How a chemistry professor turned 120 videos into a global science phenomenon
In short: What began as a simple project to film the elements has grown into a digital empire. Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff has used YouTube to reach over 200 countries, proving that high-level academic research and viral educational content can share the same stage.
The journey of 'The Periodic Table of Videos' began with a modest goal: creating 12-video series covering each element of the periodic table plus an introduction. Through a collaboration with video journalist Brady Haran, this University of Nottingham initiative expanded far beyond its original scope. Today, the channel boasts approximately 600 uploaded videos, more than 130 million views, and a massive global audience of roughly 1.2 million subscribers. The channel's growth is part of a broader movement of accessible learning, much like the tradition of Gresham College, which has provided free public lectures since 1597.
Beyond the screen, Sir Martyn Poliakoff is a pioneer in sustainable chemistry. Since beginning his research into supercritical fluids in 1985—at a time when he was the only person at his university interested in the topic—he has worked to replace traditional solvents with high-pressure CO2 or steam. These supercritical fluids, which exist in a state possessing properties of both gases and liquids, are essential for developing cleaner, less wasteful manufacturing processes. His personal connection to the periodic table is even reflected in his chemistry; he holds a special fondness for sodium because its symbol, Na, matches his mother's childhood nickname.
His influence extends to global scientific leadership and large-scale collaborative research. Serving as the Vice-President of the Royal Society from 2011 to 2016, Poliakoff acted as a global ambassador for UK science. He currently serves as a co-investigator on the Photo-Electro project, a collaboration between the universities of Nottingham, Southampton, and Bristol. This project investigates how continuous photo, electro, and thermo-chemistry can advance the goals of green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing. The team's current research into pressurized flow chemistry reactors aims to make chemical reactions safer and more efficient. They even use simple tools like LEGO and coffee pots to demonstrate these complex concepts during university showcases.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: From Test-Tube to YouTube - Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff
- Also: In his element
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