NUIG academics’ Breaking Bad meth-lab aces chemistry test

Watching television is not generally conducive to study, but hit series Breaking Bad may have the right chemistry to inspire inquiring minds.

At least that’s the finding of two NUI Galway researchers who have been studying the science behind the programme’s drug factory storyline.

Dr Roisín Doohan and PhD student Michael Gurry, recreated the crystal meth lab used in the show and have been testing some of the chemical combinations and methods the characters use to make their illicit produce. The results are more science fact that fiction. “We wanted to experiment to see how accurate the chemistry depicted in the programme is, and it’s incredibly accurate,” said Dr Doohan.