1. What made you want to be a chemist?

My inspiration was the man who taught me for four years at Trinity School, Carlisle – Mike Fossey. He showed me the beauty, breadth and logic that underpins chemistry and made me realise what an exciting subject it is. It was a real thrill some years later to send him a paper published with another of his ex-pupils who carried out an undergraduate project with me in Sheffield.

2. If you weren’t a chemist and could do any other job, what would it be – and why?

Ancient history always fascinated me – an academic career in that direction would be a possible alternative.

3. How can chemists best contribute to the world at large?

This list is long, as chemistry has a unique ability to permeate so many aspects of our lives. However, perhaps the biggest challenges that the world faces at present relate to energy. We need new and renewable sources, we need to use it more efficiently, and we need to find viable ways to store it and also to store newer fuel sources such as hydrogen. Chemists are central to these issues and their creativity can make a real impact.

4. Which historical figure would you most like to have dinner with – and why?

Nelson Mandela. To endure the imprisonment and then to come out and lead with such wisdom, taking such a major place on the world stage and in the hearts of so many people, means for me that there would be so much to learn from him. And from what I have seen through the media, he would be terrifically good company.

5. When was the last time you did an experiment in the lab – and what was it?

I am in the lab quite often working with members of my group on the identification of liquid crystal phases by optical microscopy. However, in terms of ‘rolling up my sleeves’ and doing a reaction, the answer is ‘rather recently’. Listened to a visiting seminar speaker and went to the lab the same afternoon to make something prompted by one of his slides. Simple reaction – acidify to dissolve the base in water and then co-precipitate. Now all we need to do is get it pure, find out what it does and get a crystal structure…

6. If exiled on a desert island, what one book and one CD would you take with you?

I tend to read contemporary authors such as Ian McEwan, Sebastian Faulks, Louis de Bernières and Peter Carey. However while it is something that I have read only recently, I would take Suite Française by Irène Némirovsky. So much has been written about this book, yet its sheer humanity and observation of the human condition would bear reading over and over again. Music is much more difficult. My tastes are diverse from baroque through romantics and Shostakovich to 60s/70s rock and the present day. However, for its ability to move and stir emotion, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony would probably be my choice with his Violin Concerto (which reminds me of the English Lake District) a close second. However, any CD would have to be homemade, as I’d need Debussy’s Deux Arabesques No. 1 played by Pascal Rogé and Stairway to Heaven, too.

Duncan Bruce is in the Department of Chemistry at the University of York and works on various aspects of materials chemistry, with a strong emphasis on liquid crystals.

1. What made you want to be a chemist?

I think I get my scientific leaning from my father, presumably a mix of genetics and his infuriating tendency, when I was young, to answer any question either with a ‘what do you think?’ or a demand for a numerical estimate. That I ended up in chemistry rather than another science, probably reflects the great mix of real world problems with opportunities for creativity.

2. If you weren’t a chemist and could do any other job, what would it be – and why?

I’m occasionally tempted to continue a family tradition of giving up science/engineering in favour of art; however, my early teen plan to become an architect would be a more grounded choice, and one that might provide me more satisfaction – though, I would probably try to squeeze in as many textures, shadows, and angles, as possible, using dynamic effects that change with time or conditions.

3. How can chemists best contribute to the world at large?

Clearly there are many problems facing society that require technical solutions, particularly relating to sustainability and energy; the alternative is effectively a return to the dark ages or worse. Chemists have a pivotal role in developing the enabling molecules/materials and understanding. At the same time, it is important to recognize that directing research too tightly may not be the best strategy; pure, open-ended research is needed to create dramatic breakthroughs.

4. Which historical figure would you most like to have dinner with – and why?

Aristotle, the father of natural philosophy, an eloquent speaker, an enquiring mind, not to mention a rich source of political and cultural perspective on our own world. I’m not sure about his cooking, however – perhaps Auguste Escoffier would be a better choice.

5. When was the last time you did an experiment in the lab – and what was it?

About a month ago, looking at electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of what we call ‘structural supercapacitors’ – an invention based on multifunctional materials that simultaneously store energy and provide mechanical strength and rigidity.

6. If exiled on a desert island, what one book and one CD would you take with you?

If I’m allowed to transfer two battered tapes of live performances of my uncle, John Bell, to CD, his songs would cheer me up immensely during any lonely moments. For my book I might take Heller’s Catch 22 – a favourite that improves with rereading – but I’d probably settle for a good ‘Learn Mandarin’ textbook. It would certainly keep me busy, and I love learning new things; the kanji would provide aesthetic pleasure, and Chinese might even be the world language by the time I get off the island.

Milo Shaffer is in the Department of Chemistry at Imperial College and works on the synthesis, modification, and application of nanotubes and nanorods.

1. What made you want to be a chemist?

You have to blame my high school chemistry teachers. Chemistry and biology were the only two topics in high school that came naturally. Math, languages, etc., were always way too much work for me. Combine this with fun hands-on experiments and unexpected explosions during chemistry classes… what kid can ask for more?

I have to admit that my first 2-3 years as an undergrad in Germany nearly ‘eliminated’ any love towards chemistry. My professors were stuck 50 years in the past (science and age wise) and the lectures they gave were somewhere between boring to non-existent (one just has to love the German university system). I was very close to switching majors and decided that I would leave chemistry when I failed my first course. Only after the ‘vordiplom’ did things get interesting and I have to credit my first advisor, Helmut Ringsdorf, for bringing back my love for science.

2. If you weren’t a chemist and could do any other job, what would it be – and why?

No question, I would be a music conductor. I love classical music, the one great passion (but for my family and friends) besides chemistry. The only times I can ‘let go’ of chemistry and not think of it is during an opera or symphony performance.

3. How can chemists best contribute to the world at large?

I do not want to repeat what all the other scientists below pointed out. Clearly, chemists have to make major (or the key) contributions to very important scientific problems and challenges in our society ranging from the environment to health. All of us work on scientific problems related to these challenges.

One issue we as scientists are not addressing (or at least not doing a good job at) is educating the general public about science. The lack of understanding of the basic principles of science of the general public including our societal ‘leaders’ (politicians, etc.) results directly into some very dangerous and problematic decisions (or the lack of decisions to address problems), i.e., we as scientists knew 20-30 years ago that carbon dioxide emissions are not good for the environment. However, we were not able to relate the importance of this to the general public and to our governments.

4. Which historical figure would you most like to have dinner with – and why?

That’s a tough one. If it’s just me and one person, I would go for Mozart. This will be for sure an entertaining dinner.

5. When was the last time you did an experiment in the lab – and what was it?

To be honest, my last time doing an experiment in lab is some time ago, I guess approx. 6 years (my second year as an assistant professor). I still help group members out now and then, but do not have my ‘own’ project or run my own reactions. Most likely my group would kick me out (or leave the room) if I went back into the lab.

6. If exiled on a desert island, what one book and one CD would you take with you?

These are always the toughest questions. I think I would bring the ‘Ring der Nibelungen’ (can I take all 14 CDs instead of just one since they count as ‘one opera cycle’?) from Richard Wagner (The poor animals on the island. They have to endure Wagner all the time. They might send me back to civilization). The book is tougher. I think I would either go with Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings or Gogol’s Dead Souls.

Marcus Weck is in the Department of Chemistry at New York University and works on organic materials with emphases in supramolecular polymers, biomaterials, optical materials and catalysis.