If you wish to register attendance contact secretary@scanz.org.nz

Auckland Video Presentation of the BBC FOUR Documentary

Chemistry: A Volatile History

Episode 3 – The Power of the Elements

When: Wednesday 5 August 2025 5:30 PM, NZST

Where: Hibiscus Solutions, cnr Kerwyn Ave and Business Parade South, Highbrook. (Look for the Kaikaha sign opposite Fisher House)

EVENT DETAILS:

Join us for an enlightening presentation by our esteemed historian, Peter Walters, as he delves into the explosive story of chemistry.

Last year he presented Episode 2 – The Order of the Elements which describes how the Russian Genius Dimitri Mendeleev created the Periodic Table of Elements.

In the third and final episode, Professor Al-Khalili uncovers tales of success and heartache in the story of chemists' battle to control and combine the elements and build our modern world. He reveals the dramatic breakthroughs which harnessed their might to release almost unimaginable power, and he journeys to the centre of modern-day alchemy, where scientists are attempting to command the extreme forces of nature and create brand new elements.

Presentation Highlights:

Video Introduction: This captivating video will outline the ongoing work of chemists creating our modern world through the power of chemistry.

Historical Insights: Professor Jim Al-Khalili’s third episode traces the amazing story of how chemists created our modern world through their understanding of the power of the 92 elements that exist naturally on our planet.

Relevance to the Coatings Industry: Chemistry is fundamental to the formulation of coatings, yet few of us know much about how this recent science came to be. This video series will give our members with a Chemistry education a new appreciation of their chosen profession presented in such a way that our non-chemistry educated members will find fascinating.

This video also includes two examples of how the power of chemistry advanced paint technology, one being the serendipitous manufacture of the first modern synthetic pigment, Prussian Blue, by the paint manufacturer Johan Jacob Diesbach in Berlin around 1706 and its subsequent use, when combined with the synthetic pigment Chrome Yellow, created through the power of Chemistry around 100 years later, to produce Brunswick Green.

Brunswick Green Paint on Great Western Railway Locomotives

We look forward to your attendance and participation in this fascinating exploration of chemistry’s volatile history.

Peter Walters Bio:

Peter has been a member of OCCA/SCANZ since 1976 and involved in the Surface Coatings Industry since 1971. He was appointed to his first technical role in 1974.

Peter has been an active member of OCCA/SCANZ attending most of the SCANZ Conventions held from 1978 and a number of SCAA Conferences, particularly the joint SCAA/SCANZ Conferences.

Peter is a life member of SCANZ and now retired from full time employment. He continues to take an active role in our association by serving on our Committee, writing our regular Painted Memories Section of the Brushstrokes magazine and with presentations such as this one.

He also continues to support our Industry by providing consultation services.