Chemistry

Chemistry

Molecular surgery traps hydrogen inside carbon cage

In a feat of precision chemistry, scientists have locked a pair of hydrogen atoms inside a soccer ball–shaped carbon molecule known as a buckyball.

Chemistry

Chemistry au Naturel

Chemists aim to mimic natural systems with the hope of developing more-efficient chemical processes that are also less harmful to the environment.

Chemistry

Hungry for Hydrogen: Microbes in hot springs feed on unlikely source

Microbes dwelling in Yellowstone National Park's hot springs draw their energy not from sulfur but from hydrogen.

Chemistry

Building artificial cells from scratch

Scientists have created artificial cells that can live and produce proteins as their natural counterparts do, but can't replicate.

Chemistry

Recipe for Roman cosmetic revealed

British chemists have found that a white material inside a small tin canister excavated from a 2000-year-old Roman temple is an ancient cosmetic face cream.

Chemistry

Researchers stretch for improved surfaces

A surprisingly simple, new technique could create better coatings for everything from medical implants to ship hulls.

Chemistry

Cleaning up anthrax

Chemists have developed catalysts that spur common oxidants to quickly destroy germs, including deadly anthrax spores.

Chemistry

Busy Beads: Magnetic dust takes droplets for a ride

With a bit of dust and a magnet, chemists can shuttle drops around on a surface, an advance that could lead to chemistry labs on a chip.

Chemistry

Fatty acid makes busy micropotter

A fatty acid commonly found in soap and vegetable oil assembles into microscopic, potterylike structures when it crystallizes.

Chemistry

Solar Hydrogen

With the vision of a hydrogen economy looming ever larger in people's minds, scientists have picked up the pace of their pursuit of materials that use solar energy to split water and make clean-burning hydrogen fuel.

Chemistry

Microbes Make the Switch: Tailored bacteria need caffeine product to survive

Bacteria that rely on a chemical derived from the breakdown of caffeine for their survival could help lead to the development of decaffeinated coffee plants.

Chemistry

Branching polymer could heal cataract wounds

Cataract surgery might get a little easier, thanks to a transparent gel that seals surgical incisions in the eye better than standard sutures do.