Stereo Chemistry

Little was publicly known about the first Black scientist to codiscover an element. Chemists may know James Harris as the first Black scientist to be credited with codiscovering an element. In fact, we referenced this in a previous episode of Stereo Chemistry about making superheavy elements. But beyond this memorable factoid, details about this accomplished nuclear chemist are scarce, and most sources repeat the same superficial information. Kristen Frederick-Frost, curator of modern science at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, wants to change that. After discovering that the museum's database lacked material on Harris, she scoured archival records and sought out former colleagues, friends, and family members to fill in details of his life and career. In this bonus episode of Stereo Chemistry, host Kerri Jansen and special guest Darryl Boyd join Frederick-Frost to explore Harris's story beyond the discoveries that made him famous. And we even get an unexpected peek into his lab, courtesy o

In this episode of C&EN Uncovered, host Craig Bettenhausen speaks with C&EN Policy and Regulation reporter, Delger Erdenesanaa, about her article talking about the trials and takeaways of the 30th annual United Nations climate summit. Check out Delger's story on COP30 and the proposed biobased climate solutions and how they may impact the future of the chemical industry and the world.   Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Credits Executive producer: David Anderson Host: Craig Bettenhausen Reporter: Delger Erdenesanaa Video + Audio Producer: David Anderson, Jeremy Barr Episode artwork: Andre Penner/Associated Press Music: Commercial Flow, Shutterstock Contact Stereo Chemistry: Contact us on social media at @cenmag or email cenfeedback@acs.org.

C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In the third episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that ultimately led to our current understanding of antibiotic resistance. They also bring in C&EN reporter Rowan Walrath to offer a glimpse into a doomsday-scenario future when antibiotics are no longer effective. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In this episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale charge up the time machine to relive three historical moments that led to the lithium-ion battery. They also bring in C&EN reporter Prachi Patel to discuss the shortcomings of lithium-ion batteries, whether we're facing a lithium shortage, and new battery chemistry still on the horizon. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

C&EN's award-winning podcast Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In the second episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that ultimately led to scientists being able to edit genes. They also bring in C&EN reporter Max Barnhart to offer a glimpse into the future of gene editing technology. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In the first episode of our second season, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that led to blockbuster drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. They also talk with C&EN reporter Aayushi Pratap about how future GLP-1 drugs may expand on the current slate of options. C&EN's latest podcast, Inflection Point, leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode, Uncovered hops back to the first episode of C&EN's StereoChemistry, which delved into the materials that won the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Reporter Matt Davenport spoke with now-laureate Omar Yaghi and a handful of other researchers in and around this exciting subfield of chemistry. For more from C&EN on MOFs, check out our MOF topic page. Similarly, to read more about this year's Nobel Prizes, and look back at other years, we have a topic page for that as well. Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Credits  Executive producer: David Anderson  Host: Craig Bettenhausen  Reporters: Matt Davenport, Mitch Jacoby  Audio Producer: David Anderson, Jeremy Barr, Matt Davenport  Episode artwork: H2MOF  Music: 'Commercial Flow', Shutterstock ––– 'Inflection', Jeremy Barr  Contact Stereo Chemistry: Contact us on social media at @cenmag or email cenfeedback@acs.org.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in chemistry was awarded on Oct. 8 to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their work on metal organic frameworks (MOFs). Senior editor Prachi Patel joins a bonus episode of Stereo Chemistry to discuss what MOFs are, why they are so useful, and how they were discovered.  Check out Prachi’s story on how MOFs won this year’s prize at cenm.ag/chemnobel2025. Listen to our 2018 Stereo Chemistry episode on MOFs here: http://cenm.ag/moftalk Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Executive producer: David Anderson Host: Gina Vitale Reporter: Prachi Patel Audio editor: Jeremy Barr Music: Shutterstock Episode artwork: Lingmei Liu et al. Episode artwork source: https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-020-00361-6

