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The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

Chemistry World
Atomic Radius
Click Chemistry
Water
Vanadium
Quantum Computing
Actinides
American Association For the Advancement Of Science
Plasma Chemistry
RNA
DNA
Diabetes
Laboratory Sustainability
NMC Cathodes
LFP Cathodes
Battery Recycling
Microplastics
Copper-Catalyzed Click Chemistry
Alphagenome
Google Deepmind
Genomics

The chemical breakdown is your biweekly source of the latest chemistry news, featuring discussions by our Chemistry World writers on the most exciting announcements and innovations in the field. Plus the full archive of Chemistry in its element – the audio tour of the periodic table and beyond. From Chemistry World, the magazine of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes633Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ScienceNatural SciencesChemistry

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Artwork for The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

Latest Episodes

This week, we look back at how far click chemistry has come in the last 25 years and discuss the strange bonding behaviour of some of the largest elements on the periodic table with Mason Wakley and Frances Briggs.

It started as a review paper in 2... more

This week, we discuss the latest milestone in quantum computational modelling and reveal the common laboratory item causing strange readings in microplastics research with Frankie Macpherson and Patrick Walter.

A new hybrid workflow involving two I... more

This week, we are celebrating Chemistry World's Battery Week with a special battery-themed episode! We discuss the race between cathode materials for electric vehicles and a new photocatalyst capable of turning plastic waste into hydrogen and value-a... more

This week, we discuss vanadium's potential in the medical field and the changes you can make in our lab to reduce your carbon footprint, with Jennifer Newton and Emma Pewsey.

Many are familiar with vanadium's role in metal production, but did you k... more

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Recent Guests

Mason Wakley
Science correspondent
Chemistry World
Episode: Click chemistry marks 25 years & covalent bonding in the actinides | The chemical breakdown podcast
Frances Briggs
Chemistry World intern
Chemistry World
Episode: Click chemistry marks 25 years & covalent bonding in the actinides | The chemical breakdown podcast
Patrick Walter
Chemistry World's news editor
Chemistry World
Episode: Quantum computing & a mysterious contaminant in microplastics research | The chemical breakdown podcast
Frankie Macpherson
Digital content assistant
Chemistry World
Episode: Quantum computing & a mysterious contaminant in microplastics research | The chemical breakdown podcast
Phil Robinson
Chemistry World's Editor
Chemistry World
Episode: The two states of water & science sleuths | The chemical breakdown podcast
Emma Pewsey
Comment and Careers Editor
Chemistry World
Episode: The two states of water & science sleuths | The chemical breakdown podcast

Host

Mariana Kneppers
Chemistry World Science Media Producer

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 437 ratings
  • We miss you

    Sad that the series has ended, it was so interesting. Please come back!! 😭😭

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KJP08
    United States3 years ago
  • Educational and Entertaining!

    This podcast is perfectly bite sized. It presents chemical and historical information on various compounds and elements in an effective and entertaining manner. I particularly enjoy the multiple different narrators.

    Edit: just finished relistening to this podcast 2 years later, and it holds up just as well the second time through! I particularly enjoyed the comedic physical descriptors of the shapes of compounds.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Podcast Peruser
    Canada3 years ago
  • Extremely informative

    One of the best podcasts out there. Such a shame they stopped producing any more episodes. Please please please bring it back. This podcast is the SOLE REASON i decided to become a doctor of chemistry.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Mudaser25
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • Awesome

    Do you know how sometimes you go searching for podcasts, and click follow on the interesting titles so you can go back later? Sometimes you might not even pay attention to who produced it. No? I do this all the time.

    Imagine my great delight to hear Dr. Chris Smith is part of this. I will update this review when I get caught up.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    It's All Gooey and Sticky
    United States5 years ago
  • Finally returns after a long hiatus. One of the best podcasts.

    Podcast Addict
    5
    reticentnoodle
    5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise the show's accessible chemistry storytelling and multiple narrators.
Many listeners miss the series and express hope for new episodes or a revival.
Fans appreciate bite-sized yet informative episodes and strong educational value.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Battery week 2026: The EV cathode race & battery-recycling | The chemical breakdown podcast
Q: What potential barriers exist for scaling these technologies?
Resource supply, especially cobalt, geopolitical risks, and the need for cost reduction; also the integration of high-performance charging and the overall system sustainability.
Battery week 2026: The EV cathode race & battery-recycling | The chemical breakdown podcast
Q: How does the aging process affect NMC versus LFP?
Aging is mainly important for NMC to ensure the right crystal structure for lithium intercalation, extending performance, while LFP requires less aging due to its inherent stability.
Battery week 2026: The EV cathode race & battery-recycling | The chemical breakdown podcast
Q: What are the key differences between the two cathode chemistries?
NMC offers higher energy density and longer range but at higher cost and resource intensity, while LFP is cheaper, generally longer lasting, but with a shorter range; regional preferences also reflect cost and supply considerations.
The two states of water & science sleuths | The chemical breakdown podcast
Q: How long has this idea been around, and what has changed with recent experiments?
The idea dates back around a century but gained serious computational and experimental support only in the last few decades, with modern techniques bringing clearer spectral signatures near the proposed critical point.
The two states of water & science sleuths | The chemical breakdown podcast
Q: How did they do it, and what does this mean for our understanding of water?
They explore a region of water's phase diagram at high pressure and low temperature, using rapid heating and controlled conditions to probe whether liquid water truly splits into high-density and low-density states, which would indicate a liquid-liquid critical point.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A concise, chemistry-forward show that takes listeners on a weekly tour of the periodic table, pairing deep dives into individual elements with broader science topics, history, and the role of chemistry in society. Episodes frequently blend accessible explanations of chemical concepts with storytelling about research, discovery, and the people behind the science, making complex ideas approachable for students, educators, and curious professionals alike. The program is noted for its engaging narrators, thoughtful coverage of both fundamental chemistry and its real-world applications, and a focus on clear, lay-friendly science communication. It's probably especially appealing to listeners who enjoy bite-sized chemistry history, practical lab ... more

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this podcast launched 10 years ago and published 633 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Mason Wakley
2. Frances Briggs
3. Patrick Walter
4. Frankie Macpherson
5. Phil Robinson
6. Emma Pewsey

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