Distillations | Science History Institute

Latest Episodes:

Episode 51: Global Health Nov 28, 2008

Show notes

Monday, December 1, is the 20th anniversary of World AIDS Day. In honor of this campaign, Distillations is considering global health.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

00:58 Element of the Week: Silver

02:59 A Conversation with Seema Shah

07:54 Mystery Solved! Affordable Vaccines

11:27 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 50: Children's Health Nov 21, 2008

Show notes

Nothing is more important to parents than the health of their children, and advances in chemistry and pharmaceuticals have made it possible for children to receive the best care that science has to offer. However, chemical hazards in everyday life still pose hidden risks to children.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:33 Introduction

00:58 Element of the Week: Lithium

02:49 A Conversation with Sandra Steingraber

08:38 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Bisphenol A

11:18 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 49: Eating Nov 14, 2008

Show notes

Eating is one of life’s simple pleasures, but the chemical process behind it is actually quite complex. Balancing the right minerals with good taste is no easy matter.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

00:50 Element of the Week: Magnesium

02:56 Mystery Solved: Umami

07:14 Poetry Reading: “A General Description of the West-Indian Islands.”

11:17 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 48: Alchemy Nov 07, 2008

Show notes

Alchemy is about a lot more than turning lead into gold or making the philosopher’s stone. Until the 17th century, alchemists worked hard in their laboratories to produce medicines, develop metal- and glass-working techniques, and uncover the quintessential essence of all earthly and celestial matter.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:09 Element of the Week: Quintessence

02:54 Review of Tara Nummedal’s Alchemy and Authority in the Holy Roman Empire

06:34 Alchemy at the Corning Museum of Glass

11:15 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Nina Goodby and Anke Timmermann for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 47: Making Up Oct 31, 2008

Show notes

Happy Halloween from Distillations! This week we’re looking at the world of cosmetics, which seems fitting for a day when many people wear makeup who might not normally.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:32 Introduction

01:08 Element of the Week: Lead

03:02 Conversation with Rodger Curren

07:12 Cosmetics Database Report

11:23 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 46: Charging Up Oct 24, 2008

Show notes

The first cars didn’t run on gas—they ran on electricity. Over a century later, the high cost of fuel has finally forced automakers to take the possibility of battery-powered cars seriously. On today’s show we look at three kinds of batteries that have been proposed as transportation solutions.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:13 Element of the Week: Nickel

03:08 Mystery Solved! Hydrogen fuel-cell cars

06:38 GM’s lithium-ion battery lab

11:13 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 45: Making Modernity Oct 17, 2008

Show notes

This week we celebrate the opening of the Chemical Heritage Foundation’s new museum!

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:04 Element of the Week: The Periodic Table

03:06 Tools of the Trade: Technicon Autoanalyzer

06:13 Tour of new Making Modernity exhibit

11:18 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 44: Sweet Dreams Oct 10, 2008

Show notes

There’s nothing quite like a good night’s rest to recharge the body and restore the spirits. Today’s show looks at the science of sleep—and insomnia.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:28 Element of the Week: Helium

03:15 Mystery Solved! Snoring

06:44 Caffeine and Wakefulness

10:38 Quote: C. S. Lewis

11:02 Closing Credits

CREDITS

Special thanks to Catherine Giradeau and Anke Timmermann for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Episode 43: Cause and Effect Oct 03, 2008

Show notes

According to Newton’s third law, “For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.” In this week’s episode we explore causes and their effects in several different ways.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:31 Introduction

01:16 Element of the Week: Francium

03:10 Chemistry in your Cupboard: Pheromone Perfumes

06:11 Feature: The Chemistry of Ripe Apples

10:38 Quote: Ralph Waldo Emerson

10:57 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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

Episode 42: Women in Chemistry Sep 26, 2008

Show notes

Breaking through the glass ceiling can be tough, especially when you are a woman in a traditionally male-dominated field. This week’s episode takes a look at women in chemistry.

SHOW CLOCK

00:00 Opening Credits

00:30 Introduction

01:19 Element of the Week: Meitnerium

03:21 A Conversation with Donna Nelson

07:30 Feature: The Career of Helen B. Brown

11:31 Quote: Abigail Adams

11:43 Closing Credits

CREDITS

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