Analysis of Roman shipwreck’s coatings tells story of its time on the seas
Ship was recoated several times as it sailed along Italy’s Adriatic coast
Contra-thermodynamic stereochemical editing explained
How chemists are using light, enzymes and mechanical force to access higher‑energy stereoisomers without rebuilding a molecule from scratch
Using light to push stereochemistry uphill
While chemistry usually follows the downhill pull of thermodynamics, Alison Wendlandt is creating higher‑energy stereoisomers in the final stages of synthesis
Industrial emissions of feedstock chemicals are hindering recovery of ozone layer
Emissions of certain ozone-depleting chemicals could delay the ozone layer’s recovery by six to 11 years
More than 20 organic compounds found on Mars – many for the first time
Electrochemistry unleashes untapped potential of strained rings to build molecules
‘Human-in-the-loop’ approach could cut costs of robotic labs by 90%
In-situ electron microscopy probes how atoms adsorb on surfaces at solid–liquid interfaces
Reliance on sacrificial agents misaligned with green hydrogen goals, scientists say
Cooperative gallium bonds unlock zero-valent titanium and zirconium
Highlights
The battery chemistry race shaping the future of electric vehicles
Science and global politics intertwine in the rivalry between lithium nickel manganese cobalt oxides and lithium iron phosphate
The curious case of disappearing polymorphs
From crystallographers’ beards to billion-dollar lawsuits, the phenomenon of disappearing polymorphs has puzzled chemists for decades. Now researchers are finally unravelling the science behind why stable crystal forms suddenly vanish – and discovering how to bring them back
New treatments offer hope for neglected snakebite victims
Nina Notman meets the scientists developing recombinant antivenoms and small molecule inhibitors to save the lives and limbs of snakebite patients, who number in the their hundreds of thousands
Frustrated Lewis pairs mark 20 years of metal-free catalysis
James Mitchell Crow explains how an unexpected discovery in main group chemistry inspired two decades of chemical creativity, from carbon dioxide reduction to fluorocarbon recycling, offering sustainable alternatives to precious metal catalysis
Fritz Strassmann: the principled chemist who discovered nuclear fission
Analytical chemist Friedrich Strassmann played a crucial role in discovering nuclear fission with Otto Hahn and Lise Meitner, but his principled opposition to Nazi ideology nearly destroyed his career. His story of scientific rigour and moral courage deserves greater recognition
Topics
‘Human-in-the-loop’ approach could cut costs of robotic labs by 90%
Reducing costs may democratise field by making self-driving labs more accessible
Machine learning cuts complexity of computational calculations in catalysis
Software simulates 370,000 steps in under 100 hours, potentially cutting demand for time on supercomputers by orders of magnitude
Molecules with largest dipole moments aren’t due to electronegativity differences
Computational analysis challenges Pauling’s idea of polarity
The quest to understand where atoms end
Mapping tool delivers quantitative visualisations of steric interactions
Google’s AlphaGenome wants to do for DNA what AlphaFold did for proteins
AI tool dramatically reduces computing power needed to find protein-binding molecules
Purer silicon lets robust quantum computing get started on a new medium
Using light to push stereochemistry uphill
While chemistry usually follows the downhill pull of thermodynamics, Alison Wendlandt is creating higher‑energy stereoisomers in the final stages of synthesis
Shedding light on how photoactive crystals respond in real time
Lauren Hatcher discusses her work developing techniques for time-resolved crystallography
Romans’ hot recipe for self-healing concrete unravelled in Pompeii
Discovery of building materials abandoned at construction site reveals secrets of ancient concrete that can set underwater
Roman-era ink reveals surprising chemical complexity
2000-year-old residue indicates the Romans wrote with iron-gall inks hundreds of years earlier than expected
Modified nitrile rubber gets new lease of life as carbon capture material
Two teams are exploring scaling up processes that could tackle the 800,000 tonnes of glove waste created every year
Sunlight-driven process upcycles polystyrene waste and elemental sulfur into valuable organic compounds
Products could be used as building blocks for semiconductor materials
Green chemistry and sustainable manufacturing in India
Pathways, policies and the role of chemists in building a circular chemical economy
Unlocking the power of plasma for chemistry
Scientists are using non-thermal plasma to produce fertiliser and long-chain hydrocarbons. Mason Wakley talks to the chemists harnessing the fourth state of matter
Rethinking hydrogen peroxide production
Hydro-Oxy and Addible both aim to transform how industry produces and uses a ubiquitous oxidant.
Textiles in the age of sustainability: alternative methods for fabric dyeing and treatment
Learn about advances in sustainability of textile production
Academic freedom slides globally, as it takes a nosedive in the US
The last decade has seen institutional autonomy curbed in 50 countries
The scientific career clock in China
Age limits on funding and recruitment programmes place unhelpful pressures on early-career researchers
Women and early-career researchers bore the burden of NIH’s funding disruptions
Almost 58% of the studies the US National Institutes of Health suddenly cancelled last year were female-led
Two states of water & science sleuths
In this episode, we discuss the two-state model of water, how science sleuths are fighting disinformation, and hear the latest headlines.
UK government nominates Leszek Borysiewicz as next UKRI chair
Immunologist has held numerous roles in scientific administration, including at the University of Cambridge, MRC and CRUK