Chemistry Interviews

Sparkling Science

Just what is so special about gemstones? We spoke to Ian Mercer of the Gemological Association...Ian Mercer, Gemological Association of Great Britain

Detecting a Dodgy Diamond

How can we be sure that when we buy jewellery it is the real deal? To find out, Meera went to pay a visit to the diamond specialists at De Beers.Philip Martineau, Diamond Trading Company

The Sun and Climate Change

Is the sun responsible for our warming climate? Have we been blaming carbon dioxide, when our own sun is the guilty party? Terry Sloan thinks not...Professor Terry Sloan

Magnets from Microbes

Some bacteria live inside us, some live in freezing cold environments, others near the blistering heat of volcanoes in deep sea vents. You may not have known that some bacteria actually manufacture their own little magnets. Scientists are trying to find out exactly what they use them for and more importantly how we can get them to work for us...Dr Sarah Staniland, Edinburgh University

Chemistry World - 3D TV, Biofuel Debt and Reading RNA

This week, Mark Peplow comes in to tell us about the moves towards holographic 3D TV, how it could take years to pay back the carbon debt of biofuels, and a new scanner that can 'read' RNA...Mark Peplow, Chemistry World

Rising Stars - You Feel What You Eat

Could something in your diet affect your emotions? Rising Star Caroline Stokes explains how you could eat your way out of depression...Caroline Stokes

Catching Carbon - Is the Sea Safe for Sequestration?

Could the ocean provide a good 'sink' for carbon dioxide? We invited Margaret Leinen, from Climos, and Dr Chris Vivian, from CEFAS, to discuss the pros and cons of sequestering in the sea...Dr Margaret Leinen, Climos & Dr Steve Vivian, CEFAS

Coal for Carbon Capture

Could we trap carbon in dis-used coal mines? Meera spoke to Prof. Peter Styles about how not only could we lock away unwanted carbon, but we could also get useful fuel out!Professor Peter Styles, University of Keele

Turning Carbon into Stone

Volcanic lava could offer a solution to storing excess carbon - by turning it into rock! We spoke to Dr Pete McGrail, who has been working on pumping carbon dioxide into flood basalt, a rock left over from lava flows...Dr Peter McGrail, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

Chemistry World - Nanonails and Fish Scales

This month, we explore a surface that becomes non-stick at the flip of a switch, visit the Paris of 55 million years ago, and the glistening secret of fish scales...Mark Peplow, Chemistry World

Brain Change for Teenage Smokers

One of the most common addictions on Earth is the addiction to cigarettes, so tobacco and nicotine addiction. A very interesting study has been done by Professor Leslie Jacobsen, she's at Yale University School of Medicine, looking at how smoking affects the brains of teenagers.Professor Leslie Jacobsen, Yale University School of Medicine

Addiction - What gets people Hooked?

Professor Barry Everitt tells us about the basis of addiction - What happens in the brain to get people hooked?Professor Barry Everitt, Cambridge University

Micro-microwaves and Mini-Fuel Cells

This month, we chat to Mark Peplow about the worlds smallest microwave oven, and a microscopic fuel cell.Mark Peplow, Chemistry World

Stem Cells and 'Stemness'

We spoke to Professor Roger Pedersen, of the Centre for Regenerative Medicine at Cambridge University, about understanding 'Stemness'. Professor Roger Pedersen, Cambridge University

Cloning - Dolly and Beyond

We spoke to Professor Ian Wilmut who, in 1996, cloned the first mammal, Dolly the sheep.Professor Ian Wilmut, University of Edinburgh.

Hot, Smelly Sex - In Primative Plants, that is.

Birds do it, bees do it, but now Irene Terry, from the University of Utah, has found that primitive plants indulge in hot, smelly sex...Irene Terry, Univeristy of Utah

Kitchen Science - The Science of Scotch

While many people enjoy a beer, some prefer a shot of the hard stuff. Ben set out to find out about the science of scotch, by trying out some distillation...Chris Forman, Cambridge University

The Secrets of Beer

Now, there must be thousands of beers available worldwide and of course, beer sales are very big business. But how do we actually make beer and why do we taste the tastes in beer that we taste? We asked Professor Charlie Bamforth, professor of beer and brewing at the University of California at Davis...Professor Charlie Bamforth, University of California, Davis

Hop Extracts for Better Beers

The chemistry of carbon dioxide could give us better beers, by supplying brewers with exactly the compounds they need, extracted from hops. Dr Ray Marriott tells us more... Dr Ray Marriott, Botanix Ltd

The Quality of Life Depends upon the Liver

As much as we enjoy the odd beer it’s always best to enjoy it in moderation because drinking alcohol does have its health downsides. Ben went to the pub to meet up with Mike Allison, a liver specialist from Addenbrooke’s hospital, to find out more about the damage that alcohol can do...Dr Mike Allison, Addenbrooke's Hospital