Chemistry

  1. Chemistry

    Sodium and other alkali explosions finally explained

    A high-speed camera snaps sharp details of how alkali metals explode in water — a classic, but until now, not fully explained chemical reaction.

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  2. Chemistry

    Retraction looms for brute-force chemistry study

    A 2011 study on tearing apart ring-shaped molecules is set to be retracted following a misconduct investigation.

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  3. Chemistry

    Nylon goes green

    A new simple chemical reaction makes manufacturing nylon less harmful to the planet.

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  4. Chemistry

    Early asteroid impacts may have aided life’s origin

    RNA ingredients found in laser-induced simulation of explosions.

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  5. Chemistry

    Radioactive fuel turns to goo during nuclear meltdown

    Experiments reveal the atomic rearrangements that occur within uranium dioxide when nuclear reactors fail.

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  6. Materials Science

    Batteries become safe to swallow with spongy covering

    Quantum-inspired coating switches from a conductor to an insulator to prevent injury from swallowed batteries.

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  7. Chemistry

    Atom breaks limit of lost electrons

    An iridium atom sets the record for highest oxidation state at +9.

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  8. Chemistry

    Chemist tackles complex problems with simplicity

    Harvard chemist George Whitesides applies his unique problem-solving philosophy to creating new diagnostic devices for the developing world.

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  9. Life

    Cells make their move with their ‘skeletons’

    A close look at exactly what makes cells move could lead to better defenses against the spread of cancer and improved wound healing.

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  10. Tech

    New microscope gives clear view inside cells

    By splitting beams of light, a new microscopy technique can capture activity inside a cell.

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  11. Chemistry

    Crystallography celebrates centennial

    Dubbed the international year of crystallography, 2014 marks the centennial of X-ray diffraction.

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  12. Chemistry

    Microscopy providing ‘window into the cell’ wins chemistry Nobel

    Three scientists use fluorescence and lasers to see single molecules and other tiny objects.

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