Silicon: Imagine life without glassBy Kai Ryssdal and Justin RowlattSeptember 29, 2014Sean Gallup/Getty ImagesThe BBC's Justin Rowlatt looks at the economics behind chemical elements.POSTED IN: elementals elements ListenreadDownloadDownload
Tungsten: just try and smash itBy Kai Ryssdal and Justin RowlattSeptember 23, 2014Three Lions/Getty ImagesThe element that is behind lighting and writing.POSTED IN: elements Science ListenreadDownloadDownload
Tin: The modern world's glueBy Justin RowlattMarch 11, 2014Keystone/Getty ImagesThe element that brought us beyond the Stone Age.POSTED IN: elements tin bbc world service ListenreadDownloadDownload
Calcium: Not so good in high dosesBy Justin RowlattMarch 05, 2014Johannes Simon/AFP/Getty ImagesCalcium is a fundamental building block in chemistry and in modern life. POSTED IN: elements calcium bbc world service ListenreadDownloadDownload
The elements: Carbon's all aroundBy Kai Ryssdal and Justin RowlattJanuary 21, 2014SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty ImagesCarbon 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.POSTED IN: elements bbc world service Carbon ListenreadDownloadDownload
Aluminum: A paradox in an elementBy Justin RowlattDecember 04, 2013Feng Li/Getty ImagesAluminum or aluminium? Either way, it's useful. POSTED IN: aluminum bbc world service elements ListenreadDownloadDownload
Helium: Not Just the Stuff in BalloonsBy Kai Ryssdal and Justin RowlattNovember 22, 2013Vladimir Rys/Getty ImagesHelium is a valuable finite resource that is often wasted just for fun.POSTED IN: healthcare elements natural resources helium global economy ListenreadDownloadDownload