Chemistry in Everyday Life

Roads are one of the defining features of modern civilizations, believe it or not. To me and I think most others, the state of the roads in a country gives an idea of the level of development. It does not surprise then that chemistry features quite heavily in how we make roads. A request from a listener, I explore in this episode the chemistry of bitumen and the physical properties

It takes a little bit more than 100mg of cyanide to kill a 75 kg human being. A little more than 100mg and the unfortunate victim will show the telltale signs of “bluish tones of oxygen deprivation mottle the skin.“ Cyanide Poisoning is as old as the usage of chemical compounds containing cyanide and this episode looks at the chemistry that happens in the body during a poisonin

Both starch and cellulose are made of glucose, one of the main sources of energy for the human body. Yet... we can digest starch that we find in things like potatoes or flour, but we cannot digest cellulose, a compound that is found in virtually every plant... Why?!? If you would like to share feedback or have a suggestion for a topic, I can now be reached on twitter under @Chemist

Dear  Chemistry in Everyday Life Fans, I am off this month and as a  consequence, we are looking back on past episodes over the summer.  Today’s re-run is one of the first episodes that I ever recorded by the  name of “Protection from the Sun Pt. 1 – The Ozone Layer”. I hope you all enjoy your summer. Stay safe and take care :)

Dear Chemistry in Everyday Life Fans, I am off this month and as a consequence, we are looking back on past episodes over the summer. Today’s re-run is one of the first episodes that I ever recorded by the name of “Protection from the Sun Pt. 1 – The Ozone Layer”. The survey is still open and you can still submit an answer under https://forms.gle/LihJiny4jncB6h2A6. Let me k

Dear Chemistry in Everyday Life Fans, I am off this month and as a consequence, we are looking back on past episodes over the summer. I asked you what is your favourite episode and the result said it was the episode "Breathe in, Breathe Out - Oxygen Transfer in the Blood". The survey is still open and you can still submit an answer under https://forms.gle/LihJiny4jncB6h2A6 . Let me

PLEASE NOTE: During the month of August, I will repeat some previous episodes. If you want to influence which episodes will be played, you can click on the following link to part in a 1-question survey. Thanks! https://forms.gle/LihJiny4jncB6h2A6 How can you trace a molecule inside the body? How do you know, how a compound inside the body is metabolised? We will explore these quest

Have you ever wondered how all these scientists come up with their findings in forensics, environmental science, pharmaceuticals, … cooking, cosmetics, and in soooo many more? Chemical purification and analysis lies at the heart of this question and I give you hereby my attempt at answering it. This is Part 2 of this 2-Part series looking at analysis. If you would like to share f

Have you ever wondered how all these scientists come up with their findings in forensics, environmental science, pharmaceuticals, … cooking, cosmetics, and in soooo many more? Chemical purification and analysis lies at the heart of this question and I give you hereby my attempt at answering it. This is Part 1 of this 2-Part series looking at purification techniques. If you would

After talking about red blood cells two episodes ago, this episode looks at a different bodily fluid. One that helps in the digestion of fats. We are talking about bile. A liquid associated with bad experiences, but is essential to our survival. If you would like to share feedback or have a suggestion for a topic, I can now be reached on twitter under @ChemistryinEve1or you can lea