Brought to you by Chemistry

How can batteries make energy cheaper, more sustainable, and more accessible?

In this episode, we're joined by two people who are using batteries in innovative ways to support communities. Professor Satish Patil tells us about the Sunrise Network, which supports rural communities and communities living off the grid, bringing energy independence through the use of solar panels and batteries. Brenda Park is the director of StorTera, and she spoke to us about the company's patented new battery technology, and how it's set to support communities in the UK.

Hosted by Dr. Alex Lathbridge.

Produced by Hiren Joshi and Lizzy Ratcliffe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We've heard a lot about the benefits of batteries, but what can go wrong? What happens to batteries as they age and how can we extend their lifespan? Why are e-scooters banned in the London underground? And what can we do to make sure we're using batteries safely in our homes, and disposing of them correctly.

In this fascinating episode, we're joined by Professor Paul Shearing from SafeBatt and Andrew Gausden from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, to talk about battery safety and the science behind it.

Hosted by Dr. Alex Lathbridge.

Produced by Hiren Joshi and Lizzy Ratcliffe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thanks to the leadership of Germany, the hard work of negotiators, and the spirit of compromise, the world has agreed to the Global Framework on Chemicals – backed by a High-Level Declaration that provides political impetus to drive the deal’s implementation.

The RSC's Dan Korbel, Steph Metzger, and Camilla Alexander-White all attended the fifth session of the International Conference on Chemicals Management (ICCM5), in Germany. Here the team caught up with delegates and spoke about how this new framework provides a vision for a planet free of harm from chemicals and waste and creates a safe, healthy, and sustainable future for all.

Hosted by Dan Korbel and Steph Metzger.

Produced by Hiren Joshi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are biodegradable plastics? And are they the same as compostable plastics? What about bioplastics? And are any of them better for the environment than alternatives?

This week we’re talking all things degradation, with a special focus on composting. We'll be hearing from Lesley Green and Professor Helen Hailes from University College London's Big Composting Experiment – they will tell us what happened when participants buried various plastics marketed as degradable in their compost heaps. Meanwhile Kathy Page from the Royal Society of Chemistry talks us through some of the vocabulary around these kinds of plastics.

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What makes a plastic recyclable? How can we design a plastic to be as sustainable as possible? And how does the way that we design specific products affect their impact on the environment?

In this episode we do a deep dive into the science of plastics – looking at how we might design plastic products with sustainability in mind. Dr Jenni Garden from the University of Edinburgh talks us through her research into different types of materials, while Mark Pawsey MP brings his 25 years experience of working in the field of plastic packaging. Meanwhile David Santillo talks us through what Greenpeace is doing to tackle the plastics problem.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.