Features
September 2008
Something in the water
Drugs have been finding their way into our water supplies for as long as they have been in use, so should we worry? Maria Burke reports
Delving the depths
The field of water analysis is entering a new area, with much talk of data sharing, new testing devices and water quality forecasting, as Emma Davies discovers
Solvent from the sky
Nature's favourite solvent can also give great results in the lab, as James Mitchell Crow finds out
Thirsty work
As water shortage becomes an increasing concern, the chemical industry aims to use it wisely. Sean Milmo reports
August 2008
Cold chemistry
Intrepid researchers will brave the harshest conditions in the name of science. Ned Stafford talks to some of Antarctica's chemists
Trouble brewing
Chemical reactions during storage can destroy a beer's flavour. Henry Nicholls finds out how brewers are striving to stabilise beer's chemistry
A healthy dose
Is it really worth supplementing your diet with health-boosting pills? Emma Davies reports
Rebuilding Africa with science
As the RSC launches the first African hub of its Pan Africa Chemistry Network, Victoria Gill finds out how science can provide real solutions for the continent
Molecule of murder
In an exclusive article adapted from his new book, John Emsley explores the hallucinogen, medicine, deadly poison and antidote that is atropine
July 2008
Sparks of creation
Chemists are at the forefront of synthetic biology, the burgeoning field that could soon create artificial life. Ananyo Bhattacharya reports
Genome maverick
In an exclusive interview, controversial scientist and entrepreneur Craig Venter tells Richard Corfield how he thinks synthetic genomics can save the planet
A new beginning
As BP approaches its centenary, Sean Milmo finds out how the UK energy giant plans to innovate its way out its recent troubles and to navigate a turbulent market
What David did next
After seven years as the UK government's chief scientific adviser, chemist David King is still fighting to keep climate change at the top of the political agenda.
Playing the genes you're dealt
Predictive toxicogenomics uses the genetic hand you're dealt to forecast your reaction to environmental chemicals. Lisa Melton reports
June 2008
Breaking the rules
Sarah Houlton finds out about some chemical tricks that can give a new drug the best possible odds of success
See the wood for the fuel
Countries are turning to their commercial forests as a source of non-agricultural biofuels. Elisabeth Jeffries reports
A sustainable generation?
The use of palm oil to make biodiesel has incited environmental and humanitarian concerns. Jane Qiu unpicks the controversy and the possibilities
Keeping it simple
A discouraging chemistry teacher and a failed rock band just made Harren Jhoti all the more determined to succeed. Sarah Houlton meets the 2008 Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the ...
May 2008
Pulling our strings
There is much more to DNA than that elegant double helix. Philip Ball explores the twists and tangles of chromatin
A forgotten triumph
In 1858, a new theory revolutionised organic chemistry, but its originator was brushed aside. Mike Sutton revives the memory of Archibald Scott Couper
Snapshots from the NMR frontier
From structural biology to nanoscale catalysts, Joe McEntee finds that researchers are exploring all sorts of creative variations on the NMR theme
Chemistry's millionaire
Steve Davies has made successful business his hobby. He reveals some of the secrets of entrepreneurial chemistry to Sarah Houlton
Let registration commence
Over the next ten years the European Chemicals Agency will undertake a mammoth task - registering 30,000 chemicals ready for Reach. Brigitte Osterath reports
April 2008
Malaria no more?
Has malaria finally met its scientific match? Victoria Gill finds out whether a fresh round of research funding could put an end to the killer disease
The graphene challenge
Atom-thin sheets of carbon are taking the materials world by storm. Richard Van Noorden discovers that now is the perfect time for chemists to join the party
Raman reinvented
Raman spectroscopy is no longer an insensitive technique. Tom Westgate finds out how this advancing technology offers new possibilities in biology and security
The icing on the cake
A deeper understanding of the biological role of sugar molecules is transforming drug design. Susan Aldridge finds out more
March 2008
Complexity crystallised
Protein x-ray crystallography has come a long way from a 12 year search for the structure of a single protein. Philip Ball reports
The concrete conundrum
Concrete is the single most widely used material in the world - and it has a carbon footprint to match.
The house that BASF built
Chemistry is the secret ingredient behind an energy-efficient house that has been built in Nottingham, UK
Political chemists
Simon Hadlington meets some of the chemists who are bringing their scientific knowledge into the political realm
Chemist in the cabinet
John Denham gave up life in the lab for a career in politics, and now runs the British government's department for science. Richard Van Noorden meets him
February 2008
Resistance is useless
Chemistry holds the key to commercialisation of high-temperature superconductors that could revolutionise electrical power supply
The chemistry of private equity
Private equity has transformed the chemicals industry, but can it play the same role in high-risk R&D driven companies? Nuala Moran reports
A town called science
An ambitious project in Switzerland aims to create the world's first fully integrated science city. Yfke Hager reports
The chemist who saved biology
A long voyage led one young chemist to steer evolutionary biology onto the right course. Richard Corfield explores the life of chemistry's Darwin
January 2008
A model city
Shanghai is being sculpted into the ideal of a modern Chinese city. It's also becoming China's centre for scientific innovation, as Victoria Gill reports
How to kill your RNA
Switching off problematic genes with RNA interference promises treatments for a huge range of disease - if investigators can get it to where it's needed. Lisa Melton reports
Portable organs
A combination of medical research and engineering could bring an end to the era of putting precious human organs on ice to keep them alive for longer. Michael Gross reports
The education revolution
The traditional chemistry department has changed for good. Jonny Woodward uncovers the new face of higher education in chemistry
December 2007
The chemistry set generation
Thinking about buying a chemistry set for someone this Christmas? A nostalgic look at an inspirational toy that could be on the verge of a comeback
Surfing Web2O
The rapid evolution of the world wide web is creating fresh opportunities - and challenges - for chemistry. Richard Van Noorden reports
Molecules that matter
What began as one chemistry professor's project to find the 10 most important molecules of the 20th century, has brought science and art together in a unique exhibition
The demise of a blockbuster
The name Vioxx has become synonymous with disaster in the pharmaceutical industry. What lessons have been learned?
