What would happen if everyone switched to electric vehicles tomorrow? What's the future of electric vehicles, and will they ever become more affordable for people? And how is battery design for these vehicles evolving?

Claire Miller from Octopus Electric Vehicles joined us to share her knowledge on electric vehicles from the perspective of an electricity provider. She tells us about the broader applications for electric vehicles, and how developments in this area are likely to affect our daily lives in the near future. 

We also hear from James Kelloway at the National Grid, and Professor Volker Presser, Head Energy Materials.

Hosted by Dr. Alex Lathbridge.

Produced by Hiren Joshi and Elisabeth Ratcliffe.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where do the materials for batteries come from? What are the human and environmental costs of mining, and what can we do to mitigate its effects?

Professor Frances Wall from Camborne School of Mines at the University of Exeter and Dr Sarah Gordon – CEO and co-founder of Satarla – speak to us about the process of mining and processing precious metals, and about the social and environmental effects.

Hosted by Dr. Alex Lathbridge

Produced by Hiren Joshi and Elisabeth Ratcliffe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are the benefits of using batteries, and how do they compare to alternatives? How are batteries used as part of the energy system in the UK, and how is that likely to change in the future?

Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Energy Minister, and Dr Jacqueline Edge from Imperial College London, join us to talk about batteries and the big picture. We learn how batteries can best be used to facilitate a more sustainable future, and how this might affect us on an individual level.

Hosted by Dr. Alex Lathbridge

Produced by Hiren Joshi and Elisabeth Ratcliffe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is a battery? What different types are there and how do they work? And what are some things we can use them for?

Actor, presenter and batteries enthusiast Robert Llewellyn joins us alongside Professor Serena Cussen from the University of Sheffield for our opening episode. Find out about Robert's battery-powered home and passion for the future of electric vehicles, and hear Serena's insights into how batteries will form part of the solution to the climate emergency – promoting human welfare and advancing society.

Hosted by Dr. Alex Lathbridge

Produced by Hiren Joshi and Elisabeth Ratcliffe

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this short episode Royal society of chemistry journalist, Lizzy Ratcliffe, speaks with Historian Alex Hall about the history of plastics, the pros and cons of this innovation, and how public perception has evolved over the last four decades.

Produced by Lizzy Ratcliffe, Kathy Page and Hiren Joshi.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do plastics have a part to play in a sustainable future? And what innovations are on the horizon?

In the final episode of our inaugural podcast series we speak to Professor Charlotte Williams, Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at Oxford University, and Dr Joanna Sadler, Edinburgh University, both who are working on the tricky problem of how to make plastics fit for the future. 

Our reporter, Lizzy Ratcliffe, catches up with Rob Nicoll, Co-Founder, CMO of Chip[s] Board® - who develop bio-plastics and bio-plastic composites for the ever changing design sectors, whilst being biodegradable and recyclable post use.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What are biodegradable plastics? And are they the same as compostable plastics? What about bioplastics? And are any of them better for the environment than alternatives?

This week we’re talking all things degradation, with a special focus on composting. We'll be hearing from Lesley Green and Professor Helen Hailes from University College London's Big Composting Experiment – they will tell us what happened when participants buried various plastics marketed as degradable in their compost heaps. Meanwhile Kathy Page from the Royal Society of Chemistry talks us through some of the vocabulary around these kinds of plastics.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What makes a plastic recyclable? How can we design a plastic to be as sustainable as possible? And how does the way that we design specific products affect their impact on the environment? 

In this episode we do a deep dive into the science of plastics – looking at how we might design plastic products with sustainability in mind. Dr Jenni Garden from the University of Edinburgh talks us through her research into different types of materials, while Mark Pawsey MP brings his 25 years experience of working in the field of plastic packaging. Meanwhile David Santillo talks us through what Greenpeace is doing to tackle the plastics problem.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where does your plastic go? What does it turn into? And how much of what we put in the  recycling  bin  actually gets  recycled? 

In this episode we bring together guests from all stages of the recycling process, from designing the plastics to managing our local recycling infrastructure. Professor Mike Shaver, Director of the Sustainable Materials Innovation Hub at the Henry Royce Institute, Shirley Rodrigues, Deputy Mayor of London for Environment and Energy and Council member Jess David, Member Advocate for Biodiversity walk us through the opportunities and pitfalls.

Hosted by Dr. Alex Lathbridge

Produced by Elisabeth Ratcliffe, Kathy Page and Hiren Joshi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Microplastics are everywhere, from the water we drink to the air that we breathe. But can they hurt us? And what are scientists doing to find out?

Our guests for this episode, Professor Paul Anastas, Dr Winnie Courtene-Jones and Professor Claire Gwinnett join us to share their vast experience on this topic, looking at everything from the marine environment to the clothing industry, and from the science laboratory to the corridors of power.

Hosted by Alex Lathbridge

Produced by Elisabeth Ratcliffe, Kathy Page and Hiren Joshi

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.