In this special podcast produced in partnership with Waters Corporation, find out how understanding the chemistry and materials that go into batteries marks the first step towards making them safer and increasing energy density, and unlocks new opportunities for reuse and recycling

In this special podcast produced in partnership with Waters Corporation, find out how understanding the chemistry and materials that go into batteries marks the first step towards making them safer and increasing energy density, and unlocks new opportunities for reuse and recycling

Batteries: The bedrock of the sustainable future

How did a tree bark from Sri Lanka become one of the essential flavours of the festive season? We explore the history of cinnamon and the compound that gives it its distinctive taste and aroma  

How did a tree bark from Sri Lanka become one of the essential flavours of the festive season? We explore the history of cinnamon and the compound that gives it its distinctive taste and aroma

Cinnamaldehyde: Chemistry in its element

A compound so explosively unstable that nobody has been able to measure how sensitive it is without it, well, exploding.

A compound so explosively unstable that nobody has been able to measure how sensitive it is without it, well, exploding.

Azidoazide azide: Chemistry in its element

How one of mankind's oldest pigments helped shepherds secure their sheep and inspired one of the most popular songs of the twentieth century

How one of mankind's oldest pigments helped shepherds secure their sheep and inspired one of the most popular songs of the twentieth century

Ochre: Chemistry in its element

A sweet compound that provides ample energy for extreme endurance events – find out how maltodextrin helped Anna Ploszajski swim the English channel

A sweet compound that provides ample energy for extreme endurance events – find out how maltodextrin helped Anna Ploszajski swim the English channel

Maltodextrin: Chemistry in its element

Liquid salts, ionic melts, fused salts, or ionic glasses – call them what you like, these much-hyped solvents show great promise. Katrina Krämer speaks to chemical engineer Jason Bara about ionic liquids.

Liquid salts, ionic melts, fused salts, or ionic glasses – call them what you like, these much-hyped solvents show great promise. Katrina Krämer speaks to chemical engineer Jason Bara about ionic liquids.

Ionic liquids: Chemistry in its element

An antimicrobial compound that kills bacteria and viruses quickly – found in some of the most colourful antiseptic solutions 

An antimicrobial compound that kills bacteria and viruses quickly – found in some of the most colourful antiseptic solutions

Chlorhexidine: Chemistry in its element

Does asparagus give you foul-smelling urine? Helen Arney investigates asparagusic acid, and the lavatorial genetic lottery that controls whether or not you can smell its distinctive aroma

Does asparagus give you foul-smelling urine? Helen Arney investigates asparagusic acid, and the lavatorial genetic lottery that controls whether or not you can smell its distinctive aroma

Asparagusic acid: Chemistry in its element

A sweet treat with a deadly trick for Halloween – glycyrrhizic acid, or glycyrrhizin, is found in black liquorice and sweeter than sucrose, but can cause heart problems and even prove fatal if consumed in excess

A sweet treat with a deadly trick for Halloween – glycyrrhizic acid, or glycyrrhizin, is found in black liquorice and sweeter than sucrose, but can cause heart problems and even prove fatal if consumed in excess

Glycyrrhizic acid: Chemistry in its element

Also known as 'milk of amnesia', propofol helps to prevent perception of pain in surgery – just don't forget its dangerous side

Also known as 'milk of amnesia', propofol helps to prevent perception of pain in surgery – just don't forget its dangerous side

Propofol: Chemistry in its element

A weekly tour of the periodic table, from Chemistry World, the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Podcast is great. New theme song is terrible. Bring back the original, please.

Theme song woes.

For the love of god, please bring back the old-time fiddle intro.

