when it comes to taste and smell. For example, why is it that some of us can’t get enough of the smell of petrol, but others despise it? We know that there are five basic tastes, but what’s the link between smell and taste? What makes different smells unique? This...

Episode 5: Trash Talking – Recycling: How does it work? with ProfessorVeena Sahajwalla (University of New South Wales)Recycling has become part of the daily routine for many of us, but are the processes in place as effective as they could be? Many of the items we consider recyclable can be difficult to recycle where we live. How do we make recycling the foundation of manufacturing? Or should the focus be on the material chemists to create more sustainable materials? We speak with Professor...

Episode 4: Over the Rainbow: The Chemistry of Colour with Professor Stephen Westland (University of Leeds) Colour is everywhere! From the sky to our feet, and leaves on trees to paint on our walls, we can’t get away from colour. But what is colour and where does it come from? And how do we experience colour? We speak with Professor Stephen Westland of the University of Leeds to explore the chemical structures that create colour, how it affects us, and what we need to know about the future of...

Episode 3: Believe it or Watt: Batteries in a Sustainable World with Dr Ieuan Seymour (University of Aberdeen)From the gadgets in our pockets to the wheels on the road, we need batteries to help the world go round. In this episode we examine the chemistry behind how batteries function, eco-friendly alternatives, and what materials we might need to offer more sustainable options for everyday consumers. We speak with Dr Ieuan Seymour, a researcher at the University of Aberdeen, to discuss how...

Episode 2 — Unbreakable: Forever chemicals with Professor AndrewTanentzap (Trent University, University of Cambridge)PFAs are extremely resistant ‘forever’ chemicals that have found their way into many of the products we use on a daily basis. Their strong carbon bonds make them difficult to break down, endangering our environment. How can we reverse the damage done by persistent pollutants? Do we have enough time to leverage natural processes to eliminate PFAs before it’s too late? We speak...

Episode 1 — Mind the 'synaptic' gap: The chemistry of the brain with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (University of Cambridge)SummaryPeople with mental health challenges were for a very long time completely misunderstood, but science is changing our knowledge of the brain. What causes issues with mental health in young people? How can chemistry contribute to treatments for mental health problems? We speak with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore leader of a research group at the University of...

Teaser trailer for Zwittering On! The world needs chemists more than ever! Will you join our conversation? Podcast launching February 6, 2024.