The first scientific baron
In the month that marks the 100th anniversary of Lord Kelvin's death, Colin Russell unravels the life of a prodigious talent
November 2007
The surface detective
This year's Nobel prize in chemistry has highlighted the importance of surface chemistry in modern life. Richard Van Noorden catches up with the winner, Gerhard Ertl
Solving an ancient puzzle
Analytical chemistry is revolutionising archaeological study - as well as igniting some controversy
Courtroom chemistry
When analysing the smallest traces of evidence at a crime scene, chemistry is key. Lisa Melton finds out how chemists can play their part in the justice system
Membranes for an ancient mariner
Membrane engineers are developing ways to filter drinkable water out of polluted, salty and contaminated supplies. Jon Evans reports
October 2007
Carbon capture and storage could allow us to burn fossil fuels without climate consequences - but only with more investment in R&D, argues Stuart Haszeldine
A shortage of agricultural land and inefficient production processes have cast a doubtful shadow over the first generation of biofuels.
As the UK government indicates renewed support for nuclear energy, Richard Van Noorden tours the reactor designs in contention
The Dalton Institute at the University of Manchester aims to be a world leader in nuclear research, and breathe life into an industry that very nearly collapsed.
Incubating climate change solutions
The Carbon Trust's incubator programme aims to help scientists, spin-outs and small companies bring their carbon-reducing ideas to commercial fruition.
As restrictions are tightened on energy consumption within industry, Sean Milmo finds out how the chemical sector is fighting against its image as an energy glutton
Chemistry's special relationship
From the discovery of aniline dyes to modern biofuels, chemistry and energy have always been intractably linked.
September 2007
Fighting food fraud with science
Bea Perks meets some of the scientists subjecting our food's credentials to forensic examination
Andrew Parker unveils the stunning realm of optical biomimetics
Sir Richard Sykes has turned Imperial College, London, into a brand with an international influence. Richard Van Noorden meets him
When a group of MIT professors started to design products in a garage in the 1930s, they had no idea that they were laying the foundations for a global business.
Psychedelic drugs show promise in treating conditions including post-traumatic stress disorder and Alzheimer's. Karen Harries-Rees uncovers the come-back of medicinal hallucinogens...
August 2007
The red planet has claimed many a plucky spacecraft. Richard Corfield discovers how Nasa's latest attempt hopes to overcome the odds with a different approach
David MacMillan, a leading light in organocatalysis, takes James Mitchell Crow on a tour of the field
Fluorochemicals are still causing concern. Emma Davies finds out how polar bears and microwaved popcorn reignited the contamination debate
In the commercial battle between digital and analogue photography, physics eventually prevailed. Here, Mike Ware reveals how chemistry shaped the history of photographic images
July 2007
There's more to quitting than nicotine
As England joins the growing list of nations to ban smoking in enclosed public places, Lisa Melton explores the medicinal arsenal that could help to kick the habit
Could artificial enzymes finally be about to shake up catalysis? James Mitchell Crow investigates
Can chemicals really help to roll back the years? Victoria Gill investigates the various treatments that come with the promise of youth
There is a new driving force for the growth of the chemical industry in the north-east of England.
June 2007
As we constantly upgrade and replace our numerous electronic devices, the rubbish tip of forgotten, out-of-date equipment continues to grow. Maria Burke investigates
Chemistry World Entrepreneur of the Year Ian Shott started his company, Excelsyn, from nothing in 2003.
Academics are making their mark on the business world, profiting from their ideas.
The woman that inspired Faraday
Jane Marcet wrote what was to become one of history's most important chemistry books. Hazel Rossotti dips into her pioneering 'Conversations on Chemistry'
May 2007
Chinese medicine in western packaging
The past decade has seen a global awakening to the truly curative powers of many ancient medicines, from black bear bile to the Asian plant Epimedium. Lisa Melton delves deeper
R&D outsourcing is becoming increasingly popular as companies learn to let go. Sarah Houlton reports
As our everyday gadgets become more advanced, the battery technology used to power them lags further behind. But help is at hand, as Simon Hadlington discovers
Polymers that grow like trees have been around for nearly three decades. Now they are on the verge of realising their potential, as Michael Gross reports
April 2007
Now we have bionic eyes and limbs, and chemists are creating artificial bodily tissues to rival nature's own, as Jon Evans discovers
Min Enze helped to kickstart China's industrial boom. Fifty years on, his research focuses on tackling the environmental damage of development, reports Bea Perks
To some, 'click chemistry' is simply a relabelling of standard organic chemistry practices. Others follow its principles almost religiously
Reach will start to be implemented in June and companies are being urged to prepare for it. This is easier said than done, with many areas of the legislation still decidedly fuzzy
A sudden change in the properties of a drug as a new polymorph appears can be highly damaging for pharma firms. The industry now appears to be in control of the situation
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