Chemistry in its Element

  • Mosquito, feeding
    Podcast

    Citronellol

    23 March 2016

    Emma Stoye on citronellol - her constant companion when faced with biting bugs

  • Fluorescein angiogram
    Podcast

    Fluorescein

    16 March 2016

    Kat Arney discovers the compound that first coloured the Chicago river green for St Patrick’s Day

  • A violin
    Podcast

    Sodium hypochlorite

    9 March 2016

    What do hygienic work surfaces have in common with 19th century French violins? Brian Clegg finds out.

  • soft drink cans
    Podcast

    Brominated vegetable oil

    2 March 2016

    Too much cola can mess with your brain. The effects of excess brominated vegetable oil explained

  • Packet of Tamiflu pills
    Podcast

    Oseltamivir

    24 February 2016

    Oseltamivir, or Tamiflu, stockpiling during the 2009 H1N1 epidemic highlighted significant problems with drugs trials policy

  • Lady holding a flibanserin pill
    Podcast

    Flibanserin

    17 February 2016

    Flibanserin was touted to be the female Viagra. Martha Henriques explains why it failed to live up to the hype.

  • Men in gas masks
    Podcast

    Acrolein

    9 February 2016

    Michael Freemantle relates the history arolein, a poor tear gas with unexpected benefits

  • pine cone and cedrol
    Podcast

    Cedrol

    3 February 2016

    Raychelle Burks explains how the scent of cedar wood can be used to destroy pests

  • Man in protective clothing looking at fluorescing DNA slide
    Podcast

    Ethidium bromide

    27 January 2016

    Kat Arney shines a light on the fluorescent DNA marker

  • Man welding
    Podcast

    Calcium carbide

    19 January 2016

    Michael Freemantle tells us of discovery that lit the homes and put the food on the table of millions of people