All articles by Simon Cotton

  • 1115CW_Review_ChematHome_300m
    Review

    Chemistry at home

    2015-11-05T00:00:00Z

    Home comforts

  • The mountains on the Blue Ridge Parkway
    Podcast

    Isoprene

    2015-08-26T00:00:00Z

    Why do the Blue Ridged Mountains inspire so many songs? Maybe it’s because of the Isoprene that gives them their blue hue…

  • 2,4 dinitrophenol powder
    Podcast

    2,4-Dinitrophenol

    2015-08-12T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton explains the explosive history and the dangers to health of 2,4-dinitrophenol

  • Skydivers
    Podcast

    Adrenaline

    2015-07-29T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton on the compound that turns a shrinking violet into a hero: Adrenaline

  • tear gas
    Podcast

    CS gas

    2015-04-22T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton examines a compound banned in warfare but still used by police to disperse crowds: CS gas

  • Petrol station pump
    Podcast

    Octane

    2015-04-01T00:00:00Z

    Start your engines! Simon Cotton looks into one of the few chemical names known well to the public: Octane

  • Prozac pills
    Podcast

    Prozac

    2015-03-18T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton introduces the first of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants: Prozac

  • A chest of gold, frankincense and myrrh
    Podcast

    Frankincense and myrrh

    2014-12-24T00:00:00Z

    In this seasonal podcast, we look at the compounds found in frankincense and myrrh

  • Tramadol pills
    Podcast

    Tramadol

    2014-11-26T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton introduces the painkiller tramadol – could this be the next banned drug in competitive cycling?

  • CW1214_Reviews_Rare_300m
    Review

    Rare: the high-stakes race to satisfy our need for the scarcest metals on earth

    2014-11-18T00:00:00Z

    Exceptional elements

  • Lophophora williamsii cactus with flower
    Podcast

    Psilocybin & Mescaline

    2014-11-12T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton explores our hallucinogenic horizons with psilocybin and mescaline

  • A bus destroyed by the London terrorism attack in 2005
    Podcast

    Acetone peroxide

    2014-10-15T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton takes us back to a dark day in UK history, to highlight a terrible use of acetone peroxide

  • A jet aeroplane being sprayed with antifreeze
    Podcast

    Glycerol

    2014-08-27T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton describes one of his favourite school chemistry experiments, involving this week’s compound: Glycerol

  • Burning of magnesium/Mg ribbon
    Podcast

    Magnesium oxide

    2014-08-13T00:00:00Z

    You may have created it in a fiery flash or taken it to soothe a burning stomach. Simon Cotton on magnesium oxide

  • 0314EiC_REVIEWS_Around-the-world_300m
    Review

    Around the world in 18 elements

    2014-05-29T00:00:00Z

    Elementary introductions

  • REVIEWS_The_Last_Alchemist_in_Paris_300m
    Review

    The last alchemist in Paris

    2014-04-29T00:00:00Z

    Storybook science

  • Antimicrobial susceptibility testing in petri dish
    Podcast

    Streptomycin

    2014-03-12T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton introduces the first antibiotic known to kill TB: streptomycin

  • White powder being inhaled through a $10 note
    Podcast

    Ketamine

    2014-02-19T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton explores a dance-scene drug that was designed for horses, ketamine

  • Runners
    Podcast

    Tetrahydrogestrinone

    2014-01-29T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton investigates tetrahydrogestrinone (THG), a designer steroid that sparked a sporting scandal

  • Paracetamol
    Podcast

    Paracetamol

    2014-01-15T00:00:00Z

    Simon Cotton looks back at the history of one of our favourite painkillers, paracetamol