Will Skeletal Editing revolutionize the way we see chemical interactions? In this episode of C&EN Uncovered, host Craig Bettenhausen speaks with C&EN associate editor, Brianna Barbu, about her article diving into the new and exciting frontier of Skeletal Editing. Check out Brianna's story on Skeletal Editing and how it may impact the future of the chemical industry. Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Signal Awards Voting (Inflection Point) Limited Series & Specials, Best Co-Host Team: Click here to check out and vote for the finalists Limited Series & Specials, Science & Education: Click here to check out and vote for the finalists Credits Executive producer: David Anderson Host: Craig Bettenhausen Reporter: Brianna Barbu Video + Audio Producer: David Anderson, Jeremy Barr Episode artwork: Christian Gralingen Music: 'Commercial Flow', Shutterstock ––– 'Inflection', Jeremy Barr Contact Stereo Chemistry: Contact us on social m

In this bonus episode of Stereo Chemistry, we are featuring a panel discussion from this year's ACS Fall Meeting. Our panelists, Stefan France, Glory Onajobi-Lee, Victor Olet, and John Gavenonis discuss the future of chemistry degrees, the importance of collaboration, and the fluidity of tech-based skills in the chemical industry at large. We are actively seeking new topics, discussions, and formats for 2026 ACS Future of Chemistry Events. Please use this link to tell us how we're doing and make some recommendations for next year's events. Thank you! Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Credits Executive producer: David Anderson Host: Laura Howes Panelists: Stefan France, Glory Onajobi-Lee, Victor Olet, John Gavenonis Audio Producer: Jeremy Barr Episode artwork: American Chemical Society Music: Commercial Flow, Shutterstock Contact Stereo Chemistry: Contact us on social media at @cenmag or email cenfeedback@acs.org.

Can the world’s top 50 chemical firms bounce back from a global economic downturn? In this episode of C&EN Uncovered, host Craig Bettenhausen speaks with C&EN senior correspondent, Alexander Tullo, about his coverage of C&EN’s Global Top 50 Chemical Firms list. Uncovered offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories pulled from the pages of Chemical & Engineering News. Check out Alex's story on the world’s top 50 chemical firms. Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Credits Executive producer: David Anderson Host: Craig Bettenhausen Reporter: Alexander Tullo Video + Audio Producer: Jeremy Barr Episode artwork: Will Ludwig Music: Commercial Flow, Shutterstock Contact Stereo Chemistry: Contact us on social media at @cenmag or email cenfeedback@acs.org.  

Hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three historical moments that were meaningful to the development of quantum computers. They also bring in C&EN reporter Mitch Jacoby to discuss scientific advances enabled by quantum chemistry.  C&EN’s Inflection Point leans on our 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future.  Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

Are we on the cusp of a new era of Biochemical discovery? In this episode of C&EN Uncovered, host Craig Bettenhausen speaks with C&EN reporter Max Barnhart about his recent C&EN cover story on the frontiers of bioprospecting for new antibiotics. Uncovered offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories pulled from the pages of Chemical & Engineering News. Check out Max’s story on the recent advancements of Bioprospecting.   Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts.   Credits Executive producer: David Anderson Host: Craig Bettenhausen Reporter: Max Barnhart Video + Audio Producer: Jeremy Barr Episode artwork: Madeline Monroe Music: Commercial Flow, Shutterstock Contact Stereo Chemistry: Contact us on social media at @cenmag or email cenfeedback@acs.org.

