Podcast Directory
| Podcast title | Chemistry of Innovations - BASF Podcast
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| http://www.basf.com/podcast | ||
| Description | This podcast is the audible innovation magazine of BASF. Discover every month how Chemistry can help to shape our future. | |
| Updated | Wed, 04 Apr 2007 00:00:00 GMT | |
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| Category | Science & Medicine Education |
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Episodes |
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1. Basotect: An intelligent foam with many applications http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.04Mb) Description: Basotect is an intelligent foam which, thanks to its versatility, can be used in simple as well as technically demanding applications. It can be used for cleaning hard surfaces, as a sound absorber in sound studios or as thermal and sound insulation in the aerospace industry. The material that Basotect is made from is called melamine resin. That's one of the hardest plastics there is. The researchers at BASF have managed to fabricate from this base material a foam that's light and flexible even though the source material is extremely brittle. |
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2. A potato with a special starch http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 9.04Mb) Description: This is a special edition of BASF's audio magazine for innovations on the occasion of the EU approval for commercial cultivation of the starch potato Amflora. With the help of plant biotechnology BASF developed a special potato named Amflora. The starch derived from Amflora has only one component - amylopectin. Due to this pureness this innovative starch is particularly interesting for various industries. Possible applications are in paper, adhesives, textiles and construction. |
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3. iGloss: Scratch-resistant clearcoat for cars http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 10.01Mb) Description: The new, extremely scratch-resistant clearcoat iGloss not only provides auto bodies with a brilliant and robust exterior, but also gives them even longer-lasting scratch resistance. To achieve this leap forward, the researchers modeled their work on nature, developing a "hybrid material" that combines the advantages of "hard" materials and "soft" substances. Over time, iGloss provides substantially better protection against micro-scratches. |
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4. Achieving Climate Protection with Eco-efficiency http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 15.32Mb) Description: Every product leaves some ecological traces behind. But how can you record all of the relevant ecological criteria involved in the production and use of a product? This is a question that BASF has already been working on for many years, and it has developed its own so-called eco-efficiency analysis for this purpose. The results help you to determine how you can reduce the consumption of energy and materials and, for example, how to minimize greenhouse gas emissions. In order to show the contribution the complete group is making to climate protection, BASF was the first company in the world to present a comprehensive Corporate Carbon Footprint, which now has been updated. The bottom line is that when BASF products are used, they save more than three times as much CO2 as is released by all the BASF products during their production and disposal. |
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5. Chemistry makes solar energy more economical http://www.basf.com/podcast/co... download (audio/mpeg, 11.67Mb) Description: As a part of the future energy mix with other energy sources solar energy can make a sustainable contribution towards a low carbon society. In the production and improvement of the photovoltaic technology chemistry plays an important role. New kinds of cutting liquids optimize the cutting of the silicon ingots. Through the help of special etching solutions the freshly cut silicon wafers are given a surface that guarantees optimal light-yield efficiency. New electronic chemicals are specifically designed to meet the requirements of solar cell production. Special lead-free silver pastes require no solvents and can be applied contact-free with a new laser transfer process and completely different shapes will be possible through solar cell module frames made of polyurethanes (PUR). |
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6. Option for Climate Protection - Gas Scrubbing captures CO2 from Flue Gases http://www.basf.com/podcast/co... download (audio/mpeg, 10.27Mb) Description: In order that less CO2 is emitted into the air, we have to use fossil fuels in a more economic and efficient way. But in the future, there could also be an additional way to avoid CO2 emissions. BASF is developing technologies with which the CO2 can be separated out from flue gases, like those in power plants for instance. This technology is also called gas scrubbing. One idea is to pump the CO2 separated out into underground geological formations and then store it there permanently. Carbon capture and storage - CCS - is the name of this method that could be an option for climate protection. |
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7. Plant Health - Fit with Fungicides http://www.basf.com/podcast/fu... download (audio/mpeg, 10.93Mb) Description: In the agricultural industry plant diseases such as fungal attacks can seriously damage the production of foodstuffs. According to estimates, more than 40% of the crop yields that are theoretically achievable are lost because of threats such as plant diseases, bacteria and viruses, as well as from environmental impacts like drought. This is the motivation that drives the researchers at BASF to develop new approaches and solutions to combat these problems. The means they employ against these fungal attacks are the so-called fungicides. |
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8. Lithium Ion Batteries - The Energy Store of the Future http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 9.89Mb) Description: In comparison to other battery types, lithium-ion batteries have some major advantages. For one, they are the most efficient battery on the market right now. In order to make a decisive improvement on today's technology, BASF, together with other companies, is investing in further research and development of lithium-ion batteries. High performance, low weight and a fast charge up - if these plus points can be developed and expanded even further, then the lithium-ion battery really will be the energy store of the future and a key technology for climate friendly mobile and stationary energy supplies as well. |
