The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of implementing sustainable changes to the steel industry, and explore the gap between expectation and reality in advances in cancer treatment – with Neil Withers and Andy Extance.

For more than a century, steelmaking has relied on carbon-heavy coal-fired processes. We discuss how a new generation of technologies could transform one of the world's most emissions-intensive industries.

And, for many, news of advances in cancer research can bring hope, but there are gaps between the expectation and realities of these advances. Writer Andy Extance joins us to discuss his Instagram account dedicated to providing context for this gap.

Main Stories:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/the-race-to-decarbonise-iron-and-steelmaking/4024384.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/im-sharing-my-cancerwidower-journey-to-bring-a-realistic-understanding-of-research-progress/4024359.article

Headlines:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/dozens-of-unknown-mxenes-found-buried-in-materials-databases/4024445.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/baker-lab-tackles-tough-challenge-of-designing-new-proteases/4024444.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/sodium-ion-batteries-overcome-lifespan-vs-charging-conundrum-with-graphene-armour/4024437.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/light-connected-single-molecule-qubit-hints-at-disruption-to-quantum-computing-tech/4024467.article

In this episode, we discuss the challenges of balancing tyre chemistry and environmental safety, along with the first known example of naturally synthesized MOFs with Phillip Broadwith and Patrick Walter.

A chemical that keeps tyres from cracking is also killing salmon when it washes into rivers. We discuss the difficulties in searching for a safer replacement for 6PPD.

And, researchers have identified a bacteria that produces and uses MOFs at the bottom of the seafloor. How is it possible, and what can we learn from it about our own design of materials?

Main stories:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/tyremakers-are-searching-for-alternatives-to-salmon-killing-additive/4024386.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/bacteria-discovered-to-be-synthesising-metal-organic-frameworks-with-extraordinary-conductivity/4024399.article

Headlines:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/punitive-student-loans-threaten-the-future-of-uk-science/4024377.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/covalent-organic-frameworks-could-clean-up-water-pollution-and-generate-green-ammonia/4024413.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/x-ray-molecular-movie-of-penicillin-reveals-hidden-lives-of-its-intermediates/4024365.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/small-world-photo-competition-winner-announced-following-disqualification-of-video-winner-for-ai-use/4024405.article

This week we discuss a new light-controlled technique that creates structural color and water repellent properties in polymer films and discuss our low-stakes mistakes with Mason Wakley and Frankie Macpherson.

What do lotus leaves and plastic sheets have in common? We discuss how structural colour provides an alternative for pigments and chemicals and their environmental cost.

And, have you ever panicked over a broken a piece of lab equipment or a ruined experiment, only to realize it wasn't as big a deal as you thought? This week, we are discussing our low-stakes mistakes, why they feel so dire in the moment, and what we can learn from them.

Main stories:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/biomimetic-foaming-photopolymers-offer-new-waterproof-white-material/4024218.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/opinion/the-chemistry-world-team-shares-some-of-its-low-stakes-mistakes/4024104.article

Headlines:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/merck-and-cos-us-antibiotic-withdrawal-sends-the-wrong-signals-for-combating-resistance/4024343.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/lunar-samples-returned-by-chinas-change-6-mission-contain-rare-highly-magnetic-iron-allotrope/4024261.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/two-accidental-nitroalkane-reactions-reveal-complementary-photochemical-routes-to-alkenes-and-unite-their-discoverers/4024314.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/syngenta-plans-to-close-grangemouth-manufacturing-site/4024349.article

It's Nobel season again! And we're doing something a little different here on The chemical breakdown. Instead of our usual stories, in this episode we are turning the microphone to speculation and discussing who we think will be taking home the chemistry Nobel prize this year with Jamie Durrani and Neil Withers.

Each year the Nobel prize is awarded across six categories, including physiology/medicine, physics, literature, peace, economic sciences, and chemistry. This year the announcement of the chemistry prize is set for Wednesday 7 October.

Past winners have included last year's metal organic frameworks, protein structure prediction and design, and quantum dots.
Who is slated to win the prize this year? We trace trends in previous award winners, current predictions being discussed including the Clarivate citation laureates, and chat through our own Chemistry World team's predictions.

Main stories:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/who-will-win-the-2026-nobel-prize-in-chemistry/4024197.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/nobel-prize/the-data-behind-the-nobel-prizes/4010453.article

Headlines:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/hats-off-for-new-lower-temperature-route-to-unzip-plexiglass-for-recycling/4024240.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/300mw-electrolyser-construction-starts-off-spanish-hydrogen-valley/4024272.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/elemental-sulfur-found-in-mammalian-cells-for-first-time/4024258.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/simple-organic-catalyst-walks-phosphate-groups-along-sugar-backbones/4024254.article

This week, we explore how molecular glues have revolutionized how we treat previously 'undruggable' cancers and explore how modern scientific techniques are teasing apart the mysteries of one of the most iconic historical artefacts with Phillip Broadwith and Neil Withers.

A ground-breaking new drug has become the first of its kind to win FDA approval for metastatic pancreatic cancer. Could it mark the beginning of a new era for cancers that have long been considered impossible to target?

We'll also uncover the chemistry behind the investigation and conservation of the Bayeux Tapestry. What secrets have scientists already revealed, and what questions about this iconic artefact remain unanswered?

Main stories:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/us-approves-pancreatic-cancer-treatment-that-targets-undruggable-proteins/4024110.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/features/the-chemistry-helping-to-unravel-the-bayeux-tapestrys-secrets/4024093.article

Headlines:

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/does-the-discovery-of-a-new-coronavirus-upend-the-covid-19-lab-leak-hypothesis/4024170.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/uk-funding-agency-to-spend-66-million-on-new-methods-for-engineering-the-mitochondrial-genome/4024165.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/chinas-scientific-rise-is-being-driven-by-returning-expertise-especially-chemists/4024149.article

https://www.chemistryworld.com/news/growing-confidence-of-africas-chemical-societies-brings-chemistrys-benefits-to-continent/4024137.article