Kit Chapman on the simple polymer that preserves and protects ancient artifacts, and saved a historical Swedish shipwreck from complete collapse
Kit Chapman on the simple polymer that preserves and protects ancient artifacts, and saved a historical Swedish shipwreck from complete collapse
Mike Freemantle on the iron compound that has been turning oak gall extract into indelible ink for centuries, but is now eating though our ancient manuscripts and musical scores
Mike Freemantle on the iron compound that has been turning oak gall extract into indelible ink for centuries, but is now eating though our ancient manuscripts and musical scores
The mysterious enzyme that can beat the world's biggest chemical process when it comes to breaking the dinitrogen triple bond
The mysterious enzyme that can beat the world's biggest chemical process when it comes to breaking the dinitrogen triple bond
A brilliant rich blue rock, prized in antiquity as a gemstone and a prominent pigment, lazurite is the basis of lapis lazuli, the original ultramarine paint and – as Brian Clegg finds – it even adorns Tutankhamun's death mask.
A brilliant rich blue rock, prized in antiquity as a gemstone and a prominent pigment, lazurite is the basis of lapis lazuli, the original ultramarine paint and – as Brian Clegg finds – it even adorns Tutankhamun's death mask.
Cases of sleeping sickness – human African trypanosomiasis – are in decline, dropping 86% in Africa between 2000 and 2014. Gege Li explores the role that this toxic, arsenic-based medication has to play.
Cases of sleeping sickness – human African trypanosomiasis – are in decline, dropping 86% in Africa between 2000 and 2014. Gege Li explores the role that this toxic, arsenic-based medication has to play.
Many consume cod liver oil due to 'a vague sense we should be taking them for something' – but what to the omega-3 fatty acids actually do?
Many consume cod liver oil due to 'a vague sense we should be taking them for something' – but what to the omega-3 fatty acids actually do?
It made Robert Bunsen seriously ill, Michael Faraday thought it 'barbaric' to use in battle and even Fritz Haber – the 'father of chemical warfare' – abandoned it after a fatal accident in his lab. This week, Mike Freemantle tells the story of tetramethyldiarsine, otherwise known as cacodyl.
It made Robert Bunsen seriously ill, Michael Faraday thought it 'barbaric' to use in battle and even Fritz Haber – the 'father of chemical warfare' – abandoned it after a fatal accident in his lab. This week, Mike Freemantle tells the story of tetramethyldiarsine, otherwise known as cacodyl.
Kit Chapman takes us back to the 1904 Olympics in St Louis, via the bronze age and ancient Greece
Kit Chapman takes us back to the 1904 Olympics in St Louis, via the bronze age and ancient Greece
Louise Crane introduces the antioxidant that led to exaggerated claims that 'whisky helps fight cancer'
Louise Crane introduces the antioxidant that led to exaggerated claims that 'whisky helps fight cancer'
The spice that gives your Christmas eggnog its distinctive taste and aroma is also a toxic narcotic that played an important role in international history. Florence Schechter shares the history of myristicin – the active ingredient in nutmeg
The spice that gives your Christmas eggnog its distinctive taste and aroma is also a toxic narcotic that played an important role in international history. Florence Schechter shares the history of myristicin – the active ingredient in nutmeg
Post-nuclear steel is a little bit radioactive, so for some specialist jobs we need to find a source of steel from before the bomb
Post-nuclear steel is a little bit radioactive, so for some specialist jobs we need to find a source of steel from before the bomb
The compounds that put the 'tin' in tin cans and help you to reflect on your appearance
The compounds that put the 'tin' in tin cans and help you to reflect on your appearance
Kat Arney's investigation of the pungent chemical in onions is enough to bring tears to your eyes
Kat Arney's investigation of the pungent chemical in onions is enough to bring tears to your eyes
Epoxies – including hard-wearing resins and strong adhesives – can be found almost everywhere, from your household white goods to the Large Hadron Collider. And the aroma of these compounds cemented their place in Brian Clegg's childhood memories.
Epoxies – including hard-wearing resins and strong adhesives – can be found almost everywhere, from your household white goods to the Large Hadron Collider. And the aroma of these compounds cemented their place in Brian Clegg's childhood memories.
How one footballer's climate concerns led to the creation of a green chemistry company: Mike Freemantle discovers the story of Mathieu Flamini, GFBiochemicals and levulinic acid.
How one footballer's climate concerns led to the creation of a green chemistry company: Mike Freemantle discovers the story of Mathieu Flamini, GFBiochemicals and levulinic acid.
Florence Schechter discovers how a seemingly healthy grapefruit-based breakfast could disrupt your daily drugs
Florence Schechter discovers how a seemingly healthy grapefruit-based breakfast could disrupt your daily drugs
Kat Arney gets to the bottom of the story of phenolphthalein – a chemical with two very different uses. If you've measured pH in a classroom or had some trouble in the bathroom, you may have met this compound before.
Kat Arney gets to the bottom of the story of phenolphthalein – a chemical with two very different uses. If you've measured pH in a classroom or had some trouble in the bathroom, you may have met this compound before.
