Distillations | Science History Institute

Latest Episodes:

Episode 61: Space Science Feb 06, 2009

Show notes

Space, the Final Frontier! Mention the chemistry of space and you’re likely to hear bad jokes about Tang or the behavior of liquids in zero gravity. But it turns out that there’s an entire field—astrochemistry—dedicated to understanding the chemistry of the universe. Chemical Agent: Panspermia.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

00:56 Chemical Agent: Panspermia

03:11 A conversation with Stefanie Milam

08:11 Tools of the Trade: Radio telescopes

11:15 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Audra Wolfe for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 60: Professional Networks Jan 30, 2009

Show notes

Today Distillations is finding out more about professional networks—particularly in the field of chemistry.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:12 Chemical Agent: Sodium Cyanide

03:21 Tools of the Trade: Imaging Software

06:13 A conversation with Michael Gordin

10:58 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio, Hilary Domush, and Eleanor Goldberg for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 59: Winter Sports Jan 23, 2009

Show notes

We’re hitting the slopes—and tending our wounds—on today’s episode of Distillations. We start off with the science behind sports gels. Next, find out more about the synthetic fabrics. Finally, learn about the latest advances in fake snow.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

00:58 Chemical Agent: Menthol

03:05 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Synthetic Fibers

06:30 Feature: Snowflex

11:16 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Erin McLeary, Eleanor Goldberg, and Lydia Wilson for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 58: Presidents & Policy Jan 16, 2009

Show notes

Distillations is taking a look at the presidential side of chemistry. First we learn about stem cells and the controversy surrounding their research. Next we find out why 21-gun salutes are safe and not so smoky in Mystery Solved!

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:01 Chemical Agent: Stem Cells

03:30 Mystery Solved! Smokeless Gunpowder

06:32 Commentary: A Planet in Peril

11:05 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio, Nicole Rietmann, and Jody Roberts for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 57: Library & Information Services Jan 09, 2009

Show notes

Let’s go to the library! This week we take a field trip to that venerable institution where great reading abounds and shushing up is de rigueur.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:04 Chemical Agent: Water

03:43 Tools of the Trade: The Chemical Abstract Service

06:44 Feature: Book Printing and Binding

11:18 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Audra J. Wolfe for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 56: New Year's Resolutions Jan 02, 2009

Show notes

What do you resolve to do in 2009? Get in shape? Improve your eating habits? Stop smoking? We cover them all on this week’s show.Our Mystery Solved! segment investigates why fruits and vegetables high in antioxidants, like the pomegranates pictured here, are being credited with all sorts of health-saving powers.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:06 Chemical Agent: Nicotine

03:52 Mystery Solved! Antioxidants

07:00 Feature: Aching Muscles

11:22 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio, Eleanor Goldberg, and Lara Ratzlaff for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 55: Anniversary Dec 26, 2008

Show notes

We are marking the one year anniversary of Distillations this week! To celebrate we’re looking back at the year 2008 and its noteworthy occasions: first, boron, whose 200th birthday was this year, then, the Nobel Prize.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:07 Element of the Week: Boron

03:20 2008 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

06:49 The Most Significant Chemical Moment of 2008

10:20 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Eleanor Goldberg and Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 54: Holiday Greetings 2008 Dec 19, 2008

Show notes

Thanks to J. J. Thomson‘s plum pudding model of the atom, chemistry will be forever associated with 19th-century British Christmas traditions. His model was soon discarded, but it remains a staple of high school chemistry textbooks.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:10 Element of the Week: Tin

02:47 Tools of the Trade: Plum Pudding

05:41 Feature: Ham

10:47 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Hilary Domush, Anke Timmermann, and Eleanor Goldberg for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 53: Faking It Dec 12, 2008

Show notes

The truth behind the fake—this week Distillations explores the science of forgery. Some forgery is known and expected, such as fake meat products for vegetarians, while other fakes are meant to deceive…think imitated artists.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:31 Update: The Electric Car

03:49 Update: Cleaning Up Oil Spills

09:27 Update: A Planet in Peril

13:00 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Erin McLeary, Audra Wolfe, and Rebecca Sheir for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 52: Wine Dec 05, 2008

Show notes

Americans are still relatively new to consuming wine—but they do so with gusto during the holiday season. On today’s show we take a look at the chemistry of this intoxicating substance: its aroma, its flavor, and its sometimes unwanted side effects.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

00:52 Element of the Week: Oxygen

02:54 Mystery Solved! Sulfites and Hangovers

05:35 Feature: Organic Wines

10:11 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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