Latest
Research
New electron diffraction strategy could make it easier to study solvated organic microcrystals
The approach combines carbon liquid cells and rapid data acquisition to study solvated molecules at room temperature
Feature
Kesterite solar cells break efficiency ceiling after decade-long stall
Once-promising kesterite solar technology has finally broken through its efficiency ceiling, jumping from a decade-long stall at 12.6% to nearly 17% in just three years – putting commercial viability within reach.
Feature
From flying ointments to healing herbs: the forgotten chemistry behind historical witchcraft practices
The unusual concoctions of village witches have historically been dismissed as nonsense hocus pocus – but is this the whole story? Victoria Atkinson investigates the chemistry behind the myth and whether there was more to witchcraft than ritual and superstition
Business
Pharma sector jolted by unpredictable US tariffs policy
Firms face tough decisions amid Trump’s threatened taxes on pharmaceutical imports and ‘capricious’ approach to tariffs
News
Trump’s latest rule on research grants sidelines scientific merit and adds bureaucracy, academic groups warn
A new White House directive will see political appointees vet federal research funding decisions
Research
Molecular motor stitches together catenane rings
The light-powered system produces interlocked rings, without the need for templating strategies
New electron diffraction strategy could make it easier to study solvated organic microcrystals
The approach combines carbon liquid cells and rapid data acquisition to study solvated molecules at room temperature
Reviving organobismuth chemistry
Despite its low cost and low toxicity, bismuth has found limited applications in organic synthesis. Liam Ball is working to change that
These flexible fuel cells still work after being pierced with toothpicks and cut into pieces
Photocatalytic process converts carbon dioxide into ethylene with 99% selectivity
Nuclear waste might one day be used to create tritium to fuel fusion power plants
Tale of Britain’s post-Roman economic crash overturned by ancient metal pollution discovery
Apprenticeship students outperformed those taking a traditional chemistry degree at the University of Bradford
Thioesters could explain how proteins first formed on early Earth
This deep-sea worm turns two toxins into a harmless mineral
UK biofuels burning out
With UK plants facing closure, what are the options and issues around different renewable fuels?
Indian chemist dies after methanol inhalation incident
Preliminary investigation highlights lack of protective equipment
UK biofuels production collapsing in face of cheap imports
Liver toxicity remains an unpredictable hurdle for medicinal chemists
Deadly fentanyl contamination exposes drug safety challenges
Ask probing questions to work effectively in diverse teams
Pharma sector jolted by unpredictable US tariffs policy
At least 51 deaths in Argentina linked to tainted medical fentanyl
Unrecovered byproducts from US mines could meet the country’s demand for dozens of critical materials
UK biofuels burning out
With UK plants facing closure, what are the options and issues around different renewable fuels?
Liver toxicity remains an unpredictable hurdle for medicinal chemists
The liver’s complex role in metabolising drugs makes it both a critical consideration and potential stumbling block
Deadly fentanyl contamination exposes drug safety challenges
Bacterial conatmination in medical fentanyl has killed at least 51 people in Argentina, highlighting pressures on generic drugmakers
Ask probing questions to work effectively in diverse teams
Sometimes, what you really want may not be what you say you want
Letters: September 2025
Readers discuss negative results, chemistry cold spots and more
What I learned from going back to university in my 30s
Advice for the young student (at heart)
The clean beauty movement highlights wider challenges in balancing chemical risks and benefits
The ‘clean beauty’ movement exemplifies broader challenges in how we evaluate chemical safety, balancing risks against benefits while avoiding regrettable substitutions.
The conceptual challenge of consumer safety
Understanding causation can motivate product improvements
Nature’s amazing chemistry: reflections on its complexity and diversity
Take a walk on the wild side to discover the wacky and wonderful chemical mysteries of the natural world
Automation with no barriers: how efficient dosing, data capture, pH and temperature control is achievable for every chemist
Join us on 2 October to discover the benefits of and advances in automated dosing for chemical experimental design
Women’s health: insights in research and inclusion
Learn about the history and importance of the gender gap currently impacting women’s health sciences
Forensic taphonomy: the chemistry of delivering justice
Join us to discover the chemical processes that occur after death and how they’re revolutionising criminal investigations
Research
Reviving organobismuth chemistry
Despite its low cost and low toxicity, bismuth has found limited applications in organic synthesis. Liam Ball is working to change that
Careers
Navigating parenthood and the return to the bench: A paternal perspective
Advice for how to combine fatherhood with a career in research
Research
Tale of Britain’s post-Roman economic crash overturned by ancient metal pollution discovery
Analysis points to metal-working industry continuing long after Romans left
Feature
From flying ointments to healing herbs: the forgotten chemistry behind historical witchcraft practices
The unusual concoctions of village witches have historically been dismissed as nonsense hocus pocus – but is this the whole story? Victoria Atkinson investigates the chemistry behind the myth and whether there was more to witchcraft than ritual and superstition
Careers
Comic book chemistry
The scientists using visual storytelling to communicate their work – and how you can do it too
Sponsored
Ion suppression correction and normalisation in metabolomics
Join us on 5 November to learn new ways to improve data consistency with mass spectrometry
Automation with no barriers: how efficient dosing, data capture, pH and temperature control is achievable for every chemist
Join us on 2 October to discover the benefits of and advances in automated dosing for chemical experimental design
Exploring the frontiers of the periodic table: bismuth catalysis and its applications
Join us on 16 October to learn about state-of-the-art synthesis coming from one of the world’s leading catalysis research groups
The power of CAD software in accelerating product development in chemical industries
CAD is reshaping everything from reactor design to plant optimisation and making digital design a cornerstone of modern chemical innovation
Nobel prize in chemistry 2025: Reaction
Join us for an exclusive look at the Nobel in chemistry 2025 prize-winning science – make sure you’re there on 10 October
Lipidomics for antibiotic resistance (AMR) mechanisms
Join us on 23 October to discover how microbial antibiotic exposure triggers lipidomic changes, offering insight into how lipids contribute to resistance mechanisms
Lost in space, found in data: real-world scientific exploration and discovery
Join us on 14 October as we navigate the world of multidimensional spaces in data discovery methodology
We need to build the data that chemistry deserves - here’s how we can do it
Creating a purpose-built repository of standardised reaction data is a tall order, but the reward would be huge
Navigating parenthood and the return to the bench: A paternal perspective
Advice for how to combine fatherhood with a career in research
Comic book chemistry
The scientists using visual storytelling to communicate their work – and how you can do it too
Letters: September 2025
Readers discuss negative results, chemistry cold spots and more
Establishing your independent research career
Writing grant proposals is an important skills to develop – and there is plenty of support you can seek