All alchemy articles
-
OpinionQuantum deception attempts turning water into wine
The effect lasts only a few picoseconds but demonstrates a way to manipulate the optical properties of materials
-
-
NewsArchaeological dig at Tycho Brahe’s island lab reveals some of his alchemical secrets
Analysis of what appears to be laboratory vessels shows elements Danish astronomer was working with
-
OpinionThere’s more to alchemy than its mystical nature
It was crucial to the development of chemistry
-
OpinionThe 1920s chemists who thought they’d achieved the alchemists’ dream
The now-forgotten transmutation controversy hung on apparent evidence of mercury transforming into gold
-
ResearchSecrets of the purple smoke of first high explosive created by alchemists revealed
Microscopy study uncovers why fulminating gold releases colourful fumes
-
OpinionEmbracing oddities
When new chemistry looks like alchemy or witchcraft, it’s worth taking notice
-
NewsBotanists, chemists and historians come together to recreate ancient alchemy of making mercury
Fourth century BC alchemical methods for obtaining metallic mercury from the mineral cinnabar revisited
-
-
PodcastTin chlorides
The compounds that put the 'tin' in tin cans and help you to reflect on your appearance
-
PodcastAqua regia
Capable of dissolving gold and platinum to help make 99.999% pure metals, aqua regia deserves its royal status
-
NewsNewton’s recipe for alchemists’ mercury rediscovered
Isaac Newton’s handwritten copy of a 17th century alchemy paper has been bought by US historians
-
OpinionA shared secret?
Do chemistry and alchemy have a common ancestor, or are they separated by science, asks Philip Ball
-
FeatureAlchemy on the page
Books used by alchemists offer insights into the relationship between these early chemists and their texts. Philip Ball investigates
-
-
-
FeatureA fresh look at alchemy
Lawrence Principe cracks the alchemists’ codes and discovers the sophisticated chemistry they used
-
