Elements Podcast
A close look at chemical elements, the basic building blocks of the universe. Where do we get them, what do we use them for and how do they fit into our economy?
Episodes to download
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Mercury (Hg)
Wed 27 Nov 2013
The Minamata international treaty aims to phase the use of Mercury out completely.
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Aluminium (Al)
Wed 20 Nov 2013
Aluminium is ubiqitous today, so why was it valued more highly than gold 150 years ago?
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Helium (He)
Wed 13 Nov 2013
Helium is rare on Earth so should it be used in something as frivolous as party balloons?
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Phosphorus (P)
Wed 6 Nov 2013
Phosphorus is essential for life. Should we worry that we may be frittering it away?
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Obscure Elements
Wed 28 Sep 2016
In the final programme in the series we look at the rarest members of the periodic table.
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Gold (Au)
Wed 21 Sep 2016
Why do we value this useless metal? And does it bring out the worst in human nature?
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Thorium (Th)
Fri 16 Sep 2016
This metal offers thousands of years of nuclear energy, but is it any safer than uranium?
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Platinum group (Pt, Pd, Ru, Rh, Os, Ir)
Wed 7 Sep 2016
Six rare metals that clean the air but are the focus of violent conflict in South Africa.
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Arsenic (As)
Wed 31 Aug 2016
The poison in everything from paint and sweets, to telegraph polls and drinking water.
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Silver (Ag)
Wed 24 Aug 2016
The shiniest and showiest of metals has some surprisingly modern applications.
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Iodine (I)
Wed 17 Aug 2016
Why does iodine deficiency still blight children in developing countries like India?
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Hydrogen (H) - fusion
Tue 31 May 2016
Could we finally be about to crack this source of potentially unlimited clean energy?
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Cadmium (Cd)
Wed 25 May 2016
This toxic metal is being phased out of our lives, but still keeps planes up in the air.
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Potassium (K)
Wed 18 May 2016
India is completely dependent on imports of potash, a fertiliser essential for crops.
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Hydrogen (H) - energy
Tue 10 May 2016
Is the dream of a hydrogen-fuelled zero-carbon economy achievable?
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Zinc (Zn)
Wed 4 May 2016
The self-sacrificing metal that brings shelter and good health to India's poorest.
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Hydrogen (H) - water (part 2)
Wed 27 Apr 2016
As climate change plays havoc with the rain, could we draw water directly from the ocean?
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Hydrogen (H) - water (part 1)
Wed 20 Apr 2016
Northwest India is fast running out of groundwater. Is migration and conflict inevitable?
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Noble Gases (Ar, Ne, Kr, Xe)
Wed 23 Mar 2016
Neon, argon, krypton & xenon: From blinding arc lights to the dying trade of sign-making.
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Germanium (Ge)
Wed 16 Mar 2016
Nanotech, virtual reality, and the stuff that could oust the silicon from Silicon Valley.
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Radioactives (Po, Ra, Rn)
Wed 9 Mar 2016
Radium, polonium and radon sound frightening, but are they actually useful for anything?
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Tantalum & Niobium (Ta, Nb)
Wed 2 Mar 2016
Are these notorious conflict minerals still being smuggled into and laundered in Rwanda?
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Beryllium (Be)
Thu 22 Oct 2015
This toxic metal can do serious damage to your lungs, so is it safe to use?
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Magnesium (Mg)
Wed 30 Sep 2015
The metal that overcame a fiery reputation to regain its role in making planes and cars.
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Titanium (Ti) - catalysts
Wed 16 Sep 2015
The metal behind plastics, paints, and buildings that clean both themselves and the air.
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Hydrogen (H) - acids
Wed 19 Aug 2015
These powerful chemicals are essential for industry, but are dangerous to handle.
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Oxygen (O) - industrial uses
Wed 12 Aug 2015
Why is oxygen essential to steelmaking, and can you inhale too much of it?
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Titanium (Ti) - materials
Wed 5 Aug 2015
Stronger than steel, could this glamorous metal eventually become as common as steel?
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Oxygen (O) - oxidation
Wed 29 Jul 2015
The βelement of lifeβ also makes our atmosphere very dangerous and costly to operate in.
