Episode 3: Believe it or Watt: Batteries in a Sustainable World with Dr Ieuan Seymour (University of Aberdeen)From the gadgets in our pockets to the wheels on the road, we need batteries to help the world go round. In this episode we examine the chemistry behind how batteries function, eco-friendly alternatives, and what materials we might need to offer more sustainable options for everyday consumers. We speak with Dr Ieuan Seymour, a researcher at the University of Aberdeen, to discuss how vital batteries for our present and our future. What might we do when we run out of the elements that we need to make batteries? How can we reuse existing materials instead of mining more? TimestampsIntro [00:00]About the episode [01:25] Batteries background [03:25]Meet the guests [10:33]Interview [12:03]The Breakdown [27:05]Expert Test [28:23]Conclusion [32:24]Meet our guestDr Ieuan Seymour is lecturer in the Chemistry Department at the University of Aberdeen. His work spans the fields of materials science and chemistry, focusing on innovative solutions for energy storage and generation. His research group uses a combination of high-performance computing and cutting-edge experimental techniques to understand the structure and properties of sustainable energy materials all the way from the atomistic level to device level applications. An important focus of his work is developing new materials with increases sustainability from cradle to grave. Ieuan completed his Master’s degree in Material Science and Engineering at Imperial College London in 2012. He subsequently completed his PhD in Chemistry at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Professor Dame Clare P. Grey. His PhD focused on the electrochemical performance and degradation mechanisms of next generation manganese-based cathodes for Li-ion batteries. After his PhD, he was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Texas at Austin and Imperial College London where he explored new materials discovery for high performance, sustainable ‘beyond Li-ion’ and next-generation solid-state batteries. Through mentorship and teaching, Ieuan shares his passion for materials chemistry, inspiring the next generation of researchers to address pressing challenges in sustainability and energy innovation.CreditsProducer: Shazia Ur-Rehman (CTVC)Content Producer: Stevie Strowman (CTVC)Guest: Dr Ieuan SeymourHosts: Mariama Ifode-Blease and Samuel DadaGuest student: William Terry-WrightWriter: Alastair Collinson (CTVC)Researchers: William Terry-Wright, Bairavee R T RavindranSound mixer: Pat Pretorius (CTVC)Cover Art: Sam Osbourne Learn moreThe Salters’ Institute

Episode 2 — Unbreakable: Forever chemicals with Professor AndrewTanentzap (Trent University, University of Cambridge)PFAs are extremely resistant ‘forever’ chemicals that have found their way into many of the products we use on a daily basis. Their strong carbon bonds make them difficult to break down, endangering our environment. How can we reverse the damage done by persistent pollutants? Do we have enough time to leverage natural processes to eliminate PFAs before it’s too late? We speak with Professor Andrew Tanentzap, researcher at Trent University and University of Cambridge, about how we can utilise natural microorganisms to break down carbon-based pollutants.TimestampsIntro [00:00]Meet the hosts [02:10]Forever chemicals background [02:57]About the episode [03:59]Meet the guests [05:53]Interview [06:40]The Breakdown [19:39]Expert Test [21:30]Conclusion [25:35]Meet our expertProfessor Andrew TanentzapProfessor Andrew Tanentzap is Canada Research Chair inClimate Change and Northern Ecosystems at Trent University and a Member of theRoyal Society of Canada College. He is also a Bye Fellow at Peterhouse College,Cambridge and was previously Professor of Global Change Ecology in theDepartment of Plant Sciences and Conservation Research Institute at theUniversity of Cambridge from 2013 to 2023. His research is at the interface ofecology, evolutionary biology, and biogeochemistry, making fundamentaldiscoveries in understanding how environmental change impacts both biodiversityand the benefits people receive from nature, including carbon sequestration,food production, and safe drinking water.CreditsProducer: Shazia Ur-Rehman (CTVC)Content Producer: Stevie Strowman (CTVC)Hosts: Mariama Ifode-Blease and Samuel DadaGuest: Professor Andrew TanentzapGuest student: William Terry-WrightWriter: Alastair Collinson (CTVC)Researchers: William Terry-Wright, Bairavee R T RavindranSound mixer: Pat Pretorius (CTVC)Cover Art: Sam OsbourneLearn moreProfessor Tanentzap’s lab, the Ecosystems and Global Change Group

Episode 1 — Mind the 'synaptic' gap: The chemistry of the brain with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore (University of Cambridge)SummaryPeople with mental health challenges were for a very long time completely misunderstood, but science is changing our knowledge of the brain. What causes issues with mental health in young people? How can chemistry contribute to treatments for mental health problems? We speak with Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore leader of a research group at the University of Cambridge, about current research on mental health and the adolescent brain.TimestampsIntro [00:00]Meet the Hosts[01:39]About Zwittering On [03:38]Brain Chemistry and Mental Health Background [05:01]Meet the Guests [06:48]Interview [07:32]Summary [32:48]Expert Test [34:31]Conclusion [37:01]Meet our expertProfessor Sarah-Jayne BlakemoreSarah-Jayne Blakemore is Professor of Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Cambridge, and leader of the Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience Group. Her group's research focuses on the development of social cognition and decision making in the human adolescent brain, and adolescent mental health. Her group runs behavioural studies in schools and in the lab, as well as neuroimaging studies, with adolescents and adults.CreditsProducer: Shazia Ur-Rehman (CTVC)Content Producer: Stevie Strowman (CTVC)Hosts: Mariama Ifode-Blease and Samuel DadaGuest: Professor Sarah-Jayne BlakemoreGuest student: William Terry-WrightWriter: Alastair Collinson (CTVC)Researchers: William Terry-Wright, Bairavee R T RavindranSound mixer: Pat Pretorius (CTVC)Cover art: Sam OsbourneLearn moreBlakemore LabMIND, mental health charity (UK)YkAUFMNKLan5UyPMbra2

Teaser trailer for Zwittering On! The world needs chemists more than ever! Will you join our conversation?Podcast launching February 6, 2024.