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Chemistry For Your Life


Chemistry For Your Life

How does sweat cool us down?

Thu, 31 Jul 2025

#050


This week, Melissa and Jam once again look under the armpits of society, this time to explore sweat. Is it cool? Well does it keep us cool? How? At what cost? Is there more to sweat than meets the eye? Can you drink it? Grab your sweat bands and let's hit the track Paulie Bleeker.


 


References from this episode



  1. Flexible and Superwettable Bands as a Platform toward Sweat Sampling and Sensing - Analytical Chemistry - Xuecheng He, Tailin Xu, Zhen Gu, Wei Gao, Li-Ping Xu, Tingrui Pan, and Xueji Zhang

  2. A Fully Integrated and Self-Powered Smartwatch for Continuous Sweat Glucose Monitoring - ACS Sensors - Jiangqi Zhao, Yuanjing Lin, Jingbo Wu, Hnin Yin Yin Nyein, Mallika Bariya, Li-Chia Tai, Minghan Chao, Wenbo Ji, George Zhang, Zhiyong Fan, and Ali Javey

  3. General Chemistry, Edition 2 - Flowers, Theopold, Langley, Robinson


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How does *color* film photography work??

Thu, 24 Jul 2025

In this continuation of our two-part series, Melissa and Jam dive into the intriguing chemistry behind color film and Polaroid photography. The episode picks up from the previous discussion on black and white film, focusing on color theory and how it applies to both traditional and instant photography. Listeners will learn about the science of additive and subtractive colors, how multiple layers of dye-sensitized silver halide work together to capture images, and the unique processes involved in developing these images. For those fascinated by the intersection of chemistry and photography, this episode is a must-listen.


00:00 Introduction and Recap

01:42 Understanding Color Theory

05:08 Additive and Subtractive Colors

07:00 Color Photography Basics

08:45 Film Development Process

13:03 Negative and Positive Images

17:33 Practical Applications and Examples

23:28 Understanding Negative Images in Photography

24:26 Principles of Color Photography

25:22 Exploring Color Negatives and Filters

27:14 Layers and Sensitizers in Color Film

29:51 The Development Process of Color Film

34:22 Introduction to Polaroid Photography

35:20 The Chemistry Behind Polaroid Development

40:06 Fascination with Photography and Color Theory

40:50 Favorite Black and White TV Shows

44:12 Closing Remarks and Community Shoutouts


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References from this episode:



  1. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/epdf/10.1021/ed052p622?ref=article_openPDF

  2. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00400

  3. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/ed081p694

  4. https://edu.rsc.org/experiments/making-a-photographic-print-using-silver-chloride/454.article

  5. https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/articlesbytopic/metals%20and%20nonmetals/chemmatters-feb2006-digital-photo.pdf

  6. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rolf-Steiger/publication/279964154_CHEMICAL_SENSITIZATION_OF_SILVER_BROMIDE/links/5a7d8b55aca272341aef2f6f/CHEMICAL-SENSITIZATION-OF-SILVER-BROMIDE.pdf

  7. https://www.acs.org/education/celebrating-chemistry-editions/2024-ncw/chemistry-of-polaroids.html

  8. https://cen.acs.org/articles/87/i12/Instant-Film.html

  9. https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/land-instant-photography.html

  10. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/epdf/10.1021/ed051p72?ref=article_openPDF





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Ask a Chemist: Is Baking Soda and Vinegar a Cleaning Myth? (And other questions)

Thu, 17 Jul 2025

Melissa and Jam tackle a variety of questions and corrections from their listeners. They dive into topics such as the effectiveness of baking soda and vinegar as cleaning agents, the science behind kombucha carbonation, the structural differences in Panko breadcrumbs, and how polymer clays harden in the oven versus air dry clay. They also explore fun anecdotes from the community about glow-in-the-dark items and discuss how Monster energy drinks can explode when frozen. The episode provides valuable insights into everyday chemistry while addressing common myths and misconceptions.


