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Science History Institute
Distillations is the Science History Institute’s critically acclaimed flagship podcast. We take deep dives into stories that range from the serious to the eccentric, all to help listeners better understand the surprising science that is all around us. Hear about everything from the crisis in Alzheimer’s research to New England’s 19th-century vampire panic in compelling, sometimes-funny, documentary-style audio stories.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jan 1, 2010 • 12min
Episode 85: International Year in Review
Another year has come and gone, but the impact of scientific discoveries made and concerns raised will be felt in 2010 and beyond.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:32 Introduction
01:20 Asia: Water Management in a Changing Climate
04:02 Europe: Large Hadron Collider
07:15 A Conversation with The Scientist's Alla Katsnelson
11:26 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Michal Meyer and Anke Timmerman for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Dec 18, 2009 • 12min
Episode 84: Crystals
There are many different types of crystals we encounter, ranging from tiny to extremely large in size.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:32 Introduction
01:11 Chemical Agent: Sodium Chloride
03:34 Tools of the Trade
06:15 A Conversation with Karen Allen
11:27 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Victoria Indivero, Michal Meyer, Anke Timmermann, and Maggie Wood for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Dec 4, 2009 • 12min
Episode 83: Fellows in Action
What do Isaac Newton, yeast, and Harold Urey have in common? They all come under the research microscope of Chemical Heritage Foundation fellows.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:10 Chemical Agent: Yeast
03:28 Tools of the Trade: Backyard Acids from Early Chemistry
07:18 A Conversation with Matthew Shindell on Harold C. Urey
11:51 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Nov 20, 2009 • 12min
Episode 82: Food Myths
In this episode of Distillations we clarify common misconceptions about food.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:18 Chemical Agent: Sucralose
03:30 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Detox Diets
06:04 A Conversation with David Schleifer on Trans Fats
11:33 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Jennifer Dionisio, Sky Kalfus, and Erica Stefanovich for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Nov 6, 2009 • 12min
Episode 81: Light
Let there be light! Whether it comes from the sky or a bulb, we’d be lost without it.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:01 Chemical Agent: Organic Solar Cells
03:54 Mystery Solved! Seasonal Affective Disorder
06:42 Feature: The History of Lightbulbs
11:21 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Jim Burress, Hilary Domush, Michal Meyer, and Erica Stefanovich for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Oct 23, 2009 • 12min
Episode 80: Autumn
Autumn! Learn about leaf changes, the three sisters, and apple cider. Chemical Agent: Senescence.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:07 Chemical Agent: Senescence
03:43 Tools of the Trade: The Three Sisters
06:27 Feature: Apple Cider
10:52 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Hilary Domush and Erica Stefanovich for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Oct 9, 2009 • 12min
Episode 79: Changing Phases
Everything falls into one of three phases of matter: solid, liquid, or gas. Or does it?
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:11 Chemical Agent: Dry Ice
03:34 A Conversation with Michal Meyer
08:11 Chemistry in Your Cupboard: Glass
11:04 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Hilary Domush and Jennifer Dionisio for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Sep 25, 2009 • 12min
Episode 78: Public Science
Science isn’t some exalted ideal confined to labs and classrooms—it’s all around us. In this episode we share different ways that scientists have reached out to educate and enlighten the masses.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
01:00 Chemical Agent: Glenn Seaborg
03:43 Tools of the Trade: The Air Pump
06:07 Feature: Science in the City
11:08 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Andy Mangravite and Erin McLeary for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Sep 11, 2009 • 12min
Episode 77: Innovations and Inventions
Every year the Chemical Heritage Foundation holds Innovation Day—an event for people to get together to discuss and learn about science’s exciting new technologies. In this episode we take a look at innovations—the natural kind and the man-made kind.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:32 Introduction
01:13 Chemical Agent: Thermoregulation
03:34 Tools of the Trade: GoreTex Stents
06:25 A Conversation with Richard Silverman
11:22 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Chi Chan for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.

Aug 28, 2009 • 11min
Episode 76: Working Class Chemistry
In honor of Labor Day this episode of Distillations looks at how chemistry has affected the work of a variety of professionals—for better or worse.
SHOW CLOCK
00:00 Opening Credits
00:31 Introduction
00:59 Chemical Agent: Polybenzimidazole
02:58 History Lesson: Origins of Occupational Health
06:01 Feature: The Chemistry of Welding
10:40 Closing Credits
CREDITS
Special thanks to Mia Lobel, Andy Mangravite and Jody Roberts for researching this show. Additional credits available at chemheritage.org/distillations.