According to the second law of thermodynamics, the entropy of a system will always increase. For a layperson, this means that all things must come to pass and nothing lasts forever. Since no person or thing can evade the laws of physics, this also applies to Bringing Chemistry to Life. 

In this final message from Paolo, the series’ creator and host, we hear about how the series started and how it’s been fueled by the passion of guests, host, and listeners, alike. It is with gratitude that we reflect on the 55 episodes of great science, and great people, that we’ve been able to capture and share. Many of the conversations are timeless, but for now we say, goodbye. Thank you for being part of the journey!

Related episodes: 

• Season 1, Ep.1: Human milk—it’s a matter of chemistry (aka The Start of it All) 
• Season 4, Ep.2: Paul Anastas – The father of green chemistry (aka A Dream Come True) 
• Season 4, Ep.10: Eric Scerri – The most famous unknow – the periodic table
• Season 5, Ep.5: Paolo Braiuca – Flip the script, meet your host, Paolo
   

The Archives:

• Access all 5 seasons, 55 total episodes, by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.      
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners! 

• Visit the episode website and request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t shirt.
• Use Podcast Code cHeMcas+ng in October, KemThrReDs in November.

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! 

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com

Join us for this look into materials chemistry, developed under the guiding principles of sustainability and a systems approach.

Dr. Zlatka Stoeva, Co-founder and Managing Director of DZP Technologies, discovered her love of chemistry out of boredom as a child. She then traveled to unknown lands to master her science and discover the value of mentors while doing amazing work on lithium-ion battery chemistry. A stint in the technology transfer office at Cambridge showed her how fundamental research can be translated into real-world solutions that can change lives, and this inspired her to start her own company.

In providing CRO services and developing IP to help companies address market needs using unique materials, Stoeva and her colleagues approach problems with a systems mindset that is common in engineering, but not always chemistry. We hear about their work in “plastic electronics” that leverage biological materials and consider sustainability aspects while delivering results. We also hear about their exciting work using graphene materials to produce digitized materials that can code information about how they’re made and their interactions with the environment.

Check out this great episode that balances a wonderful personal story, amazing science, and great bits of advice to guide your science and career development!

Related episodes:

• Season 5, Ep.1: Batteries unplugged: past, present and the electrifying future
• Season 4, Ep.4: Women in chemistry: learnings from one of the greatest
• Season 4, Ep.2: The father of green chemistry
• Season 3, Ep.9: Energy harvesting and self-sustainable greenhouses
• Season 2, Ep.8: Sustainability as an entrepreneurial choice
• Season 2, Ep.3: Rethinking catalysis

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
• Use code cHeMcas+ng in October and KemThrReDs in November.

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! 

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com

Some debate that synthetic organic chemistry strategies have become stale, but Dr. Todd Hyster of Princeton University's Hyster Lab disagrees.

Todd fell in love with organic chemistry early in his education, but it wasn’t until he got turned on to enzyme catalysis that he found his true calling. He’s built a career using engineered enzymes to facilitate chemical transformations that would otherwise not be possible. Specifically, he and his team focus on photo-enzymatic catalysis where they use a combination of light and engineered proteins to drive new chemical transformations.

Join us to learn about his work, the methods involved, and the types of transformations being accomplished, which is beyond enantioselective synthesis, by the way. This stimulating conversation delves into the tactical and philosophical aspects of the synthetic chemistry, enzyme catalysis, and even the realities of academic funding and industry collaboration. 

Related episodes: 

• Season 3, Ep.2: Making impossible molecules
• Season 2, Ep.3: Rethinking catalysis

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners! 

• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
• Use code BCTLisn3R in September, and cHeMcas+ng in October

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! 

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com

Early in her career, Dr. Jessica Reiner realized that she cared more about ensuring the accuracy of the measurements she was making than making the measurements themselves. This realization, combined with experience in working with PFAS, led to her current role as Research Chemist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

Join us to hear an insider’s perspective on the PFAS topic, with a deep dive into the analytical methods used to detect, quantify, and identify PFAS species. Jessica and her team use LC-MS, anion exchange chromatography, and other orthogonal methods in their work and they focus on creating, validating, and maintaining reference materials (RM) and standard reference materials (SRM) that are used to help ensure that PFAS measurements are accurate and comparable with those made in other laboratories around the world. From challenges around defining a PFAS, to creating a stable, ultra-low concentration standard, to detecting ultra-high concentrations PFAS, Jessica provides an ace analytical chemist’s perspective grounded in the metrology of it all.

As always, and in addition to the great science, you’ll get to learn about Jessica’s personal career path, the ups and downs of her work, and hear her advice for career development. 

Related episodes: 

• Season 4, Ep.2: The father of green chemistry
• Season 2, Ep.7: Fresh urban water
• Season 1, Ep.3: There’s chemistry in the air!

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners! 

• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
• Use code 0chemRcks in August, and BCTLisn3R in September.

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! 

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com