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Innovate and React

Kevin Hares

Talking to scientist about their innovations in chemistry

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  • 28 episodes
  • Updated July 28

Episodes28

Newest first
  • Jun 6, 2025 · 17 min

    Unlocking the Potential of Hydrogen in a Renewable Energy Future

    Contributors: Dr. Kevin Hares LinkedIn Thanks for considering to support the show on buymeacoffee.com/innovateandreact ☕️ This episode is a dive into the dynamic world of hydrogen and its pivotal role in the future of clean energy. Key topics covered include the challenges of intermittent renewable energy sources, the mechanics and benefits of hydrogen as an energy carrier, the hurdles in hydrogen production and infrastructure, and the promise of converting hydrogen into transportable compounds like ammonia and methanol. The episode also explores the potential for hydrogen to revolutionize various industries and offer energy independence. 00:23 The Intermittency Problem in Renewable Energy 02:29 Hydrogen: The Missing Link 05:29 Hydrogen’s Versatility and Challenges 08:46 Innovative Solutions for Hydrogen Transport 12:34 Future Prospects and Challenges 15:13 Conclusion and Upcoming Episodes Further reading: https://www.iea.org/reports/global-hydrogen-review-2024 https://www.iea.org/reports/the-future-of-hydrogen https://www.nature.com/articles/s44359-025-00050-4 If you want to be part of one of the future episodes of Innovate and React send an email request to contact@innovateandreact.com, or find me on LinkedIn. Many thanks to aloc for the music.

  • May 21, 2025 · 56 min

    Mitochondrial Biogenesis - How mitochondria get their spare parts

    Contributors: Alexandra Szabo LinkedIn Dr. Kevin Hares LinkedIn Thanks for considering to support the show on buymeacoffee.com/innovateandreact ☕️ In this episode of Innovate and React we look at the interface between biology and chemistry. Alexandra, a biochemist studying mitochondrial biogenesis, shares her journey from moving to Germany, and ultimately diving into biochemistry. The conversation delves into the complex processes of mitochondrial function, including their role in energy production, calcium signaling, and apoptosis (programmed cell death). Alexandra discusses her current research on the ER SURF pathway and its implications for understanding protein transport, which could potentially lead to breakthroughs in treating diseases like cancer and Parkinson’s. The episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of chemistry and biology and the importance of fundamental research in advancing scientific knowledge. 00:46 Journey into Biochemistry 02:21 The Universal Language of Science 06:08 Understanding Mitochondria 12:10 Protein Transport in Cells 25:44 Understanding Protein Targeting in Mitochondria 28:17 Exploring the ER SURF Pathway 32:32 Research Methods and Yeast Cultures 48:34 Potential Applications and Future Implications To hear more from Alexandra and other scientists talking about their PhD experience check out her podcast: Spotify, Apple Podcasts or Instagram! If you would like to share your research in the podcast or have and interesting topic, comment, connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email to contact@innovateandreact.com. Also let me know if you think PhD is worth it and why. Many thanks to aloc for providing the music.

  • Apr 15, 2025 · 38 min

    Is doing a PhD in worth it? From Brown Sludge to Breakthroughs

    Contributors: Dr. Nicholas Jankowski Dr. Kevin Hares LinkedIn Thanks for considering to support the show on buymeacoffee.com/innovateandreact ☕️ Are you thinking about pursuing a PhD in chemistry and have wondered if its with the struggle? In this episode of ‘Innovate and React’, we discuss the personal and professional journey of pursuing a PhD and share our motivations for studying chemistry. We discuss the challenges and surprises encountered during our PhD journey, and the important skills we developed through teaching and research. Every journey is different and depends on many different things. We give a glimpse into our experience with doing a PhD in chemistry and how it can be worth it. Overview: 00:00 Introduction and Guest Reintroduction 01:25 Choosing Chemistry: Our Academic Beginnings 04:29 The PhD Decision: Motivations and Expectations 08:55 PhD Realities: Challenges and Learning Curves 15:31 Teaching and Mentorship: Passing on Knowledge 24:55 Project Management and Time Management Insights 37:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts Also check out last episode with Nick to learn more about his research and how hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) can replace a gold catalyst in organic syntheses: Beyond Gold: Exploring Acid-Promoted Cyclization in Organic Chemistry. If you would like to share your research in the podcast or have and interesting topic, comment, connect with me on LinkedIn or send me an email to contact@innovateandreact.com. Also let me know if you think PhD is worth it and why. Many thanks to aloc for providing the music.