Content so good, 2020 intro so bad

Chemistry in its element

Lars Öhrström on phosphoric acid: Crucial for crops and DNA's backbone, it's the energy currency of the biological world

Phosphoric Acid: Chemistry in its element

Josh Howgego prepares to socialise - and tells us why 'cuddle chemicals' are too good to be true

Oxytocin: Chemistry in its element

Can a compound in red wine protect against heart attack and cancer? Phillip Broadwith investigates resveratrol

Resveratrol: Chemistry in its element

Brian Clegg introduces gallium arsenide – the supercar of the semiconductor scene

Brian Clegg introduces gallium arsenide – the supercar of the semiconductor scene

Gallium arsenide: Chemistry in its element

Blue flashes and metallic water are just some of the tricks the smallest possible anion has up its sleeve

Blue flashes and metallic water are just some of the tricks the smallest possible anion has up its sleeve

Solvated electrons: Chemistry in its element

The whitest smile, the blondest blonde, the clearest complexion – all from one essential compound. Fernando Gomollón-Bel introduces benzoyl peroxide

The whitest smile, the blondest blonde, the clearest complexion – all from one essential compound. Fernando Gomollón-Bel introduces benzoyl peroxide

Benzoyl peroxide: Chemistry in its element

Brian Clegg explains how bath salts may actually be more than just relaxing

Magnesium sulfate: Chemistry in its element

Brian Clegg introduces a crystalline hydrocarbon that isn't as tough as it sounds, but is the basis of a wide range of medicines

Brian Clegg introduces a crystalline hydrocarbon that isn't as tough as it sounds, but is the basis of a wide range of medicines

Adamantane: Chemistry in its element

Kat Arney explains how a protein that repairs broken DNA holds the key to killing cancer cells – but only if you stop it from doing its job

Kat Arney explains how a protein that repairs broken DNA holds the key to killing cancer cells – but only if you stop it from doing its job

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP): Chemistry in its element

From medicine to the military, this compound makes lasers for a range of applications. Brian Clegg discovers neodymium chloride

From medicine to the military, this compound makes lasers for a range of applications. Brian Clegg discovers neodymium chloride

Neodymium chloride: Chemistry in its element

With thoughts turning to our festively-expanded waistlines, Kit Chapman looks at a poster child in the battle against obesity

With thoughts turning to our festively-expanded waistlines, Kit Chapman looks at a poster child in the battle against obesity

Orlistat: Chemistry in its element

Ben Valsler with the story of Charlotte Figi, Dravet syndrome and the cannabis compound controlling her condition.

Ben Valsler with the story of Charlotte Figi, Dravet syndrome and the cannabis compound controlling her condition.

Cannabidiol: Chemistry in its element

This week, Neil Withers examines a compound with the 'wrong' number of bonds: Diborane

This week, Neil Withers examines a compound with the 'wrong' number of bonds: Diborane

Diborane: Chemistry in its element

Kat Arney investigates the biological pigment that links sun tanning, squid ink and browning bananas

Kat Arney investigates the biological pigment that links sun tanning, squid ink and browning bananas

Melanin: Chemistry in its element

Simon Cotton looks at the rocket propellant that causes environmental problems

Nitrogen dioxide: Chemistry in its element

Kit Chapman explains how a 'daft' pharmacy mix up led to a series of poisonings in Victorian Britain

Kit Chapman explains how a 'daft' pharmacy mix up led to a series of poisonings in Victorian Britain

Arsenic trioxide: Chemistry in its element

Brian Clegg has a sniff at the bitterest substance known to science

Denatonium benzoate: Chemistry in its element

Katrina Krämer investigates the sad case of Christopher McCandless, who some believe consumed the poison swainsonine in the Alaskan wilderness

Katrina Krämer investigates the sad case of Christopher McCandless, who some believe consumed the poison swainsonine in the Alaskan wilderness

Swainsonine: Chemistry in its element

A 1960s breakthrough in pain relief that now fuels the opioid crisis

A 1960s breakthrough in pain relief that now fuels the opioid crisis

Fentanyl: Chemistry in its element

Acetylcysteine is a versatile drug, helping manage lung conditions and treat paracetamol overdose. But, as Ben Valsler discovers, it has found itself at the centre of a cycling controversy

Acetylcysteine is a versatile drug, helping manage lung conditions and treat paracetamol overdose. But, as Ben Valsler discovers, it has found itself at the centre of a cycling controversy

Acetylcysteine: Chemistry in its element

The best podcasts about ourselves as well as the world through the lense of Science. Specific topics include things about our brain, emotions to biology, physics and more!

Best Episodes on Science, Humans & The World

The best podcast episodes about true crime. For any thrill seeking podcast listeners who just can't get enough of the captivating stories of murderers and criminals. This topic has all the best episodes from many different true crime podcasts.  Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!