The rigour of scientific research and the magic of radio narrative go hand in hand with Blau de Prússia, the podcast co-produced by Tarragona Ràdio and the Institute for Chemical Research of Catalonia (ICIQ) that has already created 50 episodes in four seasons. It is a unique proposal on the scientific and communicative scene: a sound series that combines chemical dissemination with space fiction, in an innovative, entertaining format of high educational value.
On board the Margulis space ship, named after the scientist Lynn Margulis, Captain Vigo, the android Denver 7 and Captain Barcino, rescued from the Hypatia ship, face a new challenge in each episode that tests their scientific knowledge and imagination. Technical problems and unexpected phenomena force the crew to resort to science and the memory of an artificial intelligence that preserves the voices of the ICIQ research staff.
With immersive sound effects and a script that combines humour, emotion and knowledge, Blau de Prússia manages to transform complex concepts into captivating stories, making chemistry a close and fascinating experience for all audiences.
A pioneering formula: journalists and scientists, hand in hand
Blau de Prússia is the result of a unique collaboration between two teams that share the same goal: to bring chemical research closer to the public in a creative and understandable way. The ICIQ communication and dissemination unit is in charge of conceiving and writing the scripts, turning complex scientific concepts into stories full of rhythm and narrative sense. And in each chapter, ICIQ researchers contribute their expertise. On the other hand, the Tarragona Radio team gives sound shape to the project, with a careful production and a science fiction format that has captivated the audience.
“Blau de Prússia is an example of how science and chemistry in particular can excite and entertain. When journalists and researchers work together, dissemination takes on another dimension,” says Professor Emilio Palomares, director of the ICIQ.
Chemistry to change the world
The topics addressed at the Blau de Prússia connect directly with the cutting-edge lines of research of the ICIQ, a national and European reference center in chemical research.
In its fourth season, the podcast dives into the key role of CO₂: from an environmental problem to a valuable resource for a cleaner economy. The chapters explore concepts such as industrial decarbonisation – with a special focus on the Tarragona chemical estate – renewable hydrogen generation as an energy vector of the future, and Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), materials recently awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their potential to capture and transform CO₂.
In Blau de Prússia, this research becomes part of the plot: the discoveries born in the ICIQ laboratories are transformed into solutions for the Margulis spacecraft and, in turn, a window into the future of science that seeks a more sustainable planet.
Dissemination with its own style
Since its launch in 2022, Blau de Prússia has already published 4 seasons and more than 50 episodes, available on Tarragona Ràdio and the ICIQ website, as well as on Spotify and Enacast. In 2023 it was a finalist in the Catalan Podcast Sound Awards, where among the nearly 200 nominations that had been submitted, the jury chose three finalists in the “Best Advertising Podcast” category. And in the Local Communication Awards 2023, among the nearly 60 nominations that had been submitted, the jury chose the Blau de Prússia among three of the finalists, in the category of “Best multimedia and transmedia content.”
Tarragona Ràdio has reached 50,000 listeners, with 202,625 hours consumed (+75% compared to 2023) and almost 25,000 podcasts downloaded to Spotify, with a growth of 160% compared to the previous year. With thousands of loyal listeners, Blau de Prussia has established itself as a benchmark in scientific dissemination in Catalan, demonstrating that chemistry can be as exciting as a galactic adventure.
“We have managed to make chemistry sound like a space adventure. If a single listener falls in love with science after listening to us, the mission will be accomplished”, adds Xavier de Gispert, managing director of Tarragona Ràdio.
Where to listen to it
Episodes of Blau de Prússia are available at:
www.tarragonaradio.cat
www.iciq.org/ca/divulgacio/public-general/podcast-blau-de-prussia/
Spotify, Apple Podcasts and Enacast
La entrada “Blau de Prússia”: The union of the ICIQ and Tarragona Ràdio that makes us travel through knowledge aboard a space ship se publicó primero en ICIQ.