Strap in for this charged up conversation. Battery chemistry is a topic we’ve touched on before and is one we’ve committed to exploring further in this season. This conversation with Dr. Heather Platt, Co-Founder and Chief Battery Scientist at Platt Engineering Solutions, takes us on an expert-guided tour of battery chemistry.

This conversation quickly moves us through battery chemistries like lead/acid and metal sulfides and into more modern mixed metal oxides with reversible chemistry. Our discussion of the pros and cons of various chemistries, including lithium-ion, touches on complex considerations including power density, voltage, global material sourcing, safety, and more. Manufacturing methods and the micro and nanostructures of battery materials are also discussed.

If you’re excited about the future of the battery field you’ll be sure to enjoy Heather’s views on up-and-coming battery technologies, including solid state and sodium-ion chemistries.

Related episodes:

• Season 5, Ep. 1: Batteries unplugged: past, present and the electrifying future

Bonus content:

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt on our episode website.
• Use Podcast Code: laBcheM in June orLabRatsRul3 in July

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us!

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com

Join our host, Dr. Paolo Braiuca, as he chats with some of the most fascinating scientists around the globe doing trailblazing work in a variety of fields and industries. Learn about their personal stories, notable contributions, and the enthusiasm for discovery that unites them all. This is a podcast for anyone who wants to learn more about science and the brilliant minds advancing it.

Now in the fifth season of our podcast, in store are more inspiring conversations about trending topics with influential guest that chemists, students and science enthusiasts will undoubtedly find captivating. In the mid-season checkpoint, Paolo reflects on the evolution of the series and gives a glimpse of what’s to come. Diversity remains a priority but, there will be deeper looks at topics like battery technology, PFAS chemistry, chemical biology, and sustainability in organic chemistry.

If you’re new to the podcast, now is the time to catch up and get ready for what’s to come. If you’re a loyal listener, Paolo has a special message for you and a humble request Regardless, we’re happy you found us and we’re looking forward to sharing more with you soon!

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by each episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of each episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Visit the episode website and request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt.
• Use Podcast Code: Bi0catalys1sin June or LabRatsRul3 in July

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us!

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com

Anyone that’s followed this podcast will know that Paolo’s final question to each guest is, “What advice would you like to share with younger scientists just starting their career?” Here, our guest, Dr. Monte Helm, professor of chemistry at Metropolitan Community College in Kansas City, shares advice that he clearly lives by, which is, “… be flexible ii your career and follow what you think you’ll be passionate about.”

While Monte’s academic training is in inorganic chemistry, he’ll tell you he’s always cared about teaching as much as the subject itself. Join us to meet this lifelong learner and teacher, that’s parlayed his passion for phosphine chemistry and teaching into roles as a postdoctoral researcher, a professor at an undergraduate research institution, a deputy director at a national laboratory, and now a teaching-focused role at a community college. A set of roles that definitely demonstrates flexibility!

In addition to learning about the fundamental research Dr. Helm has done in crown-phosphine and phosphine ligand synthesis, we learn about his unconventional career path and the key role that mentors and sabbatical opportunities played in its development. He talks openly about the joys and challenges of each role, about his motivations for each career change, and his current love of teaching at a community college where he’s able to focus solely on teaching to students that may not have had positive primary educational experiences in science.

Related episodes:

• Season 2, Ep. 3: Rethinking Catalysis
• Season 2, Ep. 6: The charm of the forgotten elements
• Season 3, Ep. 3: Imagination and the chemistry of the things around us
• Season 5, Ep. 4: Shining a photochemical light on undergraduate research

Bonus content!

• Access bonus content curated by this episode’s guest by visiting www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast for links to recent publications, podcasts, books, videos and more.
• View the video of this episode on www.thermofisher.com/chemistry-podcast.

A free thank you gift for our listeners!

• Visit the episode website and request your free Bringing Chemistry to Life t-shirt.
• Use Podcast Code: laBcheM in March or sc13nc3 in April

We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us!

• Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com