Chemistry
We summarize the week's scientific breakthroughs every Thursday.
- 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.
- 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.
- Chemistry
Nylon goes green
A new simple chemical reaction makes manufacturing nylon less harmful to the planet.
- Chemistry
Early asteroid impacts may have aided life’s origin
RNA ingredients found in laser-induced simulation of explosions.
- Chemistry
Radioactive fuel turns to goo during nuclear meltdown
Experiments reveal the atomic rearrangements that occur within uranium dioxide when nuclear reactors fail.
- 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.
- Chemistry
Atom breaks limit of lost electrons
An iridium atom sets the record for highest oxidation state at +9.
- 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.
- 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.
- Tech
New microscope gives clear view inside cells
By splitting beams of light, a new microscopy technique can capture activity inside a cell.
- Chemistry
Crystallography celebrates centennial
Dubbed the international year of crystallography, 2014 marks the centennial of X-ray diffraction.
- Chemistry
Microscopy providing ‘window into the cell’ wins chemistry Nobel
Three scientists use fluorescence and lasers to see single molecules and other tiny objects.