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9. Chemistry makes wind energy more economical http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.03Mb) Description: It is generally less well known that modern wind turbines would hardly be conceivable without innovative solutions in chemistry. The huge rotor blades can be up to 60 meters long and are subjected to enormous dynamic stress. Here chemistry comes into play. It makes it possible to lower the production costs of wind turbines. This allows wind energy to be a sustainable contribution to the future energy mix with other energy sources on the way to a low carbon society. |
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10. Food Fortification - Using Vitamins to Counter Malnutrition http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 9.27Mb) Description: According to UNICEF, 40 to 60 percent of children and young people in developing nations are affected by a lack of vitamin A. This makes it the most widespread form of malnutrition. Micro-encapsulated vitamin A that is added to staple foods such as oil, sugar or flour is a fundamental contribution to solving this problem. |
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11. Organic Photovoltaics - Flexible and transparent solar cells http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.80Mb) Description: In organic photovoltaics dyes are used that are able to convert light into electrical energy. Due to the extremely thin photovoltaic layer, flexible or even transparent organic solar cells can be produced. For instance, windows could be coated with organic solar cells and produce electricity. |
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12. Ionic Liquids - Liquid salts with many talents http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 7.46Mb) Description: Ionic liquids are molten salts that are also in a liquid form at room temperature. The unique characteristics of these liquid salts are the very thing that makes ionic liquids so interesting for industry and could soon revolutionize a whole range of areas where industrial applications are used: Like in the production of cellulose, for instance, in solar cells, or in the metal processing industry. |
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13. Video Podcast: Energy efficiency makes climate protection http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 7.46Mb) Description: Energy efficiency is the most important single future source of energy to supply the growing energy demand and to protect the climate. Being energy efficient in industry, mobility and housing will offer the biggest potential to use energy more efficient. Just through energy efficiency and with already existing technologies it's possible to curb our predicted increasing global energy demand and thus the CO2-emissions by the year 2030 significantly. In this special video edition of our podcast "Chemistry of Innovations" you will learn how energy efficiency helps to protect the climate. |
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14. Magical colors thanks to nanotechnology http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 9.23Mb) Description: Normal color, like we know from everyday life, doesn't change its color impression when you look at it from different directions. With the help of nanotechnology researchers at BASF have now managed to develop colors that change its color impression when you look at it from different directions. And even more effects are possible: The so called "mechano optical colors" change their color when you stretch them. |
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15. Hydrophobin - The Raincoat of the Fungi http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.04Mb) Description: The raincoat on a fungus is not a garment, it is a substance called "Hydrophobin". You will find this protein on the skin of fungi where its job is simply to repel water droplets, to make them roll off the fungi. Because this trait is not only useful to fungi, but can also be used for technical applications as well, scientists from BASF have become interested in Hydrophobin. Using a biotechnological process, they are the first who managed to produce Hydrophobin in a large scale. |
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16. New catalysts for clean diesel vehicles http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.09Mb) Description: Today's diesel engines are more than a match for gasoline engines. In terms of design a diesel is much more efficient: It uses less fuel and emits less CO2. To purify diesel exhaust fumes is a challenge and only possible because manufacturers of catalytic converters like BASF Catalysts are continually improving their exhaust gas aftertreatment systems. |
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17. Better harvest in spite of climate stress http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 7.92Mb) Description: Climatic conditions such as heat or cold and rain or drought can determine whether a harvest turns out well or badly. With the help of plant biotechnology BASF Plant Science develops for example stress tolerant crops. In a targeted manner genes from other plants that already possess the desired traits are inserted into agricultural plants such as corn, soya, canola or cotton. This enables them to better handle stress factors. |
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18. Sports surfaces with rebound effect make athletes faster http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 9.52Mb) Description: Nowadays sports surfaces are like high-tech sports equipment that has a decisive impact on an athlete's performance. The surface can make all the difference being tenths of a second faster in sprints. Those sports surfaces are not prefabricated and then laid, in fact they are poured on as a liquid right in the stadium with the help of special plastics. So one can always check and optimize the track in a stadium during the actual laying process. With this fine tuning the athletes get back part of the energy they use every time they pound the surface. |
