King Alfred visits Henry VIII

On November 20th we were lucky enough to enjoy a visit from A Level chemists of The King Alfred School Academy in Somerset.

As traders we are privileged to see elements in metallic form which normally cost schools a King Henry VIII-style king's ransom to stock. So, how better to inspire students than to see much of the periodic table at an office in Hampton Court? A place where chemistry's history is all around us - Michael Faraday's house round the corner, and Hampton Court Palace opposite, where Charles II, the founder of The Royal Society, carried out alchemical experiments (and is thought to have died of mercury poisoning as a result).

Dr Julie Kalmoni (Imperial) at Lipmann Walton with chemists from The King Alfred School Academy from Highbridge in Somerset on 20th Nov 2025

Unlike educational practise in the 1970s, experimentation with mercury globules in petri dishes was strictly off the cards - however, Hg did come up for discussion when Dr Julie Kalmoni demonstrated how to make water droplets superhydrophobic (rather than hydrophilic) on a glass substrate, explaining how using hierarchical nano and microscale roughness (e.g. nano/microparticles) as well as a low surface energy reagent (e.g. fluoroalkylsilane, fatty acids) would achieve this.

Applications for this technique range from self--cleaning glass (for example preventing dust build-up on solar panels), corrosion prevention on metallic surfaces, waterproofing garments, and oil/water separation used for oil spill clean-ups.

Dr Kalmoni also talked about the many pathways open to students with a chemistry A level - a shortlist of which includes forensics, biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, nanotechnology, analytical services and teaching - to name just a few.

It was a humbling day for the non-scientists but a terrific day out we hope for the students, who we then accompanied to the Palace for a guided tour of the 'Secrets of the Palace' which included many unheard tales of the Palace's former occupants.

Thanks to teachers Barbora and Kayleigh and all the bright and impressive students, as well as Julie for her inspirational talk, and our staff for their friendly welcome.

By Anthony Lipmann

27.11.25