Princeton historian of science Michael Gordin describes a set of attitudes that most practicing scientists have towards historians, philosophers and sociologists of science, and outlines ways in which appreciating the past might help...

With the Passerini and Ugi reactions down, let's learn one more multi-component reaction, the Biginelli reaction. Developed by Pietro Biginelli in 1891, this reaction produces pyrimidine derivatives. What's the mechanism? What are the...

What are the different ecosystems that make up the everglades? What has compromised the health of the everglades? Where do the everglades begin? When and how did the everglades begin to form? What happened when settlers came to the area?...

What was Hamilton Disstons plan for the everglades? Did his plan work? What were the affects of building a canal? What were the affects after the canal was changed?<br/>
The Everglades Ecosystem, Part 2

Up until now, chemists who want to design breakthrough drugs, formulate better agrichemicals and develop new smart materials have designed their products using long-established laboratory methods. But, that's about to...

Amino acids, nature makes them, and humans have been making them as well since 1850. The first lab synthesis of amino acids was reported by Adolph Strecker, so it's called the Strecker amino acid synthesis, and despite being so ancient...

David Tuckett suggests that economics should drop the physics envy. Economics in the real world is not, and should not be, made up of mechanical situations. Finance has become too remote from human judgments and understanding the...

Scientists from MIT have used carbon nanotubes to make a pencil lead, which they then used to draw sensors on paper printed with gold electrodes.

This video will go over what you can expect going into college as a chemistry major. Chemistry is a challenging major that is made up of science and advanced level math courses. In addition to your...

As we just learned, the 19th century brought about the practice of isolating compounds with medicinal properties from their natural sources, such as a variety of alkaloids. But one such alkaloid deserves its own chapter in this story,...

This video provides an overview of the element fluorine, its properties, and its uses. Despite its reactivity, fluorine is used in dental care and pharmaceuticals due to its beneficial effects on teeth and its stable carbon-fluorine...

Up until now, chemists who want to design breakthrough drugs, formulate better agrochemicals, and develop new smart materials have designed their products using long-established laboratory methods. But, that's about to change. With...

MOT 1935: CARBON LAB: ** VS Carbon chemist at desk reading book, using slide ruler. VS Various chemists in lab testing boiling alcohol in test tube, steam rising from container, placing jar 'Ethylene Glycol' on shelf, scientist looking...

The business of fake medicines is said to be worth $75billion a year. Developed world health systems have been targeted but life-saving drugs in the developing world are now being faked, with fatal results. We gained exclusive access to...

How was the land for farmers south of the lake? What is good and bad about peat soil? How does other plant life help the everglades?<br/>
The Everglades Ecosystem, Part 3

The Cannizzaro reaction is pretty old, over 150 years old in fact, but it is still an important reaction in organic chemistry. It involves the disproportionation of two equivalents of an aldehyde, meaning one is oxidized to the...

In the early 19th century, we were still in the habit of searching for plants with medicinal properties. But we were finally beginning to develop the capacity to identify active ingredients within those plants, isolate them, and purify...

The identity and chemical properties of any atom are determined by the number of protons in its nucleus. As atoms get bigger and heavier, the nuclei get bigger and heavier and the protons need a “nuclear glue” to help hold them together....

What is a volt? What careers deal with battery production and innovation?<br/>
Battery Power Innovations, Part 3

Why is Lithium good for batteries in mobile devices? Explain the process for battery manufacturing.<br/>
Battery Power Innovations, Part 2

Naming molecules according to IUPAC nomenclature.

In 2016, the first synthetic organism of original design was created. When you hear this statement, what does it make you think of? The word synthetic does imply that something was built by man. But if you're imagining artificial...

It's time to learn some name reactions! We've seen a lot of these already, but now we are going to hit several dozen more. First up, the Gabriel synthesis of primary amines. This is an old one, from 1887. Let's check out some old school...

Why are batteries important? When were batteries created? What is a battery?<br/>
Battery Power Innovations, Part 1