00:00 Introduction and Teasers

00:34 Corrections and Community Feedback

02:14 Kombucha Fermentation Discussion

10:31 Baking Soda and Vinegar Cleaning Debate

15:45 Adhesives for Panko Breadcrumbs

16:59 Greek Yogurt and Panko Breadcrumbs Recipe

18:02 The Science Behind Panko Breadcrumbs

19:10 Ozone Layer and COVID-19 Impact

21:43 Exploding Monster Energy Drinks

23:44 Mel's Research and Published Articles

25:23 Polymer Clays and Air Dry Clays

26:50 Alternative Career Choices

31:30 Listener Anecdotes and Community Engagement

34:51 Supporting the Show and Final Thoughts


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What is the chemistry of film photography?

Thu, 10 Jul 2025

Melissa and Jam delve into the fascinating chemistry behind film photography. They reminisce about their childhood experiences with analog cameras and discuss the shift to digital cameras. Melissa, a chemist, explains the complex chemical processes involved in capturing and developing photos on film, focusing on the role of light-sensitive silver bromide. The episode also includes shout-outs to community members who spurred the topic and closes with personal stories and favorite film photos. Get ready to explore the intersection of chemistry and photography while revisiting nostalgia from the days of film cameras.


00:00 Nostalgia: From Film to Digital Cameras
00:38 The Shift to Digital Photography
01:52 Introduction to the Podcast
02:01 Shoutouts and Listener Requests
12:32 The Chemistry Behind Film Photography
28:03 Amplifying the Latent Image
28:24 Creating the Negative
29:11 Fixing the Image
29:51 Understanding the Negative
30:30 Inverting the Negative
31:15 Early Photography Challenges
32:12 Explaining the Process
33:21 Chemical Reactions in Film Development
34:44 Scanning and Developing Film
41:15 Personal Film Photography Stories
51:29 Supporting the Show

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References from this episode:



  1. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/epdf/10.1021/ed052p622?ref=article_openPDF

  2. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.6b00400

  3. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/10.1021/ed081p694

  4. https://edu.rsc.org/experiments/making-a-photographic-print-using-silver-chloride/454.article

  5. https://www.acs.org/content/dam/acsorg/education/resources/highschool/chemmatters/articlesbytopic/metals%20and%20nonmetals/chemmatters-feb2006-digital-photo.pdf

  6. https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rolf-Steiger/publication/279964154_CHEMICAL_SENSITIZATION_OF_SILVER_BROMIDE/links/5a7d8b55aca272341aef2f6f/CHEMICAL-SENSITIZATION-OF-SILVER-BROMIDE.pdf

  7. https://www.acs.org/education/celebrating-chemistry-editions/2024-ncw/chemistry-of-polaroids.html

  8. https://cen.acs.org/articles/87/i12/Instant-Film.html

  9. https://www.acs.org/education/whatischemistry/landmarks/land-instant-photography.html

  10. https://pubs-acs-org.libproxy.library.unt.edu/doi/epdf/10.1021/ed051p72?ref=article_openPDF





Thanks to our monthly supporters



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  • Jeannette N

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What gives curly hair its curl?

Thu, 03 Jul 2025

#027 Rebroadcast

Originally Published January 23, 2020


This week, Melissa and Jam dive into the chemistry of something that may not seem like chemistry at first: hair. Curly hair to be specific. What makes hair curl? Also what is hair in the first place? Why can hair be so radically different? Alright curly girls, curly guys, and curly folks, let's find out.


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References from this episode



  1. Biochemistry, Edition 4 - Garret and Grisham

  2. The Chemistry of Hair - C. S. Whewell, Ph.D., F.R.I.C., F.T.I.

  3. The Science of Curls -  Leidamarie Tirado-Lee

  4. Bad Hair Days? Chemistry to the Rescue - Marlene M. Gutierrez


 

 


Thanks to our monthly supporters



  • Vince W

  • Julie S.

  • Heather R

  • Autoclave

  • Chelsea M

  • Dorien VD

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  • Jessie R

  • Ciara L

  • J0HNTR0Y

  • Jeannette N

  • Cullyn R

  • Erica B

  • Elizabeth P

  • Sarah M

  • Rachel R

  • Letila

  • Katrina B

  • Suzanne P

  • Venus R

  • Lyn S

  • Jacob T

  • Brian K

  • Emerson W

  • Kristina G

  • Timothy P

  • Steven B

  • Chris and Claire S

  • Chelsea B

  • Avishai B

  • Hunter R



★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★
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