Chemistry

  1. Tech

    Scientists find a ‘greener’ way to make jeans blue

    When coated onto jeans, a plant-based polymer reduces water and cuts the amount of toxic chemicals needed.

    By
  2. Chemistry

    Chemistry solves a French royal mystery

    Ink analysis reveals the hidden words of Marie Antoinette's letters and who tried to hide them.

    By
  3. Environment

    Everyday plastics can pollute, leaching thousands of chemicals

    Plastic bags and containers leach potentially toxic chemicals into both food and water, but researchers yet don’t know how they might affect health.

    By
  4. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Electron

    Electrons are negatively charged particles. They are attracted to the positively charged particles in the center, or nucleus, of an atom.

    By
  5. Chemistry

    Chemists win Nobel Prize for faster, cleaner way of making molecules

    Both scientists independently came up with new process — asymmetric organocatalysis. That name may be a mouthful, but it’s not that hard to understand.

    By
  6. Chemistry

    Explainer: In chemistry, what does it mean to be organic?

    These are molecules formed by combining carbon with other elements, especially hydrogen.

    By
  7. Physics

    Scientists Say: Plasma

    In physics, plasma refers to one of the four states of matter. In medicine, plasma describes the part of blood that ferries cells, nutrients and more throughout the body.

    By
  8. Materials Science

    Scientists Say: Aerosol

    Aerosols are tiny bits of solids or drops of liquids suspended in gas. Aerosols include mist, fog and soot, as well as pollution from fossil fuels.

    By
  9. Chemistry

    Scientists Say: Oxidation and Reduction

    Oxidation and reduction are two parts of a chemical process in which one atom steals electrons from another.

    By
  10. Chemistry

    New glue offers to turn any small walking robot into Spider-Man

    To climb walls, robot feet need to alternately stick and let go. A novel adhesive can do that. Its stickiness is controlled by electric fields.

    By
  11. Chemistry

    Explainer: What is an electrode?

    An electrode’s name depends on the circumstances. Confused? It may help to consider which electrochemical reaction is natural — and which is not.

    By
  12. Chemistry

    Explainer: Ions and radicals in our world

    When atoms get an electric charge, they act very differently. Now called ions, these are behind many aspects of chemistry, including acids and batteries.

    By