Professor of Chemistry Michelle Francl is among the guests on the latest edition of the BBC's Science in Action.
The program put together a segment on the 150th anniversary (begins at around the 16-minute mark) of the periodic table of the elements and called on Francl after reading her article Ephemeral Elements in the journal Nature Chemistry.
From the article:
"The iconic periodic table. Unlike our lab benches and desk tops, it’s so tidy. All the elements that comprise the universe, tucked into boxes neatly stacked atop one another. I wonder if that isn’t at least part of its appeal, its sturdy and uncomplicated construction. But a closer look reveals this upright and dignified home for the elements sits on a rubbish heap, surrounded by dashed dreams, wrecked reputations and the wraiths of elements that never were."
Francl is the Chair of the Department of Chemistry and the Frank B. Mallory Professor of Chemistry.
Bryn Mawr’s Department of Chemistry has a more than century-long tradition of combining high quality, visible research programs with excellent teaching. The Chemistry Department seeks to provide a supportive and rigorous curriculum at the undergraduate and graduate level to students having diverse preparation and diverse goals.