Chemistry Addressing Everyday Challenges

On Tuesday 10 March, thirty Lower Sixth Chemistry pupils travelled by train into London to attend the Chemistry In Action event at the Emmanuel Centre in Westminster. The day consisted of listening to a series of talks from various scientists and doctors about how Chemistry is applied in areas such as medicine, energy, technology, and sustainability.

The talk I found most interesting was “The Afterlife of Atoms: Saving Lives and Exploring Space with Nuclear Waste” by Dr Tim Gregory. He explained how radioactive isotopes from nuclear power, which often seem like waste, can be used in medicine and space exploration. Also, we learnt that isotopes of some heavy elements, such as actinium, can treat cancer using targeted alpha radiation therapy which delivers energy directly to cancer cells, without damaging any healthy tissue. Finally, he showed how radioactive materials can generate electricity for spacecrafts through Radioisotope Thermoelectric Generators.

Another captivating talk was “Poisons: Killer Chemicals and Deadly Doses” by Dr Kathryn Harkup, which focused on the dark side of Chemistry. She explored infamous substances such as arsenic, cyanide and strychnine, explaining their potential for fatal consequences. Furthermore, she discussed the historical use of chemicals such as arsenic trioxide, a rat poison, which was prevalent during the industrial era and frequently involved in murders. Dr Harkup also explained how many poisons were once considered medicines, showing how chemicals that intended to heal could be lethal. Additionally, she highlighted the Goldilocks Principle, by which certain chemicals are understood to be necessary for human life, albeit deadly if consumed too much or too little. This talk made me realise how important it is for chemists to understand the effects of chemicals and to consider both their risks and benefits.

In another highlight of the day, we heard Dr Rianne Lord (University of Warwick) discussing “Healing Elements: The role of metals in modern Medicine.” She explained how metals such as iron, platinum, and ruthenium are essential in the body and in medical treatments. For example, platinum is found in some anticancer drugs. Hearing how Chemistry directly contributes to healthcare helped me understand the link between theory and real-world applications and it made me consider how I might explore Medical Chemistry in the future.

This event demonstrated Chemistry’s ability to address everyday challenges, from the development of new medicines to the transition to environmentally friendly energy.

I would like to thank the organisers of Chemistry In Action and the Chemistry Department for organising this trip. It was incredibly informative and inspiring, showing us how Chemistry applies beyond the classroom.

By Lower Sixth Chemistry pupil