
Inert materials & the Mary Celeste | The chemical breakdown podcast
From The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element by Chemistry World
April 16, 2026 · 31 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the importance of inert materials in experiments and explores the mystery of the Mary Celeste through a chemical lens.
This week, we discuss how to ensure experimental instruments are truly inert and chemistry's answer to the fate of the Mary Celeste, with Phillip Broadwith and Mason Wakley. A new study has demonstrated how unexpected results can arise from experiments using seemingly inert materials. How do we avoid the effects of these accidental reagents? And, scientists may have found the answer behind what happened to the crew of the infamous ship the Mary Celeste. We explain how chemistry may fill the gaps.
People in this episode
Guests: Phillip Broadwith, Mason Wakley
Topics covered
- inert materials
- experimental instruments
- Mary Celeste
- unexpected results
- accidental reagents
- chemistry
Keywords
- inert materials
- experimental instruments
- Mary Celeste
- unexpected results
- accidental reagents
- chemistry
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Mary Celeste
More episodes of The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element
- An update on the Strait of Hormuz & potential explosives at an Antarctic base | The chemical breakdown podcast · July 8, 2026 · 28 min
- A warning for US science & wool's chemical versatility | The chemical breakdown podcast · June 24, 2026 · 30 min
- Click chemistry marks 25 years & covalent bonding in the actinides | The chemical breakdown podcast · June 10, 2026 · 28 min
- Quantum computing & a mysterious contaminant in microplastics research | The chemical breakdown podcast · May 28, 2026 · 34 min
- Battery week 2026: The EV cathode race & battery-recycling | The chemical breakdown podcast · May 13, 2026 · 25 min
- Vanadium-based medicines & sustainable labs | The chemical breakdown podcast · April 29, 2026 · 24 min
Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The chemical breakdown & Chemistry in its element podcast page.