A biologically active compound from the biblical balm of Gilead, said to 'heal the sin-sick soul'
A biologically active compound from the biblical balm of Gilead, said to 'heal the sin-sick soul'
Gege Li on the compound formerly known by the no-nonsense name 'very fast death factor'
Gege Li on the compound formerly known by the no-nonsense name 'very fast death factor'
Florence Schechter introduces an ancient, but effective, treatment for painful attacks of gout
Florence Schechter introduces an ancient, but effective, treatment for painful attacks of gout
What links blue jeans to ancient British warriors? Mike Freemantle discovers the blue dye with a colourful history
What links blue jeans to ancient British warriors? Mike Freemantle discovers the blue dye with a colourful history
The latest in an alarming trend of novel psychoactive substances being mis-sold at festivals as traditional street drugs, putting users at risk
The latest in an alarming trend of novel psychoactive substances being mis-sold at festivals as traditional street drugs, putting users at risk
As hayfever season comes to a close, Katrina Krämer examines antihistamines. From calming down a hyperactive immune system to increasing cognitive abilities, these small molecules have a big impact.
As hayfever season comes to a close, Katrina Krämer examines antihistamines. From calming down a hyperactive immune system to increasing cognitive abilities, these small molecules have a big impact.
Kat Arney finds out about the 'toxic caterpillar' chemical that will make your skin crawl
Kat Arney finds out about the 'toxic caterpillar' chemical that will make your skin crawl
Michael Freemantle introduces a tear gas used by the British army in the first world war, picked, in part, because of our access to seaweed
Michael Freemantle introduces a tear gas used by the British army in the first world war, picked, in part, because of our access to seaweed
Brian Clegg on the almond flavour compound that gives your taste buds a treat and may help rescue survivors from a disaster
Brian Clegg on the almond flavour compound that gives your taste buds a treat and may help rescue survivors from a disaster
How the 'world's most wonderful mineral' became one of the world's biggest health hazards
How the 'world's most wonderful mineral' became one of the world's biggest health hazards
Kat Arney investigates the chemicals responsible for giving bruises their hue and colouring your poo
Kat Arney investigates the chemicals responsible for giving bruises their hue and colouring your poo
Katrina Krämer examines the overdose antidote that has saved tens of thousands of lives
Katrina Krämer examines the overdose antidote that has saved tens of thousands of lives
A 1960s breakthrough in pain relief that now fuels the opioid crisis
A 1960s breakthrough in pain relief that now fuels the opioid crisis
How a waxy mixture from a sheep's fleece helped create a global fashion brand
How a waxy mixture from a sheep's fleece helped create a global fashion brand
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.
Brian Clegg on a compound that keeps us well fed and looking radiant
Brian Clegg on a compound that keeps us well fed and looking radiant
Katrina Krämer asks if an essential blood-thinning medicine ended Joseph Stalin's 30-year rule over the Soviet Union
Katrina Krämer asks if an essential blood-thinning medicine ended Joseph Stalin's 30-year rule over the Soviet Union
Discover bat-borne-bombs and a classic chemistry textbook, as Mike Freemantle examines the history of kerosene
Discover bat-borne-bombs and a classic chemistry textbook, as Mike Freemantle examines the history of kerosene
One mineral form may look like gold, but Brian Clegg isn't fooled by the value of iron sulfides
One mineral form may look like gold, but Brian Clegg isn't fooled by the value of iron sulfides
From tacky Hallowe'en decorations to the stuff of an arachnophobe's nightmares, spiders don't have the greatest reputation. But, as Kat Arney is here to prove, there's fascinating chemistry at work in their webs.
From tacky Hallowe'en decorations to the stuff of an arachnophobe's nightmares, spiders don't have the greatest reputation. But, as Kat Arney is here to prove, there's fascinating chemistry at work in their webs.
Jamie Durrani on the compound that gives pepper its characteristic kick
Jamie Durrani on the compound that gives pepper its characteristic kick
Brian Clegg with the winemaking byproduct that may be lurking in your larder
Brian Clegg with the winemaking byproduct that may be lurking in your larder
Kat Arney discovers the strange things that happen when organic compounds go round the twist
Kat Arney discovers the strange things that happen when organic compounds go round the twist
A component of 'trench atmosphere' and 'the most powerful antiseptic known', Mike Freemantle explores calcium hydroxide and the birth of a chemical dynasty
A component of 'trench atmosphere' and 'the most powerful antiseptic known', Mike Freemantle explores calcium hydroxide and the birth of a chemical dynasty
Swipe, tap, pinch, poke and prod – Neil Withers gets hands on with touchscreen material indium tin oxide, ITO
Swipe, tap, pinch, poke and prod – Neil Withers gets hands on with touchscreen material indium tin oxide, ITO
Science imitates art imitating science, as sitcom The big bang theory inspires the creation of a new compound
Science imitates art imitating science, as sitcom The big bang theory inspires the creation of a new compound
Concluding our pair of podcasts on a recent cycling scandal, Ben Valsler looks at the steroid triamcinolone
Concluding our pair of podcasts on a recent cycling scandal, Ben Valsler looks at the steroid triamcinolone
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
Jamie Durrani presents a pair of plant-based poisons
Jamie Durrani presents a pair of plant-based poisons
Kat Arney wraps herself around the tree sap that saved transatlantic telecommunications
Kat Arney wraps herself around the tree sap that saved transatlantic telecommunications
A giant marine toxin with a total synthesis story to tell
A giant marine toxin with a total synthesis story to tell
Colourful crustaceans and the story of a ubiquitous biological pigment
Colourful crustaceans and the story of a ubiquitous biological pigment
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