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19. Printed Electronics http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 9.36Mb) Description: We still have got a bit to go before we will have electronic newspapers. But still, with the help of printing technology, it is already possible today to produce not only newspapers but even electronic circuits. This allows an amazingly wide range of products and applications - from heated insoles for your shoes to complex circuits and even transistors. Electrographic Ink without color pigments but with very special liquid synthetic materials, so called polymers, enables to print electronics. So theoretically you could even print out electronics elements with a normal inkjet printer. |
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20. Biodegradable Plastics http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.64Mb) Description: In general, there are two special characteristics that define bioplastics: either they consist of renewable resources, or they can be harvested directly from nature. Some bioplastics even fulfill both requirements. Bioplastics are suitable for numerous applications: for example mulch film for agriculture or bags which can be used to hold your household biowaste after shopping. On compost heaps bioplastics completely decompose within a few weeks without leaving any residues behind. |
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21. Innovative plasticizer for sensitive applications http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.86Mb) Description: Wherever people have physical contact with synthetic materials, then the material has to be extremely safe. Especially in applications such as foodstuff packaging, medical equipment and children's toys. Without chemical additives like plasticizers all PVC-(Polyvinylchloride) products that are soft and plastic would be in fact fragile and brittle like an uncooked noodle. As such plasticizers and PVC are not permanently connected by chemical means, but rather the connection is only physical. Due to manual stress or exposure to liquids the plasticizers could leave the PVC. The special plasticizer Hexamoll DINCH developed from BASF has a far more permanent connection with the PVC molecules. This makes it very well suitable for the use in sensible applications like children's toys, medical equipment and foodstuff packaging. |
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22. Cooler surfaces with special color pigments http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 7.30Mb) Description: In the car, at home, in the office. Dark coated surfaces that swallow the sunlight grow hot and give off the heat to their surroundings. An innovative development of color pigments now provides the effect of surfaces staying cooler. Even at deep black surfaces this special color pigments cut the solar heat buildup due to incident sunlight in half. The trick: the special pigments help the material to reflect more sunlight than to absorb - dark surfaces, components or construction elements thus remain pleasantly cool. The applications for the cool pigments are numerous: for solar heat management in construction, for use in coating and printing ink industries or for artificial leather. |
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23. Extremely long railway tunnels thanks to construction chemicals http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 9.00Mb) Description: In the construction process of the Swiss Gotthard Base Tunnel, which will be one of the longest train tunnels in the world, concrete has to fulfill conflicting requirements: On the one hand wet concrete must not harden while being transported through the mountain for several kilometers, on the other it has to harden in an instant, when being sprayed onto the tunnel wall. Additives to concrete uses such as accelerators and plasticizers make it possible. In addition, a sprayable fire protection mortar prevents concrete from exploding when being exposed to temperatures above 500 degrees Celsius. |
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24. Intelligent coastal protection takes impact of waves http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.87Mb) Description: The secret of coastal protection is not to work against the waves but with the waves. For example, a dike becomes more stable, when not simply letting the water bounce off its surface, but allowing the water absorb into its surface layers. Learn more about an intelligent method to tame the energy of maritime waves. |
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25. Fuel Cells – the next generation of power http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.55Mb) Description: Fuel cells are about a third more efficient than all other standard energy technologies - and the waste product is just water vapor. You can already find prototypes intended to supply power to laptops, mobile equipment, cell phones or supplying electricity and heat to homes. A fuel cell is a miniature chemicals factory. Listen how BASF experts work on the application of fuel cell technology to become reality. |
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26. OLEDs - Organic Light-Emitting Diodes are the light of the future http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.81Mb) Description: Video wallpaper - just a millimeter thick - could transform your living room wall into a flat screen and electronic film as thin as a sheet of paper could serve as your screen for the internet, the news, images or games. In future, all of this will be possible thanks to organic light-emitting diodes, so-called OLEDs. In this episode you will learn more about this revolution in lighting technology. |
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27. Protecting the climate with modern chemistry http://corporate.basf.com/podc... download (audio/mpeg, 8.42Mb) Description: We can already save energy and generate fewer greenhouse gas emissions in many areas of life today. Many of our products, technologies and system solutions are used for energy-efficient construction. In this Podcast you will learn about intelligent and energy efficient concepts for energy saving homes and innovative insulation and construction materials. |
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