Chemistry

Chemistry

A pinch of saturated fat could make tempering chocolate a breeze

Adding a small amount of fatty molecules to cocoa butter could simplify the labor-intensive tempering process to create melt-in-your-mouth chocolate.

Chemistry

50 years ago, scientists developed self-destructing plastic

In the 1970s, scientists developed plastic that could quickly break down when exposed to light. But that didn’t solve the world’s pollution problems.

Chemistry

Many cosmetics contain hidden, potentially dangerous ‘forever chemicals’

Scientists found signs of long-lasting PFAS compounds in about half of tested makeup products, especially waterproof mascaras and lipsticks.

Chemistry

A sweet father-son bond inspires tasty new molecule models

New edible models of proteins could spark students’ interest in the world of chemistry, especially students who are blind.

Agriculture

Nanoscale nutrients can protect plants from fungal diseases

Applied to the shoots, nutrients served in tiny metallic packages are absorbed more efficiently, strengthening plants’ defenses against fungal attack.

Earth

Lightning may be an important source of air-cleaning chemicals

Airplane observations show that thunderstorms can directly generate vast quantities of atmosphere-cleansing chemicals called oxidants.

Chemistry

A new technique could make some plastic trash compostable at home

Embedding enzymes inside biodegradable plastics makes them truly compostable, which could mitigate the plastic waste problem.

Physics

Can room-temperature superconductors work without extreme pressure?

The next generation of materials that conduct electricity with no resistance could shrug off the need for high pressure and low temperatures.

Earth

Phosphorus for Earth’s earliest life may have been forged by lightning

Lightning strikes can supply one of life’s essential elements, long thought to be delivered by meteorites billions of years ago.

Quantum Physics

‘Designer molecules’ could create tailor-made quantum devices

Scientists are making molecules suited to a variety of quantum tasks by building them up, atom by atom.

Chemistry

Chemists are reimagining recycling to keep plastics out of landfills

Recycling plastics is really hard, and usually creates low-quality materials that aren’t good for much. Chemists are trying to change that.

Chemistry

This weird chemical bond acts like a mash-up of hydrogen and covalent bonds

Chemistry students are taught that hydrogen bonds and covalent bonds are distinct, but a new study shows they exist on a continuum.