  • Apr 1, 2025 · 44 min

    Challenging HSAB: Reactive Molecules and Nucleophiles

    Contributors: Justus Reitz Linkedin Dr. Kevin Hares LinkedIn Thanks for considering to support the show on buymeacoffee.com/innovateandreact ☕️ Key takeaways: Limitations of the HSAB Concept: While the HSAB (Hard and Soft Acids and Bases) concept is a familiar tool in chemistry for predicting reaction outcomes, it falls short as a reliable predictive model. ​ The Mayr Nucleophilicity Scale: The Mayr scale, a logarithmic measure, provides distinct numerical values to gauge nucleophile strength. ​ Stabilization of Reactive Intermediates: By employing super strong nucleophiles (like mesoionic olefins), the team was able to synthesize stable diazoalkenes, opening up new possibilities for investigating reaction mechanisms and functional group behavior. ​ Advancing Fundamental Research in Organic Chemistry: Beyond immediate applications, the episode emphasizes the value of basic research. Exploring the limits of nucleophilicity and reactivity not only refines existing theoretical models but also lays the groundwork for future innovations in In this episode of Innovate and React, I am talking with Justus Reitz, a chemist from TU Dortmund University, about the limitations of the HSAB (Hard and Soft Acids and Bases) concept in predicting reaction outcomes. We explore an alternative approach using the nucleophilicity scale developed by the Mayr group, which offers a more accurate prediction method. Justus shares insights from his PhD research on stabilizing highly reactive molecules, particularly the synthesis and stabilization of diazoalkenes. We discuss how the Mayr nucleophilicity scale can facilitate understanding and controlling chemical reactions, bridging the gap between theoretical concepts and practical applications. Further reading: Mayr, Herbert, et al. ‘Farewell to the HSAB Treatment of Ambident Reactivity’. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, vol. 50, no. 29, July 2011, pp. 6470–505. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201007100 Mayr, Herbert, and Matthias Patz. ‘Scales of Nucleophilicity and Electrophilicity: A System for Ordering Polar Organic and Organometallic Reactions’. Angewandte Chemie International Edition in English, vol. 33, no. 9, May 1994, pp. 938–57. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.199409381 Hansmann, Max M., et al. ‘Stable Mesoionic N‐Heterocyclic Olefins (mNHOs)’. Angewandte Chemie, vol. 132, no. 14, Mar. 2020, pp. 5831–36. https://doi.org/10.1002/ange.201914571 Antoni, P. W., et al. ‘Isolation and Reactivity of an Elusive Diazoalkene’. Nature Chemistry, vol. 13, no. 6, June 2021, pp. 587–93. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41557-021-00675-5 Eitzinger, Andreas, et al. ‘Pushing the Upper Limit of Nucleophilicity Scales by Mesoionic N ‐Heterocyclic Olefins’. Angewandte Chemie International Edition, vol. 62, no. 40, Oct. 2023, p. e202309790. https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.202309790 If you have an interesting topic to talk about in a future episode sen me an email to contact@innovateandreact.com or find me on LinkedIn. Also check out the podcast website https://innovateandreact.com Many thanks to aloc for provinding the music.

  • Mar 18, 2025 · 47 min

    Beyond Gold: Exploring Acid-Promoted Cyclization in Organic Chemistry

    Contributors: Dr. Nicholas Jankowski Dr. Kevin Hares LinkedIn Thanks for considering to support the show on buymeacoffee.com/innovateandreact ☕️ Key Takeaways: The Role of Gold Catalysis – Gold catalysts offer high selectivity and yield but pose challenges in cost, sustainability, and industrial scalability. The Power of HFIP – Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) acts as a unique solvent that enables acid-promoted cyclization, mimicking some effects of metal catalysis. Sustainability vs. Practicality – While metal-free alternatives reduce waste, they often face limitations in selectivity, efficiency, or cost-effectiveness. Design of Experiments (DOE) in Optimization – Statistical methods like DOE help identify optimal reaction conditions, improving yields and efficiency. Future of Green Chemistry – Although this research has limitations, it highlights new avenues for sustainable reactions and potential industry applications. How can we make pharmaceutical synthesis greener and more efficient? In this episode of Innovate and React, we dive into the world of organic chemistry with Dr. Nikolas Jankowski to explore an alternative to gold catalysis. While gold catalysts are known for their high selectivity and efficiency, their cost, environmental impact, and challenges in industrial applications call for new solutions. Nick shares his research on acid-promoted cyclization using hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) as a unique solvent, mimicking some of the effects of metal catalysts. We discuss the breakthroughs that led to a more efficient synthesis of oxazoles, molecules with promising pharmaceutical applications. Tune in as we uncover the intersection of fundamental research, reaction optimization, and the future of sustainable chemistry. Further informations: Jankowski, Nicholas, et al. “Transition Metal‐Free Cycloisomerization of Propargylic Amides to Oxazoles in Hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP).” Advanced Synthesis & Catalysis, vol. 364, no. 19, Oct. 2022, pp. 3404–09. https://doi.org/10.1002/adsc.202200559 Link to Nick’s podcast (in German) “Alles ist Chemie”: https://allesistchemie.de Many thanks to Alok for providing the music.