From the Bone-Yard to the Boardroom: The Cultural History and Sustainable Future of Phosphorus

UPCOMING Webinar

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When: 12 PM EST USA, November 12, 2025

Presenters:

• Dr. Lawrence M. Principe Professor, Department of Chemistry and Department of History of Science and Technology, Johns Hopkins University and Winner of the 2020 ACS HIST award and
• Jim Jenkins, PhD. Sustainability Futures Leadership

Moderator: Gary D. Patterson, PhD. American Chemical Society HIST Division

Description:

Join us in partnership with the American Chemical Society HIST Division for a provocative journey tracing the indispensable element Phosphorus (P) from its bizarre historical origins to its critical role in our global food supply and uncertain future. Phosphorus began its cultural journey shrouded in alchemical secrecy—its value guarded by those who could make it work. Today, its value is universally clear as a critical, non-renewable resource for all life on Earth. The new secret to its continued existence is not found in hiding knowledge, but in embracing the collective imperative to preserve, recycle, and manage it wisely for a sustainable future. This session bridges centuries, revealing:

• The Cultural History: The story of the element’s discovery around 1665, how the secret of its preparation was wildly sought-after by alchemists, and how two chemists—Hennig Brand and Robert Boyle—mastered its preparation to their benefit.
• The Sustainable Future: The critical role phosphate fertilizers play in feeding humanity, the pressing challenges facing the industry (including geopolitical cartels and scarcity), and an exploration of innovative, sustainable products that offer a glimpse into a more balanced and responsible future.

Presenter Bios:

• Lawrence Principe is the Drew Professor at Johns Hopkins University in the Departments of History of Science and Technology and of Chemistry. His research focuses on the history of alchemy/chemistry and the interactions between religion and science. His books include The Transmutations of Chymistry: Wilhelm Homberg and the Académie Royale des Sciences and The Secrets of Alchemy. He is recipient of the Francis Bacon Medal (2005), the Franklin-Lavoisier Prize (2016), and the ACS HIST Award (2020).
• Jim Jenkins has worked across agricultural and basic chemicals sectors for 30+ years, leading product innovation, stewardship, and sustainability initiatives to lower risks, develop new products and turn sustainability intent into action. Jim sits on community and commercial start up boards as a leadership and innovation advisor. He holds a PhD in chemistry from the University of Alberta, is an accredited Sustainability Excellence Associate and public speaker.

Moderator Bio: Gary D. Patterson is Professor of Chemistry Emeritus at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA USA. He received his Ph.D. in Physical Chemistry in 1972 from Stanford University. During his academic career he published more than 100 articles in the chemical physics of amorphous systems, especially polymers. He is a Fellow of the American Physical Society and the Royal Society of Chemistry. He taught theoretical chemistry to students of chemistry and chemical engineering, especially Thermodynamics and Transport. He is the author of Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules (2007).

This year’s webinar series has been sponsored by Eurofins Agroscience Services.

For past webinar recordings, please visit the Lunch and Learn Webinar Archive.