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Silicon: Imagine life without glass

Sep 29, 2014
The BBC's Justin Rowlatt looks at the economics behind chemical elements.

Tungsten: just try and smash it

Sep 23, 2014
The element that is behind lighting and writing.

Tin: The modern world's glue

Mar 11, 2014
The element that brought us beyond the Stone Age.

Calcium: Not so good in high doses

Mar 5, 2014
Calcium is a fundamental building block in chemistry and in modern life.

The elements: Carbon's all around

Jan 21, 2014
Carbon is the ultimate bonder but in some forms, it can be dangerous. Carbon Monoxide can poison you. Carbon Dioxide is blamed by some for global warming.

Aluminum: A paradox in an element

Dec 4, 2013
Aluminum or aluminium? Either way, it's useful.

Helium: Not Just the Stuff in Balloons

Nov 22, 2013
Helium is a valuable finite resource that is often wasted just for fun.

For public good, not for profit.