Chemistry

Chemistry

Scientists Say: Zirconium

Zirconium is a metal that knows the meaning of tough. It’s so heat resistant that it’s used for molds to shape melted metals, and so radiation resistant that it coats nuclear reactors.

Chemistry

This rewritable paper depends on disappearing ink

Scientists have made a new rewritable paper that can hold text and images for at least six months. It also can be reused more than 100 times.

Chemistry

Some plastics learn to repair themselves

A new material can fix its own scratches and small cracks. One day, it also may make self-healing paints and plastics possible.

Chemistry

Six things that shouldn’t pollute your drinking water

These are why drinking untreated water can be harmful. But keep in mind, today’s water-treatment plants still won’t remove all of these.

Chemistry

Explainer: How is water cleaned up for drinking

Unless you’re drinking well water, city folks typically get drinking water that has been treated in a water-treatment plant. Here’s what that means.

Chemistry

Super-water-repellent surfaces can generate energy

Scientists knew they could get power by running salt water over an electrically charged surface. But making that surface super-water-repellent boosts that energy production, new data show.

Chemistry

Don’t flush your contact lenses

One in five people who wear contact lenses flush their used eyewear down the sink or toilet. That plastic pollutes the environment and can harm wildlife.

Chemistry

Three take home chemistry Nobel for harnessing protein ‘evolution’

New ways to create customized proteins for use in biofuels and medicines earned three researchers the 2018 Nobel Prize in chemistry.

Chemistry

Scientists Say: Kelvin

Kelvin is a temperature scale. It’s based around the concept of “absolute zero,” a temperature so cold that molecules stop moving.

Chemistry

Scientists find an easier way to trap carbon dioxide in rock

Scientists have found a much faster and easier way to trap CO2 in minerals. If they can scale it up, it might one day help to slow climate change.

Earth

Explainer: CO₂ and other greenhouse gases

Carbon dioxide is just one of several chemicals that contribute to the greenhouse effect. Nitrous oxide, methane and CFCs are other big contributors.

Chemistry

Scientists Say: Peptide

Peptides are short chains made of smaller molecules called amino acids. These chains can form proteins, and they can also do work on their own.