Distillations | Science History Institute

Latest Episodes:

Episode 91: Marvels and Ciphers Mar 26, 2010

Show notes

In early March 2010 the Chemical Heritage Foundation’s museum opened its newest temporary exhibit, Marvels and Ciphers: A Look Inside the Flask.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:40 Introduction

01:05 Chemical Agent: Viagra

04:30 Secrets of the Alchemical Tree

08:43 19th-Century Political Cartoons

09:47 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Hilary Domush and James Voelkel for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 90: Useful Waste Mar 12, 2010

Show notes

What’s better than recycling? Reducing waste! OK, maybe not better, but equally important. In this week’s episode of Distillations we learn about industrial-waste reduction.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:11 Chemical Agent: Carbon Black

03:04 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Vaseline

05:49 Conversation with Roger Horowitz

10:55 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Victoria Indivero, Michal Meyer, and Maggie Wood for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 89: Plastic World Feb 26, 2010

Show notes

Love it or hate it, plastic is hard to avoid. This week we take a look at plastic made from corn and find out just how biodegradable it really is.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:21 Polylactic Acid

03:32 Plastic Leaching

06:35 Conversation with a Chemist: Keeping Meat Fresh

11:30 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Hilary Domush and Michal Meyer for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 88: A Sense of Scent Feb 12, 2010

Show notes

On this week’s episode of Distillations we’re talking about what the nose knows. First up we learn about the nose itself—how it works and how losing your sense of smell can affect your day-to-day life.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:08 The Nose

03:19 Scent Identification

05:53 Feature: Perfume Vinyl

11:27 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Hilary Domush, Victoria Indivero, Michal Meyer and Douglas Smith for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 87: Scientific Journeys Jan 29, 2010

Show notes

Scientific discoveries can be dramatic tales of unexpected adventure. They can also be personal explorations of intuition and faith.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:02 Chemical Agent: The Wolf Trap

03:22 A Conversation with Bill Brock

08:46 Mystery Solved! The Unknown Continent

11:48 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Michal Meyer and Victoria Indivero for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 86: In Sickness and in Health Jan 15, 2010

Show notes

Whether it’s preventing illness by vaccines or avoiding germs, this episode is about getting sick and staying healthy.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:22 Chemical Agent: Meningitis Vaccine

03:27 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Hand Sanitizer

06:04 Feature: Living with Illness

11:36 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Maggie Wood and Erica Stefanovich for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 85: International Year in Review Jan 01, 2010

Show notes

Another year has come and gone, but the impact of scientific discoveries made and concerns raised will be felt in 2010 and beyond.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:20 Asia: Water Management in a Changing Climate

04:02 Europe: Large Hadron Collider

07:15 A Conversation with The Scientist's Alla Katsnelson

11:26 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Michal Meyer and Anke Timmerman for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 84: Crystals Dec 18, 2009

Show notes

There are many different types of crystals we encounter, ranging from tiny to extremely large in size.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:11 Chemical Agent: Sodium Chloride

03:34 Tools of the Trade

06:15 A Conversation with Karen Allen

11:27 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Victoria Indivero, Michal Meyer, Anke Timmermann, and Maggie Wood for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 83: Fellows in Action Dec 04, 2009

Show notes

What do Isaac Newton, yeast, and Harold Urey have in common? They all come under the research microscope of Chemical Heritage Foundation fellows.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:10 Chemical Agent: Yeast

03:28 Tools of the Trade: Backyard Acids from Early Chemistry

07:18 A Conversation with Matthew Shindell on Harold C. Urey

11:51 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 82: Food Myths Nov 20, 2009

Show notes

In this episode of Distillations we clarify common misconceptions about food.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:18 Chemical Agent: Sucralose

03:30 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Detox Diets

06:04 A Conversation with David Schleifer on Trans Fats

11:33 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio, Sky Kalfus, and Erica Stefanovich for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Distillations | Science History Institute

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected