The charm of the forgotten elements

Visit https://thermofisher.com/bctl to register for your free Bringing Chemistry to Life T-shirt and https://www.alfa.com/en/chemistry-podcasts/ to access our episode summary sheet, which contains links to recent publications and additional content recommendations for our guest.There is one thing Robert Gilliard, Jr. refutes categorically; that there is no innovation in chemistry. As an innovator, he has made a career on the risky proposition of finding value in a part of the periodic table that has been historically underappreciated, the main-group elements. In his fearless exploration of the properties of bismuth, germanium, beryllium and boron, Robert is discovering new chemistries and inventing new applications. He believes in moving beyond the well of tried-and-true chemistry to explore less-traditional approaches and making them part of the standard chemistry toolset. This is a classic Bringing Chemistry to Life episode; one that those genuinely passionate about chemistry will love. Paolo and Robert speak about new properties, reactivities and applications in synthetic chemistry and material science, all coming from the “forgotten,” abundant and cheap main-group elements. A wonderful story of relentless pursuit of knowledge that proposes a vision for a very different chemistry of tomorrow.
We read every email so please share your questions and feedback with us! Email helloBCTL@thermofisher.com About Your HostBorn and raised in Italy, Paolo Braiuca, a PhD in pharmaceutical sciences, co-founded a startup company after conducting research in biocatalysis in Italy and the UK. He transitioned from R&D to business development, working in commercial, product management, and marketing roles in the specialty chemicals, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical markets in Germany and the UK. A busy father of four, if asked, he’ll call himself a “maker” at heart and enjoys inventing electronic devices in his free time.