May 2009
Monthly Archive
Episode 69: Lab Safety
Friday 22 May 2009
Laboratory science can be a risky business, as many of the chemicals used by researchers can be hazardous to their health. While some of these substances’ dangers are easily mitigated by following proper safety procedures, others have risks that increase with extended exposure—a lesson unfortunately learned by many chemists in previous centuries, which we explore on today’s show. Next, Distillations promotes safety first by exploring why geeky goggles seem more popular in labs than safety glasses. Finally, producer Robin Sussingham visits Auburn Thompson’s 10th grade classroom, where the teacher catches his kids’ attention through pyrotechnics best not tried at home. Chemical Agent: Lead.
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Show Clock
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:02 Chemical Agent: Lead
03:31 Tools of the Trade: Safety Goggles
06:23 Feature: High School Chemistry Demonstrations
10:45 Closing Credits
Credits
This show was written and researched by Anke Timmerman and Hilary Domush.
Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music includes ”Doctor Dogbrain,” by Al Phlipp and “The Woo Team Goggles,” by The Misprintz.
This week’s image is “Save Your Eyes—Use Your Goggles,” uploaded to flickr.com by sakraft1 on 19 July 2008.
Posted in History, Society No Comments
Episode 68: Integrated Circuits
Friday 08 May 2009
This year is the 50th anniversary of the integrated circuit! The IC is an important part of many electronic technologies we use today, from your iPod to your cell phone and even to your GPS. Learn about the light-sensitive chemically amplified photoresist, which allowed production of smaller and smaller pieces. Next we discover how the incredibly thin wafers, also integral to the IC, are made so flawlessly. And finally, we talk to CHF’s own Hyungsub Choi about the beginnings of the integrated circuit and why it’s still needed today. Chemical Agent: Chemically Amplified Photoresists.
Listen now (streaming file)
Download (10.4 MB MP3 file)
Show Clock
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:15 Chemical Agent: Chemically Amplified Photoresists
03:43 Mystery Solved! Crystal Puller
06:27 A conversation with Hyungsub Choi
10:46 Closing Credits
Credits
This show was written and researched by Chi Chan, Eleanor Goldberg, and Audra Wolfe.
Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music includes ”Big Dog,” by Emmett and “They Be Underwater,” by Dark Captain Light Captain.
This week’s image is of the Elmat Corporation’s crystal puller located in CHF’s Making Modernity exhibit.
Posted in History, Technology 1 Comment
