For the programme, Peter, the modern alchemist, will unpick the chemistry of the world around us – looking at air, water and earth – three of the ancient Greek elements that tantalised alchemists for centuries. He will explore the cocktail of gases that make air our elixir of life, and how water may hold the key to a solution to our energy problems. He delves into the bowels of the Earth to uncover the elements that fascinated our ancestors and how through understanding the properties of materials like silicon, we can enter a new era of chemistry in which we can engineer electrons in new configurations for future technologies.
Commenting on his appointment, Peter said: “It’s such an honour to be selected to give the 2012 Christmas Lectures. I first became interested in chemistry at the age of eight with my first chemistry set. The spark that first ignited my interest has never faded, the only difference now is my chemistry set is much bigger. I look forward to sharing my work and love for chemistry with the audience at home and in the Ri’s famous theatre.”
Image: Peter Wothers Image credit: Sir Cam
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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