Inflection Point leans on C&EN’s 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In our second episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three events that ultimately led to the proliferation of PFAS. They also bring in C&EN reporter Britt Erickson to analyze how these ‘forever chemicals’ could shape our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Can climate catastrophe be stymied by tweaking seawater chemistry? In this episode of C&EN Uncovered, host Craig Bettenhausen speaks with C&EN reporter Fionna Samuels about her recent C&EN cover story concerning Ocean Alkalinity Enhancement (OAE) as a method to combat climate change by increasing ocean alkalinity to absorb more CO2. Uncovered offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories pulled from the pages of Chemical & Engineering News. Check out Fionna’s story on engineering our oceans to mitigate the effects of Climate Change.   Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Credits Executive Producer: David Anderson Host: Craig Bettenhausen Reporter: Fionna Samuels Video + Audio Producer: Jeremy Barr Episode artwork: Michael Sswat Music: Commercial Flow, Shutterstock Contact Stereo Chemistry: Contact us on social media at @cenmag or email cenfeedback@acs.org.

The drug industry may finally phase out using horseshoe crab blood. What took so long? In this episode of C&EN Uncovered, host Craig Bettenhausen speaks with C&EN assistant editor Laurel Oldach about the use of horseshoe crab blood in pharmaceutical endotoxin testing, the challenges of transitioning to synthetic alternatives, and the regulatory hurdles involved.  Stereo Chemistry offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories pulled from the pages of Chemical & Engineering News. Check out Laurel’s story on the fight over horseshoe crab blood at https://cen.acs.org/safety/drug-safety/Turning-tides-endotoxin-testing/102/i34.  Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. 

The new podcast Inflection Point leans on C&EN’s 100-year archive to trace headline topics in science today back to their disparate and surprising roots. In each episode, we explore three lesser-known moments in science history that ultimately led us to current-day breakthroughs. With help from expert C&EN reporters, this new show examines how discoveries from our past have shaped our present and will change our future. In our first episode, hosts David Anderson and Gina Vitale travel back in time to relive three events that ultimately led to the development of green hydrogen. They also bring in C&EN reporter Craig Bettenhausen to analyze how this emerging technology could shape our future. Subscribe to Inflection Point now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. A transcript of this episode can be found here.

The COVID-19 pandemic put the importance of indoor air quality in stark relief. The air in schools was of particular concern, and that concern spurred collaboration between researchers and school staff to find interventions to improve air quality to safeguard the health of students and staff. Data from indoor air monitors revealed that filter-based portable air cleaners were effective at removing airborne particulates. Ongoing research and monitoring will determine whether this effort is making a beneficial health impact and will be used to decide how to manage indoor air quality going forward. C&EN Uncovered, a project from C&EN’s podcast, Stereo Chemistry, offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories. Check out the full story about air quality monitoring in schools at cenm.ag/airqualityinschools.   Cover photo: Undergraduate student Ricardo Reyes collects air quality measurements from the back of a classroom in Colorado.   Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or whe

On Oct. 9, the 2024 Nobel Prize for Chemistry was awarded to David Baker, Demis Hassabis, and John M. Jumper for their work in prediction and design of protein structures. C&EN’s executive editor for life sciences, Laura Howes, joins a special episode of Stereo Chemistry to discuss why the trio won, the significance of their work around proteins, and how she accurately predicted the win in C&EN’s annual “Who Will Win?” webinar. Stereo Chemistry offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories pulled from the pages of Chemical & Engineering News. Check out Laura’s story on how these computational chemists won this year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry at cenm.ag/chemnobel2024.  

In the 20th century, corporate powerhouses like Bell Labs and DuPont Central Research funded R&D from their balance sheets, creating a clear path for postdoctoral scientists to innovate beyond their university research. In 2024, with the decay of corporate laboratories, graduates are taking the commercial start-up route more and more. C&EN, business reporter Matt Blois discusses several such start-ups, exploring how the founders are making the transition from PhD to CEO and mapping the various routes they've taken to secure funding to continue their research. C&EN Uncovered, a project from C&EN’s podcast, Stereo Chemistry, offers a deeper look at subjects from recent stories. Check out Matt’s story on how PhDs are learning to become CEOs at cenm.ag/chementrepreneurs Cover photo: Laura Stoy inside a laboratory at Rivalia Chemical Subscribe to Stereo Chemistry now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. A transcript of this episode is available at cen.acs.org.   Credits E