Science isn’t some exalted ideal confined to labs and classrooms—it’s all around us. In today’s episode we share different ways that scientists have reached out to educate and enlighten the masses. First, we pay homage to “Seaborg on Science,” a 1960s radio show that exposed a generation to the wonders of the scientific world. Next, we look at the humble air pump, which Robert Boyle used to demonstrate his revolutionary discoveries in the 17th century. Finally, producer Lisa Gray takes us to downtown Manhattan to attend the New York Academy of Science’s regular Science in the City lecture. Chemical Agent: Glenn Seaborg.

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00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:00 Chemical Agent: Glenn Seaborg
03:43 Tools of the Trade: The Air Pump
06:07 Feature: Science in the City
11:08 Closing Credits

Credits

This show was written and researched by Andy Magravite and Erin McLeary.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music includes “Science Procedural,” by Podcast Troubador and “Creation Science Polka,” by the Rudy Schwartz Project. “Seaborg on Science,” produced by the Division of Public Information of the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission with the assistance of Argonne National Laboratory. Interviewer: Ed Ronne, Information Staff at Argonne. Producers: Sid Schwartz, AEC, and Jon Fogel, AEC.

This week’s image is courtesy of the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab.

Every year the Chemical Heritage Foundation holds Innovation Day—an event for people to get together to discuss and learn about science’s exciting new technologies. On this week’s episode we take a look at innovations—the natural kind and the man-made kind. First we talk about thermoregulation—the body’s way of keeping itself at just the right temperature. Next we learn how GoreTex can be used for more than just jackets. And finally, host Meir Rinde interviews Dr. Richard Silverman, who discovered the main chemical compound in the drug Lyrica and is the recipient of this year’s Perkin Medal. Chemical Agent: Thermoregulation.

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00:00 Opening Credits
00:32 Introduction
01:13 Chemical Agent: Thermoregulation
03:34 Tools of the Trade: GoreTex Stents
06:25 A Conversation with Richard Silverman
11:22 Closing Credits

Credits

This show was written and researched by Chi Chan.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music includes “Gathered Safely In,” by Damien Shingleton, “The Rhyme Scheme,” by Cursive, and “All About the Old School,” by MSU Orchestra.

In honor of Labor Day, today’s episode of Distillations looks at how chemistry has impacted the work of a variety of professionals—for better or worse. First, we look at a heat-resistant fiber designed in the 1950s to protect pilots and astronauts. Then, we learn how toxic exposure to synthetic dyes influenced the creation of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Finally, Senior Producer Mia Lobel learns from Warren Breslau how the material world is welded together. Chemical Agent: Polybenzimidazole.

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00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
00:59 Chemical Agent: Polybenzimidazole
02:58 History Lesson: Origins of Occupational Health
06:01 Feature: The Chemistry of Welding
10:40 Closing Credits

Credits

This show was written and researched by Andy Magravite and Jody Roberts.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network. Additional music includes “The Subway,” by Audiofinger.

This week’s image was uploaded by to Flickr by elisfanclub.

Distillations is sharing more of our favorite episodes this week. First we look back at our Valentine’s Day show, as Daria Panichas explains free radicals in the Chemical Agent. Then we visit the Boston Fine Art Museum with producer Rebecca Sheir and find out how its Scientific Research Laboratory detects forgery. Finally Bob Kenworthy tells us about snoring in the Mystery Solved! segment from our show about sleep. Chemical Agent: Free Radicals.

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Show Clock

00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
00:48 Chemical Agent: Free Radicals
02:42 Feature: Detecting Forgery in Art
07:35 Mystery Solved! Snoring
10:51 Closing Credits

Credits

Thank you to Hilary Domush and Anke Timmermann who researched the shows we featured this week.

Our theme music is composed by Dave Kaufman. Additional music from the PodSafe Music Network.

This week’s image was uploaded by to stock.xchng by iprole.